Expert: Nick McCann - 10/31/2009

Question
QUESTION: i planted my tree about 6 years ago i have only had 1 grapefruit to grow and that was last year.  this year when my friend tree was covered in bloom i had a few at the very
top and it looks like i will not have any grapefruit this year. what can i do or try?

ANSWER: Hi Doretha, If it isn't sending out numerous blooms then it is in need of stimulation; now don't laugh, but an old farmers method to force moody fruit trees into setting fruit is to do the following; wrap the center of the trunk with a blanket or heavy towel and then take a baseball bat and give the tree about a dozen good whacks (on the blanket or towel). This makes the tree think it is dying, so it releases some sort of internal reaction from within that stimulates blossoms to form so that the tree can carry on its genes. Now I have done this successfully several times, and have had feedback from others (I have told..) that they too were successful. This is the only way I know to kickstart a reluctant fruit tree, other then just waiting until some year down the road it decides to send out a full flush. Oh and a final bit of advice, don't let anyone see you do this or they may think you have gone of the deep end..LOL....Nick

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: nick,
its november and i need to know what& when the best time is to beat my tree now or the spring.  try to give me a certain month if possible

Answer
Hi Doretha, wait until around  late February, when you begin to see new "flush" developing, that is a prelude to blossoms; remember, this needs to be done right, wrap the area of the trunk with a couple of towels, so you don't damage the Cambium layer under the bark, and hit it about half a dozen times with some good effort. Nick