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Q: Ellen,
I have a grapefruit tree that I actually rooted from a seed that was
germinating inside a grapefruit I bought. It is now outgrowing its
pot. Does it have any chance of bearing fruit?
Hardiness Zone: 7a
Bekkicat from Charlotte
A: Bekkicat,
There is always a chance, but the odds are not exactly in your favor-especially growing it indoors. Grapefruit bought at the supermarket are usually the result of hybrid plants developed by breeders. Once these plants develop the appropriate desirable characteristics, they are propagated asexually in order to reproduce copies of the parent plant. A few of these "clones" turn out to be sterile, but many will produce fruit. If you do get a fruit producer, the grapefruit probably won't exhibit the same size and flavor characteristics as the grapefruit you took the seed from, but that doesn't mean it won't be good. Who knows, you may stumble upon something even better! I'm currently growing a Granny Smith seed from a great apple I ate this past summer. My advice would be to move your plant to a bigger pot, be VERY patient (it can take years) and keep trying!
About The Author: Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
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