Hi Tui, what is causing my feijoa fruit to develop a brown cracked skin? Thanks.

Hi John, that is russet and can be caused by many things, such as cool, wet weather at time of pollination and fruit set; late frost at time of flowering and fruit set; pesticide damage if the tree was sprayed close to fruit set; damage from insects such as leaf roller caterpillar or mites; wind damage; over vigorous pollination from birds causing damage to the flower. Unlikely but possible is fungal infection caused by wet weather at time of flowering. The fruit will develop and it is unlikely to affect the flesh, but I would suggest removing the damaged fruit so that the plants energies go into producing bigger and better unblemished fruit. The Tui Team.