Q. I wrote to you a few weeks ago regarding splitting
pomegranates. Our Homeowners Association switched from grass to desert
landscaping. The drip systems were increased to include new plants and older
bushes and a new system was added around our older trees. Our water bill for
that period was much higher than normal. Is it possible that overwatering in
the heat caused the seeds to grow faster, splitting the fruits? I had a good
crop last year.
pomegranates. Our Homeowners Association switched from grass to desert
landscaping. The drip systems were increased to include new plants and older
bushes and a new system was added around our older trees. Our water bill for
that period was much higher than normal. Is it possible that overwatering in
the heat caused the seeds to grow faster, splitting the fruits? I had a good
crop last year.
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| Pomegranate fruit split up the side |
A. The splitting of any fruits, whether pomegranate or tomato, is
nearly always associated with irrigation or rain. The most commonly held belief
is that it is due to irregular irrigation patterns; overly dry periods followed
by an irrigation.
nearly always associated with irrigation or rain. The most commonly held belief
is that it is due to irregular irrigation patterns; overly dry periods followed
by an irrigation.
It is thought that when the plant has a lack of
water the “skin” of the fruit begins to become inflexible and the
plant matures the fruit earlier than normal in “hopes” that it can
reproduce by hastening seed development and maturity.
water the “skin” of the fruit begins to become inflexible and the
plant matures the fruit earlier than normal in “hopes” that it can
reproduce by hastening seed development and maturity.
Then when an abundance of water is present
around the roots, the plant takes up this water and it is transported to the
fruit. The fruit, now with an inflexible “skin” can no longer expand
like it could when it was immature, and splits.
around the roots, the plant takes up this water and it is transported to the
fruit. The fruit, now with an inflexible “skin” can no longer expand
like it could when it was immature, and splits.
Another belief is that rainwater is absorbed
through the “skin” of some soft fruit, like cherries or tomato, when
it is nearly mature and this absorption of water causes the fruit to split.
through the “skin” of some soft fruit, like cherries or tomato, when
it is nearly mature and this absorption of water causes the fruit to split.
Regardless of the reason, fruit splitting is reduced with
more regular watering, watering at the appropriate times to prevent the soil
from becoming overly dry and the use of surface mulches, particularly wood
mulch.
more regular watering, watering at the appropriate times to prevent the soil
from becoming overly dry and the use of surface mulches, particularly wood
mulch.