Orange Tree Premature Fruit Drop: Underwatering and Ants

Oranges Yellowing, Brown Spots at Stem, Ant Holes

Flowers normal, but fruit turns yellow prematurely with brownish aging spots at stem attachment, most fall off. Ants make holes in fruit sides.

Diagnosis

• Underwatering: Ants love dry areas. Fruit needs water to mature—without it, fruit drops.
• Sap-Sucking Bugs: Ants farm honeydew from bugs under leaves; they crawl up trunk to reach them.

Solution

Water minimum 3 inches/week. Check under leaves for insects. Treat bugs if present.