[Arid_gardener] Pink Grapefruit Tree

[Chuck Sarra]

In the next few days I will be having a pink grapefruit tree (24 inch box) installed in my back yard.  The tree will have a southern exposure and pretty much full sun all year long.  I am planning on using a drip irrigation system to provide water after the first several weeks of hand watering.  This is the full size variety and not the dwarf type tree. 

I have been told this tree will likely have a large water requirement during the summer time.  I want to install the drip irrigation for now and the future at the same time.  I plan to block off the unneeded drip ports until the tree gets larger and the water requirements increase.

My question is how many  drip ports will the tree initially require assuming I install 2 gal. per drippers and how often and how long should I run the irrigation.  

Additionally how many drip ports will the tree require say 5 or 8 years down the road as it develops?   I want to dig in this cement like Az. soil as few time as possible.

Thanks,  Chuck Sarra   7T2Z at comcast.net
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