Indoor pomegranate (dwarf) - home care. Pomegranate tree (pomegranate) - growing and caring for a plant at home

The word "pomegranate" causes a lot of associations. First of all, I remember a red-orange, rough, leathery fruit with a kind of corolla on the “crown”. You break it open and see a scattering of pinkish or red, like glass grains. Taste them and feel a pleasant sweet-sour, slightly tart taste. According to some legends, it was the pomegranate that was the very “apple” from Paradise, which led Eve into temptation. Whatever associations the pomegranate evokes, one thing is clear - this is a legendary and curious tree. And it can be successfully grown not only in the southern regions, but also in our harsh climate. At home, a houseplant feels great if you follow the simple rules of care.

Characteristics of a pomegranate

Pomegranate is one of the first fruit trees tamed by ancient people. Inhabitants Asian countries Even at the dawn of civilization, people began to eat pomegranate fruits for food.

Wild pomegranate is widely distributed in Turkey, Tunisia, Transcaucasia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. It grows in northern India. Prefers mountainous terrain and full sun, grows in rough, poor rocky soil and even on saline soils, manages with little moisture.

For the first time, the pomegranate is mentioned in the annals of the Battle of Marathon, which took place in 490 BC. Herodotus, historian ancient greece, said that in the army of the Persians who attacked the Greeks, there was a special brigade, it was called "grenade". The ends of the spears of the soldiers of this unit were crowned with golden grenades. Among the Persians, the pomegranate was considered an honorary sign.

Over the thousand-year history of the pomegranate, people have bred many varieties of this tree. Sometimes their fruits differ significantly from each other. The Abkhaz pomegranate has dark red large fruits, and the pomegranate apple from Vietnam is light brown. The color and taste of pomegranate seeds differ. For example, in Turkey, along with the traditional red pomegranate, white or pink is grown. Its grains are sweeter.

Breeders continue to create new varieties of this plant, improving fruit quality and yield. However, pomegranate is not only useful and delicious fruit, but also beautiful exotic greenery, as well as wonderful and fragrant flowers. The decorative properties of the tree were noted by breeders. It simply had to settle in the homes of flora lovers. Punica nana - dwarf pomegranate - perfectly took root not only in winter gardens or greenhouses, but also on window sills. It grows wild in southern Europe and was first described in early XIX century. Based on this species, other varieties suitable for keeping in an apartment have been bred.

Dwarf pomegranate, according to flower growers, is one of the most unpretentious and long-lived plants. Up, it grows no more than 1 meter, a lush crown branches abundantly and is easy to form. The leaves of the tree are oval, small (about 3 cm long), hard. They are shiny on top and dull below and are located on reddish petioles. Young leaves of a dwarf pomegranate are initially bronze in color, become green over time, and turn yellow in the fall, on the eve of leaf fall.

The dwarf garnet became a diploma winner in the UK. The Royal Horticultural Society awarded the tree with a diploma. It noted that the plant has exceptional decorative characteristics.

During the flowering period (from May to September after 1 year), a small pomegranate tree is dotted with large (up to 4 cm in diameter) red, dark pink or orange flowers. They are tubular, resembling a jug, or bell-shaped. Flowers do not live long, about three days. But every day new buds appear on the pomegranate tree. indoor pomegranate famous for long and rapid flowering. But getting pomegranate fruits at home is not so easy. Out of a hundred flowers, no more than four or five become fruits, the rest of the color falls off. By the way, the pomegranate continues to bloom during the ripening of the fruit.

Bright, like toy fruits of a dwarf pomegranate grow about 5 cm in diameter. These cute little ones can be red, burgundy red or orange yellow. As experts say, small pomegranates are not inferior to large counterparts in useful qualities, although they lose in taste. Harvest from indoor pomegranate is usually harvested in late autumn or early winter.

It is not difficult to care for a dwarf pomegranate. His wild ancestor managed to grow, bloom and bear fruit in very difficult conditions, and the descendant inherited patience and high survival. Growing a pomegranate tree at home is a fun activity that the whole family can do. This plant lends itself well to formation, for example, bonsai can be grown from it. And the sight of a pomegranate strewn with flowers or hung with fruit balls will not leave anyone indifferent.

Pomegranate variety of indoor species

Pomegranate dwarf (Punica nana) became the ancestor modern varieties this plant. This is a small, about a meter, woody bush with small leaves, blooms profusely and can bear fruit. Its seeds are presented in stores as dwarf pomegranate or Punica granatum NANA. Two varieties are excellent for potting: Baby and Carthage.

• Room pomegranate varieties Carthage. A miniature bush about 80 cm tall, almost an exact copy of the common pomegranate. The leaves are approximately 2 cm long. When grown from seed, it begins to bloom and bear fruit after an average of 6 years. The fruits of Carthage are 5 to 6 centimeters in diameter, edible, sweet and sour.
• Baby pomegranate. Very compact shrub, up to half a meter in height. The elongated leaves are arranged in groups. This variety is grown mainly from seeds. Baby blooms in 3-4 years. The flowers are quite large (up to 7 cm), bright red. The fruits are small, no more than 4 cm.

Taller varieties are less common in home floriculture. They are grown for their beautiful flowers.

• Flore Pleno. Shrub growing up to 4 meters. Grow it only for beauty. He doesn't bear fruit. But Flore Pleno has carnation-like, double purple flowers.
• Flore Pleno Alba. Ornamental shrub up to 4 meters tall. Its main value is not fruits, but white double flowers.
• double flower. Another type of decorative pomegranate. In its lush inflorescences, petals of different shades are combined: red, white and pink. The flowers may have specks or stripes.

In the natural environment, another plant species is known - Socotrans pomegranate (Punica protopunica). His homeland is the island of Socotr. It is a highly branched tree or shrub. Grows up to four meters. The main differences from the common pomegranate (Punica granatum) are the leaves are rounded, the flowers are pink, not red and smaller, the fruits are also more modest in size. This species is not cultivated because its fruits are not so tasty.

Photo gallery: types and varieties for the windowsill

Pomegranate Double Flower - ornamental plant with showy flowers Baby pomegranate bush - compact Flore Pleno Alba pomegranate decorated with white terry Carthage - a miniature copy of the common pomegranate Flore Pleno pomegranate is grown for decorative purposes, it does not produce fruits Socotran pomegranate - a highly branched tree or shrub

Conditions for growing at home

Wild pomegranate is not spoiled by nature. He got rocky, scarce land, an arid climate, and, apparently, as compensation - a lot of sunlight.

Dwarf, or homemade, pomegranate is a more pampered creature. Although he is not too picky about the conditions, but, like his wild progenitor, he cannot live without bright light. This plant loves the sun all year round, perhaps, only on a sultry summer afternoon it should be shaded a little. Bright light is necessary for a pomegranate to bloom luxuriantly. And without it, the fruits do not ripen. Pomegranate is a resident of the south, he likes warmth, but not stuffiness and heat, and during the rest period he asks for coolness.

But you don’t have to humidify the air specifically for the pomegranate. The tree is indifferent to humidity. True, sometimes it will rejoice at the refreshing rain from the sprayer.

Table: conditions for dwarf garnet

Season	Lighting	Humidity	Temperature
Spring	Bright light, some direct sun will be helpful. To place a grenade, any side, except for the north, is suitable.	Humidity doesn't matter. You can spray from time to time.	+20–25 о С
Summer	Bright light. On a very hot afternoon, shade indoor pomegranate, especially young plants.	Spraying with cool water in the heat.	+23–25 о С
Autumn	Bright light.	Humidity from 40 to 50 percent.	+20–25 о С
Winter	Bright light with some direct sun. If there is not enough light, add artificial lighting.	Humidity is moderate 40–50 percent.	+12–16 о С

Features of landing and transplantation

Young pomegranate bushes need to be replanted every year. And when the plant is three years old, it is transplanted every two to three years. get busy resettlement pomegranate better in spring, after winter rest and before the start of growth.

Choosing a pot

When transplanting a plant, choose a pot only slightly larger than the old one. Dwarf pomegranate will bloom more willingly and more magnificently if the roots are in cramped conditions.

substrate

The dwarf pomegranate naturally lives on poor land, but its domestic brother needs more fertile soil. Then it will look more elegant, and bloom more and longer. Give your pet loose, nutrient-rich, acid-neutral soil. Sample compositions:

• For one part of soddy soil, take half of the leaf humus, a quarter of peat and sand.
• For one part of sand - half of the loam and peat.
• For two parts of clay-soddy soil, one part of leafy soil, humus, sand.
• Take a ready-made store primer made for roses or begonias.
• For young pomegranates, the soil should be lighter and more nutritious. Mix equally sod, humus, leafy soil and sand.

When transplanting, be sure to lay drainage on the bottom of the pot. It can be gravel, expanded clay, broken brick. The drainage layer will protect your pomegranate from moisture stagnation at the roots.

The soil in a container with a pomegranate bush should be constantly loose and airy. In the event that the soil quickly cakes, loses friability, replace it. Introduce sawdust into the new soil mixture, the best option is pine.

Step by step instructions for transplanting a plant

Care

Dwarf pomegranate is a pleasant plant in every way. Elegant appearance, wonderful flowers that bloom almost all year round, pretty fruits. And with these advantages - a simple, and sometimes even an exciting process of caring for a plant.

Watering and feeding

The watering regime of indoor pomegranate copies the natural cycle of its wild Asian ancestor. Starting in November, when the plant is resting, it is very rare to water the pomegranate bush. It is enough to drink it once a month or a half. At the end of winter, you need to water more often and more. Water should soak all the soil. The next watering - as soon as the surface layer dries in a pot of pomegranate.

When it's time to bloom, limit the watering of the tree a little. Remember: in nature, pomegranate blooms in the hottest and driest time of the year. The only difficulty is that with a lack of moisture, as well as with its excess, the dwarf pomegranate experiences discomfort. This means that the buds and flowers may die. In order not to get bare branches instead of beautiful flowering, observe the measure in watering. Watch the reaction of your pomegranate. He became too dry - add water, moisture stagnates - reduce.

You did a great job with the watering regime, and your pomegranate made you happy long flowering? Thank him. Now, after flowering, increase watering again. Like trees in a garden to bookmark flower buds in next year get drunk on the eve of hibernation, so your pomegranate should be saturated with moisture.

But if you are planning to get fruits, water your pomegranate carefully in the fall. Excess moisture can cause fruit cracking.

Indoor pomegranate should not be fertilized in winter, during the dormant period. But with awakening in the spring, feed the tree every two weeks. In spring, nitrogen should be in the nutrient composition. When the plant has entered the flowering time, phosphorus-containing fertilizers are suitable. In the fall, switch to top dressing with potassium. Apply complex fertilizer at regular intervals - once a month. Before feeding the pomegranate must be watered. The nutrient liquid should not remain in the pan, drain it.

And one more detail - bring in top dressing when there is no sun, and the weather is gloomy. Then the food will be better absorbed by the plant.

The fruits of indoor pomegranate are edible. If you want to grow a crop and enjoy pomegranate seeds, do not fertilize your tree with store-bought ornamental plant food. They are high in nitrates and other harmful substances. Apply organic fertilizers or those recommended for fruit or vegetable crops.

At the end of autumn, food is stopped, watering is reduced, and the air temperature is reduced. The pomegranate is being prepared for winter rest.

flowering period

Dwarf pomegranates are usually grown not for their fruits, but for their wonderful flowers. A flowering miniature tree looks charming.

But to see this charm, you have to fulfill some conditions. However, they are not that difficult.

So, pomegranate blooms happily under the following conditions:

1. Cool, about 12-15 degrees, hibernation. This is the best incentive for bookmarking buds.
2. Top dressing with the beginning of awakening, in February or March. And then twice a month.
3. Healing haircut - crown formation before flowering, in March.
4. Bright light all year round. In winter, additional lighting with fluorescent lamps.
5. Usually adult specimens bloom, from 3-4 years of age.

It has already been said that pomegranate flowers are not the same: some with an elongated tube look like an inverted jug, others are shorter and resemble a bell. The first - jugs - female flowers, they are able to form an ovary, and then a fruit. The second - bells - are sterile. To grow a crop of homemade pomegranates, it is better to get two plants. Transfer pollen from one tree to the pitcher flowers of another. You can do this with a cotton swab or a brush. You can get by with one tree with flowers of different types.

Video: normalization of flowers and fruits

rest period

In early September, the homemade pomegranate tree prepares for winter, like its big comrades. At this time, leaves fall in the garden and at home too. Pomegranate leaf fall is not a disease, but a normal phenomenon. Don't worry after proper wintering the tree will be covered with leaves again.

And for proper wintering, a grenade needs a dry, cool place. For example, a glazed veranda or balcony with a temperature of 12–16 degrees. Do not freeze the southern plant, its cold limit is +6 degrees. If a special room no, just put the pomegranate pot closer to cold window glass and close it with an impromptu screen so that the air does not heat up.

The soil in the pot on the eve of wintering should be dry. Pomegranates need to be watered only 3-4 times during the winter. The exception is young bushes, they need more frequent watering, every two weeks.

Some flower growers claim that their pomegranate does well without a winter rest, and high temperatures do not affect the quality of flowering. But this can only be found out by experience.

Bush formation

Indoor pomegranate is good for "haircut". With the onset of spring, when the pomegranate has just woken up and has not yet grown, the crown of the tree should be formed. This is not at all traumatic, but, on the contrary, a useful procedure. Thanks to the pruning of dried and weak shoots, the pomegranate is rejuvenated and healed. The tree can be given a neater look. The pomegranate has very flexible twigs, they can be directed as you like. Anti-aging pruning is also permissible in the fall at the beginning of preparation for winter dormancy.

But be careful. You can not cut the plant too much, so as not to weaken. Approximately 4-6 skeletal branches must be left. To encourage branching, prune young shoots above an outward-facing bud, leaving up to five internodes. If you remove the growth of pomegranate from the roots, you can form a tree. If unnecessary shoots have grown in the summer, you can remove them immediately. But do not get carried away with pruning, keep in mind: the buds are laid only on developed annual branches.

Video: pruning dwarf pomegranate

Diseases and pests

Wild pomegranate and its garden relative are hardened plants, easily enduring weather turmoil and attacks by diseases and pests. Indoor tree may well be harmed by diseases - powdery mildew and rot, insects - spider mites or whiteflies, less often scale insects and aphids. The task of the owner is to protect the pet. How to do this, see the table.

Table: pests and diseases

Pests and diseases characteristic of dwarf pomegranate - photo

The pest entangles the plant with cobwebs It is easy to recognize the scale insect, brown plaques appear on the leaves Aphid sticks around the shoots and buds A sign of powdery mildew is white coating on the leaves Whitefly breeds very quickly Root rot appears with excessive dampness

How does a pomegranate reproduce?

New indoor pomegranate plants can be obtained from seeds (stones) or cuttings.

Reproduction by seeds

For propagation by seeds, it is better to take varietal planting material from the store. Manufacturers usually guarantee high, up to 95 percent, seed germination. Such a plant will begin to bloom a year after planting, the fruits can be grown in the second or third year.

Seeds from a fresh indoor pomegranate fruit are also suitable. They are viable for about 6 months. Prepare the seed:

1. Select the largest and most ripe fruits, their skin is brightly colored and slightly wrinkled.
2. Take out the grains.
3. Remove the pulp.
4. Rinse and dry.

Do not take greenish or soft seeds, they are not suitable.

Start sowing. For this:

1. planting material, shop or from homemade pomegranate, disinfect. Take a saucer or other container, place a fabric folded in half on it, between the layers - seeds. Fill with water with Zircon or Epin, 2-3 drops per teaspoon of water. Change the solution twice a day and so for three days. The seeds must not dry out.
2. Prepare the soil for sowing. Get a substrate from a houseplant store. Or make the mixture yourself: mix peat in half with coarse sand, disinfect it by calcining.
3. Pour drainage into the container, fill it with soil. Place the seeds in the holes to a depth of no more than one and a half centimeters, sprinkle with soil.
4. Moisten the soil. Cover with transparent film. The greenhouse will speed up germination. Keep in a warm place without direct sun.
5. The first sprouts, if the seeds are sown in February or March, will appear in two weeks. If sowing took place at a different time, they can germinate up to 6 months.
6. When shoots appear, move the container to the south window. Seedlings need a lot of light to develop.
7. Do not remove the film at first, just remove it for a couple of hours to air it.
8. Do not allow waterlogging, the soil should be only slightly wet.
9. When the sprouts have become stronger, several leaves have formed on them, remove the film. Give new trees room to grow.
10. After a while, thin out the crops. Remove the weak ones. Leave only strong shoots. If necessary, plant the seedlings in new pots.
11. Water the young shoots abundantly and carefully under the root, water should not fall on the sprouts. Keep the soil moist.

The first flowers on a young pomegranate will most likely appear in a year.

Video: how to grow pomegranate from seeds

Reproduction by cuttings

Indoor pomegranate cuttings are prepared in February or summer. In winter, woody shoots of adult plants are taken, which have already given fruit. In summer, you can take shoots that are not yet completely covered with bark.

1. Cut a cutting from the parent plant, each should have at least 4 buds.
2. Dust the cut with Kornevin.
3. Plant the cutting at an angle in moist, light and nutritious soil (river sand with peat in equal proportions), deepening it by 3 cm.
4. Cover each cutting with a transparent protective cap - a plastic cup, bottle or jar.
5. Planting regularly moisten and ventilate.

Blossom young plant will be in two or three years.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that almost every apartment or house in our country is decorated with indoor flowers. Most often, their range is not particularly diverse, but there are exceptions. How do you like indoor pomegranate, for example?

Basic information

Pomegranate (Punica) feels quite comfortable at home. However, in this case, it is not the nutritional properties of its fruits that come to the fore, but the decorative qualities of the flowers of the plant. Important! AT room conditions it is still better to grow a dwarf variety of pomegranate (Punicanana). However, many scientists and gardeners believe that the pomegranate houseplant is just a separate form of the parent plant. Judging by the appearance and features of the vegetation process, it is so.

Brief historical background

Oddly enough, but indoor pomegranate has been known as a houseplant for a long time. This circumstance is mainly due to the amazing unpretentiousness this plant. In the subtropics and tropics, it is widely grown in open ground, and in our conditions, ordinary pots on windowsills or even indoor greenhouses are preferable. By the way, for the excellent decorative qualities of pomegranate flowers, it has long been awarded an Honorary Diploma of the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

Ancient legends say that once this fruit was known under the name "Punic apple". In legends, the pomegranate was a symbol of fidelity in marriage, in Greece it was used as a symbol of fertility, and the Persians honored it as the personification of passionate and passionate love. However, all this is trifles, since the beneficial properties of pomegranate have been known since ancient times.

In general, so useful plant worthy of becoming a decoration of any home or garden. Moreover, it (as we have already said) is distinguished by its rare unpretentiousness, it can grow on brackish and arid soils.

Description of the pomegranate

It should be noted that the original indoor pomegranate was described as early as 1803. Its height in the maximum case does not exceed 120 centimeters, and in the form potted plant it only grows up to 0.9 meters. The leaves are light green, oval in shape, no more than three centimeters in diameter. They differ in short cuttings that have a slightly reddish tint. In spring, the leaves take on a beautiful bronze color, in summer they are light green, and by autumn they turn yellowish.

Note that the most decorative are special, cultivated varieties of indoor pomegranate. From May to September, these plants are strewn with beautiful purple flowers in abundance. They are located in a single order, formed already in the first year of cultivation. Tellingly, their size exceeds that of the leaves - about four centimeters. Please note: only flowers with long pistils can bear fruit. The percentage of those is very low, since the houseplant pomegranate is purely decorative.

Each flower lives for a maximum of three days, but new buds are tied and bloom every day. Gardeners testify that there are no more than three or four ovaries per hundred flowers. Indoor pomegranate has a special uniqueness for the reason that both buds and already ripening fruits can be on the plant at the same time.

Separately about the fruits

The fruits themselves, by the way, can be painted in the most different colors: from orange to brown-red. Alas, they are far from the taste of the "ordinary" pomegranate, and in diameter they are a maximum of six to seven centimeters. You can taste them from November. The fruiting season ends around January.

Since pomegranates are most often grown at home for their flowers, the fruits are usually removed. This is due to the fact that abundant flowering already greatly depletes the plant, so to save decorative properties pomegranate is better to remove the ovaries that have appeared. However, one or two fruits can still be left on one tree.

And it’s worth doing this not so much for culinary purposes, but to get your own seeds. We note, however, that the varietal qualities of plants can by no means always be indulged in this method of reproduction. And only once every three or four years you can make yourself a gift, leaving all the fruits on the tree. The beauty of a pomegranate that blooms and bears fruit at the same time is simply indescribable.

What varieties are best to use?

On sale, you will probably find only dwarf pomegranate (Punicagranatum). Occasionally, a room grenade "Baby" or "Carthage" comes across on store shelves. The last two varieties are artificially bred, designed specifically for indoor cultivation. Their height rarely exceeds 30 centimeters, while the usual dwarf variety often grows up to one meter.

Lighting Requirements

Despite its general unpretentiousness, the houseplant pomegranate is demanding on the lighting conditions in the house. That is why you can choose any windows in the house for its placement, except for those that face the north side. However, on hot and sunny days, it is still necessary to cover the tender leaves of the plant from direct sunlight.

Note that the ideal place for a pomegranate in summer is a loggia, attic or veranda. Important! Train the plant to sunbathing”should be gradual, since with an excessively sharp course of the process, the formation of sunburn on the leaves is not excluded. As soon as the duration of daylight begins to decline, and the nights become colder, this southerner should be immediately brought into the house.

Temperature Range

As you might guess, the pomegranate needs warmth, and for the entire period of flowering and fruiting. In general, its normal development is possible at a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius. Important! If the temperature in the room exceeds 25 degrees, it must be taken out to a cooler and more ventilated room, otherwise the shoots may begin to dry out. In the case when this is not possible, regularly spray the leaves with water. room temperature(retarded, of course).

But! For normal fruit ripening, a pomegranate needs a temperature of approximately 16-18 degrees Celsius. From November to March, the plant has a dormant period, during which it is required to maintain the temperature at the level of 10-12 degrees. By the way, these indoor plants can easily withstand frosts down to minus six degrees Celsius.

Requirements for the composition and other characteristics of the soil

Although we said that in nature pomegranate is extremely unpretentious to soils, at home, to create the most ornamental plant, characteristics soil mixtures should be maintained at the right level. Please note that they must be neutral (pH 7). We would recommend the following features:

Half sod land, ¼ good leaf humus, 12% peat, and 13% sand.
. Half sand, ¼ parts loam and peat (watch the pH!).
. Two parts of clay-soddy soil, one volumetric part of leafy soil, one share of sand and humus each.
. Especially for young plants: humus, sod, sand and leafy soil are taken in equal proportions.

About watering and humidity

As you probably understand yourself, competent watering of any plant is a guarantee not only of its decorative appearance, but also of survival. In our case, there are the following watering rules:

At rest (we talked about it above), the number of waterings is reduced as much as possible: no more than once every one and a half to two months!
. When houseplants come out of hibernation, you can gradually increase the frequency. Gradually move to frequent watering well soaking the top layer of soil in a pot. Moisturize it as it dries.
. Please note that during flowering, moisture intake should be limited, since under natural conditions this time coincides with a dry and hot period. But be careful! With a lack of moisture and nutrients you may well be left with nothing, as the plant will simply drop all the buds and ovaries.
. As we have already said, in hot weather and in stuffy rooms, it is necessary to spray pomegranate leaves with settled water.
. As soon as flowering ends, the plant must again be watered abundantly, otherwise abundant flowering in the next year will be in question.
. If you need to grow fruits, then the issue of soil moisture should be approached as carefully and carefully as possible. If you overdo it with water, then the fruits may well crack and even rot.

We feed

Any indoor flowers need feeding. Pomegranate is no exception. "Feed" it should be at least twice a month. AT spring period any nitrogen fertilizer can be widely used. When the pomegranate blooms, phosphorus top dressing is mandatory, and in the autumn - potassium. However, once (per month) the use of complex fertilizer is quite acceptable. Important! Top dressing should be done only in cloudy weather.

Fertilizers must be applied exclusively to moist soil, but all excess water from flower tray at the same time, it is mandatory to merge. In the autumn period, the frequency of top dressing is gradually reduced, preparing the pomegranate for the dormant period. Most often, it occurs in December-January, when the last flowers have faded and all the fruits on the plant have fully ripened.

rest period

You can easily find out about its onset, since at this moment the plant begins to shed its leaves. As we said, during this period, the ambient temperature should be maintained within ten degrees Celsius. Important! As for young pomegranates that have not yet reached the age of three, a dormant period is not necessary for them, but the temperature at this time should still be lowered to about 16 degrees Celsius (as when the fruit ripens).

Of course, in a city apartment it is far from always possible to create optimal conditions for hibernation. A simple measure will help to sufficiently reduce the temperature: move the pot of pomegranate close to the glass, and then isolate it from the rest of the room with ordinary plastic wrap. It will be enough to keep for three to four weeks. However, the most optimal results can be achieved by pulling the plant into the basement for this time.

Trimming procedure

Around February, the pomegranate is taken out of the cold room and, while the buds have not yet blossomed, they are pruned. The plant tolerates just such a pruning procedure best. Most of all small young branches should be removed. To stimulate branching, it is necessary to cut the branches outside the bud at an acute angle, leaving no more than five internodes on the shoot. Important! When forming a room pomegranate (the photo of which is in the article), never forget to leave within the six skeletal branches that form the basis of the whole plant.

If you get carried away with pruning, you can significantly weaken the tree. By the way, it is precisely for the formation of the tree form of the pomegranate (including bonsai) that all the young shoots in the pot must be mercilessly removed. When forming branches and pruning, you need to be extremely careful, as the shoots are fragile. Excess shoots formed during the current growing season can be harvested in the summer. In this case, it is advisable to seal the wound with garden pitch.

How is the transplant done?

Up to three years, it is necessary to transplant pomegranates annually. After reaching three years, the frequency of the procedure is reduced to once every two to three years. It is best to do this in the spring. The transplant itself is simple, as it is done by conventional transshipment. To do this, take the soil with the mandatory addition of sand. Of course, the presence of drainage in the pot is extremely important.

Despite the developed fibrous system, the grenade does not need an exceptionally wide pot. An increase in capacity should be carried out at the rate of two to three centimeters per transplant, no more. By the way, the flowering of the plant is the more abundant, the closer the roots in the pot (but do not overdo it!). Here's how to care for a potted pomegranate.

Reproduction of pomegranate seeds

We immediately warn you that in order to successfully grow a plant from seeds, it is extremely important to buy them in specialized stores or from trusted suppliers. However, all flower growers who grow indoor flowers will tell you about this. A pomegranate grown from normal seed material will allow you to enjoy flowering in the first year, and you will be able to taste your own pomegranates in about two to three years.

However, no one forbids trying to grow a tree using seeds from an already ripe fruit. Note that they remain viable for up to six months. You need to choose seeds only from the largest and well-ripened pomegranates. After that, they are cleaned of pulp and dried properly in a warm and dry room. They can be sown in April, to a depth of approximately 0.5 cm. Attention - the pomegranate, the fruit of which appeared on the tree for the first time, is absolutely unsuitable for use for seed purposes, since its seeds may be too weak and will not sprout.

The substrate for this is made from equal parts of sand and peat, after which it is moistened to an average extent. Germination occurs at a temperature of about 25-27 degrees Celsius, the development of seedlings begins quickly. As soon as two or three true leaves appear, the strongest and healthiest-looking seedlings are distributed into pots with a diameter of approximately six centimeters. In order for plants to grow and develop faster, during this period they need heat and moisture. For better bushiness, they need to be pinched. Here's how to get indoor pomegranate from seeds.

Important! If you buy a pomegranate in the market or in a store, deciding to use its seeds for sowing, then keep in mind that you can expect flowering from it in seven years best case. In addition, the size of such a plant will be too large (two or three meters) for an average city apartment. Recall that indoor pomegranate, the cultivation of which does not cause particular difficulties, rarely grows at least up to a meter.

Propagation by cuttings

Cuttings should be taken from mature and well-bearing plants. In summer, you need to take those of them that are half stiff, and in winter (in February), respectively, stiff. You need to cut the branches into pieces with five to six buds. The soil for planting is made from equal parts of sand and peat, landing is carried out at an angle, to a depth of approximately three centimeters. Here's how cuttings are propagated indoor pomegranate.

Cuttings need to be covered with a cut plastic bottle or jar, water frequently to maintain high humidity air and soil, as it is necessary for rooting. It is highly desirable to treat the cuttings before planting with some kind of humic fertilizer, since this measure dramatically increases the likelihood of successful rooting. After about two or three months, young plants can already be seated in separate pots. The buds may appear as early as the first year, but they should be cut off for the first two seasons, as the plant is not yet fully grown to fully bloom.

In a word, pomegranate is a plant that every lover of flora must have!

Dwarf or indoor pomegranate is a miniature ornamental tree intended for home cultivation. Of all the representatives of the exotic flora, it is perhaps the most unpretentious, therefore it quite easily adapts to the microclimate of the room. Growing indoor pomegranate in the house is a fascinating and enjoyable activity, because in addition to exceptional decorativeness during flowering, the culture is able to bear small, but quite edible fruits.

Fans of exotic domestic plants may be interested in the question of where to get and how to grow a dwarf pomegranate on their own. After all, ready-grown trees in flower shops have a very high cost. It should be said that indoor pomegranate reproduces well by cuttings and seeds. The seed method has several options, but its effectiveness is low, since it takes more time to grow a full-fledged tree, and the seeds do not always germinate.

For breeding homemade pomegranate, you can use several options for seed:

• seeds purchased in specialized stores - they have the highest percentage of germination;
• seeds formed in the flower of a dwarf pomegranate growing in the house;
• seeds extracted from fresh homemade pomegranate fruit.

It makes no sense to use seeds from an ordinary pomegranate bought on the market, because even if they yield, the tree can bloom only after 7 years, and the dimensions of such a plant are completely unsuitable for the room.

In order for the seeds to germinate, they need to be properly prepared and planted. If the material is purchased in a specialized store, then, as a rule, it is enough just to soak it for a day in water, and preferably in a growth stimulator (Kornevin), and then plant it in moist soil. If the seeds are taken from fresh fruit, then first they must be separated from the pulp, rinsed well, and then dried properly - this will help to avoid rotting of the material. Then everything is as in the previous case: soak for a day in a growth stimulator, and plant in the ground.

Sowing seeds is carried out in the spring, around mid-April. For planting, a substrate is used, consisting of equal parts of sand and peat. Sowing is carried out in moist soil to a depth of 0.5-1 cm under glass or film. The seed pot is placed in warm place, since for germination they need a temperature not lower than +25 ° C. High-quality material rises quite quickly. When 2-3 true leaves are formed on the seedlings, they are seated in separate pots along with a clod of earth. For further development, plants need a warm and humid microclimate. For better branching, pinch the largest branches.

Video “Growing”

From the video you will learn how to grow pomegranate different ways.

Growing with cuttings

It is easier to grow indoor pomegranate from a cutting than from seeds, moreover, this method has more high level survival rate. Planting material is taken from an adult fruiting plant in spring or summer. Cuttings 10-12 cm long are cut from a strong and healthy stem, so that they have 4-5 live buds. Next, these blanks are placed in a growth stimulator, after which they are planted at a slight angle in a moist substrate.

For better rooting, the cuttings are covered with a jar or a cut plastic bottle, maintain soil moisture, and ventilate daily.

With proper care, after a month, roots will begin to grow on the cuttings, and buds will bloom. After another two months, the plants can be planted in separate pots. A tree grown from a cutting fully blooms for 2-3 years. The buds that appeared on the plant in the first year should preferably be cut off.

Care

Growing indoor pomegranate, home care is quite simple to provide. The main thing is to try to create a suitable microclimate. Light, temperature, air and soil humidity are of great importance for a tree. At room conditions, it is better to place a pot with a plant on a windowsill (but not on north side), and in the summer take it out to the balcony. Remember that direct sunlight can cause burns, so in hot weather, the pomegranate should be shaded or placed in partial shade. In autumn, the tree is returned back to the room.

Garnet - thermophilic culture. For its normal development, flowering and fruiting, it is necessary to maintain the air temperature in the range from +20 to +25 °C.

If the room is stuffy in summer, and the temperature exceeds +25 ° C, the tree may begin to shed its leaves, so it should be taken out to the balcony and periodically sprayed with cool water. When fruit ripening begins, the temperature should be slightly lowered, to +16 ° C. The lowest temperature that indoor pomegranate can withstand is +6 ° C, below this indicator the plant dies.

Pomegranate is watered in different modes, depending on the stage of its vegetation and weather factors:

• during active vegetation, as well as in hot weather, the plant needs a lot of moisture - starting from February, the pomegranate is watered regularly, as soon as the topsoil dries;
• during flowering, the frequency of watering is slightly reduced, but make sure that the soil does not dry out, as the buds may begin to fall;
• after flowering, the number of waterings is increased again - this measure contributes abundant flowering trees next year;
• during fruit ripening, watering is carried out carefully, since excess moisture can lead to cracking of ripe fruits;
• in winter, the plant begins a dormant period - at this time it is watered very rarely, only so that the roots do not dry out.

To maintain the decorative effect, indoor pomegranate needs to be fed about 1-2 times a month. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied, in the summer, before and after flowering - a complex mixture with phosphorus, during the ripening of fruits and late autumn- potassium. Fertilizers are applied in liquid form by irrigation. Top dressing is best done in cloudy weather or in the evening. In the middle of autumn, top dressing stops.

Like any houseplant, pomegranates can get sick and be attacked by pests. Since the tree loves moisture, powdery mildew sometimes affects it - fungal disease, which develops against a background of high humidity, and manifests itself as white blooms on the leaves. If signs of disease appear, reduce humidity (stop spraying and watering the plant). Due to excessive moisture, the roots may rot and the leaves may turn yellow.

Pomegranate pests are sometimes attacked by scale insects, spider mites or whiteflies. As long as there are few insects, they can be collected by hand. If the population has increased, then chemical agents should be used (Aktellik, Fitoverm). The same drugs can be sprayed on the tree for prevention purposes.

pruning

The formation of a crown for a homemade pomegranate is a common thing, because the culture is mainly grown for decorative purposes, and not for the sake of obtaining fruits. In this case, pruning not only rejuvenates the plant, but also gives it an original decorative shape. As a rule, a pomegranate tree is cut once at the end of winter, in February, when bud formation begins. At the same time, it is moved from the cold to a warm room (room), and they begin to cut dry, not yet blossoming twigs. During this period, the pomegranate best tolerates the pruning procedure.

To make the tree lush, you need to cut off the young shoots above the bud, looking outward, leaving 4-5 internodes. In order to avoid excessive thickening of the crown, the buds directed inward, as well as all small branches, should be cut off. You should not get carried away with pruning, as it can weaken the plant. For an indoor tree, it is enough to leave 5-6 skeletal branches. When pruning, remember that pomegranate flowers are formed on only the most developed annual shoots. Sometimes, with excessive branching, there is a need for unscheduled pruning in the summer. When removing shoots during the active growing season, it is imperative to close up the places of cuts with garden pitch.

Transfer

In the first three years, indoor pomegranate, which is grown in a pot, should be replanted annually. At first, the tree grows quite intensively, and if it does not have enough land and nutrients, then soon the plant will begin to hurt and lag behind in development. Upon reaching three years of age, transplantation is carried out 1 time in 2-3 years, mainly in the spring. Technically, this is very simple to do, since the transplant procedure consists in transferring the tree into a larger pot along with the ground.

The root system of the pomegranate is fibrous, well developed, and grows more in breadth than in depth. But this does not mean that the pot for the tree should be large and wide. Every year it is enough to increase the diameter of the pot by 3-4 cm (about 0.5 l). The soil for growing pomegranates needs neutral, consisting of soddy soil or black soil with the addition of sand. You can buy ready-made store soil for roses, as long as its acidity is neutral. A drainage layer in a pomegranate pot is required, as excess moisture can harm it. Remember that in nature the pomegranate tree grows on rocky terrain - try to create similar conditions for it. If the roots are in a little tightness, the pomegranate will bloom more luxuriantly.

Like all trees, indoor pomegranate needs rest. This period begins after the ripening of all fruits - around the beginning of December. When the tree begins to drop leaves, care should be taken to create suitable conditions: lower the temperature to + 10-12 ° C, and reduce watering to a minimum. If the house has a basement, a pot of pomegranate can be taken out there for two months. In a city apartment, it is more difficult to ensure such a temperature, therefore, in the absence of a heated loggia, the plant is moved closer to the window glass and fenced off with dense material from the rest of the room. In the cold, the plant is kept until February, after which the tree is ready to bud again.

Video “Care”

From the video you will learn how to care for a pomegranate.

The pomegranate fruit is known to everyone. A red fruit with the same filling is considered one of the best helpers in increasing hemoglobin in the blood. And, meanwhile, it has other useful properties. Read more about where the pomegranate grows and how it is used, read below.

• General description about the pomegranate
• Popular varieties of pomegranate
• Useful properties of pomegranate
• Contraindications for the use of pomegranate
• Interesting Pomegranate Facts
• Recommendations for choosing fruits
• Video about grenade

General description about the pomegranate

pomegranate trees

The birthplace of the pomegranate tree is Central Asia and North Africa, Persia (present-day Iran). To date, pomegranate is cultivated in all subtropical countries. In nearby regions, the tree can be found in Azerbaijan, the Crimea, the Mediterranean.

pomegranate tree it can grow up to 5 m in height, but more often it has the shape of a bush. Refers to deciduous species. Blooms profusely and long from May to August. The flowers on the trees are large, bright orange, up to 3 cm in diameter.

The fruits ripen from September to February, depending on the variety. Outside, the peel has a red-brown hue, inside there are numerous seeds with juicy bright pulp. The edible seed coat makes up 50% of the weight of the whole fruit. They are between white spongy partitions. One pomegranate can contain from 200 to 1400 seeds.

pomegranate blossom

Popular varieties of pomegranate

More than 500 cultivars of this fruit have been developed. Of the Iranian varieties, the Asvad, Akhmar, and Sharodi pomegranates are considered the sweetest. From Indian: "Dholka", "Bedana". There is a seedless variety of pomegranate - "Vanderful", grown in America. On the market you can often find the Crimean striped pomegranate, which was bred in Nikitsky botanical garden. It is an early-growing variety with small seeds and sweet and sour pulp.

Useful properties of pomegranate

Pomegranate is an amazing fruit, because the beneficial properties are contained in its pulp, seeds, and peel. From seeds, bark, peel, various medical preparations. As part of the fruit: vitamins C, P, B6, B12, acids, fiber, tannin.

The pomegranate itself, thanks to its high content useful substances, well quenches thirst, increases appetite, promotes the production of hemoglobin, the formation of red blood cells. The fruit strengthens the walls of blood vessels and the nervous system. It is recommended to use for prevention colds, thyroid and heart problems.

All parts of the pomegranate contain beneficial substances

In folk medicine, decoctions from the peel and flowers are used as an anti-inflammatory agent for gargling. Also, various infusions are prepared from the peel, which have an antihelminthic and stomach-strengthening effect. The juice from the grains has a diuretic and choleretic effect. Pomegranate oil is obtained from the seeds.

Natural pomegranate juice Helps prevent cancer and boosts immunity. It contains 15 types of amino acids. Juice helps to normalize blood pressure, has a diuretic and antiseptic effect, helps to normalize the work of the stomach.

Contraindications for the use of pomegranate

Despite a lot of advantages, pomegranate also has contraindications. Pomegranate juice is contraindicated in people suffering from chronic diseases stomach, such as gastritis and ulcers. It is not recommended to give it to children under 1 year old, and for children under 7 years old, it is better to dilute pomegranate juice with water.

Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice can have a negative effect on tooth enamel. Therefore, it is better to dilute it with water or rinse your mouth thoroughly after use. The peel contains not only vitamins, but also harmful substances (alkanoids, isopelletierin, pelletierin), so you should take homemade remedies only after consulting a doctor.

Pomegranate juice should be used with caution

• Pomegranate juice is healthier than apple, pineapple, orange.
• The pomegranate fruit contains 40% of the daily dose of vitamins for an adult.
• Pomegranate contains more antioxidants than green tea.
• Pomegranate juice helps fight excess weight and is part of many diets.
• This fruit is one of the most commonly used in folk medicine.

Video all about pomegranate fruits, its seeds, peel and juice

The use of pomegranate fruits and juice

You can often meet the question: how to eat pomegranate: with or without seeds? Since the bones are complex carbohydrates and are dietary fiber, they are not digested in the stomach. But the chewed pomegranate seeds, passing through the gastrointestinal tract, absorb harmful substances and bring them out.

The bones contain vitamin E, polyunsaturated acids and vegetable fats, they improve the overall hormonal balance in the body. The use of fruit with seeds helps to normalize blood pressure, reduce headaches, and reduce PMS in women.

Pomegranate seeds must be chewed. This should be done with care as they may have different hardness. It is believed that whole bones, when consumed, provoke inflammation of the appendix, and they will not absorb harmful substances from the tract in this case.

The peel of a ripe pomegranate has no cracks or defects.

When choosing a pomegranate, pay attention to the peel - it should have a dark red tint, be free of defects and cracks. It is better to choose a large fruit, as it will have the most juicy seeds. The heavier the pomegranate, the juicier its flesh.

The ripeness of the fruit can also be judged by tapping. A ripe pomegranate will make a metallic sound, while an unripe pomegranate will produce a dull sound. Overripe fruits make a muffled sound, dents may remain on the peel. Try the pomegranate to the touch. good fruit will be strong, but a little elastic. If traces remain on the peel, it is better not to buy such a fruit.

By consuming pomegranate regularly, you will provide your body with vitamins. Pay attention to contraindications so that the use of pomegranate brings only benefits.

Video about pomegranate, its beneficial properties and applications

Photo pomegranate garden, how pomegranate blooms, what royal fruit looks like

pomegranate garden photo

Photo of how pomegranate blooms - pomegranate flowers

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Pomegranate, Pomegranate, Pomegranate, Punica, Socotria - this is the name of the plant, the fruits of which are so beautiful, tasty and healthy, and are known to everyone as pomegranates. It is about the pomegranate plant that this story is.

Pomegranate tree: from the history of the name

It is interesting both the pomegranate plant itself and the history of the origin of its name. The plant has been known since ancient times. Then it was believed that the best pomegranate trees grow in Carthage. The ancient Romans called the fruit of these trees malum punicum, which means "Punic apple". The fact is that part of the Phoenicians in the 10th century BC. moved from her homeland from Asia Minor to Africa, founding new colonies there, including Carthage. For the Romans, the Phoenicians are the Punians, hence the malum punicum - the Punic apple. The pomegranate also had a second name - malum granatum, which means "granular apple". It subsequently received wide use. The botanical name Punica was given by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

Pomegranate tree: description

The homeland of the pomegranate plant is Persia (modern Iran). The natural growth of the wild pomegranate tree is also observed in Central Asia, Transcaucasia, in the north-west of India, in Iran, Afghanistan and Asia Minor, where, under favorable conditions, it can reach a height of 5 meters, and may also look like a bush. Thanks to the Spanish conquistadors, from the end of the 18th century, the pomegranate plant began to be cultivated on the American continent.

Pomegranate for the most part belongs to deciduous plants, has opposite leaves up to 7 cm long, elongated, glossy, collected in groups. Blooms from May to August - long and plentiful. Large, bright, red-orange pomegranate flowers 3 cm in diameter are bell-shaped and so beautiful that many agree to grow the plant just because of the flowers. The fruits are spherical with a yellow-red or red-brown skin with a diameter of 5 to 12 cm, weighing up to 600 g. Inside the fruit there are numerous seeds, each of which is surrounded by juicy pulp. This juicy edible seed coat makes up 50% of the weight of the entire fruit. In one fruit there are from 200 to 1400 seeds enclosed between white spongy partitions. The ripening of pomegranate fruits occurs from September to February, in the southern hemisphere, the fruits ripen from March to May. Up to 60 kg of fruits are harvested from one tree.

The pomegranate plant is very decorative. In a warm climate, ripened fruits crack right on the branches, diverge to the sides to a horizontal position, but the grains do not spill out. The spectacle is amazing. In the temperate climate zone, it happens that the leaves fall off before the fruits are removed. Remaining on bare branches, these fruits give the plant an exotic look.

Pomegranate tree: types and varieties

AT modern classification The genus Pomegranate (Punica) belongs to the Loosefly family (Lythraceae). Only two species of the pomegranate plant are known. One of them is the common pomegranate (Punica granatum), which grows wild in southern Europe and Asia (in its western part). Another species grows on the island of Socotra, in the Arabian Sea. It is called socotrans pomegranate (Punica protopunica). The taste of Socotrans pomegranate is lower, so the plant is not cultivated. Recently, the dwarf form of the common pomegranate has been identified in separate view Pomegranate dwarf (Punica nana). Plants of this species are grown as ornamentals, including in pot-tub culture.

More than 500 cultivars of pomegranate are known. Among them there are varieties with large and small fruits, with light, pink, red, gray and brown peels, with thick and thin skins, with almost white and dark cherry juice, sour or sweet taste, hard and soft bones, etc. . The number of varieties of pomegranate is increasing due to the work of breeders, one of the main tasks of which is to create new fruit varieties disease resistant. In Turkmenistan, in the Kara-Kala reserve, there is the world's largest collection of pomegranates. She reads more than 800 varieties, types and forms of pomegranate. In the Crimea, in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, there are 350 varieties and forms of pomegranate.

Some varieties of pomegranate

Ahmar, Aswad, Halva, Sharodi - sweet Iranian varieties of pomegranate
- Nar Shirin, Vedana, Kadan, Lojuar - sweet varieties of pomegranates
- Dholka is a very sweet Indian variety.
- Wellis, Kok, Kyzym, Ulfa - sweet and sour varieties of pomegranate
- Wonderful - american variety soft-pitted pomegranate (pitted)
- Mangulati, Red Loufani, Malissi, Ras el Bahl - grown in Israel
- Bedana, Alandi - Indian varieties
- Gulosha akrasnaya, Gulosha pink, Bala-mursal, Shah-par, Krmyzy kabukh, Kaim nar, Veles - Transcaucasian and Crimean varieties of pomegranate, ripen in October
- Cossack-anar, Achik-Don, Kzyl-anar - Central Asian sweet and sour sor, ripen in October
- Achikanor - sour tart variety
- Ak-Dona, Lod-zhuar, Ulfi - early sweet varieties, ripen in September
- Punica granatum var. Nana is a Japanese dwarf potted pomegranate with numerous small fruits.
- Chico, Variegata, Multiplex - decorative varieties of pomegranate

Use of pomegranate

Pomegranate fruits are not only tasty, but extremely useful for anemia (low blood hemoglobin), to strengthen the immune system and some other diseases. For treatment, the peel, branches and leaves of pomegranate are also used. Grains and pulp of pomegranate seeds have been used in cooking, Food Industry. Real acetic acid is obtained from pomegranate, they are used to prepare some alcoholic beverages. From the leathery pericarp of the pomegranate, a tanning agent is obtained for dressing saffiano leather and a dye for fabrics. Pomegranate plants are used in fruit growing and ornamental gardening. In the latter case, varieties with double flowers are popular. Pomegranate plants in tropical latitudes are planted in parks and gardens, including in the form of hedges. In colder countries, as well as in the Moscow region, central Russia and to the north, trees are grown in large containers on the patio, and brought indoors for the winter. The pomegranate plant is grown in room culture, sometimes in the form of a bonsai.

Pomegranate tree: reproduction and cultivation in the open field

The pomegranate plant is a resident of the dry tropical zone. It is there that the most delicious fruits ripen, the largest pomegranate crops are harvested. However, the desire to grow a pomegranate tree is driven by enthusiasts, and they sow seeds and plant pomegranate seedlings in far from tropical latitudes. This often succeeds, especially if dwarf ornamental forms are involved in the experiment. However, it is unlikely that you will have to get an excellent harvest in the open field. Indeed, at -14 ° C, fruit buds and the annual growth of the pomegranate tree are damaged, at -18 ° C, the entire ground part freezes out.

Pomegranate is propagated by seeds, cuttings (rarely layering) and grafting. As practice shows, the pomegranate tree is very unpretentious plant. It can be grown from a fruit seed bought at the market or in a store. For this, ordinary flower pots and flower soil are suitable.

The soil
There are no special soil requirements, but there are recommendations. To be sure of success, it is better to use crushed stone or other drainage when planting a pomegranate, that is, the soil must be well permeable. The flower substrate can be mixed in equal proportions with sand. Peat is mixed with sand in the same proportions. It is believed that pomegranates are especially sweet on dry stony soil, but on clay soil, where water stagnates, the roots of the pomegranate tree rot, and the fruits have a sour taste.

Seed preparation and planting
Before planting, the bones should be kept in a dry place for a day. Then refrigerate for a week. It is not necessary to soak the seeds.
Pour the prepared soil into a flower pot on a pre-laid drainage, moisten well and carefully bury a pomegranate seed one centimeter. For better acclimatization, the container with seeds is removed under the battery for the night, and during the day they are put on the windowsill, in the sun. The plant will not appear soon: in a few weeks or months. To speed up growth, it is recommended to cover the container with polyethylene, which is removed when shoots appear.
It doesn't really matter when they show up. If the plants appeared in the middle of winter, they will remain on the windowsill until the onset of heat, they will pull up and get stronger. Sprouts that appeared at the beginning of summer should be left at home in pots for another year in order to plant a grown bush in the ground, since fragile sprouts can rot from waterlogging or burn out under the hot sun.

Landing in open ground

Experts advise doing this in the fall, in October-November, although there are statistics of successful results even with spring planting. Pomegranate loves well-lit places. This is especially true for temperate zones. After all, today lovers are trying to breed pomegranate trees where they never grew, where there is snow and frost. In this case, you need to choose a place so that the plant is in the sun from morning until late evening. Otherwise, due to the natural decrease in the length of daylight hours, the grenade may not have enough time to mature. This is a very heat-loving plant, shading has a bad effect on its development.
For planting, they dig a hole the same as for other fruit trees. In areas with temperate climate shoots of a pomegranate tree are planted with a slope to the south, so that in the future it would be more convenient to cover it for the winter.

Reproduction of pomegranate cuttings
Pomegranate is easily propagated by cuttings, subject to simple rules. Cuttings are harvested from an annual healthy pomegranate tree. If loamy soils predominate at the planting site, they are well fed, drainage is added. Plant in well-drained soil that is permeable to water and moisture. This is necessary so that the cuttings do not begin to rot. To preserve moisture, the cuttings can be covered with polyethylene, but in this case it is necessary to protect them from the direct rays of the sun, since under the film the cuttings can die from a sharp increase in temperature. No more than two buds should remain above the soil surface.

Reproduction of pomegranate by grafting
In fruit growing, the pomegranate tree is propagated by grafting. Seedlings are used as rootstock. The first flowering of the pomegranate plant occurs after 3 or 4 years.

Watering
Watering the pomegranate tree is carried out as the soil dries. Especially carefully it is necessary to monitor the moisture content of the soil in the place where cuttings and young pomegranate trees are planted.

Care fruit tree
Caring for a pomegranate tree consists in regular watering and loosening the earth. This should be done throughout the growing season. For better preservation of moisture in the ground, the trunk area is mulched, for example, with straw. Planting green manure plants in the near-stem circle is also suitable. Pomegranate is very responsive to fertilization. Depending on the depletion of the soil, the plant is fed already in June with organic fertilizers. In autumn, along with loosening, phosphorus and potassium are added.
It is important to remember that the first flowers on the pomegranate tree begin to form in autumn. This process is interrupted by the onset of cold weather. Therefore, in order to prevent them from freezing, you need to take care of a reliable shelter for the plant. In the spring, these flowers appear simultaneously with the awakening of the leaves. This is the first generation of flowers. The second generation appears on biennial main shoots. Pomegranate flowering begins in the second or third year. Harvest can be obtained no earlier than the fourth year.

On the video: pomegranate tree

pruning
Pruning of the pomegranate tree is carried out regularly to remove the stem and basal shoots. In autumn, they also remove those branches that will interfere with the shelter, which cannot be bent, that is, too high and thick. Branches from young shoots are left in their place. Thus, the crown of the tree is formed. It is believed that the bushy form of a pomegranate tree of 4-5 stems is best suited for care and successful fruiting. If you leave a larger number of them, then the fruits will shrink. In the spring, after liberation from shelter, rotten and dry branches are cut. Check if there is thickening of the bush. Make a garter of branches to the pole.

Shelter
Pomegranate is a frost-resistant tree, withstands temperatures down to -16 degrees. It freezes at a lower temperature, therefore, at the latitude of Moscow and higher, care must be taken to shelter the plant for the winter. Many people use car tires stacked on top of each other for this. Another option: take care of the shelter already when landing. To do this, they dig a shallow trench, after which they make a hole in it for planting a pomegranate. In autumn, all that remains is to tilt the bush and close the trench from above, or simply sprinkle it with earth. Well, and finally, many gardeners cover pomegranates in the same way as grapes in their garden. On the video: The pomegranate tree blooms.

Diseases and pests
A pomegranate plant can suffer from whitefly, thrips, and mealybugs. In places of cultivation, damage to the crop is caused by the pomegranate codling moth, clove leafworm, woodworm, pomegranate aphid and four-legged tick, as well as birds, the bats and proteins. Of the diseases suffers from cancer of the branches.

Pomegranate tree - long joy

Pomegranate is a long-lived tree. Once every 25 years, he undergoes a rejuvenating pruning, during which cutting of the entire ground part is allowed. At the same time, the tree can grow back, bear fruit and bring joy for a hundred years.

Anisimova G. D. © "Site about plants"

Photos used:
photo 1 - pomegranate fruit (www.site);
photo 2 - Pomegranate tree, Israel (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pommegranate_tree01.JPG?uselang=ru);
photo 3 - pomegranate variety with black fruits (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Black_Pomegranate.JPG)
photo 4 - ripening fruits of the Pomegranate plant (http://www.floridata.com/ref/p/puni_gra.cfm);
photo 5 - spectacular flowering of a pomegranate plant (http://www.floridata.com/ref/p/puni_gra.cfm);
photo 6 - double pomegranate flowers (https://mjhchina.wordpress.com/page/2/).