My Honey Murcot has a ton of blossoms & 8 fruits starting to turn color. 2 split & fell off tree & now a third is splitting. I know I read this here few years ago but can't remember why this happens. Anyone know? Thanks

Patty,
I remember reading somewhere that citrus fruit split may be a result of water stress: when your plant goes through a dray season and then gets plenty of water... If the rind is thin and not very elastic, it may split due to a sudden and large water uptake.
I might be totally wrong though...

Too much water.

i think I let it get too dry ..afraid of root rot with the 50's temps in the room that it's in. It was dry side so I recently gave it more water where some drained out bottom. Also gave it a little fert. Was only giving little water at a time so maybe that's it. I hope the rest hang on.

I have noticed after a wet summer I will have a lot of split fruit on my Hamlin's that are planted in ground.

Just went to check on it & the 3rd one just fell off. The skin does seem thin - at least thinner than ave orange...almost like meiwa kumquat. They are about 2 inches. There's about 1/2 inch fruit exposed half way around - top to bottom. Bought this 6 gal (bucket) plant 5 yrs ago & it's over 4ft high. I only ate 1 fruit from it. Unripe or baby fruits either fell off or squirrels got them so I'd sure like to see the rest ripen to eat.

The seemingly spontaneous splitting that occurs in citrus fruits,
particularly in navel oranges, is discouraging. Splitting is an abiotic
disorder, that is, it is a problem that cannot be attributed to any living
organism, such as an insect or plant pathogen, but one that stems instead
from environmental or cultural conditions. There is no chemical control for
this physiological condition. The split usually starts at the stylar end of
the fruit, which is the weakest pint in the rind. Splits probably occur when
water and sugar are transported from the roots of the tree to the ripening
fruit, and the rind is unable to expand quickly enough to accommodate the
added volume. The rind burst open under the pressure. Some citrus varieties, especially thin skinned ones, may be more likely to split than other varieties. Rinds that have been sunburned or otherwise damaged may be less elastic than normal and therefore more apt to split. Although the exact cause is unknown, fruit splitting is likely the result of stress to the tree. Splitting appears to be most closely related to extreme fluctuation in temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and possibly fertilizer levels, and the disorder is probably caused by a combination of these factors rather than by a single cause. For example, when hot weather is combined with high winds, the tree becomes drought stress and begins to take water from the fruit, causing the fruit to soften causing it to crack. Young trees or dwarf varieties with relatively small or shallow root systems, as well as trees grown in very sandy or porous soils that do not retain moisture well, may be more susceptible. to fruit splitting. Reasonable cultural practices to avoid extreme fluctuations in soil moisture and fertilization levels throughout the growing season may help to minimize fruit split. Trees should be irrigated regularly to assure a continuous supply of soil moisture, especially during hot or windy weather. When hot winds are anticipated, irrigate before the winds begin. After the hot winds subside, irrigate lightly for a few days and then resume a normal irrigation schedule. Instead of a single large application of quick release fertilizer each year, smaller monthly applications throughout the growing season may help keep nutrient levels constant. Timed release fertilizers offer the convenience of supplying nutrients at an even rate over the length of the growing season, but they are usually more expensive than other fertilizers. Split oranges are edible, although they are usually not ripe enough to be usable; they break down quickly and eventually drop from the tree. Damaged fruit should be removed and discarded, since they are susceptible to invading organisms that may cause disease such as Alternia Rot. Decaying fruit may also harbor fungi, bacteria, insects or other unwanted pests. - Millet (727-)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (February 4, 1906 - April 9, 1945)