Ray Ruby Grapefruit Tree

Delicious Grapefruit on a Compact, Ornamental Tree

With deep green leaves and seasonal white blossoms, the Ray Ruby Grapefruit makes a charming addition to any landscape. When planted in full to partial sun, this drought-hardy variety will grow to its petite height of 12-15 feet, moderately.

A cousin of the Ruby Red Grapefruit, this tree produces an ample harvest of juicy grapefruits that are the perfect combination of sweet and tart. Place it by a porch, in a backyard, or even along a path and enjoy the full effects of the shade and fragrance the Ray Ruby provides.

Self-pollinating with striking, golden-orange globes, the Ray Ruby doesn’t require an overabundance of care. Once planted in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with enough space left for air circulation, the sturdy limbs of this tree will begin to stretch and grow. After displaying a floral show during the spring, you’ll be treated to flavorful grapefruits from November to May. 

Don’t delay ordering a charming Ray Ruby for your own yard! Start enjoying fruit just outside your door!

Planting & Care

1. Planting:  For your Ray Ruby, choose a location with well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight – about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day.

When you’re ready to plant, select a container that’s about twice the width of the shipped container and one with drainage holes. From there, fill your pot halfway with soil, place your tree, and then backfill the rest with soil, leaving about one or two inches at the top. Finally, water your plant to settle the roots.

2. Watering:  Be sure to water your Ray Ruby tree regularly for its first year once each week and more frequently during the hot season and periods of extended drought.
After the first year, the tree’s roots will become a bit more established and you can reduce watering to once every two weeks.

A good way to indicate when you need to water is by using your index finger. Stick it into the pot and feel around for moisture – if there is still some present in the soil, hold off on watering. If it feels like it is drying out on the top couple inches, water just enough until you see it escaping the drainage holes and stop.

3. Fertilizing:  Container-grown Ray Ruby Trees will require a well-balanced fertilizer formula specialized for growing citrus, such as the one included in our Citrus Care Kit. This formula already contains all of the micronutrients that the tree will need. Feed the trees regularly, but be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer’s packaging.

The typical time frame for container-grown citrus is to start in February and provide fertilizer once every 4 to 6 weeks until September.

4. Pruning:  Remove suckers as they appear by pinching them off of the tree or using a sterilized pair of cutters to remove them. You can easily sterilize your tool(s) by wiping them with a household rubbing alcohol. Prune off any dead or damaged branches in the early spring after the threat of frosts has passed.

5. Pollination: Our Ray Ruby Grapefruit Trees are self-fertile, but you can pollinate your indoor trees by hand using a small, dry, fine-tipped paintbrush. Swirl the brush around the center of each bloom and collect the pollen on the brush. Go to the next bloom and repeat the process until every bloom has been treated, and repeat the process daily. Don’t wash the paintbrush until after the blooms have been pollinated. The blooms will fall and the fruit will begin to form.

FAQs

How long does it take for a grapefruit tree to bear fruit?

The time it will take to get fruit off of your tree largely depends on the environment and the age of the tree. Typically, a grapefruit will start regularly producing at 5 years of age if the proper conditions are met. It will take spring until fall for fruits to be ready for harvest.

Where do grapefruit trees grow?

Grapefruits are native to tropical and subtropical areas but will grow in Zones 9-11 outdoors or in a container in colder areas if protected during the winter.

How tall do grapefruit trees grow?

The Ray Ruby Grapefruit will grow to be around 15 ft. tall if left unpruned.