I grew this on a $5.00 bet, I just threw some seeds in a pot to see if they would grow, and here she is 4 years later, my question is, should I trim the branches I marked or should I just leave her alone? Thanks for any thoughts Christine

If you plan on keeping it in a container, I would prune to keep it nicely shaped and manageable to move in or outdoors.

I have grown three container grapefruit trees. When they become too large, I would trim both the foliage and the rootball to keep it in a container which I could manhandle. I'm sure you've noticed the citrus odor if you crush a leaf.

Grapefruit don't come back true when started by seed. They are grafted. Mine never bloomed or fruited. But the leaves are enjoyed by the caterpillars which become the Swallowtail butterflies so are fun to grow for them.

Hope you enjoy your pretty plant.

And just a suggestion, I took a nail clipper and nipped the thorns off. They can be wicked...

with Kristi, it probably will never give you fruit or even bloom. But it sure is a pretty plant (or plants?)

It looks like there may be two plants in that pot. It looks great for a foliage plant but two in one pot? It's going to stunt both. As long as all you want is a foliage plant it might work and I wouldn't prune it at all, just keep doing what you're doing.

If you actually want to grow it for fruit, I think you'd need to separate them and plant in the ground. Guess that's not possible in New York state, huh? Grapefruit get to be big trees.

Thank you Kristi & Elaine, you've both provided me with great information, Kristi you are so right about the thorns, they got me more than once when I re-poted her 3 weeks ago. Elaine, I didnt really take notice until you mention 2 plants in the pot, I just went out and looked, there are 3 in the pot, there is no way I can try and separate them, can I cut the 2 smaller ones down and keep the biggest?? I would like to see how long I can hang on to her, I love when I can say I grew this beauty on a bet The weather here has been awful, constant rain and cold, its supposed to start warming up tomorrow
Christine

I think you'll be sorry if you cut out two of the plants, Christine. The one single plant will look thin and scrawny by itself. You have a nice bushy foliage "plant" right now.

I have two kumquats right outside my window here that grew themselves from seed. They are about 3in. apart and nearly 5ft. tall. The butterflies lay eggs on them so I haven't yanked them out but I have no idea how long they will go on looking healthy. Just enjoying them for what they are.

Thanks Elaine, I will leave it alone and just cut off some of the thorns

Well here we are 1 year later and I wanted to show her progress, she started to grow out of control and I took the pruning shears to her, be honest, tell me what you think..

I think it has made an attractive and healthy looking plant.
I hoping you collected on that bet.
The only thing wrong that I can see is too many thorns...

I agree, it looks just beautiful. You're gonna need a bigger pot, pretty soon I think.

Go for a wider rather than a taller pot - citrus like to make a mat of fine feeder roots at the soil surface, and have wide rather than deep root systems in general. I like that you chose a white pot, too. A light color helps to keep the roots cooler in hot weather.

Kristi, Thank You 😉 I've cursed those thorns many times


Elaine,Thank You 😉 I learned about dark pots years ago after losing plants😣 unfortunately I can't move her into a bigger pot, I have so many plants that I have to over winter in my living room I just dont have the room, I never expected her to live this long..
I did collect on the 5.00 bet 😍

I have been able to keep large plants in smaller pots by annually root pruning them. I remove the plant from the pot and slice off an inch or two from the bottom and about an inch from around the sides of the root ball. I re-plant with fresh potting mix with some compost added. Best time to do this is early spring. I have kept things like citrus and Japanese Maples in the same pots year after year this way.

Beautiful grapefruit, Christine! It looks wonderful. Has it bloomed? That is one of my favorite perfumes.
Alice gave you great advice. I've often done that to keep plants smaller.

Thank You Alice, if she survives another winter in my living room I will have to do as you suggested 😉

Karen, she hasnt bloomed yet, I was hoping this would be the year, there's still time, we had a very late start to Summer this year 😣 now it's disgustley hot and humid 😣 Thank You, I'm pretty proud of myself,I love a plant challenge 🤓

Give it the brightest light you can. Remember they grow well in Arizona full sun where it's very bright and triple digit heat. A plant light might help it during the winter. My mom grew a lemon tree, and it would bloom and set fruit in her home in Washington state. She left hers inside all year, but I think a summer outside would be better for them.

Logee's in Connecticut, grows all sorts of citrus that thrive indoors. There is a wealth of growing info on their website. www.logees.com

She's been in full sun since late May,maybe this year she'll grow fruit even though I've been told by many that she wont because she was grown from a grapefruit from the grocery store, we shall see,
It will be fine if she doesn't since I cant eat them now anyway, I do miss them,red was my favorite,thats the pits I used.
I will check Logee's, I received there catalog earlier this year
Thank You Ladies 😍

If you can't eat them due to their blood thinning capabilities, one doctor told my husband that. Other doctors have since told him that a grapefruit now and then would be fine. He just couldn't eat them daily.

I have also heard if you take blood thinners in the morning you can eat grapefruit at night and vice versa. Best to ask your physician about that though.

That's good to know too. We'll ask about it, Alice. We both love grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

I will definitely ask my cardiologist , this is good news, this forum is chock full of knowledge 💚 Thanks again 🌺