Sanbokan Grapefruit Tree

Sanbokan Grapefruit

A rare and especially unique citrus from Japan, the Sanbokan grapefruit is a difficult one to classify. It peels like a mandarin, has skin like a grapefruit but with a pronounced navel, and the flavor is certainly sour and bitter but also richly sweet. It’s been described as a cross between a grapefruit and a blood orange in regards to its flavor and like many citrus from Japan it has a fighting chance of being cold hardy in ground here in the Pacific Northwest! Unknown parentage and rarely found, but we’re excited to try it!

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Latin Name: Citrus hybrid
Site and Soil: In spring, summer and fall, keep your potted Citrus in a location with 1/2 day to full sun. In the winter, place your plant in a well-lit room. Potting soil should be coarse, acidic, and well-drained.
Rootstock Description: Flying Dragon is a hardy and very dwarfing rootstock for Citrus that induces very early flowering and fruit production. Trees grown on Flying Dragon will rarely exceed 5 ft. in height and will often produce fruit the year they are planted.
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile. You can help it set fruit by taking a small brush and moving pollen from flower to flower.
Hardiness: Hardy to at least 25°F. We recommend bringing Sanbokan Grapefruit to a well-lit and protected location in late fall before hard frosts occur.
Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 6-8 ft.
Taste: Sour, bitter, with hint of rich sweetness.
Fruit Skin: Yellow-orange
Fruit Flesh: Yellow-orange
Bloom Time: Winter and spring
Ripening Time: Winter to early spring.
Yield: 20+ fruit
Care: Fertilize with citrus mix 3-4 times per year with typical applications in late winter (Jan-Feb), late spring (May-June) and early fall (Sept-Oct).
Pests & Diseases: While outside, Citrus plants will likely not be bothered by insect pests. Be on the lookout for slugs. Indoors, Citrus can have mites and/or aphids. Watch carefully for any problems and treat with an insecticidal soap or wash them off. We have not seen any disease problems on our Citrus plants.
USDA Zone: 9, possibly 8