Q. I have an Oroblanco
mini grapefruit along with other citrus growing in my backyard. All of them
have flowered and set fruit except for this grapefruit. My friend has one of
these too and hers has given her fruit. What do I do to get this finiky
grapefruit to produce fruit?
mini grapefruit along with other citrus growing in my backyard. All of them
have flowered and set fruit except for this grapefruit. My friend has one of
these too and hers has given her fruit. What do I do to get this finiky
grapefruit to produce fruit?
A. If your backyard does
not get too cold then it should produce well for you. Citrus biggest problem here
is winter cold damage, freezing back and late spring frosts that eliminate
flowers and fruit.
not get too cold then it should produce well for you. Citrus biggest problem here
is winter cold damage, freezing back and late spring frosts that eliminate
flowers and fruit.
Grapefruit
is one of the citrus that has the best potential for Las Vegas but Oroblanco is
a grapefruit and pomello cross. It may be a bit more sensitive to winter cold
and late freezes than traditional grapefruit like Marsh or Ruby Red.
is one of the citrus that has the best potential for Las Vegas but Oroblanco is
a grapefruit and pomello cross. It may be a bit more sensitive to winter cold
and late freezes than traditional grapefruit like Marsh or Ruby Red.
Oroblanco
is harvested in the fall when temperatures are dropping around October. It is
this time it has its best color and flavor.
is harvested in the fall when temperatures are dropping around October. It is
this time it has its best color and flavor.
It
flowers in the spring. The tree should be loaded with flowers if there have
been no freezing temperatures. About 2% of all the flowers will result in
fruit. The rest of the flowers and young fruit are aborted by the tree.
flowers in the spring. The tree should be loaded with flowers if there have
been no freezing temperatures. About 2% of all the flowers will result in
fruit. The rest of the flowers and young fruit are aborted by the tree.
The
flowers give way to fruit as long as freezing temperatures don’t kill the
flowers or young fruit during spring months. Flowers and young fruit are
extremely sensitive to any freezing temperatures while the tree itself is much
more tolerant. The flowers or flower buds will be killed but you may see no
damage to the tree.
flowers give way to fruit as long as freezing temperatures don’t kill the
flowers or young fruit during spring months. Flowers and young fruit are
extremely sensitive to any freezing temperatures while the tree itself is much
more tolerant. The flowers or flower buds will be killed but you may see no
damage to the tree.
The
other possibility is spring pruning. Citrus in general are seldom pruned unless
it is needed. Excessive pruning in the spring can remove spring flowers before
they come out. Pruning can also result in no flowers and no fruit. It is best
to prune these trees just after harvest in October.
other possibility is spring pruning. Citrus in general are seldom pruned unless
it is needed. Excessive pruning in the spring can remove spring flowers before
they come out. Pruning can also result in no flowers and no fruit. It is best
to prune these trees just after harvest in October.
Irregular
watering can cause the tree to drop flowers and fruit. Use a surface wood chip
mulch to help keep the soil moisture from fluctuating too much and fruit/flower
drop.
watering can cause the tree to drop flowers and fruit. Use a surface wood chip
mulch to help keep the soil moisture from fluctuating too much and fruit/flower
drop.