[Arid_gardener] Pink Grapefruit Tree

[Chuck Sarra]

Hi,

I'm new to the Az. scene and have a small pink grapefruit tree that I bought in June of this year and planted in my back yard  (full southern exposure).  I have been watering it per the instructions of the nursery where I got it but these were presumeably for the summer months.  

I have two questions about the tree and its ongoing care.  

First is should I expect to see the leaves of the tree fall off for the winter?  I live in North western Pima county  at the foot of the Catalina mountains and we have already had several nights with temps in the upper 20's.  I notice that many of the leaves are turning yellow and falling off.  Is this to be expected?  Assuming this is normal about when would I expect the tree to start showing new leaves and or growth?  The tree looks OK but I have seen little to no new growth in the 5 plus months that I have had it planted.

Second is what should I be doing for winter watering for this tree?   Right now I have been hand watering very slowly ( two to three hours)  when ever the soil is dry to about 2 inches or so below ground level.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,  Chuck Sarra   7T2Z at comcast.net
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