I live on the central coast of California and have a grapefruit tree that was planted by others as a 4ft plant about 3 years ago. Slow growth the first year, but since has bloomed and fruited nicely except that the fruit never turns from green. the fruit is a good size and the tree looks great (has gained about 2 feet) but when i pick fruit it is very thick skinned and green colored. the meat tastes fine. i have waited months for a turn in color to no avail. now i have a very fruitful season but all remain green. excuse my ignorance, but shall i assume i have a tree that will simply always bear green and very thick skin and that's that? thanks in advance for input.
Commercially Ethylene gas is used to 'degreen' citrus. Several dooryard & commercial varieties stay partially or completely green. This is a natural process that triggers pigment changes: the loss of green peel color by removing the chlorophyll, which allows the orange or yellow to fully cover the entire peel. No loss of flavor is caused; this is merely a continuation of the natural plant process. http://www.qasupplies.com/citgen.html Thick skin can be genetic or caused by xeric growing conditions.
