Question
Why do the oranges, on both trees split and fall off the tree. This is the end of August and the oranges are not ready till the end of the year.

Answer
Hi Frank

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 fluctuations 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 stressed and begins to take water from the fruit, casing the fruit to soften and the leaves to cup. If the tree is then irrigated heavily, the dehydrated fruit swell, causing them to crack. Young trees or dwarf varieties with realitively 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. So the more you can water on a regular basis, say about 3 1/2 inches per week unless of course of heavy rain, should help the problem.  kathy