Help! My pretty little orange tree has the most horrible fruit. Out of all the years sence I planted it I've had only 2 decent oranges off it. It's a navel. I've watered regularly, given it Miracle Grow citrus spikes twice this year as recomended on the box and still my fruit is not worth eating. They are small and some rippen early, then some split open and fall off the tree before they get big and have a chance to rippen. What am I doing wrong or not doing at all.
The seemingly spontaneous splitting that occurs in citrus fruits, particularly in navel oranges, is discouraging. Splitting is an abiotic disorder, that is, it is a problem that cannot be attributed to any living organism, such as an insect or plant pathogen, but one that stems instead from environmental or cultural conditions. There is no chemical control for this physiological condition. The split usually starts at the stylar end of the fruit, which is the weakest pint in the rind. Splits probably occur when water and sugar are transported from the roots of the tree to the ripening fruit, and the rind is unable to expand quickly enough to accommodate the added volume. The rind burst open under the pressure. Some citrus varieties, especially thin skinned ones, may be more likely to split than other varieties. Rinds that have been sunburned or otherwise damaged may be less elastic than normal and therefore more apt to split. Although the exact cause is unknown, fruit splitting is likely the result of stress to the tree. Splitting appears to be most closely related to extreme fluctuation in temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and possibly fertilizer levels, and the disorder is probably caused by a combination of these factors rather than by a single cause. For example, when hot weather is combined with high winds, the tree becomes drought stress and begins to take water from the fruit, causing the fruit to soften causing it to crack. Young trees or dwarf varieties with relatively small or shallow root systems, as well as trees grown in very sandy or porous soils that do not retain moisture well, may be more susceptible. to fruit splitting. Reasonable cultural practices to avoid extreme fluctuations in soil moisture and fertilization levels throughout the growing season may help to minimize fruit split. Trees should be irrigated regularly to assure a continuous supply of soil moisture, especially during hot or windy weather. When hot winds are anticipated, irrigate before the winds begin. After the hot winds subside, irrigate lightly for a few days and then resume a normal irrigation schedule. Instead of a single large application of quick release fertilizer each year, smaller monthly applications throughout the growing season may help keep nutrient levels constant. Timed release fertilizers offer the convenience of supplying nutrients at an even rate over the length of the growing season, but they are usually more expensive than other fertilizers. Split oranges are edible, although they are usually not ripe enough to be usable; they break down quickly and eventually drop from the tree. Damaged fruit should be removed and discarded, since they are susceptible to invading organisms that may cause disease such as Alternia Rot. Decaying fruit may also harbor fungi, bacteria, insects or other unwanted pests. Lastly if you tell us how old your Navel orange tree is we can possible help you with the taste of the fruit that the tree is producing. - Millet
My tree is probably 4 years old. It was very small when I got it and didn't produce anything the first 2 years. I live where there where once orange groves for miles around. I see other trees which look like they are producing healthy fruit. Last year all my oranges were small, yellow and slit so this year I went all out to make sure it was not repeated. I've kept it watered and fertilized. We do get very hot here and have the Santa Anna winds go though now and then. Thank you for your reply.