Why Do Lemons Split on the Tree?

Contributing Factors

• Unseasonably warm temperatures combined with high humidity from September through November are associated with fruit splitting. It is believed that this sort of climate, when followed by relative dry periods, triggers splitting of some lemons. One theory assumes that drought-stressed lemon trees start removing water from fruit to survive. If a high degree of water follows drought, water quickly flows from the roots back to the fruit. The rind of the dehydrated fruit is unable to contain the intense water fluctuation and may split as a result.

Watering

• Provide consistent irrigation during hot or windy weather to ensure that trees retain moisture in their roots. Certain types of lemon trees, such as young plants, dwarf varieties and trees planted in sandy or very porous soil, are less able to retain moisture in their roots. Consequently, these trees are especially susceptible to fruit splitting when not adequately watered. Maintain consistently moist, but not soggy, soil under the lemon tree canopy during hot weather.

Fertilization

• Monitor fertilizer levels closely while lemons are on the tree. Depending on the cultivar, this can occur any season of the year. Low potassium levels can cause fruit peels to become thin and more prone to splitting. Check soil levels near lemon trees for potassium if fruit splitting is observed and correct deficiencies. For best results, provide several small doses of fertilizer on a monthly basis during lemon growing season.

Response

• Split lemons are edible if ripe, but most fruit will typically be green and unusable. Any fruit left on the tree in this condition breaks down rapidly and falls to the ground. Decaying fruit left on the ground may encourage insects, disease, bacteria or any number of unwanted organisms. Immediately remove and discard any split lemons on the tree or the ground.