Pomegranate Fruit Splitting and Black Spots: Copper Fungicide Still Works in Heat

Fruit Splitting + Black Spots = Fungal Disease

Your Tucson pomegranate has early splitting and black-spotted fruit (not leaves). Copper fungicide is effective — but timing matters in 100°F+ heat.

Application Protocol for Extreme Heat

• Spray at dusk — avoids leaf/fruit burn from copper + sun.
• Repeat in 7–10 days — copper washes off, needs reapplication.
• Only if clean fruit remain — if all infected, treat next season preventatively.

Quarter-Size Holes Along Fence? Likely Not Kangaroo Rats

In Tucson, quarter-sized holes could be:

• Ground squirrels / round-tailed ground squirrels
• Kangaroo rats (nocturnal, hopping, seed-eaters)
• Desert tortoises (burrows larger, ~8–12")

Control Options

• Live traps baited with seeds/peanut butter.
• Exclusion: hardware cloth buried 12" at fence line.
• Predator encouragement: owl boxes, snake habitat.
• Check local garden centers for rodent repellents labeled for your species.

Identify the digger first — trap one, ID it, then target control.