Grapefruit 'Golden Special'

Bred in New Zealand this variety has a good tolerance to cold (but not frost). Thought to be a cross between an orange and the South-East Asian pomelo.

Fruits are of excellent quality, shape and size (even young plants produce impressively large fruits). Skin peals easily to reveal juicy flesh - get you in the eye juicy - that is often tinged orange.

Grapefruits make an excellent, healthy breakfast with their sharp, acidic taste they really wake you up in the morning!

A harvest of three to five full-size grapefruits is possible on a five year old tree. A mature 20 year old tree can produce 20 to 30 per year. 

Recognised to be an excellent attractant and nectar source for bees and other beneficial insects.

• Self fertile.
• Like a sunny, sheltered position.
• Prefer free draining, slightly acidic (pH 6 - 6.5) soil.
• Can be grown outside through the Spring and Summer months but needs frost protection.
• Requires a minimum of 5°C (41°F) and ideally 10°C (50°F) or higher.
• Please note that citrus plants will drop leaves with extreme changes in temperature - they usually just re-leaf.
• Edible flowers.
• Perfumed flowers.
• White to orange flesh.
• Fruits can take up to 18 months to ripen (but well worth the wait!)
• Can be grown in pots.
• Ensure the compost remains moist but doesn't get overly wet.
• Never let the plant sit in water (as this will cause rot).
• Feed the trees once a month from April until September and then every three months the rest of the year with a quality, general fertiliser.
• Any pruning that is required is best done late Autumn when the tree is dormant.