Oranges, tangerines and lemons were known before our era. But nothing was known about grapefruit until in 1750 a priest found it on one of the islands and called it a “forbidden fruit.” He decided that it was for eating this fruit that Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise.
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – April 22, 2021 – Agriculture
Now we can grow grapefruit right on the windowsill because the seeds obtained from the fruit germinate perfectly. And in six or eight years the trees on the windowsill will give the first harvest.
If you look in the Botanical Garden, you will see grapefruit trees with heavy fruits collected in bunches. In the apartment, the results will be more modest. Problems can be with taste. From bitter to sweet … here’s how lucky.
Interestingly, grapefruit was first grown as an ornamental plant because of its beautiful leaves and fragrant flowers, and only then tasted the fruit.
In order not to encounter bitterness, it is better to inoculate the seedlings with a cultivar or get its cuttings and root.
There are about two dozen varieties of grapefruit, but the most popular – Duncan. It bears fruit in the fourth year after inoculation and bears fruit weighing up to 500 g, large, yellow, slightly flattened. He also feels good in the apartment, you just need to follow a few simple rules.
Closer to the ground
Pots should be filled as follows: put the shard on the bottom with the convex side up so that the soil is not washed away. Then 5-8 cm of drainage from expanded clay or coarse sand. The soil is prepared from a mixture of sod, humus, peat, and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1. Iron is especially important for grapefruit. Therefore, it is better to buy drugs Master or Fertika, which contain trace elements.
For new apartments
Grapefruit should be transplanted into a larger pot each year. It is impossible to plant at once in big as roots have to master space step by step. For a five-six-year-old tree, a tub 40-50 cm high and with a diameter of 50 cm will be comfortable.
During transshipment, carefully inspect the root system: cut the diseased roots to white on the cross-section. Transshipment can be carried out throughout the summer.
Frequent watering
Proper watering is very important. In winter, the plants are watered once every ten days, and in summer – two or three times a week.
Warning! Grapefruit does not tolerate chlorine, so water must be defended. The water should be 4-5 ° C warmer than room temperature. Watered in several steps to moisten the soil in layers. It is useful to spray the plants with a sprayer and sometimes wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.
Let there be light!
Grapefruit loves light. In the presence of its deficiency shoots stretch, warp, plants weaken. Therefore, in winter it must be illuminated. But you can not return the pot. If you turn it 180 °, the plants will lose flowers and even leaves. Fluorescent bulbs will perfectly cope with illumination.
Shall we cut?
Grapefruit does not require special pruning, but if you want to get especially beautiful plants, then pruning is required. The formation is carried out in April-May. In the first year, the central shoot is shortened to a height of 15-20 cm, then, when the side shoots grow, leave three or four top. They are pinched at a height of 15-20 cm and form two or three branches of the second order. They also pinch the tops. Thus, pruned trees are especially symmetrical and beautiful.
If you do not get used to lemons, do not worry – grapefruit is much more durable. Therefore it is better to begin acquaintance with citrus with it.
Read also: A Drone Has been made to Count Fruits in Belgium!
Source: Ukrgate
