I have decided to follow our little grapefruit tree for the Tree Following meme in 2016. Not only is it close to hand, but I also hope it will encourage me to find out more about this and our other citrus trees.
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| Standing in its own patch of weeds, it really does need more attention! At least it finally got a helping of composted manure today... |
I had intended to begin last month and, in fact, had a few photos ready but never got the post up! I am nearly to the same point this month, but I've decided to make sure I start, at any rate. So this post will mostly be the pictures I took earlier today. Not much text, but as the tree is just now in bloom, perhaps I can get away with photos of grapefruit blossom...
...rapidly becoming tiny fruit.
While some older leaves still show signs of winter stress...
...the new growth is coming in beautifully.
It's the time of year when there is both fruit and blossom on the tree. We have been picking the fruit for about a month now as it still seemed less than ripe in January, which (from what I have read) would mean an extra-slow ripening this year.
Flavour is mild, though not as sweet as a Texas Red type. I do not know the variety, though it is clearly a pink grapefruit, rather than the currently popular red or the old yellow types.
It grows more or less by itself on the west side of the property, and it requires some close watching through the summer. But more on that later!
In the meantime, here is the first grapefruit tree post to link with the
Tree Following meme. Thank you to Squirrelbasket for hosting!
Weather Diary: Fair; High: 75 F (24 C)/Low: 45 F (7 C)
How amazing - flowers AND fruit in March!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty and an excellent choice - thank you for brightening my day.
Best wishes :)
It's a fascinating thing about citrus: the way they can bloom and bear fruit at the same time! Despite my slow start, I'm looking forward to following the grapefruit tree through the year; I already know it needs close looking after and what better way to do that?! So glad you enjoyed this :)
DeleteFreshly picked grapefruit.. it doesn't get much better than that!
ReplyDeleteNot much! ...though the oranges are stiff competition! ;-)
DeleteSuch a beautiful shiny green!
ReplyDeleteThe foliage is wonderful, maybe even shinier than our other citrus trees; and I'm glad to see it looking so healthy!
DeleteI really think citrus are my favorite tree and your grapefruit is a gorgeous one. We are so lucky we can grow them! Love the shiny leaves and of course that fragrance makes you stop in your tracks. This looks like a really lush and healthy tree!
ReplyDelete- Kate xx
I am amazed it's so healthy as I nearly killed it during our first summer :/ But it's come back unbelievably; and yes, that fragrance is marvelous, isn't it?! Not sure I could live outside citrus growing regions now... ;-)
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