It would not be correct to say that grapefruit, which is very rare in this fruit production, is a preferred fruit due to its grapefruit flavor, which ripens and is produced in the winter months. But those who know the effect of grapefruit leave the orange and buy grapefruit and eat it. It has benefits from digestive system to chronic diseases. It is an indisputable fact that it is especially rich in vitamin C, which is beneficial for infections caused by colds. Grapefruit fruit does not grow and ripen outside the winter season. While it gives a sweet taste in the mouth first, it turns into a bitter taste later, but it is possible to turn it into a fruit that we drink with pleasure by squeezing its very useful juice. Its homeland is the island of Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea, from where it was brought to the warm regions of the world in the 17th century. Later on, they started to be produced in our country, especially in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions. The grapefruit fruit, which begins to ripen in autumn and is larger than oranges, is yellow in color with a round shape flattened from the bottom and top. It has a thick rind and yellow, red or pink flesh depending on the variety. This fruit, whose flesh tastes bitter, is usually not eaten. The juice is squeezed and consumed either as is or by adding sugar or freshly squeezed orange juice. Like all citrus fruits, grapefruit needs to grow in an environment with warm vegetation. Temperatures should not fall below -2,-3oC in places where cultivation will be done. Because at temperatures below -9, -10oC, the tree is likely to freeze and rot. The highest temperatures it cannot withstand are 45 and higher temperatures. The ripening process of these fruit trees starts at 12-13oC. The temperature at which it will show the fastest growth is at 25-31oC and at 37-39oC it will no longer grow. The optimum temperature for fruit ripening is 21oC. Grapefruit trees are badly affected by hot or cold weather conditions. For this reason, it is recommended to use windbreaks to protect the trees against prevailing winds. In addition, the humidity of the air is one of the factors affecting goldenrod trees. Air with low humidity negatively affects the development of the tree and fruit ripening. Soil requirements; Like all citrus fruits, the amount of yield increases in deep, drained, sandy loam, loamy or clay-loamy soils with plenty of humus. Because of the high oxygen demand of the deep roots, the goldenrod tree should never be grown in too heavy and heavy soils. The ground water should generally be 1.5 m below the soil surface. Otherwise, drainage is required in the soil. The most suitable pH level for the goldenrod tree, which is sensitive to the lime content of the soil, should be 5,5-6. Production; It is a citrus tree obtained in seed production. Grapefruit is grafted onto this rootstock. Seeds are collected in early spring, March and April. The seed germinates at a high rate if it is sown immediately after the ripe fruit is removed.
However, since sowing is usually done in spring, seeds taken from fruits growing at different times can be stored for 8 months at temperatures between 4-7oC. In vaccine production, eye vaccination is mostly applied. Pencil vaccination is not recommended. Grafting should be done between April and November when the weeds give bark. Vaccination eyes taken from the well-grown shoots on the weeds about 2 cm thick are grafted at a height of 15 cm from the ground. After the vaccination, the weeds are encouraged to rub the vaccine. When the eye develops and shoots form, the plant should be supported with a stick. Irrigation Like all citrus fruits, the annual water requirement of grapefruit trees varies between 800-1,200 mm depending on the soil, climate and tree growth. The irrigation period is between mid-April and mid-October. During this 7-month period, when the weather is very hot and dry, the trees need to be given 600-700 mm of water.
