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Old 12th January 2008, 10:18 AM   #2 (permalink)
StrictlyPalms
Semi-mature vigorous tree
 
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Orlando, Florida USA
Posts: 134
Default Re: Problem With Orange Trees

While I'm not an arborist, (yet), I have been growing my own citrus in my back yard here in Orlando, Florida USA, for the past 5 years and I went through similar problems, at least with the splitting. I found a pretty good paper from the University of California, at this address here.

http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/8038.pdf

Generally attributed to stress and watering inconsistencies, the rinds become rigid and can't expand with the fluctuation of water/sugar flow into the fruit and the rind splits open. Read through the file and it will shed a bit of light on how you can combat this. Although, since you aren't there that often, you may have to hire someone or set up an automatic watering system.

Not seeing a Picture attachment. Try to edit and reattach if you can.

My citrus: Blood Oranges, Ponderosa Lemons, and Plain Navel Oranges. The lemons grow as big as your 2 fists together some years and no longer split since I've kept the watering consistent. I had a problem with leaf miners a few years ago but haven't seen them since I used some citrus based insecticide recommended by my county horticulturist.

here's an example of what the miners do to the leaves.

Like I said, I'm not a pro (yet) so if any of the other folks see me saying something incorrect, please let me know. This is just what I've experienced in my own yard.
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