I have a potted grapefruit tree that this year is beginning to bear fruit. It has as many as nine small fruits at the end of its branches. Should I be culling some of these fruits? As they grow to mature size, I don't see how the branches could possibly hold all of them. If I should cull, when/what size should I do this. Thanks for any help. Sue
Congratulations on getting a potted grapefruit to bear fruit--not many have done that! You don't need to remove any of the fruitlets. Citrus trees will drop any of the fruit that it cannot support. Skeet
How old is your tree and what variety is it? I have 3 grapefruits varieties grafted onto my Lisbon lemon and the one of the Ruby Red buds flowered as soon as it started to grow. It produced 3 grapefruit on a limb that is less than 4 inches long.
It's a Ruby Red. My late husband gave it to me about 18 months ago, and I believe it was a two year old plant. He got it through mail order. I live in northwest Arkansas, so I bring it inside for the winter.
The reason your tree flowered, and set fruit so "quickly" is because the tree is a grafted tree. I think Skeet thought your tree was a seedling tree. As Skeet has written you certainly do not have to do any fruit removing, as the tree will drop all the fruitlets that it cannot handle. However, *IF* you want to obtain larger sized fruit, thinning will accomplish this. If you would rather have more but smaller fruit then do nothing. Take care, and the very best of luck with your tree. By reading, reading and more reading of this and other forms you will learn how to keep your tree healthy and long lived. - Millet