Dwarf Grapefruit Care

In A Pot

• 1

  Plant the dwarf grapefruit tree in a 5-gallon wooden pot, or some other container with excellent drainage. The soil you use should drain well and be lightweight. For heavy soils that retain water, mix the potting soil with redwood shavings to break up the soil and improve drainage.

• 2

  Water the grapefruit tree on a regular schedule, about once weekly. In general, 1/4 to 1/2 gallon of water is adequate, but use a moisture meter to determine what is best for your tree. Moisture meters have different scales, so follow the instructions for citrus trees on your moisture meter. Allow the soil to drain well between waterings. After approximately one week, start using a moisture meter to read the moisture content of the soil around the tree. Rewater when the roots reach 50 percent dryness. If the leaves begin to wilt, you have waited too long to water the tree. Water in the morning if possible.

• 3

  Fertilize the tree with slow-release fertilizers that sit on the top of the soil to avoid damaging the roots of the tree.

• 4

  Place the tree in a location where it will be exposed to approximately six hours of direct sunlight a day, whether it is indoors or outdoors. Move the tree indoors when the temperature dips to the mid-80s with regularity. Most species of dwarf grapefruit trees can tolerate temperatures as low as 28 degrees for a few hours, but they should be protected or moved indoors when weather is regularly this cold. If your tree is indoors, place full spectrum bulbs around the plant for better productivity. Eight to 12 hours of sunlight is ideal.

In The Ground

• 5

  Check the drainage of the soil before potting the plant. Dwarf grapefruit trees require soil with excellent drainage, because their roots do not tolerate excessive moisture for long periods. To test the drainage of the soil where you plan to pot the plant, dig a hole 30 inches deep. Fill the hole with water. Wait one day, then return to the hole and fill it with water again. Return to the hole in 2 hours. If it has not drained by at least 2 inches, the soil does not drain well enough for a grapefruit tree. In this case, dig a large hole, approximately 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. Fill the hole in with purchased, lightweight soil and then plant the tree in a mound of purchased soil on top of this location.

• 6

  Measure the moisture content of the soil around the tree regularly using a moisture meter. When the soil reaches 50 percent dryness, water the tree. Use the instructions on the moisture meter to determine how much water and how moist the soil should be for a citrus tree. Each moisture meter is different, so follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Water regularly. Watering in larger quantities less often promotes deep root growth in the grapefruit tree.

• 7

  Fertilize with a fertilizer that has a 2-1-1 formulation. Follow the instructions on the package.

• 8

  Weed the area around the tree regularly. Keep grasses and other plants away from your tree.

• 9

  Be prepared to cover the tree in the event that the winter weather gets cooler than expected, even in temperate climates. Use plastic covers to protect from frost. String Christmas lights in the tree to provide some heat and protection from cold.