How to Tell When the Grapefruits on a Tree Are Ready
- 1). Examine the fruit on your grapefruit tree to see how large they are. Start checking your grapefruit tree around May or December. Your grapefruit should be larger than an orange, but smaller than a cantaloupe.
- 2). Twist the grapefruit off the tree gently. Squeeze the grapefruit to judge its firmness. You want the grapefruit to feel firm and not mushy.
- 3). Cut open your grapefruit and taste its flesh. Depending on the variety of grapefruit you are growing, it should taste both sweet and slightly acidic. The interior of the rind should look white.
- 4). Move around your tree looking at the grapefruit to get an idea of how many are ready to be picked. If most of them look large and firm, set up a ladder and gently twist the grapefruit off of their stems and place in a basket.
- 5). Remove grapefruit stems with a pair of bypass shears. Leave the grapefruit that still need time to mature on the tree. Monitor the grapefruit and remove them when they are ready.