Next best alternative to short lived STAR Ruby red Grapefruit Trees?
nighthawk0911
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
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pip313
7 years agoRelated Discussions
ruby red grapfruit (wanted)
Comments (7)Jsschrstrcks, not sure where you're located, but a lot of us cannot mail any part of a citrus, seeds, scion wood, fruit, etc. due to the restrictions placed on certain states (pretty much all the "citrus" states). And, cannot receive out of state citrus either. So, let us know where you live, first. If you're in Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia or S. Carolina, you're living in a quarantined state, and most likely cannot swap seeds. Check with your local county extension office or local USDA office to see. The days of swapping citrus seeds are going by the wayside with HLB, Citrus Canker and Trizesta virus I'm afraid. Patty S. Here is a link that might be useful: Save our Citrus Web Site...See MoreGrapefruit - Sooty mold perhaps - help please
Comments (20)Imidacloprid is available at garden centers (note that I did not hilight that word, and I resent advertisers' being permitted to hijack my postings!) under various names -- read the fine print, and look for products made by Bayer. I believe it is not labelled for use on bearing trees, so you should remove the fruit before applying. It's fairly safe to handle and is usually soil-applied, so easy to apply. There are sprayable forms as well. Pyriproxifen -- I've not used this. But insect growth regulators (IGRs) often badly affect the parasite population, so in general are not popular. Oxamyl -- very effective, but VERY toxic to people, so likely not available without a restricted applicator's license, and even then, likely not legal for use in a home garden. I'd avoid that one. Endosulfan -- have not used that one either, nor is it commonly used on Florida citrus. Jean is right that insecticidal soap works. Be aware that it can also burn the leaves, so try it more diluted than the label suggests, at first. Spray oils are excellent for killing whitefly, but I'd avoid an oil this late in the year, since they also reduce cold-hardiness, and a grapefruit in Alabama is already lucky to be alive in that regard! Unless you're losing large numbers of leaves, my recommendation would be to do nothing. WWF is never a significant problem here, due to heavy parasitization, as long as you haven't killed off their parasites and predators with other sprays. You asked about identifying your grapefruit. Difficult without actually looking at one, but here are some suggestions: white seedy -- Duncan white seedless -- Marsh pale pink, seedless, not even the slightest hint of pink in the albedo (white part of the peel) nor on the surface of the peel -- Thompson medium pink, seedless (seedless means 6 or fewer in grapefruit), slight pink blush to the albedo, and often a slight pink blush to the surface of the peel -- Ruby Red (a.k.a. Redblush) Much deeper red, seedless, large open core area, bright pink albedo and definite, strong blushing on the peel -- Star Ruby Like Star Ruby but with a smaller, less open core area -- Flame, Henderson, Ray, or any of a number of other newer varieties. Another key to Star Ruby is that at least some of the leaves on the tree will have pale yellow to white patches on them, resembling some type of herbicide damage. There is no good method, using leaves, flowers, tree habit, nor green fruit, to tell them apart....See MoreWhat's happenin' with my baby Ruby red grapefruit tree ?
Comments (13)dchall, Since the tree has been in the ground for a year now and is established, it is watered weekly, either by Mother Nature or by us during the dry season when it gets a good, long soaking by hose. We try to ensure 1" a week. The tree's root flare isn't buried. Being a young tree, the flare is not big. The raised soil ring (native soil and composted mix) around the tree is obscuring the view of the flare. It is fertilized regularly (every 6-8 weeks since it is established) with citrus fertilizer. Fresh compost is applied and worked into the soil 3 times a year. We appreciate your input on the grass, but as dirtygardener stated, we have restrictions on both watering and fertilizing lawns here. That fertilizer ends up in our water supply through our normal rainy season and excess watering by us. Many area communities are starting to ban fertilizer altogether. Our Gulf and rivers are full of red tide and green algae...the worst in history. The current event started in October of 2017, and is getting increasingly worse every month with no end in sight. The effect on our marine life, our own physical health and our economy has been devastating. Red tide and green algae occur naturally in small amounts every year. But, it is suspected that the huge amounts of fertilizer from big sugar farms that get washed out into our rivers and end up in the Gulf are feeding the algae. Housing developments, where applying lawn fertilizer and watering to excess to grow lush grass is common, are only contributing to the problem. So, we will continue to responsibly water and fertilize our trees and plants and let Mother Nature determine when our grass gets watered and we will accept our grass as it is. Our neighborhood and surrounding areas all have yards similar to ours. Just an FYI, many of the weeds that grow in our lawns are host plants for the caterpillars of smaller butterflies and moths. Applying fertilizers and weed killers would kill not only the weeds but the caterpillars that feed on them....See MoreContainer Grapefruit pruning advice
Comments (12)Thank you @Silica, I was not aware that fruit only develops on new growth, and I do want them to be functional fruit trees, not just designer container trees. I would love to plant in the ground, but HOA forbids citrus (no idea why). I think they will be more forgiving of container trees under the patio. And if they are not, I can move them elsewhere without having to dig them up. As the season progresses, I will move them back onto the concrete so it looks a little better. I am just trying to maximize sun exposure right now before the intense summer kicks in....See Morepip313
7 years ago
poncirusguy6b452xx
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agopip313
7 years agoponcirusguy6b452xx
7 years agoponcirusguy6b452xx
7 years agopip313
7 years agoponcirusguy6b452xx
7 years agopip313
7 years agoponcirusguy6b452xx
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoGramercy Treelover
7 years ago
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