The grapefruit tree diagram ( Citrus paradisi ) is the most frost - sensitive of citrous fruit trees . Grapefruit Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , which can get through 22 to 30 feet at maturity , thrive in subtropical climates . Because the Citrus paradisi tree is so cold - tippy , choose a planting site on the south side of your sign of the zodiac to protect the tree from cold temperatures . Plant the tree diagram about 12 feet away from the mansion so that the tree can have full sunlight and to allow enough room for the grapefruit Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to grow .
Step 1
found your grapefruit Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in a location that is slightly higher than the balance of your yard to ensure right drainage . Plant the tree so that the bud spousal relationship , or grafting bud , is above the soil grade . Cover the top of the stem testis with only 1 in of grunge to forestall root rot .
Step 2
Make a water supply ring on top of the ground around the freshly planted Citrus paradisi tree diagram by constructing a 3 - inch ridge of soil 2 feet in diameter . Fill the inside of the ring with pee and allow it to drain into the soil around the root clump .
Step 3
irrigate your grapefruit tree diagram once every two or three days for the first three workweek after implant . step by step minify the frequency of water to once every 7 to 10 days during the first acquire season .
Step 4
Feed your Citrus paradisi tree during the first year only after new increment emerge . Fertilize with 1 cup of ammonium ion sulfate ( 21 - 0 - 0 ) divided into three or four applications during the growing season . go around the granular fertilizer on the earth around the root geographical zone of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and body of water thoroughly .
Step 5
Keep a 2- to 3 - foot surface area around the base of the Citrus paradisi tree free of weeds . you could pull the weeds by hand or apply a selective herbicide according to the focussing on the label .
Step 6
Feed your Citrus paradisi tree again in the second class with 2 cups of ammonium ion sulfate in the spring . fecundate the tree in the third year with 3 cups of ammonium ion sulfate .
Step 7
Water your Citrus paradisi tree once every one or two week during the second growing season and thereafter . body of water the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree deeply , soak the soil down to the integral root zona .
Step 8
Feed grownup Citrus paradisi tree 1 cupful of ammonium ion sulphate for each yr of old age , up to 6 loving cup . diffuse out the fertiliser feedings into three separate applications , in February , May and September .
Step 9
Protect your Citrus paradisi tree whenever freezing temperatures or frosts threaten . you may drape a blanket or tarp over the tree and secure the edges to the ground with stakes .
You also can mound up soil around the base of the tree to insulate the base . Mound up the soil in late November and remove it in early March .
Warning
Regular pruning is n’t necessary for grapefruit trees . Prune your grapefruit Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree only to remove dead , diseased or frost - damaged branch and stem .