Hi. I live in Central Florida, Zone 9B. I planted a Ruby Red Grapefruit tree about 18 months ago.

It's in full sun with drip irrigation on the base and around the root ball.

Last summer we had some fruit develop but once the got to the size of a golf ball, they dropped off the tree. I assumed this was just because the tree was newly planted, but the same is happening again this year.

When the tree bloomed (Fed/March) we had around 30 small fruit start to develop. But one by one they have turned yellow, dropped off, and gone black as they decompose. Now there are only 5 fruits left.

I did some online searching. It seems there is a citrus canker in Florida that can stop the fruit from maturing. Does this seem the most likely explanation? If so, I couldn't find a solution. Is there one?

The tree seems otherwise OK. Lots of young growth, although a few older leaves get a bit shriveled.

I was hoping to eat the fruit from this tree in a few years time, so I'm keen to know if this is going to be an ongoing problem, or just few a couple of years until the tree gets more established.

Thank you.