Pomegranate from the stone at home: growing, planting, pruning and care

If you want to grow a pomegranate, you need to purchase a he althy seedling of this tree. Or, knowing how to grow a pomegranate from a seed, you can grow it yourself. Although this is a southern plant, but recently it has begun to be bred in more northern regions, as well as in the Middle Strip. However, in order to achieve the expected result, it is necessary to adhere to special growing conditions.

Benefits of growing pomegranate from seed

The cheapest way to grow a pomegranate tree is from an ordinary seed. The grains are dried and poured with milk. A day later, they are placed in a small container with wet sand.After 2-3 months, small plants grow from the seeds. This method is attractive because the seedling can be grown indoors throughout the year.

Recommended outdoor varieties

Depending on the region in which it is planned to grow pomegranate, a variety is selected. It is also necessary to clarify for what purpose the tree will be planted - for eating fruits, making juices and wine, or for decorative purposes.

Guleisha pink

He belongs to the non-covering group, adapted for the south of the European continent. Grows in the form of a shrub. Height - about 2 meters. The branches are spreading. Fruit ripening occurs in mid-October.

The weight of one fruit is approximately 230 grams. The shape is slightly oval, and narrowed at the base. Has a light red or pink hue. On the inside, the upper peel is a pinkish-cream shade. The beans have a pleasant aroma, they are dark cherry, sweet and sour in taste.

Red Guleisha

Before fruiting, this variety grows into a large tree. The shape of the fruit is round. The color of their outer skin is bright red, and stripes are noticeable on the top of the fruit. The fruit neck is rather narrow, with long teeth. The variety has large grains of rich cherry color. It is used to make juices.

Ak Dona Crimean

The variety tolerates cold temperatures when creating shelter. It also grows in closed soils. This is a tall tree, but pruning manages to form a small crown, only 2-3 meters high. The fruits are round. The color of the upper skin is cream, with a pink tint and a lot of red spots. The grains are red-pink.

Kizil-anor

The variety is common in Uzbekistan. Its characteristic positive quality is precocity. Collection begins in early October. Medium sized fruits. The skin is bright pink, almost scarlet. The grains are deep red. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour.

Dwarf pomegranate

This variety can be grown indoors. Fruiting continues throughout the year. It blooms profusely. Fruiting begins already at a plant height of 40 centimeters. At the same time, up to 10 fruits ripen on it. Their diameter is about 5 centimeters.

Nuances when planting in different regions

The pomegranate tree is calm about dry periods, as well as short-term drops in temperature to -17 degrees. Because of this, it is grown mainly in the south. But some gardeners are trying to grow it in the Middle Strip. But, for example, in the suburbs for this plant, it is necessary to build a shelter for wintering. Even if the tree can be grown, the probability that it will bear fruit in such conditions is small, but in the Krasnodar Territory it is quite possible to harvest from such a tree.

Varieties for home growing

Only dwarf pomegranate trees can be grown at home:

1. Variety Baby. The smallest plant of this species. Height is about 50 centimeters. Form - bush. Blooms very beautifully. In autumn, the leaves partially fall off. Mandatory cropping required.
2. Variety Dwarf Carthage. It is bred for home cultivation. Its height is 60-70 centimeters. The obligatory process of care is the formation of the crown, without this, fruiting is reduced. Has a decorative look. Fruiting occurs once a year.

Preparation of seed material for germination

The preparatory stage of growing from seeds begins with their collection. The most ripe and beautiful fruit is chosen and the grains are separated. They are washed before planting. He althy seeds are ivory in color. For 10 hours they are immersed in water with epin or zircon to disinfect and activate the growth process.A day later, they are planted in the sand to germinate.

Sprout timing

As a rule, the seeds do not lose their appearance after the soaking procedure. They are planted in sand or light soil to a depth of 1 centimeter. After 7 days, the first shoots appear. Seed germination is almost 100 percent.

Indoor cultivation and care technology

This plant is not demanding on the conditions of home care. But some manipulations when growing it on the windowsill should be carried out so that a fluffy and fruitful tree grows. As the seedling grows, pinch its top. They do this so that the plant has two main branches.

Required soil composition and pot size

As a soil for planting a pomegranate, take a universal soil mixture. You can add sand to it. The soil should be loose, with a pH level of 5.5-7.

Before disembarking, it is disinfected by pouring a solution of manganese. For planting a seedling, a pot of about 2-3 liters is taken.

Planting a seed

Pre-prepared seeds are planted in a large container filled with light soil. After the emergence of seedlings and the formation of 2-3 leaves, the seedlings dive, planting them in separate pots, but you should not use large containers at once - this will slow down their growth, the plant will put all its effort into the formation of the root system.

Caring for a young sprout

After 2-3 months, the seedlings are planted in separate pots. The transplanted plant is watered abundantly and treated with Kornevin to speed up engraftment. As the pomegranate grows, it is transplanted into a large container. A five-year-old plant is transplanted into a 10-20 liter pot.

During the period of growth, he should provide:

• irrigation mode;
• lighting;
• fertilization;
• preventive measures against diseases and pests.

Crown pruning

During the growth period at home, the grenade must be provided with sufficient lighting. Without observing this rule, the branches begin to stretch strongly, and new shoots do not form. In order for the plant to grow new branches, the pot is taken out into a room with a temperature of 10 degrees.

Pruning forms a crown to make the tree look beautiful and well-groomed.

What to fertilize and how often to water

Watering on hot days is carried out 2 times a week. Water is taken at room temperature. When growing a pomegranate in a pot, he definitely needs top dressing. It is carried out from the spring months until the end of autumn.Use mineral and organic fertilizers. Humate-based fertilizers are also used.

Organize a rest period

The plant during dormancy partially or completely sheds foliage. If the dormant period in the winter months has not come, then they continue to feed it. Watering in winter is reduced to 1 time per week.

How to plant a pomegranate in the open field

You can grow a pomegranate in the country. However, some requirements must be met.

Choosing a seat

For landing, a place is selected in the garden, from the southwest side, to provide maximum lighting, without strong winds.

Optimal timing and landing pattern

Plant in the ground should be in several stages:

• dig a 60x70 hole;
• humus, sand, compost are laid out at the bottom of the pit, and a layer of soil on top;
• the seedling is lowered into the hole at an angle of 45 degrees;
• the roots are tamped on top of the soil so that there is no void;
• put a peg next to the seedling for support.

Requirements for soil and temperature conditions

Soils with high groundwater percolation are not recommended. Alkaline soil with sufficient drainage is considered optimal. The main requirement is not to overcool the plant. If the temperature starts to drop to -10 degrees, then a special shelter is being built.

Lighting

Pomegranate is a photophilous plant. Therefore, maximum sunlight should be provided. For the same purpose, its crown is thinned out.

Features of agricultural technology in cultivation

Gardeners from non-southern regions find it hard to imagine how to care for a pomegranate tree in their garden.

Irrigation Regularity

This plant does not require abundant watering; make sure that there is no stagnation of moisture in the soil. Excess moisture causes flowers to fall off.

Foliar and root top dressing

Feeding in the open field is carried out even before planting the seedling. But if the tree withered, then the adult plant is also fed. At the same time, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are used. In autumn, rotted manure is scattered near the tree.

Loosening the soil

The frequency of watering can be reduced by periodically loosening the soil in order to slow down the process of moisture evaporation.

Formation

Crown formation should be done not only to give a decorative look, but also for successful growth and development.This procedure is carried out in early spring or after the leaves fall in autumn. Dry branches are removed, root shoots are cut. In addition, proper pruning of old branches should be done every 20-25 years to rejuvenate the pomegranate.

Preparing for winter season

To make the pomegranate calmly endure the winter cold, the root zone is insulated with a thick layer of soil. If the bush is not high, it is bent to the soil and also covered with earth or covered with other heaters in the form of plywood sheets, car tires.

How to graft a tree for harvest

For grafting, you need a quality cutting. It is grafted onto a seedling with a diameter about a finger thick. A cutting cut at an acute angle is inserted into the T-shaped incision of the bark. Its cut is completely immersed under the bark. After a month, the cutting will take root, and you can remove the bandage. This home-grown pomegranate will bear fruit well.

When to expect the first flowering and fruiting

The first flowering and fruiting of a pomegranate begins at the age of 3 years. But industrial fruiting is achieved by 7-8 years. Such trees will delight with fruits for 30-40 years.

Rules for the collection and storage of pomegranate fruits

In the southern regions, pomegranates may begin to ripen at the end of September. Ripe fruits and those that still need to ripen are removed. But the quality of unripe ones is not too high. Cut the fruits with secateurs.

Only intact grenades are selected for storage. Store in a room with a humidity of 80-85% and a temperature of +1, +2 degrees.

Pests and diseases - ways to deal with them

Diseases of the pomegranate tree can completely destroy it, so you should be careful about such problems:

1. Pomegranate codling moth. She eats the inside of the fruit. The way to get rid of it is to timely harvest the affected fruits and then destroy them.
2. Pomegranate aphid. It appears on young foliage. Removed with pesticides.
3. Cancer diseases of the branches. They mainly affect weakened plants whose bark has cracked. In this case, swellings are formed near the wounds. The fight against this disease is the timely removal of infected branches.

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