Grapefruit: Texas’ state fruit can be grown in the Crossroads
By Suzanne LaBrecque | Victoria County Master Gardener Dec 9, 2023
PHOTO BY KVITKA FABIAN/SHUTTERSTOCK
Grapefruit are Texas’ state fruit.
CONTRIBUTED IMAGE
Grapefruit grows best in hot days and warm to hot nights.
This is the final article in the Gardeners’ Dirt 2023 series on Texas State Symbols. Since grapefruit is my favorite winter fruit, I volunteered to write this one.
In 1993 the Texas Legislature designated the red grapefruit as the State Fruit of Texas. This decision was based on the fact that 80% of the annual citrus production in Texas is red grapefruit.
From 1929 to 1976, three major grapefruit varieties were developed in Texas. All are seedless, red-fleshed and have varying degree of redness in the peel. They are Ruby Red, Henderson’/’Ray and Rio Red.
Texas has three trademarked varieties and markets its Ruby Red and Henderson/Ray under the name Ruby-Sweet. Some Henderson fruit are marketed as Flame because Florida Flame grapefruit is genetically a Henderson. Rio Red is marketed under the name Rio Star.
Grapefruit grows best in hot days and warm to hot nights. This tropical and subtropical climate promotes higher sugars and lower acids than grapefruit produced in areas with colder night temperatures. Grapefruit are less cold-hardy than oranges and need at least eight hours of full-sun daily.
Home gardeners in the Crossroads area will need to provide cold protection for grapefruit sooner or later. For maximum cold protection, plant grapefruit trees on the south or southeast side of the home. Allow at least 12 feet from existing buildings or walkways so the tree will enough room to grow to maturity.
Grapefruit grows best in loamy, well-draining soils. Heavy clay and poor draining soils do not promote growth, fruit production or a long life.
Most grapefruit trees are propagated in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and available in two-gallon containers. If the root ball in the container is intact and includes the soil in which it was growing, the tree can be transplanted directly into the ground.
Grapefruit trees that are container grown in an artificial, soilless medium, need special treatment. Once the planting hole is ready, horticulturist Julian Sauls recommends removing the tree from the container and gently hosing off an inch of the medium from around the root ball. This process will expose the peripheral roots so they are in contact with the planting soil and can immediately start growing.
Some “do nots” for growing healthy grapefruit trees:
- Do not remove soil around the newly planted tree to make a shallow basin for watering because this situation can cause root rot and death.
- Do not mix topsoil, peat, compost or other materials with the backfill soil.
- Do not overwater. The first few weeks water the new tree every few days. Increase the watering interval to 7 days then to 10 days over the next few months.
- Do not let weeds and lawn-grass grow inside the watering ring around the tree.
- Do not mulch citrus trees because it contributes to the possibility of root rot.
The good news is that budded and properly established grapefruit trees should bear fruit. The grower does need to remove any fruit in the first and second year. This practice directs all the young tree’s energy into growth. In year three, the first production could be 25 pounds per tree.
In my experience, the best Texas grapefruit is available from Thanksgiving to the end of February. While there are many ways to enjoy grapefruit, my favorite is to combine one grapefruit with two oranges, peeled and sectioned into bite-size pieces. Sometimes I add maraschino cherries, chopped pecans and coconut to the grapefruit/oranges to make ambrosia. As my mother used to say, “Use your own good-judgment on the amounts of each ingredient.”
No matter how you fix it, do enjoy Texas grapefruit this winter. You might even consider planting a grapefruit tree next spring.
The Gardeners’ Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com, or comment on this column at VictoriaAdvocate.com.
Different Ways to Eat Grapefruit
- Fresh with sugar or salt
- In ambrosia
- Squeezed for juice
- Boiled or grilled
- In a salad
- In salsa
- In curd
- In jam
- In smoothies
References
Aggie Horticulture: Home Fruit and Nut Production-Grapefruit
Minneopa Orchards: How to eat grapefruit