“Simple works. Smart lasts. Sustainable grows.”
Some days, the sun is blazing, temperatures are climbing towards 38°C, and the garden is begging for a drink. Then, almost before we can catch our breath, the heavens open, the rain comes down in buckets, and low-lying areas are flooding.
Make up your mind, weather! Are we baking or swimming? 😂
Meanwhile, in my garden, I'm finding citrus fruits dropping and splitting. My mandarins and oranges are taking the biggest hit, although my limes sometimes join the party.
And if you're seeing the same thing on your citrus trees, let's talk about what's happening and what we can do about it.
🍊 Why Do Citrus Fruits Crack?
Have you ever picked a lovely-looking orange or mandarin, only to discover that the rind has split open?
It's frustrating, especially when you've been patiently waiting for the fruit to mature.
Citrus cracking, sometimes called fruit splitting (we sometimes see it in tomatoes), occurs when the flesh inside the fruit expands faster than the rind can stretch to accommodate it.
Think of the rind as a jacket. If the fruit inside suddenly grows faster than that jacket can stretch, something has to give!
One of the main contributing factors is fluctuating soil moisture.
When the weather is hot and dry, a tree may experience water stress. Then comes a spell of heavy rain, and the tree takes up more water. The fruit may expand rapidly, putting pressure on the rind until it splits.
Of course, weather isn't the only culprit. The citrus variety, fruit maturity, rind characteristics, nutrition and overall tree health can also influence cracking.
But with the extreme weather we've been experiencing, those sudden changes in water availability are certainly worth paying attention to.
A beautiful, intact mandarin from the garden. This is what we hope to harvest — but when our weather swings from scorching heat to heavy rain, citrus fruits can sometimes split before we get to enjoy them.
What Can We Do to Reduce Citrus Cracking?
We cannot control the weather. If we could, I'm sure plenty of gardeners would have a few requests! 😂
But there are things we can do to help our trees cope.
1. Keep soil moisture as consistent as possible.
During dry spells, water deeply when needed rather than allowing the root zone to become very dry before watering heavily.
If the soil is already saturated after heavy rain, hold off on additional watering.
2. Put mulch to work.
A layer of organic mulch helps reduce moisture loss and moderate fluctuations in soil moisture. It also helps protect the soil from the effects of our tropical sun.
Just keep the mulch away from the trunk and remember that mulch cannot solve waterlogging.
3. Pay attention to drainage.
Those of us gardening in heavy clay know that water can sometimes linger long after the rain has stopped.
Poor drainage can leave roots waterlogged and stressed. Where possible, improve drainage and avoid allowing water to collect around the root zone.
4. Don't overdo the fertiliser.
More fertiliser does not automatically mean better fruit. Excessive or poorly timed fertilisation can encourage growth we don't need, and nutrition is only one part of the cracking puzzle.
Correct genuine nutrient deficiencies, but don't assume that applying extra calcium or another nutrient will automatically stop the splitting.
5. Keep an eye on mature fruit.
Harvest mature citrus promptly when appropriate for the variety. Inspect cracked fruit and remove fruit that is rotting or badly damaged.
Once the rind has split, that fruit is more vulnerable to decay and insect attack. A crack is not something the fruit will simply seal up and forget!
Can We Save Citrus Fruits That Have Already Cracked?
That depends on the extent of the damage.
If a fruit has only a small split and the flesh is still sound, inspect it carefully and use it promptly if it is suitable. Discard fruit with mould, decay, unpleasant odours or extensive damage.
And please don't leave badly damaged fruit hanging on the tree, hoping it will repair itself. The garden has enough mysteries without adding that one!
A Little Garden Wisdom
One thing gardening keeps teaching me is that we can do our best and still have to work around circumstances beyond our control.
We can water wisely, mulch, improve drainage and care for our trees. But we cannot tell the sun to ease up or ask the rain to wait until tomorrow.
Sometimes, the smartest gardening decision is to understand what's happening, make the adjustments we can, and accept that not every fruit will make it to the kitchen.
That's gardening. We learn, we adapt, and we keep growing.
And when the next good crop comes along? Well, you know there will be a happy garden dance! 💃🏽🌿
🍊 What About Your Citrus Trees?
Have you noticed cracking in your oranges, mandarins or limes lately? Is it happening after heavy rain, during hot weather, or seemingly without warning?
Tell me in the comments. I'd love to hear what other gardeners are experiencing, especially here in the Caribbean, where our weather can change its mind before we do!
Keep growing — your garden (and your confidence) will follow. 🌱
Stay grounded!
Grey hair, green thumb and proud of my roots.
thegreyhairedgardener.blogspot.com
https://www.pinterest.com/thegreyhairedgardener
Yes! This weather we've been having, is quite challenging to deal with. Will definitely share this information 👍
ReplyDeleteThank you, Talk Green! 😊 You're absolutely right, these sudden swings between dry and wet weather can be very challenging for gardeners. I'm glad you found the information helpful, and I really appreciate you sharing it with others who may be experiencing the same issue. Happy gardening! 🍊🌱
Delete