Grapefruit - Citrus × paradisi
Variety | Fruit Type | Months Harvest | Self-Fertile | Climate | Good Keeper | Preserving | Availability |
|---|
New Zealand grapefruit varieties
Grapefruit trees in New Zealand require careful variety selection due to our unique climate conditions. True grapefruit varieties (Citrus paradisi) generally don't thrive here as New Zealand's climate isn't consistently hot enough for these fruit tree varieties. The exception is 'Star Ruby,' a true grapefruit variety that should only be planted in New Zealand's warmest microclimates when using our fruit tree selector.
Instead, New Zealand home orchards typically grow grapefruit-like citrus fruit trees - believed to be Pomelo-Mandarin hybrids such as 'Morrison Seedless' and 'Wheeny' varieties. These adapted grapefruit trees can thrive in New Zealand's cooler climate conditions, making them more suitable fruit tree varieties for most edible gardens across the country.
These distinctive grapefruit varieties have fascinating New Zealand heritage. Introduced from Australia by Sir George Grey in 1855, they were originally known as 'Poorman orange' due to their slightly bitter flavor but exceptional fruiting qualities. By the 1920s, the thin-skinned, high-quality strains were recognized as New Zealand grapefruit varieties. While there was an attempted rebrand to 'Goldfruit' in 1981, this name hasn't gained widespread acceptance locally.
New Zealand grapefruit trees are vigorous, large fruit trees that produce excellent yields of medium-large fruit with distinctive yellow skin and orange-yellow flesh. For optimal fruit quality in your home orchard, these grapefruit varieties perform best when grafted onto trifoliata rootstock.
Growing grapefruit trees successfully requires understanding their pollination characteristics. The fruit can become seedy if cross-pollinated, particularly with Wheeny grapefruit varieties, Meyer lemons, Seminole tangelos, or Clementine mandarins. However, when grown in isolated blocks within edible gardens, New Zealand grapefruit varieties can produce nearly seedless fruit. These fruit tree varieties do exhibit biennial (every second year) bearing tendencies, alternating heavy and light crop years.
New Zealand grapefruit trees offer exceptional value for home orchards with their remarkably long harvest season stretching from May through January. This extended production period makes them valuable fruit trees for year-round fresh citrus in edible gardens. Early-season fruit is particularly prized for marmalade making, while later fruit provides fresh eating throughout summer and autumn.
Use our fruit tree selector to determine the best grapefruit varieties for your specific New Zealand climate zone and edible garden conditions.