That is disheartening. I was hoping to plant a Star Ruby up here in the Bay Area since fourwinds lists it as not needing heat to sweeten. I am in the same boat as you but in an even cooler climate. Do you know what killed it?

Fourwinds is what everyone around here uses as the font of citrus knowledge. I'd see if you could connect with them and ask them directly. Robin where in the BA are you? If you are in Berkeley probably a no-go but if you are in a hotter microclimate you might well be ok with it.

I guess the reason it died was that I planted it half-shaded place where the sunlight was not enough during winter season. Through spring to fall, it could have enough sunlight though.

Yes you can grow grapefruit in cooler California areas.

I am in the SF east bay and grow Redblush, Flame, Riored, Oroblanco, Melogold, and soon Duncan. They are planted in a variety of microclimates in my yard, the redblush in near total winter shade. They all produce great fruit, but.... late. Less sun delays fruit maturity as does the cooler fall evenings. I have to let the fruit hang... e.g. the Redblush does not sweeten up until late July. The oroblanco and melogold is ready now.

Sara Malone, I am in a cool part. Burlingame/San Mateo, so likely a no go.

molewacker, Isn't Danville is pretty hot (80s) in the summer? I am not surprised you can grow them there.

Joanne, you surely get a lot more heat in San Diego than I do, so I would give it a go.

If the standard reds don't work for you, I have been reading lots of great things about Valentine Pummelos being really delicious and ripening well on the coast.

I have a Rio Red and live in OC about 8 miles from the coast, so have a somewhat similar climate. My Rio Red bears fruit, but I wish I had purchased an Oroblanco. They are sweeter and easier to grow in coastal areas. Rio Red does well in Texas.

my main point (again)... let them hang. It pains me hearing about my neighbors harvesting their grapefruit now... they are not ready!

Citrus loves the 80s and grapefruit likes it on the warmer side. But letting the fruit hang until the sugars rise is key. I actually find the timing preferable... I'd rather have the juice poolside in the summer rather than on winter.

And a big echo for the south (or SW ) facing wall. Anything that you can do to provide sun and warmth will translate to a sweeter grapefruit.

Good luck and let us know how the fruit timing develops for you.

Robin: my guess is that the Oroblanco variety might be the better choice for you. Oroblanco descriptions indicate it does not need as much heat as the star ruby. It may take months longer to mature in Burlingame than in Danville ...but that could mean summer grapefruit yeah! Let us know what you choose to do and how the fruit turns out. Cheers!

Thanks molewacker. Leaving it on the tree is a good tip. How do you know when the fruit is ready?

I don't really like the Oroblancos I've had at the markets... do you think the farmers aren't leaving them on the tree long enough? I've liked Melogold better so I may try that or the Star Ruby (and hope I don't kill it like the OP). Regardless of the tree I start with, citrus budwood is cheap, so I can create a franken grapefruit/pummelo and see what fruit gets sweet my location.

I have 2 precious south facing spots that are against my stucco house. I am not sure what I want to use those spots for... so many things I want to grow. A banana or a fig that needs heat may beat the grapefruit out for that spot. Eventually I want to get a small greenhouse (6'x8' is all I can fit) and put some marginal plants in there. A Red Grapefruit would definitely get a greenhouse spot.

Thank you all the advices you've given.

Especially molewacker, thanks for your tips to hang fruits on the tree to make them sweeter,!

I thought to buy Oroblanco, but I do love red grapefruits much more than that.

Now I will try Rio red and see how they ripe well on the tree!