Citrus x paradisi, don't call it pomelo!
Citrus x paradisi
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9a (-6.7°C ≤ T° < -3.9°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Genus
- Citrus
- Species
- Citrus x paradisi
Other names:Pamplemousse, Citrus sinensis × Citrus maxima, Citrus sinensis × Citrus grandis
Citrus x paradisi is a tree native to the West Indies, belonging to the Rutaceae family. It is the result of a cross between the orange tree and the grapefruit tree. The latter produces grapefruit, a fruit with a thick rind that is so acidic it cannot be eaten. Citrus x paradisi produces pomelos, a citrus fruit with a subtle balance of sweet, sour and bitter flavors.
How to recognize Citrus x paradisi?
Citrus x paradisi is a tree with a rounded habit. Larger than the lemon tree, it reaches a height of ten meters and a width of five meters when planted in its natural environment. In our latitudes or in pots, its growth is more modest. But it remains over two meters tall. If you want to grow a citrus fruit in bonsai, turn to the Citrus margarita!
With its fragrant evergreen foliage, Citrus x paradisi is a feast for the senses. The deep-green, lanceolate leaves have a star-shaped petiole. The leaf blades bear small black spots. These are the essence pockets. When squeezed, they release pomelo essential oil.
Spring flowering is characterized by the blooming of white, starry flowers. They appear in clusters and give off a citrus fragrance.
They give way to the fruit, pomelo or false grapefruit. These spheres, eight to fifteen centimetres in diameter, weigh between 300 and 600 grams. Their yellow or pink rind protects the juicy flesh, which is also pink or yellow. Its acidity depends on the variety.
Pummelos are non-toxic and can be eaten plain, in juice or as a condiment. However, they can interact with certain enzymes found in medicines, leading to overdose.
Our care tips
Maintaining a Citrus x paradisi 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.
The Citrus x paradisi 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
Citrus x paradisi likes humidity, but not at root level. Water only when the rootball has dried to a depth of two or three centimeters.
Use non-calcareous water, such as rainwater, at room temperature. If you've placed your houseplant on a dish, empty the stagnant water each time it appears.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Citrus x paradisi to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
When roots are sticking out of the pot or visible on the surface, it's time to repot!
To prepare your Citrus x paradisi for repotting, soak the root ball. Then gently loosen the root ball.
Choose a terracotta pot or a wooden planter. Both materials promote water evaporation and reduce the risks associated with excessive watering. Make sure the container has drainage holes to allow water to drain.
Place a layer of clay pellets or gravel at the bottom to aid drainage.
Fill the rest with a rich substrate, such as a special citrus potting mix or general-purpose potting mix. You can make your own mix using:
- one-third potting mix;
- one-third garden soil;
- pozzolan.
Place your shrub in the center. The top of the root ball should be two centimeters below the rim of the pot. Fill in with substrate and firm it down to remove air pockets. When planting, be sure not to bury the root collar.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
The Citrus x paradisi are greedy plants. They need to be fertilized. Feed yours with a special liquid or granulated citrus fertilizer.
Cleaning
The dust that accumulates on the leaves of your Citrus x paradisi slows down the photosynthesis process. To enable it to thrive, dust regularly and gently.
To remove dust, wipe both sides of the leaf with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Support the larger ones with your other hand to prevent damage.
If your plant looks dirty, you can add some black soap to the water to moisten your cloth.
To remove dust, wipe both sides of the leaf with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Support the larger ones with your other hand to prevent damage.
If your plant looks dirty, you can add some black soap to the water to moisten your cloth.
Harvest
Pick the fruit from the tree when it's ripe.
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 x paradisi during its growing season.
To encourage stem branching, pinch off the terminal buds.
Planting
Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can 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.
The Citrus x paradisi 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
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- SunHalf-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Categories
- TreeShrubFruit tree
- Tag
- Edible fruit
- Origin
- Central America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9a (-6.7°C ≤ T° < -3.9°C)
- Leaf color
- Dark green
- Flower color
- White
- Fruit colors
- RoseYellow
Discover plants from the same family
Lemon tree
Citrus x limon
Clementine tree
Citrus x clementina
Mandarin orange tree
Citrus reticulata
Orange tree
Citrus sinensis
Find out more
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
