Cocktail Grapefruit

How do you get two different citrus fruits from one tree?

Sure, you could graft two citrus plants onto one tree, but better yet, how about growing a fruit that drastically changes flavor as it ripens?

Cocktail grapefruit tree, a hybrid between a mandarin and pomelo, offers exactly that, producing a tangy grapefruit that turns very sweet once it’s very ripe. Harvest according to your appetite!

Botanical name: Citrus x 'Cocktail Grapefruit'

Other names: Mandelo

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cocktail grapefruit tree is a medium-sized evergreen tree that can reach 20 feet in height and 15 feet in width.

It has dense, deep green foliage. The leaves are oval and taper at the end.

Small, white flowers with a strong, pleasant fragrance.

Followed by Cocktail grapefruits, which typically ripen from winter to spring in the Coachella Valley. They have thin, yellow rinds and yellow to orange flesh and lots of seeds.

Cocktail grapefruits typically fruit and ripen from winter to spring.

Harvest early for a more sour and bitter grapefruit flavor. Harvest later for a very sweet flavor. Cocktail grapefruit is one of the sweetest grapefruit varieties.

Contains lots of seeds. Best used for juicing and creating syrup.

Keep in a container and overwinter indoors if your region experiences below-freezing temperatures.

Grows quickly and produces lots of fruits.

Great for attracting pollinators.

The Cocktail grapefruit tree is a hybrid between a mandarin (citrus reticulata) and a pomelo (citrus maxima) tree.

Soil: Fertile, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to acidic. Use a fertilizer formulated for citrus trees.

Temperature: Can withstand temperatures down to 30 degrees for a short period of time. If you live in a climate that experiences cold winters, we recommend overwintering it indoors.

Water: Moderate water needs. Regular deep watering, especially when blooming and fruiting and during heat waves. Do not allow soil to dry out completely for an extended period. More drought-tolerant once mature.

Sun: Full sun

Pests: Cocktail grapefruit trees may attract pests such as aphids, mealybugs, and scale.

For aphids, blast them off with water if the infestation is light. Otherwise, use horticultural oil or soapy water.

To remove mealybugs, use insecticidal soap or apply rubbing alcohol directly to the area of the infestation using a cotton swab.

To remove scales, pick them off or use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Horticultural oil will kill both crawlers and adults with direct contact. Insecticidal soap is better used to target only the crawlers.

Whenever using any kind of pesticide, be aware that it can damage the plant if the temperatures are in the 80s or above.

Signs of overwatering: Root rot, drooping leaves

Signs of too little water: Browning and drying leaves

Signs of too much sun: Leaf burn, fading color

Signs of too little sun: Etiolation, stunted growth, few flowers

The easiest way to propagate a cocktail grapefruit tree is through cuttings. Using a sharp tool, obtain 1-foot-long semi-hardwood cuttings and plant them in the soil. Keep the soil moist until the tree is well established.

HOW MUCH DOES a Cocktail Grapefruit Tree COST?

At our nursery, Cocktail grapefruit trees cost $45 for a 5-gallon container, $150 for a 15-gallon container, $325 for a 24” box, and $750 for a 36” box.

Prices are subject to change. Please contact us for the most up-to-date pricing information. We may have larger sizes available. We provide installation services locally at a separate cost.

When should I harvest Cocktail grapefruits?

In our Palm Springs region, Cocktail grapefruits typically ripen in late winter to early spring. Harvest early on for a tangier flavor and harvest later for a sweeter flavor.

Why is my Cocktail grapefruit so sweet?

Cocktail grapefruit trees are crossed from mandarin trees. The fruit is one of the sweetest grapefruits and is excellent for creating juice and syrup.