Citrus made easy for growers, nurseries, and distributors

Compared to other popular red grapefruit types such as Ruby Red, Rio Red, and Star Ruby, Flame offers a balanced combination of sweetness and mild acidity that many people find more palatable for fresh eating. Ruby Red, one of the earliest red-fleshed varieties, has lighter pigmentation and a tangier taste, while Rio Red is known for better color retention on the tree but can be a bit more acidic. Star Ruby boasts the deepest red flesh of all and a very high lycopene content, but it often is more sensitive to cold, heat over 105 degrees, and disease.

Flame red grapefruit strikes a middle ground, with richly colored flesh and excellent flavor, making it a favorite for home growers seeking a dependable, productive tree. In addition, Flame trees are vigorous growers and tend to have a more consistent yield compared to some other varieties, with fruit that ripens relatively early and holds well on the tree. When grown on the right rootstock, they are well-suited for a variety of growing conditions in USDA zones 9 through 11. Overall, the Flame red grapefruit tree offers a great mix of visual appeal, flavor quality, and ease of cultivation, distinguishing it from other red grapefruit cultivars.

TreeSource’s Box Ready Trees are great for the wholesaler wanting to make a mature tree fast. Flame isn’t as common as other selections, but may come available occasionally. Contact the sales team for more information on availability.

For home gardeners, it's advisable to adopt deep watering techniques that reach the root zone, ensuring that the soil is moistened from the trunk to just beyond the drip line, to a depth of at least two feet. This approach encourages deep root growth and helps the tree withstand periods of drought. Watering should be adjusted based on the tree's age, soil type, and local climate conditions. In general, mature citrus trees may require watering every 7 to 14 days, with adjustments made for seasonal changes and rainfall .

TreeSource Citrus Nursery holds several certifications that underscore our commitment to quality, sustainability, and regulatory compliance in citrus tree production.

• USDA/CDFA Certification

  • TreeSource is certified by both the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). This certification ensures that our citrus nursery stock meets stringent pest and disease cleanliness standards, allowing us to ship high-quality citrus trees across most of the United States, with the exception of Florida and Texas. The nursery adheres to the CDFA Citrus Nursery Stock Pest Cleanliness Program, which mandates regular inspections and treatments to prevent the spread of citrus pests and diseases .
    

• Zero Waste Certification

  • In addition to agricultural certifications, TreeSource has achieved a Zero Waste Certification from SCS Global Services. This certification recognizes the nursery's efforts in waste diversion, with 87.35% of its waste being diverted from landfills through composting, recycling, and other sustainable practices. Such initiatives reflect TreeSource's commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable operations.
    

These certifications collectively demonstrate TreeSource Citrus Nursery's dedication to producing high-quality, disease-free citrus trees while adhering to sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.

Flame grapefruit trees typically begin producing fruit within the first two to three years after planting, with yields gradually increasing as the tree matures. In the initial years, especially years two and three, you can expect a modest harvest—usually a few dozen grapefruit per tree—since the tree is still establishing its root system and canopy. By the time the tree reaches around five years old, yields can increase significantly, often producing between 150 to 300 fruit per mature tree annually, depending on growing conditions, rootstock, irrigation, and care.

Proper fertilization, irrigation, and pruning will help maximize early yields and encourage healthy growth. Keep in mind that the first few harvests might not reflect the full potential of the Flame grapefruit tree, as production typically improves steadily over the first five to seven years.