Indoor grapefruit

Family Rutaceae. Perennial evergreen citrus tree with small thorns on the branches and very attractive leaves on large petioles.

In indoor conditions it grows to 1.5–2 m. Flowers are large, white with a pinkish tint, strongly fragrant, solitary or borne in clusters. It can flower and bear fruit indoors. The Duncan variety is the best for indoor cultivation. Leaves are large, oval, glossy, on broadly winged petioles. Flowers are large, white, solitary or arranged in clusters in the axils of the leaves. It has 2–3 growth periods. Fruiting occurs on shoots of the current year. Fruits are round, lemon-colored, flattened in shape, the skin smooth, weighing 400–600 g, and ripen in November–December. The pulp is coarse-grained, grayish-yellow, aromatic, sweet-sour with a pleasant bitterness. The plant begins to bear fruit at two years of age. Leaves persist for 2–3 years. The best method of propagation is grafting.

Placement: Young plants do well on a windowsill. A mature grapefruit looks great in a spacious room or conservatory and is often found in offices. The plant prefers a bright, sunny and warm location. In summer and autumn, until the onset of frost, it can be kept in the garden, on the balcony, or on an open terrace. In winter it should be moved to a bright room with a temperature of 4 - 6° C. If the room is very hot and dry, the plant drops its leaves

Care: In summer the plant requires frequent watering, but be careful to avoid waterlogging. In winter watering is moderate. The grapefruit is fed with complex fertilizers twice a month. We recommend spraying the plant with room-temperature water from a spray bottle.

Propagation: Possible by cuttings in heated greenhouses.

Pests and diseases: The plant is often affected by scale insects and red citrus mites. Due to excessively dry air or excess moisture, sooty mold and various leaf spot diseases may appear.

The pulp of grapefruit contains organic acids, fiber, minerals — sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins B1, B2, PP, C, P. Grapefruit contains more biologically active substances — inositol and pantothenic acid — than an orange. Grapefruit juice is beneficial for cardiovascular diseases and nervous system exhaustion, and in the treatment of some infectious diseases. It is used as a diuretic and a mild choleretic. Grapefruit is recommended for people with high blood pressure and for those suffering from diabetes mellitus. Consuming these fruits reduces fatigue and improves appetite.

Grapefruit varieties

Best varieties - Yubileiny, Duncan, Marsh Seedless. They begin fruiting in the 3rd–4th year.