While people add all sorts of filters when it comes to consuming fruits and veggies, pomegranate or Punica granatum enjoys a privilege amongst all owing to its amazing health benefits and astonishing natural packaging with glittery red rubies packed well inside an alluring ball of pom. Above all, one can have a shrub-like plant of this nutritional fruit in their garden or backyard with minimal care and protection, and garner tons of home-grown pomegranates at once.
How to choose the right variety of pomegranates?
If you wish to grow pomegranates in a container, the 'Nana' variety of the plant is convenient as it grows up to 1 meter only and hence is suitable for being planted in confined places in absence of much space.
However, if space is not an issue, the 'Punica granatum' variety, known for its delicious fruits, can be opted for. The plant will grow up to 2.5 - 3 meters and will be packed with saffron flowers during the summer.
While the plant can be grown by using a cutting, seedling method, or simply from seed, none of the varieties can bear a temperature lower than 15 °F. If the plant is being grown by using seeds, one would have to wait for the next four to five years for it to bear fruits in order to be sure of its variety.
Which method is best?
If you are buying the seedling of the plant from your local nursery, make sure to get one that produces edible fruits. While if you intend to take a cutting of the plant from someone known, make sure that it is at least 25 cm long. Additionally, if the end of the branch is covered with rooting hormone, it will ensure the healthy and rapid growth of your plant. It is ideal to take out a cutting between mid-February to mid-March.
When and how to plant a pomegranate tree?
Dig at least two feet long hole in the ground and remove any weed around it. Remove the seedling from its container and gently wash 2.5cm of its bottom. Plant the seedling in the prepared hole. In case of a cutting method, plant the branch vertically at least 13 cm inside the ground and the rest pointing upwards. One must plant a pomegranate in the early springs.
Where to plant?
A huge amount of sunshine is required for a pomegranate plant to grow well and bear healthy fruits, hence, find your pomegranate tree a place where it can face the sun throughout the day.
A slightly alkaline soil that drains well would work well for a pomegranate plant, even if it is partially sandy. However, one should refrain from planting it on 'soggy feet' soil type.
How to protect your pomegranate plant?
A pomegranate plant would not be able to cope with dark or windy conditions, hence its better provide it dry conditions along with proper protection from the winds.
How to prevent your pomegranate from any damage?
Pomegranate trees are known to invite aphids and pomegranate butterflies, and hence need extra care with pest management. In order to get rid of ladybugs and aphids, you can purchase a general spray
from the local nursery. While pomegranate butterflies are not a major threat to the plant, if required to remove larvae from the tree, a butterfly spray can solve the purpose. Apart from that, one should also refrain from over-watering the plant. Removing dead parts from the pom plant occasionally would also lead to good results.
