Why Are My Oranges Splitting Open Before They Are Ripe

[pat nicks]

Can anyone help me with this problem. I have an orange tree and the oranges look great...although not ripe yet and they are splitting open before they are ripe. Does anyone know what causes this.
Grateful in So Cal.

Tomatoe mater

[Kisal]

This link will take you to an article by the University of California that talks about oranges splitting while on the tree:

https://ccmg.ucdavis.edu/CCTimes/113002.htm

[webmaster]

Hmm... Kind of like when tomatoes split from fast growth that can't be accomodated by the skin fast enough?

Splits probably occur when water and sugar are transported from the roots to the ripening fruit, and the rind is unable to expand as quickly as the interior... Rinds that have been sunburned or otherwise damaged may be more apt to split.