As fruit growers are harvesting peaches, some are noticing split pits and/or pitburn.
Pitburn is evidenced by brown or gray areas around the pit and is caused by high temperatures and rapid growth. It actually isn’t the high temperatures that injure the flesh directly but a lack of oxygen interfering with normal development. Remember the very high temperatures we had earlier in the year? Those high temperatures led to pit burning.
Split pits are also often the result of rapid growth and can be made worse with excessive thinning and/or irregular watering during the pit hardening stage. Such peaches are more likely to rot than those with intact pits.
There isn’t anything that can be done at this stage to help the peaches. However, a good job of watering and avoiding overthinning can help prevent split pits in the future. Peaches with pitburn or split pits are safe to eat. (Ward Upham)
