Do You Need to Pollinate a Grapefruit Tree?

Perfect Flowers

• Grapefruit trees produce perfect flowers in a large spring flush -- perfect flowers house both male and female reproductive parts for self-pollination. Summer and fall flowering times are not unusual, which contributes to more fruiting possibilities as blossoms become fertilized. Depending on the cultivar, fruits may take up to 18 months to ripen as blossoms appear around the grapefruits in spring. This flowering and fruiting strategy allows the tree to have fresh fruits much of the year while continuing the reproductive cycle through mass flower production.

By Wind

• Pollination is often achieved through wind movement. Grapefruit trees should be planted in full sun -- a southerly planting site takes advantage of the sun's position year-round. This open and warm space also allows wind to move the flowers. As the blossoms move, the pollen-stained male anthers transfer grains to the nearby female stigma. Because the flowers are typically bunched in tight groupings, even a slight wind moves all the flowers against each other for self-pollinating success.

By Insects

• Warm spring days entice bees to visit grapefruit trees, especially because the blossoms have a strong fragrance. The clustered flowers provide ample nectar to bees so they do not need to travel far between blossoms -- they save energy and tend to stay on one tree if it has many flower clusters. If there is another citrus tree nearby, bees and other insects move between the different trees -- cross-pollination occurs through this insect activity.

Hand Pollination

• If you have an indoor grapefruit tree, or if you want to help nature out, you can hand pollinate your grapefruit's flowers. Using a small paintbrush or cotton swab, simply move pollen grains between the anthers and stigma on the same flower. You can continue to pollinate all the flowers with the same grains. It is also possible to pollinate your grapefruit tree with another citrus variety, if you have another one.