Pomelo is the largest member of the citrus family. More sweet than sour, with juicy meat and pulp, pomelos are considered grandfathers of grapefruits. Pomelo originated in China and is also referred to in Chinese historical books. Pomelo is mostly cultivated in China and South East Asia and is now widely available in the United States and India.
The upper layer of this fruit is thick and soft and can be peeled easily. The pulp inside comes in a variety of colors ranging from yellow to pink and red. You can find the fruit growing on citrus trees in the heat of summer and or in tropical climates. Pomelo fruits weigh up to 1 to 2 kg and have a mixed taste. It is sweet like orange, tart like grapefruit, tangy like tangerine, and very juicy.
Pomela fruit health benefits are because it is rich in Vitamin C like all citrus fruits and also in Vitamin B. It contains a high amount of beta-carotene and folic acid and is very beneficial for pregnant women. Pomelo also contains a good amount of potassium, which keeps our heart healthy. It also contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, B2, and C, bioflavonoid, healthy fats, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and enzymes.
Once a plantation has been established, the work should not be considered finished. It will be necessary, for example, to protect the plantation against weather, fire, insects and fungi, and animals. A variety of cultural treatments also may be required to meet the purpose of the plantation.
Along with organic manure, It requires chemical fertilization for better production. Foliar fertilizer can also be applied to every new flush. NPK combination of 13-13-21 is used to improve fruit taste.It should be applied in 2 doses, first dose before flowering and the other one after 5 to 6 months. Fertilizer should be increased on yearly basis based on the trunk. Spraying of foliar fertilizer also recommended for every 20 days starting at 40 days after planting until 140 days after fruit set.
WATERING AND WEED CONTROL
Young pomelo trees should be watered regularly until fully established. In dry western climates, water mature trees deeply at least every one or two weeks. Desert gardeners may have to water more frequently. Mulch the soil around the trees to conserve moisture. Weeding is also very important. Remove all weeds 1.5 meters around the plant.
PRUNING AND SHAPE OF TREE
At 4-6 months after planting, the trees are pruned to induce branching. This is done by top pruning about 30-40 cm from the ground. 3 branches which are evenly distributed in separate horizontal directions are
PEST & DISEASE FOR POMELO TREES
Every fruit tree has the future potential for disease and insect damage. Factors such as location and weather will play a part in which issues your tree encounters. If available, disease-resistant trees are the best option for easy care; and for all trees, proper maintenance (such as watering, fertilizing, pruning, spraying, weeding, and fall cleanup) can help keep most insects and diseases at bay.
HARVESTING YOUR POMELOS
The pummelos are picked at maturity which occurs about 140-160 days from fruit set. The dull skin of the fruit brightens upon ripening as the oil glands become more prominent and shiny. This change starts near the tip of the fruit and progresses towards the stalk.