What kind of care does a room pomegranate need at home? Pomegranate tree: description, photo, cultivation features.

Care at home for indoor pomegranate and its very cultivation is within the power of even beginner growers, because this shrub is unpretentious and not capricious. How to grow it at home, basic care requirements - all this will be discussed below.

Indoor pomegranate: home care,peculiaritiescultivation

There are many varieties of pomegranate. There is also a species that can be grown at home on the windowsill. However, one should not expect fruit from it. This small tree is grown solely for its beauty during the flowering period.

This deciduous shrub plant does well in open ground only in the tropics or subtropics.

At home, the shrub rarely grows to a height of more than 1.2 m, and in width - up to 0.9 m. Its foliage is 2.5 - 3 cm long. spring period The leaves have a bronze tint, and in the summer they are set bright green. IN autumn period pomegranate foliage begins to turn yellow and fall off.

Caring for indoor pomegranate at home

To dwarf pomegranate bloomed intensively, it is necessary to follow the basic rules for caring for this deciduous shrub. Although the plant is not too capricious, but some rules should be followed.

How to care, indoor pomegranate lighting

This bush loves good lighting, therefore, it is worth putting it on any window, but not on the one that faces north. However, in the middle of daylight hours, it is better to cover the pomegranate from hot sunlight. It is especially worth protecting from the hot sun, recently transplanted plants.

When it gets warm outside, dwarf grenades can be taken out to the loggia. There is a lot of sun and fresh air. This plant is accustomed to outdoor conditions gradually. And it should be placed in a place where direct rays of the sun will not fall on the foliage. At the end of summer, the pomegranate is returned to the premises.

The temperature in the room where this shrub grows should not rise above + 20 ° C. If in summer period the room becomes hot and stuffy, then it is better to move the plant to open air, since the pomegranate does not tolerate such conditions, it stops flowering, and the foliage may turn yellow and fall off.

When fruits are tied on the shrub, the temperature in the room should be reduced to +13 - 15 ° С. IN winter time should be maintained in the room where the dwarf pomegranate grows and bears fruit, the temperature is about 12 ° C., But it turns out that this flower can withstand cold temperatures up to + 5 - 7 ° C.

Watering indoor pomegranate

You should also observe the conditions for watering this shrub:

• when the plant is at rest in winter, it is watered no more than once every 2 months;
• at the end of winter, when the plant begins to grow, the amount of watering should be increased. At this time, the plant should be watered when top part the soil in the pot begins to dry out;
• when the pomegranate begins to bloom actively, the amount of watering is slightly reduced, since in nature the flowering of this shrub occurs during the drought period. However, flowers should not be watered too rarely or too often during this period, as the plant may simply drop buds;
• after flowering, the number of waterings is increased so that the plant gains strength for the next season;
• if the gardener wants to grow fruits on a plant, then watering should not be frequent during their ripening period.

Flowering and fruits of pomegranate

This shrub blooms from late spring to early autumn. The flowers are oblong, solitary, their color is purple, bright red or orange. The life span of flowers is up to 3 days. And although there are a lot of buds on this shrub (up to a hundred pieces), however, the ovaries are formed extremely rarely - only two or three, and the rest of the flowers simply fall off. The fruits of the dwarf pomegranate are small - up to 6 - 7 cm in diameter, they ripen in mid-autumn.

How to transplant indoor pomegranate

Plants that are no more than 2-3 years old should be transplanted annually. But if the shrub has been growing at home for more than three years, it is often not necessary to replant it - this plant should be subjected to the procedure no more than once every 3 years.

Usually, when transplanting, the plant is simply gently transferred from one pot to another.

The soil for transplantation is taken from equal parts of turf and sand, and any drainage material is laid out on the bottom of the pot. The new pot should not be much larger than the old one in order for the plant to bloom well, the root system in the new pot should be a little cramped.

What soil to prepare

• IN vivo such a plant lives in "ascetic" conditions - on poor useful substances soils, almost without irrigation.
• However, when growing a dwarf pomegranate at home, you should create more comfortable conditions for it:
• drainage must be arranged in the pot;
• the soil must be enriched minerals, and its acidity must be maintained within pH7.

Nutrient soil for this flowering shrub You can buy it in a specialized store, or cook it yourself at home. Mixes can be made as follows:

• 2 parts of sod land, 1 part of rotted foliage and ½ part peat fertilizer And river sand;
• 2 parts of river sand, 1 part of light loam and peat fertilizer;
• 1 part clay, soddy land, leaf soil, humus, river sand;
• seedlings are planted in the following mixture - 1 part sod, humus, hardwood and river sand.

Fertilization

It is necessary to fertilize under this deciduous shrub no more than a couple of times in 30 days. In March - April, any fertilizer containing nitrogen is usually applied. When buds begin to appear on the plant, superphosphate is required to be added under the flower. But in September - October, the third feeding of dwarf pomegranate is carried out. The composition, which includes any potassium salts. By the end of November, feeding is stopped, the number of waterings is also reduced, and the temperature in the room where the flower is located is lowered.

Reproduction of indoor pomegranate

This plant can be propagated by seeds or cuttings.

Seeds for growing this deciduous shrub are usually purchased in specialty stores. When growing pomegranate from such seeds, the plant begins to bloom, as a rule, in the same year. But fruiting usually begins after 2 - 3 seasons.

Seeds are planted in containers in mid-spring under covering material. When a few leaves appear on young seedlings, they can be transplanted to permanent place. Young plants for active growth require warm and timely watering. To form the bushes correctly, the top should be pinched.

Cuttings are usually cut from those pomegranates whose age is at least 5 - 6 years. In summer, it usually plants half-lignified cuttings, but in winter, fully matured shoots are taken for reproduction. There should be at least 5-6 buds on the cuttings.

The stalk is planted in a pot at a slight angle, deepening into the soil by 4–5 cm. To create a greenhouse effect for the plants, the pot is covered with a covering material or plastic bottle. The soil must be moist. Before this planting, the cuttings should be watered with a preparation to improve root formation.

After a few months, the seedlings take root and can be transplanted to a permanent place. Such young plants will begin to bloom in a few seasons.

Pruning a pomegranate bush

The pruning procedure for this plant should be carried out in early February, when the pomegranate's buds are just beginning to swell. The shrub is transferred to heat and dried shoots and extra branches are removed.

Almost all small shoots are cut off. To stimulate the growth of side shoots, shoots are removed above the buds protruding outward.

When forming this shrub, no more than 6 main shoots are usually left. It is not worth pruning the plant strongly, so as not to weaken it.

In the process of pruning, this shrub can be given any shape, including in the form of a small tree (if you remove all the lower shoots). When pruning a flower, it must be remembered that its buds appear only on fully formed one-year-old shoots.

Pests and diseases of pomegranate

At home, this deciduous shrub grows less resistant to diseases and pests. The most common disease affecting the dwarf pomegranate is powdery mildew.

Usually scale insects or whiteflies attack this plant. If the number of pests is insignificant, then they can be selected manually. In case of severe damage by these "harmful" insects, it is necessary to spray the pomegranate with special preparations.

If there is little humidity in the room, then the pomegranate can be attacked spider mite. To get rid of it, you should regularly spray the foliage with water from a spray bottle. You can also use chemicals Fitoverma type.

Indoor Grenade Enemies

So, the main enemies of this ornamental shrub are whiteflies, scale insects and spider mites. You should regularly inspect the foliage of the plant in order to start the fight against these "harmful" bugs in a timely manner.

The popular pomegranate tree, strange as it sounds, can be grown at home. But in such a situation, one cannot hope for full-fledged fruits, since the plant will primarily perform decorative functions. For the purpose of growing at home, plants of a dwarf variety are better suited.

The dwarf variety of the grant is an exotic plant, but unpretentious and therefore perfect for growing at home. In open ground, a shrub plant can grow in tropics or subtropics. On the territory of our state, the plant is grown on window sills and in greenhouses in special containers or flower pots.

According to legend, pomegranate was brought to us from Carthage and was called the "Punic apple". The wife of the sun god Hero presented the fruit as an emblem of marriage. The Greeks believed that pomegranates symbolize fertility, and the ancient Persians personified it with passionate love. But whatever the pomegranate is associated with different countries its useful properties are known to all.

How to grow pomegranate at home?

If a home grower decided to grow a pomegranate on his windowsill, then he will be very pleased with the ease of care and planting. ornamental plant. The only important thing to understand is that if you want to get delicious fruits in addition to enjoying the decorative beauty of the plant, then growing edible fruit from the stone is not recommended. In such a situation, it is advisable to plant a dwarf pomegranate with cuttings.

A convenient material for planting is a stalk on which there is 6-8 buds and mature wood. The sprout is cut at an oblique angle and must have a smooth surface, for which the cut is made with a sharp blade or scalpel. Such a cutting takes root easily and quickly, especially if it is placed in water in which a root growth stimulant is diluted for 6 hours. From the first days after planting, the plant does not require special care measures. The main thing is to prepare a fertile soil composition.

Temperature indicators, soil and top dressing

Indoor pomegranate is demanding on temperature conditions, especially at the time of flowering. The plant feels great when the temperature in the room slightly exceeds +20 ° C. If the temperature in the room is above +25 °C, leaf fall may occur, causing inhibition in the development of the grant. In order to reduce the temperature, spraying the foliage with cool water is suitable.

In order for the fruits of the plant to ripen qualitatively in the autumn period, the pomegranate must be taken out to the balcony where the temperature will be + 14–16 ° C. During the period when the plant is at rest - from November to March, it is better to put a pot of pomegranate on an unheated windowsill, where the temperature will not exceed + 10-12 ° C. The minimum temperature that a houseplant can withstand is -5 ° C. A further decrease in temperature can lead to the death of the shrub.

Though dwarf plant grows in its natural environment in poor soil without moisture, at home, he will need high-quality enriched drained soil. To create favorable conditions for growing decorative pomegranate, it is better to use the following soil mixtures:

• ½ part of sod land, diluted with 25% leaf humus and the same amount of sand;
• ¼ of loam and peat, supplemented with sand;
• clay-soddy soil composition in the amount of 2 parts, 1 part of leafy soil and in the same volumes of humus and sand.

Indoor pomegranate should be fed at least 2 times a month. In the spring season, it is better to use fertilizers containing nitrogen. In time, when pomegranate flowers appear on the plant, they use phosphorus fertilizer, and with the onset of autumn - potassium fertilizer. Fertilizer is applied to wet soil in cloudy weather. With the onset of autumn, the frequency of feeding decreases significantly, as does the temperature in the room where the home pomegranate is located. This allows you to prepare the plant for winter.

Plant care at home

Home-grown decorative pomegranate has already after 2 years produces the first flowers, and with proper care can bear fruit. And despite the fact that the plant is unpretentious in terms of care, you need to know some of the nuances of growing pomegranate on the windowsill:

Such absolutely unpretentious plant grown at home, during the growing season must travel through different rooms with different temperature conditions.

How is the crown of a shrub formed?

When growing a tree on your own, its crown can be easily formed, embodying your most bizarre fantasies. To this end, home-grown pomegranate is subjected to regular pruning from the first year of growth. The shearing of the plant forms a rather lush crown with a large number of skeletal branches. Pruning is best done in February, which allows you to get new shoots that can bloom and even bear fruit with the onset of spring. When forming a crown, it is important to take into account that it is advisable to completely remove the weakened shoots, and cut the rest by half.

The nuances of propagating pomegranate seeds

A houseplant such as a pomegranate can be propagated by both cuttings and seeds. For seed propagation, it is better to use seed from specialized stores. Growing a houseplant from seeds purchased at a gardening store - the first flowers may appear in the first year, and fruiting 2-3 years after planting the pomegranate.

Naturally, seeds from a fresh fruit can be used as seed material, which do not lose their germination quality for six months. Seeds are suitable only from large and fully ripened fruits. The plant is sown in April under glass, to a depth of half a centimeter. For rapid seed germination, it is important to withstand temperature regime within +25–27 °C. With the onset of the growth phase, when 2-3 leaves appear, the strongest shoots are transplanted into a separate container. During the growth of seedlings, they require proper care, which involves maintaining comfortable temperature and regular watering.

Propagation of a houseplant by cuttings

When propagating an exotic plant, it is important observe the following simple rules.

1. The stalk is taken from an adult houseplant that has repeatedly borne fruit.
2. In the summer season, it is advisable to use semi-lignified shoots, and with the onset of winter, completely lignified shoots.
3. The cuttings are prepared with 4-6 buds, and the lower part is planted at a certain angle in moist soil, consisting of sand and peat, mixed in equal proportions, to a depth of no more than 3 centimeters.
4. The cuttings are covered with a plastic bottle with a cut neck or a glass jar.
5. The shoots are kept in a humid environment, and are regularly ventilated.
6. Before direct planting, the cutting is treated with a rooter.

After 3 months, grown seedlings are transplanted into separate pots. Flowering comes very quickly, but in the first year it is recommended to cut off the flowers completely.

Diseases encountered in the cultivation of pomegranate

Despite all the unpretentiousness of the plant, even in an apartment, it is subject to development various diseases, the most common of which is the spider mite. To combat the pest, periodic spraying of pomegranate with garlic tincture is carried out. But it is important during the procedure to protect the soil with a film.

If in growing season yellowing and falling of foliage is observed, then most likely the plant is affected by the whitefly, which is fed by pomegranate juice. Can be used to control pests store tool "Derris", which is applied several times for best effect.

Abundant flowering - a guarantee of fruiting

Properly grown at home, a plant, both from a stone and a cutting, has flowers of different types - male prevailing on a pomegranate and female, most often found in inflorescences. They differ in their shape, which makes the plant outwardly even more attractive and exotic, because at this moment the shrub is covered the most beautiful flowers bright purple color with many stamens. The ease of care for decorative pomegranate is also due to the absence of the need for additional pollination.

Those who want to get the maximum number of fruits from a plant should understand one minor subtlety, which is used by experienced specialists when growing pomegranates. The trick is due to the fact that for watering during flowering need to use cool water, the temperature of which should be within + 18–20 ° C. Also, so that the plant does not fatten and does not release a huge amount male colors, you need to use a small and narrow flower pot.

Many flower growers use another minor trick - reducing the amount of watering. But at the same time, it is important to exercise maximum caution and not overdo it so that the grenade does not die. It is better to sacrifice a few ovaries than to let the plant wither.

If the plant throws out a very large number of flowers, practically without forming fruits, you should pay attention to the pot in which it grows. It is necessary, as already mentioned several times, to use narrow container small size . Also, during the wintering of the grant, you need to keep the tree in a rather cool place. During fruiting, props are used to avoid breaking branches under the weight of the crop.

If the leaves appeared brown spots This means that the plant does not have enough moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider the frequency or volume of watering. But at the time of fruit ripening, watering should be moderate to prevent cracking of the peel. The crown of the plant is formed only before the beginning of the growing season.

If planting a plant occurs not with a cutting, but with seeds, it is important choose bones with pulp. Dried seed loses its ability to germinate well. According to the advice of many experienced flower growers, before planting a pomegranate directly, it is advisable to soak the seeds for several hours in warm milk or water with the addition of growth stimulants.

As you can see, growing a decorative pomegranate at home is not special work. The main thing is to follow the advice of experts and an exotic tree will delight the grower long years.

Florists who are fond of exotic plants grow lemons, tangerines and even pomegranates at home. Lemon and tangerine bushes are quite often sold in flower shops, so it will not be difficult to purchase them. Pomegranate is rarely found on sale. But if desired, it can be grown from the bone. An ordinary pomegranate will turn into a miniature tree and will bloom and bear fruit. Of course, there will be few fruits on the plant, but this shortcoming will be redeemed by beautiful pink flowers and their unique scent. Caring for a pomegranate is not difficult at all, but you need to learn the rules for planting and growing.

Homemade pomegranate tree - description, photo

home grown plant in height reaches only 90-100 cm. An exotic pet blooms profusely and constantly. The tree is just strewn bright colors, which bloom both in inflorescences and singly.

A pomegranate grown from a stone will bloom and bear fruit no earlier than three years after planting.

For a pomegranate tree, you need to choose a bright place. The plant loves bright but diffused light. Direct sunlight will burn the leaves. Therefore, a tree grown on the southern windowsill needs to be shaded from the midday sun.

If you are planning to grow a pomegranate from a seed, then first of all you need take care of planting material:

While the seeds are soaking you can prepare the soil. You can use a universal earth mixture sold in flower shops. If possible, the soil can be prepared independently from fertile soil, peat and sand.

In containers filled with earth for seedlings, pomegranate seeds are planted to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. Then they are sprinkled with earth, sprayed warm water and covered with polyethylene. It will turn out a kind of greenhouse in which the seeds will quickly hatch. The temperature for germination of pomegranate should be at least 25-30C.

Seeds planted in November or early spring should sprout in a couple of weeks. If they are planted at other times of the year, then they can hatch within a few months.

Care of young sprouts

As soon as the first seedlings appear, the seedling container should be placed in a bright place. You also need to make sure that the soil does not dry out. It's better to water it by spraying with a spray bottle.

Seedlings with two to three true leaves are transplanted into separate pots. Young plants are planted in the ground, for the preparation of which you need to mix:

• leaf humus - 1 part;
• turf - 2 parts;
• sand - 0.5 parts;
• peat - 0.5 parts.

The pomegranate has a shallow root system, so the tree can grow in small containers. The main thing is good drainage.

Care for young plants consists in abundant and regular watering, which is carried out as the earth mixture dries. The potting soil should always be slightly damp. Excess water must be poured out of the pan.

Plants planted in autumn in the winter season will need provide additional lighting. Otherwise, with a lack of light, the seedlings will stretch out or not grow at all.

Caring for a pomegranate grown from seed is not difficult at all. The plant is unpretentious, but requires compliance with some rules for care:

crown formation

To make a beautiful and fluffy bush out of a young plant, a grenade annually need to get a haircut.

Pruning should be carried out before the start of active plant growth, that is, in February. As it ages, one of the tree trunks is replaced by a young strong shoot. Therefore, shearing stimulates branching. Pruning of young shoots should be done on the bud looking outward. As a result, two to five pairs of leaves should remain on the branch. The remaining shoots from pruning can be put on cuttings.

The crown of the tree can be made in the shape that you like best. The bush can be formed in the form of a ball, or an oval tree can be made from it.

If you want to try your hand at the art of bonsai, then pomegranate is the best choice for this. The desired shape of the bush can be given by repeatedly pinching it and cutting it, bending old branches to the ground, and bending young ones with a wire. You can form a pomegranate in almost any style.

During haircut don't be afraid to trim too much. In spring, the tree will gain strength, and new branches and leaves will quickly grow. Do not forget to regularly remove dried flowers and leaves from the bush.

Pests and diseases of pomegranate

The first flowering of the pomegranate tree good care can already be expected 10-12 months after the appearance of sents. A home-grown plant will bloom several times a year, and please with few, but tasty fruits.

and famous fruit plant pomegranate (Punica) can be grown indoors. The truth in this case comes to the fore decorative properties plants during their flowering period. For growing at home, plants of the dwarf variety Pomegranate dwarf (Punica nana), sometimes ranked as a form of ordinary pomegranate as Punica granatum var. nana.

Dwarf pomegranate - the most unpretentious exotic plant for home growing. This perennial deciduous shrub is grown in a subtropical and tropical climate in open ground, we have it as a semi-deciduous houseplant in containers and pots on the windowsill, in winter gardens, greenhouses. For exceptional decorative characteristics, the dwarf pomegranate was awarded a diploma from the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

Legends say that the pomegranate came to us from Carthage under the name "Punic apple", the wife of Zeus Hera (Juno) held it in her hands as an emblem of marriage, in Greece the fruit of the pomegranate symbolized fertility, and in ancient persia was the epitome of passionate love. The beneficial properties of pomegranate are widely appreciated.

Useful plant with ancient history and with such highly valued decorative qualities, it is worthy to become an adornment of any interior and garden. Moreover, it is quite unpretentious - in natural conditions it grows on stony and saline soils of sunny Central Asia, where it receives a minimum of moisture.

Description

The dwarf garnet was first described in 1803. Its height is not more than 60 - 120 cm, the shrub can grow up to 120 cm wide, in a pot culture it reaches no more than 90 cm. Dwarf pomegranate has small oval glossy light green leaves, no more than 3 cm long, which are located on short reddish petioles . In spring, young leaves of dwarf pomegranate are bronze in color, in summer they are green, in autumn before leaf fall they are yellow.

Cultivated varieties of dwarf pomegranate are very decorative. small plant in the flowering period from May to September strewn with large purple flowers. Numerous tubular red or orange flowers mostly solitary, formed in the first year of cultivation at the ends of strong shoots. The flowers are larger than the leaves, reaching 4 cm in diameter. Most of them are sterile short columns and do not form fruits. Only from flowers with long columns can pomegranates ripen. Although indoor pomegranate is famous for its long abundant flowering, each flower lives a little, only two or three days, new buds are formed on the plant every day. On average, there are about 3-4 ovaries per hundred flowers, the rest fall off after flowering. This is normal and you don't need to worry about it. Flowers continue to form even when young fruits are already beginning to sing. It gives indoor pomegranate unique beauty.

The fruits of the dwarf pomegranate can be colored in various shades from orange-yellow to brown-red. They possess all useful properties pomegranate ordinary, but not so tasty, have a lot seeds and as small as the dwarf plant itself - no more than 7 cm in diameter. They ripen in a room from November to January.

More often, dwarf pomegranate is grown at home for the sake of numerous flowers, so the fruits are partially removed. After all, fruiting exhausts the plant, and its flowering on next year won't be as effective. On one plant, you can leave 1 - 2 fruits. From them you can get your own seeds for plant propagation. Truth varietal qualities are not always transmitted with this method of reproduction. Once every three to four years, you can allow the indoor pomegranate to “endure” all the fruits and enjoy the view of the fruit-bearing dwarf pomegranate.

Varieties of indoor pomegranate

Often this potted plant and its seeds are sold under common name"Dwarf pomegranate" or Punica granatum "NANA". On sale there are seeds of dwarf pomegranate varieties "Baby" and "Carthage" for indoor cultivation. The height of plants in different varieties may vary and be either 30 or 100 cm.

Lighting

Indoor pomegranate is a photophilous plant. For its placement, any windows are suitable, except for the northern ones. At noon, indoor pomegranate is shaded from direct sunlight, especially young seedlings. In the summer, it is better to take the dwarf pomegranate to the balcony, where there is a lot of light and air. Accustom the plant to the street should be gradually and protected from direct sunlight. With the onset of autumn, the dwarf pomegranate is transferred to the room.

Temperature

Indoor pomegranate requires warmth from spring to autumn, especially during the flowering period. The plant develops well at temperatures above +20 ° C. If the temperature in the room rises above 25 degrees, then you should take the pot with indoor pomegranate to the balcony or veranda. In a hot, stuffy room, a dwarf pomegranate may begin to lose leaves, and this will cause a slowdown in its development. Helps to reduce the temperature by spraying with cool water.

For fruit ripening in autumn, the temperature is lowered to + 12-16 °C. From November to March, the plant is kept at a temperature of + 10-12 ° C, thereby providing the rest period necessary for flowering and fruiting. The minimum temperature that a dwarf pomegranate can withstand is 6 ° C.

The soil

Although the dwarf pomegranate in nature grows on scarce soils with little or no moisture, in culture, for better decorative effect, it needs to be created more favorable conditions, in this case, rich and well-drained soil. For growing indoor pomegranate, the following soil mixtures with a neutral pH7 reaction can be recommended:
- sod land (50%), leaf humus (25%), peat (12%) and sand (13%);
- sand (50%), loam (25%) and peat (25%);
- clay-soddy soil (2 parts), leafy soil (1 part), humus (1 part), sand (1 part);
- for young plants: in equal parts sod, humus, leafy soil and sand.

Watering and humidity

Competent watering of the plant is important. The rules for watering a dwarf pomegranate are as follows:
- In winter, during the dormant period, the plant is watered extremely rarely, once every 1.5-2 months.
- After a dormant period in February, watering is increased. The plant is watered frequently, saturating all the soil in the pot with moisture. Watering is carried out when the top layer dries.
- During flowering, it is necessary to slightly reduce the watering of the pomegranate, because in natural conditions the pomegranate flowering period falls on the hottest, driest period. However, with a lack of moisture, as well as with excess, a dwarf pomegranate can drop all the buds and leave empty branches instead of prolonged flowering.
- In hot weather and in stuffy rooms, indoor pomegranate is sprayed with cool water. In a cool room, spraying is not required.
- After flowering, the dwarf pomegranate is watered abundantly so that many flowers form on it next year.
- If your task is to grow pomegranate fruits, then watering in the fall is carried out carefully. With excessive watering, the fruits on the pomegranate crack.

top dressing

Twice a month, not more often, you need to feed indoor pomegranate. In spring, it can be any nitrogen fertilizer. During the flowering period - phosphorus, and closer to autumn - potassium. You can deposit once a month complex fertilizer. It is better to fertilize the plant in cloudy weather. Fertilizer is applied to moist soil, that is, you must first water the plant. Be sure to drain the liquid from the pan. In autumn, top dressing is gradually reduced, watering is reduced and the temperature is reduced, thereby preparing the plant for a winter 2-3 month dormant period. It usually occurs in December after the fruits of the indoor pomegranate ripen.

rest period

After the fruits are ripe, around the end of November, the indoor pomegranate sheds its leaves. The plant begins a dormant period when it is kept at a temperature of + 10-12 ° C. This is a prerequisite for growing indoor pomegranate. Young plants under the age of 3 years do not need a dormant period; the optimum temperature for them will be + 12-16 ° C.

It is not always possible to create a rest period in a city apartment. You can lower the temperature around the plant if you move it closer to the glass on the windowsill and isolate it from the rest of the room with polyethylene. It is enough to withstand the plant in such conditions for 3-4 weeks. At the same time, you can take the room grenade into the basement.

pruning

In February, when buds begin to form on the plant, a pot of pomegranate is taken out of a cool room into a warm place and pruned dry twigs and extra shoots that are not yet leafy. Pomegranate tolerates such pruning very well. Cut out most of the small branches. To stimulate branching, pruning is carried out over the outward looking bud of a young shoot, leaving no more than 5 internodes on it. When forming a pomegranate, 4-6 skeletal branches are left. You can not cut the plant too much, it can weaken it. If you cut the root growth of a pomegranate, you can form a pomegranate in the shape of a tree, including in the form of a bonsai. When forming a plant, one must be careful not to break off the very fragile branches of the pomegranate. Sometimes extra shoots are cut out in the summer during the growing season of the plant. When pruning, it must be remembered that buds form only on well-developed annual shoots.

Bougainvillea > Hippeastrum > Undemanding houseplants >
Poinsettia > Stapelia > Schlumbergera >

Transplant and pot for indoor pomegranate

Young plants require an annual transplant. After the indoor pomegranate reaches the age of three years, it is transplanted no more than once every two or three years, the spring period is better suited for this. Transplantation is carried out by transshipment. The soil for planting is taken turf with the addition of sand, drainage in a pot is required.

Despite the fact that the dwarf garnet has a surface root system, he does not need a very wide pot. When transplanting, you can increase the diameter of the pot by two to three centimeters, no more. Flowering indoor pomegranate will be more abundant if the roots are cramped in a pot.

Reproduction of indoor pomegranate

Reproduction by seeds

Reproduction of indoor pomegranate is possible by cuttings and seeds. For seed propagation, it is better to use seeds from specialized stores. When growing pomegranate from varietal seeds bought in a store, flowering occurs in the same year, fruiting occurs in the second or third year.

For propagation, you can also use seeds from a fresh indoor pomegranate fruit. They remain viable for up to six months. Seeds are selected from the largest and ripe fruits, washed from the pulp, dried. Sow in April under glass to a depth of 0.5 cm. The substrate of equal parts of peat and sand is moistened. Seeds germinate at a temperature of +25-27 °C, seedlings develop rapidly. In the phase of 2-3 true leaves, the strongest strong seedlings of indoor pomegranate are planted in separate pots with a diameter of 6 cm. Seedlings need warmth during cultivation, good watering, for better tillering they are pinched several times.

Important! A pomegranate sown from seeds of ordinary fruits bought at a market or supermarket will bloom only after 7 or more years, so this is hardly justified in a room culture. And the size of such a plant will not fit into the dimensions of the apartment.

Reproduction by cuttings

Cuttings are taken from adult fruit-bearing indoor pomegranate plants. In summer, semi-lignified shoots are used, in winter in February - lignified. Cuttings with 4-6 buds are cut, the lower part of the cutting is planted at an angle in moistened soil of river sand and peat, taken in equal parts, to a depth of about 3 cm. The cuttings are covered with a cut plastic bottle, jar or glass, kept in a humid environment, daily ventilate, if necessary, spray, water. Before planting, the cuttings are treated with a rooter. After 2-3 months, the cuttings are seated. Flowering occurs in the second or third year. In young plants in the first year, it is better to cut off the buds.

Diseases, pests, problems

At home, dwarf pomegranate grows less hardened, so it may be susceptible to certain diseases, such as powdery mildew.

Among the pests of indoor pomegranate are whiteflies and scale insects. With a small number of pests, they are picked off by hand, with a significant number, permitted chemicals are used, for example, Fitoverm. In a dry room, indoor pomegranate suffers from spider mites. To prevent the appearance of a pest, it is necessary to spray the plant. In the event of a problem, the plant is treated with Actellik-type preparations, covering the ground with polyethylene so that the pest does not hide there.

Sometimes, with excessive watering, indoor pomegranate leaves turn yellow. In this case, the plant needs to be transplanted into drier soil. At the same time, the rotten roots are cut off, sprinkled with crushed coal. Accordingly, the volume of the crown is reduced by trimming.

When growing indoor pomegranate, not everything depends on compliance with agrotechnical conditions. The process of caring for him should bring joy. Like any plant, the dwarf pomegranate is responsive to care, so good-natured, caring people are better at growing it. The dwarf pomegranate can and should feel welcome too.

© "Site about plants"

Indoor pomegranate, or Pomegranate, is a unique exotic plant of the Derbennikov family. Many people grow it at home. Of all the variety of exotic plants for home cultivation, indoor pomegranate is the most unpretentious. He feels great in winter garden or just on the windowsill. With proper breeding, the indoor guarantor will give sweet, juicy and useful fruits. If you want to know all the nuances, you will need detailed description how to grow pomegranate at home.

Pomegranate is a very ornamental plant.

Varieties for home cultivation

Most best view, which is ideal for growing at home, is a dwarf pomegranate. Its seeds or shoots can be purchased at any flower shop. There are two varieties of dwarf pomegranate.

1. Carthage.
2. Baby.

Variety Carthage is a small tree, reaching a height of 80 cm. The leaves are small oblong, 2 cm long. If a tree is grown from seeds, then it will begin to bloom and produce berries in about 6–8 years. A culture planted from seeds grows for a long time. It starts blooming in May and ends in August. The flowers are red-orange in color, up to 4 cm in diameter. The berries are small, 5–6 cm in diameter. They taste both sour and sweet.

The Baby variety is almost always grown from seed. It grows in the form of a bush, 30 to 50 cm high, has 5–7 branches. The leaves are elongated, collected several pieces in whorls. The bush begins to bloom and bear fruit 3-4 years after planting. The flowers of this variety are quite large, red. They can be collected in inflorescences, but can also grow singly. In the first year of life, all its flowers are empty flowers, but the next year small brown fruits, 5–7 cm in size, may begin to set.

The fruits ripen in winter. Such a culture must be artificially pollinated. If more than 5 berries appeared on the plant, the extra ones must be removed. But it is not always possible to get results from home plant, in this case, you need to graft from a branch of a tree that is already bearing fruit.

Pomegranate Carthage bears fruit in the eighth year of life

Caring for a pomegranate does not take much time, but many of the subtleties of this process must be known. Caring for indoor pomegranate is simple, you just need to follow simple rules:

1. Lighting. pomegranate tree needs good lighting, for this special phytolamps are used. In summer, it is recommended to take the pot with the plant to the balcony or garden. When a culture grows up, it needs Fresh air and sunbeams. If the plant is still young, it is gradually accustomed to the street. Take out to the street for several hours, and then transferred to a dark room. Such conditions will help to avoid sunburn. It can be placed on any window sill, but not on north side. At noon, you should not get involved in solar procedures and it is better to shade the plant. If the summer is cloudy, be sure to use additional lighting. In winter, there is not enough light, so the plant can shed its leaves. To prevent this from happening, you need to purchase a powerful lamp, then the plant will feel great.
2. Air temperature. home pomegranate loves warmth. IN natural environment its habitat has a rather high air temperature, so 25-30 ° C will be comfortable for a pomegranate. If the temperature in the house is higher than indicated, then it is better to move the plant to a cool place. In a room that is too warm, the pomegranate will shed its leaves and take a long time to grow. In spring and summer, it is necessary to spray the plant with cool water. You also need to regularly ventilate the room. Too much low temperatures will harm the tree, and it may die. The temperature must not fall below 15 °C.
3. Watering rules. Water the plant moderately when upper layer the earth will dry up. Water must be defended and, if necessary, heated. In winter, the plant rests, so it needs to be watered once a month. This condition is only suitable for an adult pomegranate. young plant watered once a week. The number of waterings begins to increase from February. At this time, the plant must be placed in a well-lit place. The ground must be constantly moist for the flower to develop further. Daily watering should be carried out until the plant begins to bloom. And from May to September, the number of waterings is significantly reduced.
4. Air humidity. Humidity should be moderate. If the humidity level in the room is low, it is necessary to spray the plant with cool water. You can also increase the humidity by using a container of water, which is placed next to the pot. In addition, it is necessary to wipe the pomegranate leaves with a damp cloth. If indoors high humidity, it can be reduced by airing the room, but drafts should be avoided.
5. Priming. The soil for a pomegranate tree should be healthy and nutritious. The soil for indoor pomegranate should be loose and moist. You can buy land in the store. At the bottom of the pot, drainage from large pebbles or expanded clay is necessarily placed.
6. Fertilizers. Indoor pomegranate needs fertilizer. You need to use top dressing from February, apply nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers. At this time, the plant lays buds and approaches active flowering. Feed him once a week. With the advent of autumn, nitrogen fertilizer is replaced with potassium. It is worth knowing that fertilizers are applied to wet soil immediately after watering. It is recommended to do this in the morning or in the evening so that the roots do not get burned. If you want to get pomegranate fruits at home, then you need to feed it very carefully. It is better to feed with organic fertilizers. A pomegranate may not bear fruit and not bloom at all if it is overfed with nitrogen fertilizers.

flower pruning

Pruning indoor pomegranate has a positive effect on appearance plants, as well as flowering and fruiting. The bush begins to grow rapidly. During the season, it can increase in size several times. Branches form beautiful crown. The health of the plant depends on pruning. The procedure is performed 2 times a year.

The first time - at the very beginning of pomegranate flowering, when hibernation is over. If the flower stood in a cold room, it is transferred to the sun. Then the dried branches are cut, as well as small and unnecessary branches. To stimulate the plant, you need to cut the young branch right next to the bud that has appeared. It is not necessary to cut the pomegranate strongly, it can weaken. It is recommended to leave 6 strong branches.

Buds can only grow on developed branches. Pruning should be done with care. Pomegranate will be able to tie berries only on young branches of the current year.

In summer, you can also prune the bush. If the branches began to grow inside the bush, they can be cut. Pomegranate is good for pruning, so do not be afraid to carry out this procedure.

Pomegranate Pick

A young bush is not recommended to be transplanted for 2-3 years. When the flower grows up and gains strength, it is transplanted into a larger pot. Pomegranate roots grow in breadth, so you need to take wide flowerpots, but shallow ones. Transplantation is carried out in the spring. Drainage is placed at the bottom of the flowerpot, purchased fresh soil is placed on top. Suitable soil for roses and begonias.

Next, you need to get the plant out of the old pot along with the earthen ball on the roots and move it to a new container. Then it is good to root the plant and sprinkle with earth. Over the next three years, the plant is transplanted every year into a new pot, slightly larger in size.

When the grenade is six years old, he will become an adult. At this age, the flower practically does not dive, only if necessary. A large pomegranate is enough for a pot with a volume of 5 liters. Do not buy a very large pot.

reproduction

Indoor pomegranate breeds in 3 ways:

Growing from seed

Seeds are adapted for planting only the specific form of pomegranate, since the seeds do not retain their properties mother plant. This method is usually used to breed new varieties. Seeds are taken from a flowering pomegranate or bought in a store. Before planting a pomegranate in room conditions, the seeds are soaked for 1 day in some kind of growth stimulator. Next, the seeds are dried and planted in containers, which are covered with a film to create a greenhouse effect. The earth is taken loose. The seed container is placed in a warm and well-lit place. It is necessary to ensure that the earth does not dry out.

After 2-3 weeks, shoots should appear. When the leaves get stronger, the seedlings are seated in single containers. It must be remembered that pomegranates bred from seeds begin to bloom and bear fruit 5–8 years after planting.

Growing from seeds

It is possible to grow pomegranate from the seed. To do this, you need to take the bones from large, ripened fruits. They should be creamy in color and firm. Green bones are not suitable for planting. For planting, the bones are cleaned of pulp, washed well and dried. You can wash them in a solution of potassium permanganate so that they do not rot during germination. For good growth before planting, the material is soaked in water with the addition of 2-3 drops of Zircon or Epin. The bones are in the water for 12 hours. The solution is poured a little so that the bone is not completely covered, because it needs oxygen.

If you plant the seeds in the spring, seedlings will appear quickly enough. If at other times, seedlings can wait several months. The earth should be loose, the planting depth is 0.5–1 cm. The pot is covered with a film. After planting, the container is placed in a warm and well-lit place. The seeds should germinate at a temperature of 25-27 ° C. You also need to control soil moisture. Watering is carried out as the earth dries. When the sprouted shoots get a little stronger, they are seated in separate containers, the size of which is 6 cm in diameter. When the branches reach a height of 10 cm, they can be pinched.

The flower needs light and warmth, so move it closer to the window. Pomegranate grown from seed begins to bloom after 7-8 years of life and can grow quite large.

Growing by cuttings

Many gardeners and flower growers recommend growing pomegranate cuttings. He possesses high level survival and retains all the qualities and parameters of the mother plant. If you root the plant in the summer, you need to pick up well-ripened branches, 10-15 cm long. They should have at least 4-5 buds. If you decide to breed a flower in winter, then take lignified shoots of the same length. But their rooting and growth will take longer, some shoots may die, so take cuttings with a margin. Cuttings must be treated with a root growth stimulator. Several lower buds are removed from the branches and placed in a container with earth. The earth must be loose. The cuttings are planted at an angle to a depth of 3 cm, covered with a film. Every day the plant is aired, sprayed and watered. After 2-3 months after planting, seedlings can begin to dive into single containers. After a year, the plant will begin to bloom, and the berries will appear after two years.

Grafting indoor pomegranate

Indoor pomegranate, when cared for at home, can also be propagated by grafting. A varietal cutting is grafted onto a stock taken from a seed. It should only be taken from a healthy plant that is already bearing fruit. Graft pomegranate different ways. The simplest ones are grafting with the help of copulation, behind the bark, in a split, in the butt and a lateral incision. Any of the suggested ways to fit. If the cutting takes root, then the pomegranate will begin to bloom after 2-3 years.

Preparing the plant for winter

If in winter it is not possible to give a room pomegranate a lot of light, then it is sent to hibernation. Hibernation lasts from November to February. The plant is transferred to a cool room, practically not watered and not fed until spring.

If it is not possible to reduce the temperature in the room, the pot is placed on the windowsill, wrapped in foil.

And you can also transfer the flower to the balcony, if it is glazed, or to the basement. But, if you can provide your pomegranate with good lighting for 12 hours with a powerful fitolamp, with a normal room temperature he will feel great.

The tree can overwinter on the balcony

Home pomegranate diseases

If you properly care for your pomegranate tree, he is not afraid of diseases. But if, nevertheless, the pomegranate is sick, it must be properly treated. Basically, the plant begins to hurt if you do not adhere to the temperature and humidity conditions. Most often, pomegranate suffers from a disease such as powdery mildew. And also the leaves of the plant may turn yellow if you water it a lot. Another problem is that the roots can rot.

This also comes from excess moisture. In this case, you need to get the plant out of the pot and remove the diseased roots. Healthy roots should be washed in potassium permanganate, dried and planted in a new pot with fresh soil. The earth must be nutritious. You do not need to water a lot, then the plant will take root again. For best results, you can trim the roots a little. If the leaves have begun to crumble, there can be many reasons for this. If this is the end of flowering, then this is a natural phenomenon. So the plant prepares for hibernation.

When the greens crumble in the middle of flowering, it means that it does not have enough water or fertilizer. Analyze your actions while caring for indoor pomegranate at home, and you will understand what went wrong.

If the roots are rotten, they need to be disinfected in potassium permanganate

Pests

Pests attack indoor pomegranate extremely rarely. It can be a spider mite, thyroid gland and whitefly. Pests must be destroyed immediately. The thyroid gland is removed by hand, caterpillars and whitefly eggs are washed under running water. If you notice cobwebs on the leaves, it's a spider mite. In this case, the leaves should be wiped with a wet rag.

If the tree is very affected by pests, then special chemicals are used. For example, the drug Aktara, Aktellik or Fitoverm. Before using these products, the soil is covered with a film.

Conclusion

Pomegranate is a beautiful exotic plant. Caring for it at home is easy, you just need to be patient, because this plant develops for a long time. If you follow all the conditions for growing indoor pomegranate and carry out proper care, the plant will bear fruit all year round.

With the help of pruning, the plant can be given an interesting shape. Pruning will only benefit the grenade and help it develop properly and grow faster. There is no guarantee that your pomegranate will bloom and bear fruit every year, but it's worth a try. The plant will decorate your home and will delight you with its flowering and tasty healthy fruits.