Fruit cracking
Ripening fruit splits open, usually after a sudden heavy watering or rain following a dry spell.
Also known as: Fruit splitting
Symptoms and identification
Circular or radial cracks around the stalk end of tomatoes, or deep splits in pomegranates, litchis, lemons and other fruit. Cracked fruit often rots or attracts insects.
Causes
When dry soil is suddenly soaked, fruit takes up water faster than the skin can stretch. Hot, dry winds and a shortage of boron or calcium make the skin more likely to crack.
Organic treatment
Pick cracked fruit promptly and use it quickly. Even out the watering for the remaining crop, and add a micronutrient mix containing boron if a shortage is suspected.
Prevention
Water deeply and regularly so the soil never dries out fully, and mulch to keep moisture even. Harvest ripe fruit before heavy rain is expected, and grow crack-resistant varieties where possible.
Chemical treatment (use with care)
Not needed.