Dwarf or indoor pomegranate is a miniature ornamental tree designed for home grown. Of all the representatives of exotic flora, it is perhaps the most unpretentious, therefore it adapts quite easily to the microclimate of the room. Growing indoor pomegranate at home is a fascinating and enjoyable activity, since in addition to being exceptionally decorative during flowering, the crop is capable of producing small but quite edible fruits.
Growing from stones and seeds
Fans of exotic houseplants may be interested in the question of where to get and how to grow dwarf pomegranates yourself. After all, ready-grown trees in flower shops have a very considerable cost. It should be said that indoor pomegranate propagates well by cuttings and seeds. The seed method has several options, but its efficiency is low, since growing a full-fledged tree takes more time, and the seeds do not always germinate.
To grow homemade pomegranate, you can use several seed options:
- seeds purchased in specialized stores - they have the highest percentage of germination;
- seeds produced in a dwarf pomegranate flower growing in the house;
- seeds extracted from fresh homemade pomegranate fruit.
There is no point in using seeds from an ordinary pomegranate purchased at the market, since even if they bear fruit, the tree will only bloom after 7 years, and the dimensions of such a plant are completely unsuitable for the premises.
In order for the seeds to germinate, they must be properly prepared and planted. If the material is purchased in a specialized store, then, as a rule, it is enough to just soak it in water for a day, or better yet, in a growth stimulator (Kornevin), and then plant it in moist soil. If the seeds are taken from fresh fruit, they must first be separated from the pulp, washed well, and then dried thoroughly - this will help avoid rotting of the material. Then everything is as in the previous case: soak it in a growth stimulator for a day and plant it in the ground. 
Sowing of 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 pot with seeds is placed in a warm place, since for germination they need a temperature of at least +25 °C. High quality material comes up pretty quickly. When the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, they are planted in separate pots along with a lump of earth. For further development, plants need a warm and humid microclimate. For better branching, pinch out the largest branches.
Growing using cuttings
It is easier to grow indoor pomegranate from cuttings than from seeds, and this method has more high level survival rate. Planting material is taken from an adult fruit-bearing 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 cut plastic bottle, maintain soil moisture, ventilate daily.
With proper care, in a month the cuttings will begin to grow roots and buds will begin to bloom. After another two months, the plants can be transplanted into separate pots. A tree grown from cuttings fully blooms in 2-3 years. It is advisable to cut off the buds that appear on the plant in the first year.
Care
When growing indoor pomegranate, care at home is quite simple. The main thing is to try to create a suitable microclimate. For a tree it has great importance illumination, temperature regime, air and soil humidity. In indoor conditions, it is better to place the pot with the plant on the windowsill (not on the north side), and in the summer take it out onto the balcony. Remember that direct sunlight can cause burns, so in hot weather the pomegranate should be shaded or placed in partial shade. In the fall, the tree is returned to the room.
Pomegranate is a heat-loving crop. 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 the fruit begins to ripen, the temperature needs to be lowered slightly, to +16 °C. The most low temperature The temperature that an indoor pomegranate can withstand is +6 °C; below this value the plant dies. 
Pomegranate is watered in different modes, depending on the stage of its growing season and weather factors:
- during active growing season, as well as in hot weather, the plant needs a lot of moisture - starting in February, pomegranate is watered regularly as soon as the top layer of soil 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 off;
- after flowering, the amount of watering is increased again - this measure promotes abundant flowering of the tree next year;
- During fruit ripening, watering is carried out carefully, since excess moisture can lead to cracking of ripening 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 decorative properties, indoor pomegranates need to be fed approximately 1-2 times a month. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied, in the summer, before and after flowering, a complex mixture with phosphorus is applied, while the fruits ripen and in late autumn, potassium is applied. Fertilizers are applied in liquid form through irrigation. It is better to fertilize in cloudy weather or in the evening. In mid-autumn, feeding stops.
Like any indoor plant, pomegranate can become sick and be susceptible to pests. Since the tree loves moisture, it is sometimes affected by powdery mildew - a fungal disease that develops against a background of high humidity and manifests itself as white coating on the leaves. If signs of disease appear, the humidity should be reduced (stop spraying and watering the plant). Due to excessive humidity, roots can rot and leaves turn yellow.
Pomegranate pests are sometimes attacked by scale insects, spider mites or whiteflies. While there are few insects, they can be collected by hand. If the population has increased, then it should be applied chemicals(Aktellik, Fitoverm). The same preparations can be sprayed on the tree for preventive purposes.
Trimming
Forming a crown for homemade pomegranate is common, because the crop is mainly grown for decorative purposes, and not for the sake of producing fruit. In this case, pruning not only rejuvenates the plant, but also gives it its original appearance. decorative form. As a rule, a pomegranate tree is pruned 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 dry, not yet blossomed branches begin to be cut off. During this period, pomegranate tolerates the pruning procedure best. 
In order for the tree to be lush, you need to cut off the young shoots above the bud facing outward, leaving 4-5 internodes. To avoid excessive thickening of the crown, you should cut off the buds directed inward, as well as all small branches. 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 form only on the most developed annual shoots. Sometimes, if there is excessive branching, there is a need for unscheduled pruning in the summer. When removing shoots during the active growing season, it is imperative to seal the cut areas with garden varnish.
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 soil and nutrients, the plant will soon begin to get sick and lag behind in development. Upon reaching the age of three, transplantation is carried out once every 2-3 years, mainly in the spring. Technically, this is very simple to do, since the replanting procedure involves transferring the tree into a larger pot along with the soil. 
The pomegranate root system is fibrous, well developed, and grows wider than deep. 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 pomegranate needs neutral soil, consisting of turf soil or black soil with the addition of sand. You can purchase ready-made store-bought 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 pomegranate tree grows on rocky terrain - try to create similar conditions for it. If the roots are in a little cramped conditions, the pomegranate will bloom more luxuriantly. 
Like all trees, indoor pomegranate needs peace. This period begins after all the fruits have ripened - around the beginning of December. When the tree begins to shed its 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, the pot of pomegranate can be taken 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 from the rest of the room with dense material. The plant is kept in the cold until February, after which the tree is ready to bud again.
And the famous fruiting plant pomegranate (Punica) can be grown at home. True, in this case, the decorative properties of the plant during its flowering period come to the fore. More suitable for growing at home are plants of the dwarf variety Pomegranate (Punica nana), sometimes classified as a form of the common pomegranate as Punica granatum var. nana.
Dwarf pomegranate is the most unpretentious exotic plant for home cultivation. This perennial deciduous shrub is grown in subtropical and tropical climates in open ground, in our country as a semi-deciduous houseplant in containers and pots on the windowsill, in winter gardens, greenhouses. For exceptional decorative characteristics 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”; Zeus’s wife Hera (Juno) held it in her hands as an emblem of marriage; in Greece, the pomegranate fruit symbolized fertility, and in ancient Persia it was the personification of passionate love. The beneficial properties of pomegranate are widely appreciated.
A useful plant with such an ancient history and such highly rated decorative qualities worthy to become a decoration of any interior and garden. Moreover, it is quite unpretentious - it grows in natural conditions on the rocky 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 no more than 60 - 120 cm, the width of the shrub can grow up to 120 cm, in a potted 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, and in autumn before leaf fall they are yellow.
Cultivated varieties of dwarf pomegranate are very decorative. small plant during the flowering period from May to September it is covered with large purple flowers. Numerous tubular red or orange flowers, mostly solitary, are 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, have 
short columns and do not form fruits. Only flowers with long columns can ripen pomegranates. Although indoor pomegranate is famous for its long, abundant flowering, each flower has a short lifespan, only two to three days; new buds are formed on the plant every day. On average, there are approximately 3-4 ovaries per hundred flowers, the rest fall off after flowering. This is normal and there is no need to worry about it. Flowers continue to form even when young fruits begin to ripen. This gives indoor pomegranate a unique charm.
The fruits of the dwarf pomegranate can be colored in various shades from orange-yellow to brown-red. They have everything beneficial properties ordinary pomegranate, but not as tasty, have a lot 
seeds and are as small as the dwarf plant itself - no more than 7 cm in diameter. They ripen in the room from November to January.
More often, dwarf pomegranate is grown at home for its numerous flowers, so the fruits are partially removed. After all, fruiting exhausts the plant, and its flowering next year will not be so spectacular. You can leave 1 - 2 fruits on one plant. From these you can get your own seeds to propagate the plant. True, varietal qualities are not always transmitted with this method of propagation. Once every three to four years, you can allow the indoor pomegranate to “bear” all the fruits and enjoy the sight of a fruiting 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 of the “Baby” and “Carthage” varieties for indoor growing. Plant height different varieties may differ and be either 30 or 100 cm.
Lighting
Indoor pomegranate is a light-loving plant. Any windows except northern ones are suitable for its placement. At noon, indoor pomegranates are 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. The plant should be accustomed to the street gradually and protected from direct sunlight. With the onset of autumn, the dwarf pomegranate is moved into 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 room temperature rises above 25 degrees, then you should take the pot of indoor pomegranate to the balcony or veranda. In a hot, stuffy room, a dwarf pomegranate may begin to lose leaves, and this will slow down its development. Spraying with cool water helps reduce the temperature.
To ripen fruits in autumn period the temperature is reduced to + 12-16 oC. From November to March, the plant is kept at a temperature of +10-12 °C, thereby providing the dormant period necessary for flowering and fruiting. The minimum temperature that a dwarf pomegranate can withstand is 6 °C.
The soil
Although dwarf pomegranate grows in nature on poor soils with virtually no moisture, in cultivation, for better decorativeness, it needs to create more favorable conditions, in this case, rich and drained soil. For growing indoor pomegranate, the following soil mixtures with a neutral pH7 reaction can be recommended:
- turf land(50%), leaf humus (25%), peat (12%) and sand (13%);
- sand (50%), loam (25%) and peat (25%);
- clay-turf soil (2 parts), leaf soil (1 part), humus (1 part), sand (1 part);
- for young plants: equal parts of turf, humus, leaf soil and sand.
Watering and air humidity
Proper watering of the plant is important. The rules for watering dwarf pomegranate are as follows:
- In winter, during the dormant period, the plant is watered extremely rarely, once every 1.5-2 months.
- After the dormant period in February, watering is increased. Water the plant 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 flowering period of the pomegranate occurs during the hottest, driest period. However, with a lack of moisture, as well as with excess, the dwarf pomegranate can shed all its buds and instead long flowering leave empty branches.
- 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 next year it will produce many flowers.
- 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, no more often, you need to feed indoor pomegranate. In spring this can be any nitrogen fertilizer. During the flowering period - phosphorus, and closer to autumn - potassium. Once a month you can apply complex fertilizer. It is better to fertilize the plant in cloudy weather. Fertilizer is applied to moist soil, that is, the plant must first be watered. The liquid from the pan must be drained. In the fall, fertilizing is gradually reduced, watering is reduced and the temperature is lowered, thereby preparing the plant for the winter 2-3 month dormant period. It usually occurs in December after the indoor pomegranate fruits have ripened.
Rest period
After the fruits have ripened, around the end of November, the indoor pomegranate sheds its leaves. The plant enters 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 rest period; the optimal temperature for them is +12-16 ° C.
It is not always possible to create a period of rest in a city apartment. You can lower the temperature around the plant if you move it closer to the glass on the windowsill and fence it off with polyethylene from the rest of the room. It is enough to keep the plant in such conditions for 3-4 weeks. At the same time, you can take the indoor pomegranate to the basement.
Trimming
In February, when buds begin to form on the plant, the pot of pomegranate is taken out of the cool room into a warm place and the dry twigs and excess shoots that are not yet covered with leaves are pruned. Pomegranate tolerates such pruning very well. Cut out most of the small branches. To stimulate branching, pruning is carried out above the outward-facing bud of the young shoot, leaving no more than 5 internodes on it. When forming a pomegranate, 4-6 skeletal branches are left. You should not cut the plant too much, as this can weaken it. If you cut off the root growth of a pomegranate, you can form the pomegranate in the shape of a tree, including in the form of a bonsai. When forming a plant, you must be careful not to break off the very fragile branches of the pomegranate. Sometimes excess shoots are cut out in the summer during the growing season of the plant. When pruning, we must remember that buds form only on well-developed annual shoots
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Transplantation and pot for indoor pomegranate
Young plants require annual replanting. After an indoor pomegranate reaches the age of three years, it is replanted no more often than once every two to three years; the spring period is best suited for this. Transplantation is carried out by transshipment. The soil for planting is turf with the addition of sand; drainage in the pot is required.
Although the dwarf pomegranate has a shallow root system, it does not need a very wide pot. When replanting, you can increase the diameter of the pot by two to three centimeters, no more. The flowering of indoor pomegranate will be more abundant if the roots are cramped in the pot.
Reproduction of indoor pomegranate
Propagation by seeds
Indoor pomegranate can be propagated by cuttings and seeds. For seed propagation, it is better to use seeds from specialized stores. When growing pomegranate from varietal seeds purchased 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 fresh indoor pomegranate fruit. They remain viable for up to six months. Seeds are selected from the largest and ripest fruits, washed to remove pulp, and dried. Sow in April under glass to a depth of 0.5 cm. A substrate of equal parts of peat and sand is moistened. Seeds germinate at a temperature of +25-27 oC, seedlings develop quickly. 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. During cultivation, the seedlings need warmth and good watering; for better tillering, they are pinched several times.
Important! A pomegranate sown from the seeds of ordinary fruits purchased at the market or supermarket will bloom only after 7 or more years, so this is hardly justified in indoor cultivation. And the size of such a plant will not fit into the dimensions of the apartment.
Propagation by cuttings
Cuttings are taken from adult fruiting indoor pomegranate plants. In summer, semi-lignified shoots are used, in winter, in February, woody shoots are used. Cuttings with 4-6 buds are cut, the lower part of the cutting is planted at an angle in moistened soil from river sand and peat, taken in equal parts, to a depth of approximately 3 cm. The cuttings are covered with a cut plastic bottle, jar or glass, kept in a humid environment, daily ventilate, spray and water if necessary. Before planting, the cuttings are treated with a rooting agent. After 2-3 months, the cuttings are planted. Flowering occurs in the second or third year. It is better to cut off the buds of young plants in the first year.
Diseases, pests, problems
At home, dwarf pomegranate grows less hardened, so it may be susceptible to some diseases, such as powdery mildew.
Among the pests of indoor pomegranate are whiteflies and scale insects. If the number of pests is small, they are picked off by hand; if there is a significant number, approved chemicals are used, for example, Fitoverm. In a dry room, indoor pomegranate suffers from spider mites. To prevent the appearance of the pest, it is necessary to spray the plant. If a problem occurs, the plant is treated with preparations such as Actellik, covering the ground with polyethylene so that the pest does not hide there.
Sometimes when 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 and sprinkled with crushed coal. Accordingly, the crown volume is reduced by pruning.
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 its cultivation is best achieved by good-natured, caring people. The dwarf pomegranate can and should feel that it is welcome too.
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An article for those who like exotic plants in their apartment. Do you want to grow pomegranate from seeds at home, but have you been told that it is impossible? Don't pay attention to the pessimists. Get to know all the stages of the journey: where to start, how to prepare seeds, plant them, care for seedlings and get a tree with fruits. It's simple. The main thing is to know about some of the features of this plant.
General information about pomegranate
There are 7 plants mentioned in the Bible. One of them is pomegranate. And how many myths and legends are dedicated to this plant! One of the beliefs says that the idea of creating the image of the crown was borrowed from the shape of the sepals of the fruit. No wonder the pomegranate is called the royal fruit.
His homeland is ancient Carthage. The first seedling came there from the Phoenicians in 825 BC. The Romans destroyed this area, but the pomegranate gardens remained.
Translated from Latin language The word pomegranate means “grainy” (granatus). It has long been called “grainy apple”, “seed apple”.
There is a widespread belief among people about magical properties flowers of this tree - they bring love, friendship, prosperity and wealth to the house.
For its normal growth, a tropical and subtropical climate is required. The predominant places with pomegranate gardens are Crimea, the Azov region, the south of the Krasnodar Territory, Dagestan, and the North Caucasus. In Southern Europe, Western Asia, and the forests of Transcaucasia, there are plantings of wild pomegranate.
Under natural conditions, the tree grows up to 5-6 meters in height, and at home – up to 2 meters. Its branches are thorny and its leaves are glossy. Beautiful pomegranate flowers Pink colour with a unique aroma. They can bloom in inflorescences or singly. There are 2 types:
- In the shape of a jug (female). Fruit set occurs on them.
- Bell-shaped (male) without fruit ovary.
The peculiarity of this tree is that flowering lasts from early summer until autumn. The spectacle is very beautiful. You can see flowers and fruits at the same time.
The first flowering and fruiting occurs no earlier than 3 years after planting. It's not that long. For example, lemon fruits sometimes wait up to 7 years.
The botanical name of the fruit is “pomegranate”. It has the shape of a ball and grows up to 15-18 centimeters in diameter. Inside there are up to 1000-1200 edible achenes, located in separate nests.
Pomegranate seedlings are not so common in stores. Dwarf plants are most suitable for growing. They adapt more easily to environmental conditions. True, their fruits are small - up to 5 centimeters in diameter.
It is quite possible to get a miniature, fruit-bearing tree from a seed.
How to accurately select and prepare planting material
Seeds from purchased pomegranate fruit are suitable for planting. But it must be mature enough - the riper it is, the higher the chances of success. The main thing is that there are no rotten spots, dents, or traces of mold on it. But its size and appearance do not play a special role, since most often it is a hybrid. Its qualities are not passed on to offspring.
Gardeners recommend using domestic pomegranates rather than imported ones.
The fruit should be cut. Remove the seeds, clean them of pulp, rinse running water, dry. It is important to pay attention to the color and density of the seeds. They should be gray-beige or ivory-colored and fairly dense. Unripe or soft seeds rot in the soil.
Helpful advice. A simple way to check the suitability of the seeds is to place them in a saline solution. High-quality seed material will sink to the bottom. Floating seeds lack an embryo.
You can use other methods of obtaining seeds:
- Buy them at the store. The advantage is that their similarity percentage is higher.
- Collect the seeds formed in the flowers or fruits of homemade pomegranate.
Then the bones are soaked for 24-72 hours in a solution of zircon or epin. Convenient to use cotton pads or gauze.
There is expert advice suggesting removing the hard shell of the pit before soaking. To do this, scratch it with a nail file and then pierce it with a sharp needle. This speeds up the process of seed germination.
It should be borne in mind that you should not wait for the sprouts to hatch. They appear after hitting the ground.
Rules for planting pomegranate seeds
The best time for this procedure is spring (mid-April) or November. Work order:
- Prepare the soil from equal parts of peat and sand. Disinfect it with a solution of potassium permanganate or heat treatment in the oven. You can use a universal substrate or soil for indoor flowers, purchased at the store.
- Moisten the soil.
- Fill the sowing pot with the prepared substrate. It should be at the bottom with holes. Cover the bottom with a layer of drainage made from pieces of polystyrene foam, expanded clay, and pebbles.
- Spread the prepared seeds on the surface of the soil, bury them in the holes by 1-1.5 cm. They are sown more than the number of seedlings needed - seedlings are not always 100%. In addition, weak shoots have to be removed.
- Cover the container with glass or cellophane film. Transparent boxes with a lid for cakes or pastries are ideal for these purposes. Ready-made mini-greenhouses are for sale.
- Place the pot with the planted seeds in a warm place. The temperature required for germination is at least 25°C. Warmth is the main condition.
- Open and ventilate periodically. Make sure that the soil does not dry out, but do not allow it to become waterlogged.
Another way to create a greenhouse effect is to use a cut bottle.
Conditions for growing seedlings
The first shoots appear after 2 weeks if the seeds are sown in early spring or November. In other periods, you have to wait a long time for sprouts. Sometimes this period lasts up to several months. After six months there is no point in waiting for seedlings.
Sprouts have appeared - the pot with plants is moved to a windowsill, preferably located on the south side.
It is important to know. There is no need to rush to open the shelter. This is done gradually - the duration of ventilation is lengthened every day.
Picking into separate pots is done after the formation of 2-3 true leaves. Weak sprouts are removed. You don’t have to pull them out, but just pinch off the top. The main requirement is to try to move the seedling along with the lump of soil.
Picking pomegranates into separate pots
The central root of the seedling is lightly pinched. This helps to grow lateral roots and increase their ability to absorb moisture and nutrients.
The requirements for soil, the presence of a drainage layer, and watering remain the same.
In spring, natural light is sufficient; in winter and autumn, additional measures to create artificial lighting.
Further care for pomegranate
In the second year of life, the pomegranate produces bright purple flowers (sometimes even after 6-10 months). Gardeners recommend removing the inflorescences so as not to weaken the plant. They should be left on the plant at the age of 3-4 years for the fruits to appear and ripen.
We often hear the opinion that an ungrafted pomegranate will not bear fruit. Practitioners refute this statement. It is enough to follow the recommendations for proper care of it:
- Temperature conditions. The optimal temperature is 18-25°C, in winter – 12-15°C. Temperatures above 25°C cause the leaves to drop. Periodic spraying with cool water helps. A decrease in temperature below 6°C leads to the death of the plant.
- Maintain moderate humidity.
- Ventilate the room periodically. But make sure that the pomegranate is not in a draft.
- Water with settled water as needed so that the soil does not dry out. Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged. Watering is slightly reduced during flowering and during fruit ripening. In winter, during the dormant period, they water very rarely.
In summer, the plant is taken out to the balcony and placed in partial shade. In the fall they take it into the house.
Beginning flower growers are upset when the homely beauty sheds its leaves at the end of autumn. This is normal. He enters a period of rest. At this time he needs the following care:
- It needs a decrease in temperature to 10-15°C. You can place it on the veranda or in the basement, where the temperature does not drop below 7°C.
- Watering is reduced to 2 times a month.
- Pomegranate is not sprayed.
- Feeding is stopped.
Pomegranate transplant
The plant is replanted annually for the first 3 years, once every 2-3 years at 3-5 years, and once every 3-4 years thereafter. Each time a new pot is selected just a few centimeters larger than the previous one. A 3-liter container is enough for a pomegranate aged 5-6 years. Transplantation is necessary if the earthen coma is completely enveloped by roots.
The transfer method is used - the plant is moved into a larger container along with the soil. The acidity of the soil should be neutral. A ready-made substrate for roses is suitable. A drainage layer is required.
For an adult plant in a large tub, 2-3 cm of the top layer of soil is changed annually.
What determines the flowering and fruiting of pomegranate?
Flowering and fruiting, first of all, depend on compliance with such standard plant care conditions as: watering, lighting, temperature conditions. However, there are some secrets unique to pomegranate.
It always bears more male flowers than female flowers. To increase the number of the latter proceed as follows:
- the plant is transplanted into a tight pot, then the formation of male flowers slows down and the flowering process accelerates;
- during flowering, watering is done with cool water (18-20°C);
- They carry out pollination on their own using a brush or cotton swab.
The plant needs feeding after 2-4 weeks. In spring, they are used to stimulate flowering. phosphate fertilizers, for feeding foliage - nitrogen. In the fall you will need potash fertilizers. They prepare plants for winter. Universal liquid fertilizers are suitable for indoor plants, infusion of manure. After the formation of the ovary, mineral fertilizers are replaced with organic ones. From the end of autumn, feeding is stopped.
Early flowering depends on the seed material. When planting hybrid seeds, fruiting occurs after 2-3 years. In other cases, the period may be longer.
In a container that is too spacious, the plant often does not bloom.
Pomegranate is a light-loving plant. In the shadows he grows weak and sickly.
South or southwest window sill - good place to place it
The only thing to remember is that in summer it is necessary to protect the leaves from sunburn and shade them.
Bush formation and pruning
In February, pomegranate begins its active growth phase. This best time for pruning and forming a decorative tree. Plants that have not begun to branch and have reached a height of 0.5 m need to be pinched at the top. In this case, the shape of a tree will be obtained. If pinching is carried out at a height of 15 cm, you will get the shape of a bush.
Pruning helps rejuvenate the plant and helps give it a decorative shape.
The procedure is carried out during the beginning of bud formation, when the pomegranate is transferred from a cool place to a warm place. Then it is easier to tolerate pruning of unbloomed branches.
Trimming rules:
- 5-6 skeletal branches are left for indoor plants;
- pruning is carried out above the bud directed outward;
- thin and damaged branches are removed without fear;
- the growth growing below is also cut out.
If pruning is carried out with leaves on the branches, then you should not rush to remove the bare branches. They may still wake up, since the pomegranate leaves appear unevenly.
In some cases, if there is excessive thickening, pruning is carried out unscheduled - in the summer. Mandatory requirement– treat cut areas with garden varnish.
There is another way to form a tree.
The three strongest seedlings are left in one pot or dumped into another container. Then a braid is loosely braided from them. The result is an original barrel.
Fans of Japanese culture have the opportunity to form a pomegranate bonsai
To do this, leave one branch, tie it to a wire, and adjust the shape and height of the plant. There are bushes that are spiral, straight, or sloping.
Pollination
Flowers hybrid varieties Pomegranates are capable of self-pollinating. But the percentage is very low. It is 5-20%. To increase the number of such flowers, they are pollinated.
The fruits are borne on flowers with a long pistil. The short pistil belongs to male flowers.
It is most convenient to carry out the procedure using a cotton swab.
What diseases and pests damage pomegranate?
Among the fungal diseases that affect pomegranates, powdery mildew should be highlighted, which appears as a white coating on leaves, flowers and fruits. After detecting its first signs, you should stop watering and spraying. At the onset of the disease, using a prepared 1 liter of solution with the addition of 5 g of baking soda and a little laundry soap helps. In advanced cases - treatment with fungicides: topaz, HOM.
With gray rot, the plant becomes covered with mold. In this case, the affected areas are removed and treated with Bordeaux mixture.
On frozen or damaged branches, as a result of unsuccessful pruning or mechanical damage Cancer of the branches may develop, in which wounds with jagged swellings along the edges are formed. The result is drying out of the shoots, and later the entire plant. When the first signs are detected, it is recommended to remove the affected branches. Treat the cut areas with garden varnish. However, these methods do not always help.
Helpful advice. Pruning should be done with a sharp tool, and the cut points should be lubricated with garden varnish.
The danger of recognizing root rot is that the limp appearance of the plant gives the impression that it needs watering. But in this case, the opposite measures are needed - stopping watering, removing it from the pot, wrapping the roots in paper to quickly absorb excess moisture. Then replant the plant in new soil, spill the soil with a solution of trichodermin (dissolve 10 g of the drug in 1 liter of water).
Among the pests that most often attack pomegranates are: spider mites, whiteflies, aphids, scale insects, and thrips.
The first signs of a spider mite are the falling of leaves and the appearance of a white sticky web on them. Control methods - spraying chemicals(actellik, fitoverm), infusions of garlic, onion peel, tobacco. During the procedure, the soil is covered with cellophane film.
Yellowing and falling of leaves occurs if a whitefly has settled on them, sucking their juice.
Aphids are also found on pomegranates
If possible, insects should be collected by hand and then processed soap solution or other means: actellicom, fitoverm, karbofos.
So, let’s note the important points in growing pomegranate from seeds at home:
- Use fresh seed material for planting. Dried seeds do not germinate. The soil should be loose and moist. Covering with film, glass or a lid is necessary. Watering is moderate.
- The best time for sowing is spring or November. In winter, lighting is required.
- Pomegranate requires a dormant period in November-December. During this time, it is moved to a cool place.
As you can see, there is nothing complicated. A little effort - and an exotic plant will decorate your home.
The word “pomegranate” evokes a lot of associations. First of all, I remember a red-orange, rough, leathery fruit with a peculiar corolla on the “top of the head.” You break it and see a scattering of pinkish or red, like glass grains. You try them and feel a pleasant sweet-sour, slightly tart taste. According to some legends, it was the pomegranate that was the “apple” from Paradise that led Eve into temptation. Whatever associations the pomegranate evokes, one thing is clear - it 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 simple care rules.
Characteristics of pomegranate
Pomegranate is one of the first fruit trees tamed by ancient people. Residents of Asian countries began to eat pomegranate fruits at the dawn of civilization.
Wild pomegranate is widespread in Turkey, Tunisia, Transcaucasia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. It grows in northern India. It prefers mountainous terrain and bright sun, grows in rough, poor rocky soil and even on saline soils, and gets by with a small amount of moisture.
The pomegranate was first mentioned in the chronicle of the Battle of Marathon, which took place in 490 BC. Herodotus, a historian from ancient Greece, said that in the Persian army that 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 gold garnets. Among the Persians, the pomegranate was considered a badge of honor.
Over the thousand-year history of pomegranate, people have developed many varieties of this tree. Sometimes their fruits differ significantly from each other. The Abkhazian pomegranate has dark red large fruits, and the pomegranate apple from Vietnam is light brown. The color and taste of pomegranate seeds vary. For example, in Turkey, along with the traditional red pomegranate, white or pink pomegranate 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 a healthy and tasty fruit, but also a wonderful exotic green, 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 - has taken root perfectly 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 gardeners, is one of the most unpretentious and long-lived plants. It grows upward no more than 1 meter, the lush crown branches abundantly and is easy to shape. The leaves of the tree are oval, small (about 3 cm long), hard. They are shiny on top and matte below and are located on reddish petioles. Young leaves of dwarf pomegranate are initially bronze-colored, over time they become green, and in the fall, on the eve of leaf fall, they turn yellow.
The dwarf pomegranate has become a winner in the UK. The Royal Horticultural Society awarded the tree a diploma. It notes 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, jug-shaped, or bell-shaped. Flowers do not last long, about three days. But every day new buds appear on the pomegranate tree. Indoor pomegranate has become famous for its long and vigorous 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 flowers fall off. By the way, pomegranate continues to bloom even when the fruits ripen.
The bright, toy-like fruits of the dwarf pomegranate grow approximately 5 cm in diameter. These cute babies can be red, burgundy red or orange and yellow. As experts say, small pomegranates are not inferior to their large counterparts in useful qualities, although they lose in taste. Indoor pomegranates are usually harvested in late autumn or early winter.
Dwarf pomegranate is easy to care for. His wild ancestor managed to grow, bloom and bear fruit in very difficult conditions, and the descendant inherited patience and high survival rate. Growing a pomegranate tree at home is a fun activity that the whole family can do. This plant lends itself well to shaping; for example, you can grow bonsai from it. And the sight of a pomegranate strewn with flowers or hung with balls of fruit will not leave anyone indifferent.
Pomegranate variety of indoor species
Dwarf pomegranate (Punica nana) became the ancestor of modern varieties of 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 pot growing: Baby and Carthage.
- Indoor pomegranate of the Carthage variety. A miniature bush about 80 cm tall, almost an exact copy of the common pomegranate. The leaves are approximately 2 centimeters long. When grown from seed, it begins to bloom and bear fruit after an average of 6 years. The fruits of Carthage are from 5 to 6 centimeters in diameter, edible, sweet and sour.
- Indoor pomegranate variety Baby. A very compact shrub, up to half a meter in height. 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.
Tall varieties are less common in home floriculture. They are grown for their beautiful flowers.
- Flora Pleno. Shrub growing up to 4 meters. It is grown only for beauty. It doesn't bear fruit. But Flore Pleno has carnation-like, double purple flowers.
- Flore Pleno Alba. Ornamental shrub up to 4 meters high. Its main value is not the fruits, but the white double flowers.
- Double Flower. Another type of decorative pomegranate. In his lush inflorescences Petals of different shades are combined: red, white and pink. Flowers may have specks or stripes.
Another plant species is known in the natural environment - Socotra pomegranate (Punica protopunica). His homeland is the island of Socotra. This 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 round in shape, 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 as tasty.
Photo gallery: types and varieties for window sills
Double Flower pomegranate - an ornamental plant with spectacular flowers Baby pomegranate bush - compact Flore Pleno Alba pomegranate decorated with white double flowers Carthage - a miniature copy of an ordinary 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, poor land, an arid climate and, apparently, as compensation, a lot of sunlight.
The dwarf, or home, pomegranate is a more delicate creature. Although he is not too demanding on conditions, but, like his wild ancestor, he cannot live without bright light. This plant loves the sun all year round, perhaps only on a hot summer afternoon it is worth shading it a little. Pomegranates need bright light for lush flowering. And without this, the fruits do not ripen. Garnet 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 pomegranate. The tree is indifferent to humidity. True, sometimes you will enjoy a refreshing rain from a spray bottle.
Table: conditions for dwarf garnet
| Season | Lighting | Humidity | Temperature |
| Spring | Bright light, some direct sun will be helpful. Any side except the north is suitable for placing a grenade. | Humidity doesn't matter. You can spray it from time to time. | +20–25 o C |
| Summer | Bright light. On a very hot afternoon, shade indoor pomegranates, especially young plants. | Spraying with cool water in hot weather. | +23–25 o C |
| Autumn | Bright light. | Humidity 40 to 50 percent. | +20–25 o C |
| Winter | Bright light with some direct sun. If there is not enough light, add artificial lighting. | Humidity is moderate 40–50 percent. | +12–16 o C |
Features of planting and transplantation
Young pomegranate bushes need to be replanted every year. And when the plant is three years old, it is replanted once every two to three years. Get busy relocation of pomegranate better in spring, after winter rest and before the start of growth.
Choosing a pot
When replanting a plant, choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the old one. The dwarf pomegranate will bloom more readily and more luxuriantly if the roots are in cramped conditions.
Substrate
The dwarf pomegranate naturally lives on poor soil, 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. Approximate compositions:
- For one part of turf soil, take half a part of leaf humus, a quarter each of peat and sand.
- For one part sand - half a part loam and peat.
- For two parts of clay-turf soil, one part of leaf soil, humus, sand.
- Take ready-made store-bought soil made for roses or begonias.
- For young pomegranates, the soil should be lighter and more nutritious. Mix equal parts turf, humus, leaf soil and sand.
When replanting, be sure to place drainage at the bottom of the pot. It can be gravel, expanded clay, broken brick. The drainage layer will protect your pomegranate from stagnation of moisture at the roots.
The soil in a container with a pomegranate bush should be constantly loose and airy. If the soil quickly cakes and loses its looseness, replace it. Introduce into the new soil mixture sawdust, the best option- pine.
Step-by-step instructions for replanting a plant
- Take a pot with drainage holes, the diameter of which is 2-3 cm larger than the previous one.
- Place drainage (for example, expanded clay) at the bottom of the container; the layer thickness should be 1–2 cm.
Dwarf pomegranate requires drainage at the bottom of the pot.
- Pour the substrate up to half of the flower pot.
The soil for pomegranate should be loose
- Remove the pomegranate from old container. Very carefully shake the soil from the roots, move the plant to a new pot and fill the voids with soil. The root collar should remain above the ground.
Do not bury the root collar
- Pour warm water over it.
Care
Dwarf pomegranate is a pleasant plant in all respects. Elegant appearance, wonderful flowers that bloom almost all year round, pretty fruits. And with these advantages, the process of caring for a plant is simple and sometimes even fascinating.
Watering and fertilizing
The watering regime for indoor pomegranate copies the natural cycle of its wild Asian ancestor. Starting from November, when the plant is resting, the pomegranate bush needs to be watered very rarely. It is enough to give him a drink once a month or a month and a half. At the end of winter you need to water more often and more. Water should saturate the entire soil. The next watering is as soon as the surface layer in the pot with pomegranate dries.
When flowering time comes, slightly limit the watering of the tree. 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 buds and flowers may die. To avoid getting bare branches instead of beautiful flowering, be careful with watering. Watch your pomegranate's reaction. It has become too dry - add water, the moisture stagnates - reduce it.
Did you do a great job with the watering regime, and did your pomegranate please you with long flowering? Thank him. Now, after flowering, increase watering again. Just as the trees in the garden get drunk on the eve of hibernation to lay flower buds next year, 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 fruits to crack.
Indoor pomegranate should not be fertilized in winter, during the dormant period. But when spring awakens, feed the tree every two weeks. In spring, the nutritional composition should contain nitrogen. When the plant has entered the flowering season, phosphorus-containing fertilizers are suitable. In the fall, switch to fertilizing with potassium. Apply complex fertilizer periodically - 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 - apply fertilizing when there is no sun and the weather is gloomy. Then the nutrition 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 fertilizers for ornamental plants. They contain a lot of nitrates and other harmful substances. Use organic fertilizers or those recommended for fruit or vegetable crops.
At the end of autumn, feeding 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. The blossoming miniature tree looks charming.
But to see this charm, you will have to fulfill some conditions. However, they are not that complicated.
So, the pomegranate blooms happily if the following conditions are met:
- Cool, about 12–15 degrees, hibernation. This is the best incentive for laying buds.
- Feeding with the beginning of awakening, in February or March. And then twice a month.
- Health-improving haircut - crown formation before flowering, in March.
- Bright light all year round. In winter, additional lighting with fluorescent lamps.
- Adult specimens usually 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 - pitchers - are female flowers, they are capable of forming an ovary, and then a fruit. The second ones - bells - are sterile. To grow a harvest of homemade pomegranates, it is better to have two plants. Transfer pollen from one tree to the pitcher flowers of another. This can be done with a cotton swab or brush. You can get by with just one tree with different types of flowers.
Video: normalization of flowers and fruits
Rest period
At the beginning of September, the home pomegranate tree prepares for winter, like its larger 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 a proper wintering the tree will be covered with leaves again.
And for proper wintering, pomegranates need a cool, dry 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 there is no special room, simply place the pot of pomegranate closer to the cold window glass and cover it with an improvised screen so that the air does not heat up.
The soil in the pot should be dry on the eve of wintering. You only need to water the pomegranate 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 winter rest, and high temperatures do not affect the quality of flowering. But this can only be determined experimentally.
Formation of a bush
Indoor pomegranate is good for haircuts. With the onset of spring, when the pomegranate has just woken up and has not yet begun to grow, the crown of the tree should be formed. This is not a traumatic procedure at all, but, on the contrary, a useful procedure. Thanks to pruning dried and weak shoots, the pomegranate is rejuvenated and healthier. The tree can be given a more neat appearance. Pomegranate has very flexible branches, you can direct them as you like. It is also permissible to carry out rejuvenating pruning in the fall at the beginning of preparation for winter dormancy.
But be careful. Do not prune the plant too much so as not to weaken it. Approximately 4–6 skeletal branches must be left. To stimulate branching, cut young shoots above the bud facing outward, leaving up to five internodes. If you remove the pomegranate shoots from the roots, you can form a tree. If unnecessary shoots grow in the summer, you can remove them immediately. But don’t get carried away with pruning; keep in mind: buds are formed only on developed annual branches.
Video: pruning dwarf pomegranate
Diseases and pests
Wild pomegranate and its garden relative are hardy plants that can easily withstand weather conditions and attacks from diseases and pests. An indoor tree may well be harmed by diseases - powdery mildew and rot, insects - spider mites or whiteflies, less commonly scale insects and aphids. The owner's job 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 in a cobweb. It is easy to recognize the scale insect; brown plaques appear on the leaves. Aphids cling to shoots and buds. 
Sign powdery mildew is white coating on leaves Whitefly multiplies very quickly Root rot appears when there is excessive dampness
How does pomegranate reproduce?
New indoor pomegranate plants can be obtained from seeds (seeds) or cuttings.
Propagation by seeds
For propagation by seeds, it is better to take varietal planting material from the store. Manufacturers usually guarantee high seed germination, up to 95 percent. Such a plant will begin to bloom a year after planting; fruits can be grown in the second or third year.
Seeds from fresh indoor pomegranate fruit are also suitable. They are viable for about 6 months. Prepare the seed:
- Select the largest and ripest fruits; their skin is brightly colored and slightly wrinkled.
- Remove the grains.
- Remove the pulp.
- Rinse and dry.
Do not take greenish or soft seeds, they are not suitable.
Start sowing. For this:
- Disinfect planting material, store-bought or from homemade pomegranate. Take a saucer or other container, place a cloth folded in half on it, with seeds between the layers. Pour water with Zircon or Epin products, 2-3 drops per teaspoon of water. Change the solution twice a day for three days. The seeds should not dry out.
- Prepare the soil for sowing. Get some substrate from a houseplant store. Or make up the mixture yourself: mix peat in half with coarse sand, disinfect it by calcining it.
- Pour drainage into the container and fill it with soil. Place the grains in the holes to a depth of no more than one and a half centimeters, sprinkle with soil.
- Moisten the soil. Cover with transparent film. The greenhouse will speed up germination. Keep in a warm place out of direct sun.
- The first shoots, 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.
- When shoots appear, move the container to a south window. Seedlings need a lot of light to develop.
- Do not remove the film at first, just remove it for a couple of hours to ventilate.
- Do not allow waterlogging; the soil should be only slightly moist.
- When the sprouts have strengthened and several leaves have formed on them, remove the film. Give new trees room to grow.
- After some time, thin out the crops. Remove the weak ones. Leave only strong sprouts. If necessary, transplant the seedlings into new pots.
- Water the young shoots generously and carefully at the roots; water should not get 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
Propagation by cuttings
Indoor pomegranate cuttings are prepared in February or summer. In winter, woody shoots of adult plants that have already produced fruits are taken. In summer, you can take shoots that are not yet completely covered with bark.
- Take a cutting from the parent plant, each with at least 4 buds.
- Dust the cut with Kornevin.
- Plant the cuttings at an angle in a moistened lung and nutrient soil(river sand and peat in equal proportions), deepening it by 3 cm.
- Cover each cutting with a transparent protective cap - a plastic glass, bottle or jar.
- Moisten and ventilate the plantings regularly.
The young plant will bloom in two or three years.
Pomegranate is not picky about the soil - it grows well on clay, gravel and sandy soils, on neutral or carbonate soils. On moisture-absorbing fertile, well-drained loamy soils it produces the best fruits.
Pomegranate growing on properly prepared soil produces many long-pistillate flowers in the first flowering period and, accordingly, more fruits.
Pomegranate growing in improperly prepared soil slows or stops growth and flowering, ceases to resist diseases and pests.
What kind of land is needed?
The soil mixture for pomegranate cultivation at home is prepared from four components: turf and leaf soil, sand and humus in a ratio of 1:1:1:0.5.
Step-by-step instructions for preparing soil for a houseplant
Preparing an earthen mixture for indoor pomegranate:
- River sand must be washed with running water to get rid of excess clay.
- The components are mixed in the required proportion, sift or crush - the lumps should be the size of a pea.
- The resulting soil is disinfected in a water bath for an hour.
The bottom of the container is laid out with a drainage layer of expanded clay, clay shards or coarse sand, and the soil mixture is covered.
Preparing soil for planting in open ground
Step-by-step instruction preparing an earthen mixture for growing pomegranate trees:
- Sod land- in meadows and fields, layers of earth with turf are cut, stacked in pairs with grass next to each other, and watered. After 2 years, a nutritious soil is obtained that is well permeable to water and air.
- Leaf ground– tree leaves, except oak, willow and chestnut, are raked into piles in the fall. Turn over and water regularly.
To eliminate excess acidity of the substrate, slaked lime is added to the leaves - 500 g/m³. In 2 years, fertile leaf soil is obtained.
- Compost prepared from soil and any organic materials– manure, fresh grass, straw, hay, kitchen waste. A layer of organic matter 25 cm high is sprinkled with 4 cm of soil. The pile is watered periodically. Compost is ready after the organic matter has completely decomposed.
- Sand They use river water, washed under natural conditions.
The components are mixed and filled into the trench or planting hole.
Composition and cost of the purchased mixture
There are various soil mixtures available for growing pomegranate., which contain all the necessary nutrients.
Ready-made soils for grenades, composition and cost.
| Name | Compound | Volume (l) | Cost in rubles | |
| In Moscow | In St. Petersburg | |||
| Hera "The Good Earth" |
| 10 | 91 | 95 |
| Biosoil "Air" |
| 40 | 359 | 365 |
| Peter Peat "Garden" | Peat soil with hydraulic reagent. | 10 | 94 | 98 |
| Biohumus "Russian Fields" | Used for preparing soil mixtures | 5 | 95 | 91 |
| Hera "3 D" universal for home and garden |
| 50 | 300 | 303 |
Ready-made mixtures are used for planting and replanting, as well as for adding or changing the top layer of soil.
The importance of fertilizers for shrubs
- nitrogen– growth slows down, leaf color changes;
- phosphorus– growth, root development and flowering stop;
- potassium– brown spots and burns appear on the leaves;
- calcium– the growth points of the roots and apex are affected;
- magnesium– the plant’s breathing process is disrupted, the leaves turn pale;
- iron– the leaves turn yellow, the pomegranate lags behind in growth;
- manganese– leaves curl, development slows down;
- boron– weak flowering, the growing point dies;
- zinc– small leaves with pale spots.
With an excess of nutrients, pomegranate bushes droop, leaves burn, and growth stops.
How to apply fertilizer correctly?
- In the growth phase, flowering and at the beginning of fruiting - in the summer.
- Immediately after removing the winter shelter from the plants, they are fed with nitrogen-potassium fertilizers.
- Indoor pomegranate is fed during the growth period every 2 weeks with complex fertilizers.
When is it necessary to fertilize?
Mineral starvation is judged by appearance plants- in this case, fertilizing is carried out necessary elements. A combination of root and foliar feeding gives good results.
Types of mixtures
They use mineral and organic fertilizers, as well as microfertilizers containing elements necessary for the plant in small quantities.
Ready
Ready-made fertilizers, which contain the entire nutritional complex, can be purchased in specialized stores.
| Name | Type | Action | Volume | Cost in rubles | |
| In Moscow | In St. Petersburg | ||||
| Soft power for fruit trees | Bioconcentrate based horse manure | Stimulates growth and root formation | 1l | 132 | 139 |
| Chicken droppings | Dry granules | Increases soil fertility | 5 kg | 286 | 280 |
| Potassium humate | Microfertilizer | Increases resistance to diseases and pests | 10 g | 22 | 25 |
| Iron chelate | Microfertilizer | For iron deficiency | 10 g | 22 | 24 |
| Hello turbo | Powder | Stimulates root growth, increases winter hardiness | 150 g | 74 | 76 |
| Urea | Powder | Enhances growth and development | 1 kg | 92 | 91 |
| Dunamis | Biofertilizer is added to the soil during planting and as root supplements. | Enriches the soil | 1 l | 93 | 90 |
Ready-made fertilizers are used strictly according to the instructions.
How to feed them?
What to look for when choosing?
Buy fertilizers intended for fruit and berry crops . Pay attention to the composition: complex fertilizers are used for fertilizing, and microfertilizers are used to replenish the missing microelement.
Natural
Organic fertilizers are humus, rotted bird droppings or farm animal manure.
For fertilizing, solutions of organic fertilizers are used, which contain all the necessary substances and have a prolonged effect.
How it differs from purchased ones - advantages and disadvantages
Natural fertilizers promote the normal functioning of beneficial soil bacteria, which process compounds that are difficult for plants to access into easily digestible ones.
Disadvantages include the cost of fertilizers and the complexity of preparation.
How to do it yourself?
To prepare fertilizers, natural fertilizers are infused in water for several days.
Step-by-step cooking instructions:
- Solution: fill the container halfway with chicken droppings, horse or cow manure, fill with water to the brim, leave for two days. Dilute the mother liquor with water - 1 liter of mixture per 12 liters of water. Apply as root dressing.
- Organic fertilizers in combination with mineral fertilizers: mullein or bird droppings, poured halfway into a barrel, add water and leave for 5 days. Mix 1 liter of mother infusion and 10 liters of water. When feeding 0.5 liters of solution, add 1 g of superphosphate and 0.5 g of ammonium nitrate.
- Leave compost or humus (0.5–0.7 kg per 10 liters of water) for two days, stirring regularly. Consumption of masterbatch for fertilizing is 0.5 liters per bucket of water.
IN favorable conditions The deciduous subtropical subshrub pomegranate, like a tub crop, continuously blooms from April until late autumn, and after 2–3 years begins to bear fruit. In temperate latitudes, pomegranate grows and develops safely in open ground, withstanding frosts up to 10–12º C.
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