Position
Plant your pomelo tree in full sun, where it will get 8 to 12 hours of sunlight daily. If you live in a region with mild winter frost (-1°C to -2°C), then opt to grow lemons, navel oranges, naartjie varieties (satsumas), clementines, and mandarin hybrids, limes, and kumquats.
Size
Most pomelo trees reach a mature height between 6 and 13 mts.
Soil Type
Pomelo trees require slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Add at least one bag big of acid compost and ensure that it has good drainage.
If you plan to grow your pomelo tree in a 50 x 50 x 50-cm pot, use a whole bag of our volcanic rock dust with compost and potting soil. Place stones on the bottom of the pot for good drainage. The plants will thrive in a container if they receive enough sunlight and protected from freezing winter weather. Volcanic rock dust re-mineralises your soil for better growth and fruit production.
If you’re planting your pomelo tree in the ground, dig a hole at least 50 cms wide and 50 cms deep. If the soil is loamy (not clay), mix it with a bag of our volcanic rock dust.
Watering
Water regularly to keep the soil moist, particularly during flowering and setting fruit. For the rest of the year, make sure the soil never dries out completely.
Mulching – Mulch around the tree with pine bark mulch which is perfect for citrus trees.. Mulch will maintain soil moisture and keep the soil slightly acidic. It helps to keep pests away as well. Do not let the mulch touch the plant stem, as it may cause rot and infection.
Fertilising
Pomelo trees need a high nitrogen fertiliser added throughout winter to spring.
Use our slow-release nitrogen-rich all plant fertiliser (which is excellent for citrus) Apply 1 teaspoon every 4-5 months.
Pests
Pests like mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, and scales occasionally attack grapefruit trees. A natural organic pesticide we recommend is EM Control (available at our nursery). Read about Essential Microbials on our website.
Pruning
An excellent time to prune your citrus tree is once it stops fruiting. Remove branches in the middle of the tree to thin it out, as this will aid in pest and disease control. Prune the tree to your desired height to enable easier harvest. During the year, cut away branches that cross over one another and remove tangled leaves, twigs, and branches to allow vertical growth.
Harvesting
Pomelos are ready to be picked when at least half of the skin has changed colour.
