Pomegranate - growing at home from a seed

Trees

Pomegranate is a delicious fruit that's also very healthy. Growing pomegranates at home is a successful way to produce not only an ornamental plant with beautiful flowers but also juicy edible fruits. By providing optimal indoor conditions, you can grow a luxurious subtropical plant from a seed that would normally be discarded. Selecting and preparing planting material

Seeds can be extracted from a fresh plant or purchased in a seed pack at a specialty store. In either case, it's best to prepare the seeds before planting them in the soil.

Choosing seeds for growing pomegranate at home

When choosing a fruit, choose a large, ripe one with a deep red color. It should be free of dents, rot, or mold, otherwise the contents will germinate poorly. Seeds that are hard, smooth, and dark ivory in color have a good germination rate. Four to five seeds are sufficient. Soft, greenish seeds will not germinate due to their immaturity.

If seeds are purchased packaged, you should pay attention not only to the variety name, but also to the expiration date of the product.

Preparing the grains

The seeds should be removed from any remaining pulp (if any) and rinsed under running water. It's a good idea to rub them with a paper towel to prevent rot and mold. Then, place them in a saucer or small bowl of water (the liquid shouldn't completely cover the seeds) and add 2-3 drops of Epin or Zircon, which will boost the seeds' immunity and stimulate germination.

The planting material should be soaked in a cool place for approximately 10-12 hours, during which time it should not be deprived of sufficient oxygen and moisture (if the water evaporates, it must be added, otherwise the seeds will dry out, crack and become unsuitable for further use).

Selecting a container and soil

For a home-grown pomegranate, a ready-made store-bought soil designed for citrus fruits is suitable. A general-purpose potting mix will also work.

You can prepare the soil yourself. You'll need leaf mold, turf, peat, and coarse sand (in a ratio of 1:2:0.5:0.5). Sand makes the soil loose and soft, which is essential for pomegranates. Rinse the pomegranate with boiled water beforehand. A drainage layer of expanded clay or pebbles is essential to prevent excess water from remaining in the pot.

A wide, shallow pot with drainage holes is recommended. A little tightness will even promote good flowering later. The container material is not critical.

Landing time

The best time for planting is from November to March. During this time, pomegranate seeds germinate within 2-3 weeks. If you choose a different season, germination may take a long time—several months.

A guide to growing pomegranates from seeds at home

Planting a seed

Lightly moisten the substrate in the planting container with settled water. Next, plant the seeds evenly at a depth of 1-1.5 cm, lightly sprinkle with soil, lightly mist, cover with a transparent cloth, and place in a warm location (temperature should be at least 25°C).

The mini-greenhouse needs to be ventilated every day and the soil moderately moistened.

Caring for seedlings

Once the first seedlings emerge from the soil, the flowerpots should be placed in a well-lit area. Supplemental artificial lighting will be needed in winter. Insufficient light will cause the seedlings to stretch or even stop growing. The soil should not be dehydrated. Watering with a spray bottle is recommended.

Once the seedlings begin to grow and establish themselves, the greenhouse should be removed so that it doesn't interfere with their development. It's best to discard weak and damaged seedlings.

Plants with 2-3 true leaves (not cotyledons) should be transplanted into pots 7-10 cm in diameter. The fourth pair of leaves that emerge should be pinched off to encourage the pomegranate to grow as a pair of shoots. At the third pair of leaves, these tips should also be removed. This will create a fairly spreading crown. In May, the pots can be moved outdoors, but the plants should be protected from strong sunlight.

Well-developed seedlings should be transplanted into larger containers in the autumn months and placed in a cool place, and in February or March placed on a windowsill.

Further care

If the tree flowers in its first year (this can happen as early as 10 months), it's recommended to remove them, as the tree is still fragile. A couple of buds can be left in the second year.

Pomegranates require good light. If they don't get enough light, they will shed their leaves. Ideal locations include south-, southwest-, and southeast-facing windows. Young plants should be gradually acclimated to full sun to prevent foliage burn.

In autumn (November), the pomegranate sheds its leaves in preparation for its dormant period. Wintering lasts a couple of months. During this time, it requires cool temperatures (up to 15 degrees Celsius), sparse watering, and low light. From February onward, the plant pot can be moved to a warm, bright windowsill and provided with adequate humidity.

Evergreen dwarf forms of pomegranate trees may only partially lose their leaves, but they also need rest in similar conditions.

During the growing season, intensive watering is required—at least 1-2 times a week. However, excess moisture can also be harmful, causing yellow and brown spots on the leaves. In winter, the main thing is to prevent the soil from drying out.

Note!

The optimal temperature for keeping in summer is 24-26°C, in winter - 10-12°C (it is important that the thermometer shows at least +6°C).

In spring and summer, it is recommended to feed the plant with a complex mineral fertilizer twice a month. Fertilizing is contraindicated during the dormant period. To ensure the safety of the future fruits, organic fertilizers are recommended. For example, immediately after watering, you can apply a mullein infusion (concentration 1:10).

In February or March, plants are repotted using the transshipment method. Plants under five years of age are repotted annually into slightly larger containers (2 cm larger than the previous ones), while older plants are repotted every three to five years if the root ball becomes too full. For particularly large plants, simply replacing the top layer of soil is sufficient.

During flowering (late spring to mid-summer), pollination can be accomplished using a cotton swab. It's best to transfer pollen from the flowers of another pomegranate.

What difficulties may arise when growing at home?

Mistakes can be made during plant care that can disrupt the pomegranate's normal functioning, leading to the appearance of diseases and pests. Appropriate measures should be taken immediately.

Pests

In a dry room, pomegranates can be attacked by spider mites. To prevent this pest, spray the plant. Spider mites, indicated by white webbing and leaf drop, can be controlled with an infusion of garlic, tobacco, or onion peel. If the situation is critical, products such as Fitoverm, Iskra, Aktara, and Actellic can be helpful (use chemicals with caution and in accordance with the instructions). Aphids can be controlled using the same methods.

If the whitefly infestation is small, you can try removing it manually or with a vacuum cleaner. Then, treat the leaves with a soapy solution (the same applies to aphids), and cover the soil in the container with plastic wrap. If the whitefly infestation is large, only chemical pesticides will be effective (as with spider mites).

Diseases

Sudden temperature fluctuations or high humidity in a poorly ventilated room can trigger powdery mildew. Pomegranates can also be infected by other plants. If the disease is detected in its early stages, treatment with a solution of washing soda and soap (5 g per 1 liter of water) is recommended.

To eliminate infestations on large areas of the plant, use fungicidal products such as Topaz, Skor, or Hom. The concentration should not exceed the manufacturer's recommendations.

Plants weakened by mechanical damage or frostbite are often susceptible to branch canker. This condition causes cracks in the bark, with spongy swellings appearing along the edges. Affected branches should be removed, and the cuts treated with garden pitch. Above all, avoid damaging the pomegranate's various organs and protect them from frost, using sharp, clean tools for pruning.

Other difficulties

Improper care can cause certain problems, including:

Yellowing foliage. If no pests are detected during inspection, this condition may be due to elevated indoor temperatures or insufficient soil moisture (this will also cause dark spots to form on the leaves).
Leaf fall. This can also be caused by pests, moisture deficiency, and a hot microclimate. This plant behavior may be natural as the pomegranate prepares for dormancy.
Drying of leaves
Yellow and brown spots on leaf blades. In most cases, these are caused by overwatering. The plant needs to have its rotted roots removed, treated with crushed charcoal, and repotted in fresh, loose soil.
Pomegranate drying out. This occurs due to low humidity and improper watering. If the soil smells moldy, treat the plant as described in the previous tip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make a beautiful crown?

This is recommended to be done in February. Young shoots should be pruned to an outward-facing bud. After the procedure, the branch should have up to five pairs of leaves. To achieve the desired shape, you need to repeatedly trim and bend the young shoots with wire, and bend the older shoots toward the ground.

How many years does it take for a tree to start bearing fruit?

Pomegranates grown from varietal seeds purchased packaged at a specialty store begin bearing fruit in the second or third year. Seeds from regular pomegranates purchased at a market or supermarket will take seven or more years to bear fruit.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

Pomegranate seeds typically have a very good germination rate. In most cases, it approaches the absolute minimum. However, the germination time for seeds planted at the same time can vary. Sprouts can appear in as little as three weeks or as long as six months.

The key to growing pomegranates from seeds is following proper agricultural practices. It's important to select the right seeds and soil mixture, regularly care for the seedlings, and provide the emerging seedlings with all the necessary conditions. Then, the results will be immediate.