Grapefruit tree in the ground
Leaves and fruits Citrus maxima
Citrus maxima flower
Citrus maxima fruit
Green grapefruit
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Grapefruit Citrus maxima, the citrus of all records!
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Less popular than its cousin citrus x paradisi and its pomelos, Citrus maxima and its grapefruits do not go unnoticed in the Rutaceae family. This tree, native to Laos and Cambodia, stands out for its large size and the dimensions of its fruit.
How to recognize the grapefruit tree, Citrus maxima?
Citrus maxima is the largest of the citrus trees. This tree, with its dense, spreading canopy, can exceed twelve meters in height and five meters in spread when grown in the ground.
Grapefruit has a short, sturdy trunk with greyish-green or yellowish bark. The irregular branches are covered with thorns and even hairs when young.
The leaves are smooth. Oval to elliptical, they are shiny dark green. They give off a sweet fragrance when crumpled.
Flowering takes place in spring. The waxy-white flowers bloom in the leaf axils. They appear singly or in cymes. Highly fragrant, they attract numerous pollinators.
It's hard to believe that these delicate flowers will give rise to one of the most voluminous fruits of all! Spherical or slightly flattened, the grapefruit can weigh up to eight kilos and measure up to 30 centimetres in diameter! Its thick, yellow or green skin conceals a slightly juicy, acidic and bitter pulp.
Grapefruit is an edible fruit. In addition to its nutritional properties, it is said to have medicinal virtues. While some of its qualities remain to be proven, one thing is certain: Citrus maxima is not toxic, either to the touch or if swallowed. It is safe for us and our pets.
Our maintenance tips
Maintaining a Citrus maxima is not difficult. Above all, you need to protect it from frost in winter and provide it with the nutrients it needs to grow. With the right potting soil and regular fertilizing, you'll soon be enjoying your own citrus fruits.
Citrus maxima citrus trees need regular watering all year round. During hot spells, water early in the morning or in the evening. Water evaporates less quickly, and your shrub benefits from it for longer.
Watering
Water your Citrus maxima when the potting soil has dried on the surface, for at least three centimetres.
Supply the plant with non-calcareous water at room temperature. Rainwater is best. If you don't have any, you can filter mains water or leave it to stand for 24 hours.
After watering, check the saucer or planter. If stagnant water appears, empty it. It could rot the roots.
Repotting
Every spring, repot your Citrus maxima to give it more space.
When roots protrude from the pot or are visible on the surface, it's time to repot!
To prepare your Citrus maxima for repotting, soak the root ball. Then gently loosen the root ball.
Choose a terracotta pot or a wooden tub. Both materials encourage water evaporation and reduce the risk of over-watering. Make sure the container is perforated to allow water to drain away.
At the bottom, place a bed of clay balls or gravel to facilitate drainage.
Top up with a rich substrate, such as special citrus or planting soil. You can make your own mixture with :
- one-third planting soil
- one-third garden soil
- pozzolan.
Place your shrub in the center. The surface of the rootball should be two centimetres below the rim of the pot. Fill with substrate and tamp to eliminate air bubbles. When planting, do not bury the collar.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Citrus maxima, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Citrus maxima are greedy plants. They need to be fertilized. Feed yours with a special liquid or granulated citrus fertilizer.
Cleaning
Cleaning the leaves with a clean, damp cloth removes dust and limits pest attacks.
Prune
Size is not essential. It only helps to control shape and development and improves fruiting. When pruning, always use clean, sharp pruning shears.
Citrus trees flower and fruit on the year's wood. To maintain the compact, rounded shape of your shrub, remove dead branches and shoots growing along the trunk. You can also aerate the center by removing some shoots that have already borne fruit in previous years.
If you want to improve your harvest, you can also carry out a fruiting pruning operation: one month after the appearance of a new shoot, prune it back to a height of 20 centimetres.
Pinch
Pinch your Citrus maxima during its growing season.
Pinching improves branching. When new leaves appear, take them between your fingers. Section the leaf with your fingernails.
Plantation
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
Find them a place sheltered from the wind and isolated from other plants. Citrus plants have shallow roots and don't like to share their space.
Dig a hole 70 centimetres wide and 1 metre in diameter. While you're at it, soak the root ball.
Plant the plant in the middle, with the top of the rootball level with the ground. Take care not to bury the collar.
Citrus maxima plants thrive in light, well-drained, rich soil. When filling in, add potting soil or citrus soil to your garden soil. Tamp and water.
Diseases / Threats
Information
| Family | Rutaceae - Rutaceae |
| Type | Citrus - Citrus |
| Species | Citrus maxima - Citrus maxima |
| Lifecycle | Perennial |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Exposures | |
| Substrat | |
| Planting methods |
Open ground In pots In tubs |
| Categories | |
| Tag |
Edible fruit |
| Origin |
Southeast Asia |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 9b |
| Leaf color |
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| Flower color |
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| Fruit colors |
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