Slidell couple grows record-sized grapefruit, credits fairy magic for results

Slidell is home to a Guinness record-breaking grapefruit. The grapefruit has the distinction of having the largest circumference at 73 centimeters and a weight of 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Growers Doug and Mary Beth Meyer credit the results to a bit of magic bestowed upon the tree from their grandchildren.

“I think the secret is having a grapefruit imagination tree and a fairy garden at the base of the tree, I think that’s the secret,” said Doug Meyer.

“We did nothing special to grow this grapefruit, so we attribute it to the fairies,” said Mary Beth Meyer.

The Meyers say they have preserved the grapefruit in their freezer since harvesting the fruit in January. Now, they plan on writing a children’s book about their experience.

“The process of discovery and building the fairy garden and then discovering this thing, and the book will talk about the process and our experience with Guinness,” said Mr. Meyer.

The Meyers say they do not expect other fruits on the same tree to break the record again.

“There might be some that are 80% or 70% of this size, but that tree has always produced a large, wide fruit.  These grapefruit are very very delicious,” said Mr. Meyer.

The previous record was set in Rio de Janeiro nearly 13 years ago, weighing in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce, with a circumference of 70 centimeters.