The pomegranate fruit with its ruby like seeds is pleasing to the eyes, delicious to eat and good for health. This tree is native to the region spreading from Iran right until the Himalayas located in the northern part of India. Yet today it is cultivated all over the world. It is more successfully grown throughout India, more arid regions of Southeast Asia, Malaya, the East Indies, tropical Africa, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, central valley of California, and in the state of Arizona.
Pomegranate trees grow well in tropical, sub-tropical, semi-arid mild temperate zones which have cool winters and hot summers. Temperatures below 12 degrees Fahrenheit and humid climates are not conducive to the growth and fruiting of this fruit tree. The plant grows well in soils that can drain well and under sunny conditions. Above all, pomegranate tree is drought resistant as well. Pomegranates need minimal care and can be successfully grown in containers and greenhouses as well.
Spanish settlers introduced pomegranate plants to California in 1769. The central valley of California with its hot and sunny climate is ideal for the growth of this tree. It is also extensively grown in hardiness zones 7 to 10 in the US and in greenhouses in the northern part of the US. While the climate in southern part of Utah and Washington DC is not conducive to the fruiting of the plant.
Pomegranate trees can grow from seeds. But it is seen that planting a fifteen-inch cutting from a fully grown pomegranate tree results in the growth of a healthier fruit-bearing tree. The plant needs a well-drained soil to flourish. The tree needs watering every alternate day in the initial 2 weeks after it is planted. While watering the bush once every ten days is sufficient after 2 weeks .The plant becomes drought resistant after three years.
Application of two to four ounces ammonium sulfate or any other fertilizer rich in nitrogen a couple of times in a year for the first 2 springs is advised. Regular fertilizing and pruning of the plant assures a bountiful crop.
Pruning the pomegranate bushes regularly results in the growth of a healthy tree. Pruning should ideally start when the plant is two feet tall. The plant should have evenly spaced four to five sprouts on the trunk, a minimum of one foot above the ground. This helps the plant to maintain proper balance. Regular pruning of the plant for the initial 3 years ensures a bountiful crop of fruits.
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- When Do Pomegranates Come Into Season ?
CRFG.org: Pomegranate
https://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pomegranate.html
Pomegranate is best grown by grafting a stem from the mother plant. It is also faster process. However, pomegranate plants can also be grown from the seeds. But, you should ensure that the seeds are of the best quality. Not all seeds produce the same quality as that of the mother plant, and some may even be poor specimens.