Methods for propagating pomegranate at home

Trees

If you wish, you can grow an exotic pomegranate tree yourself, not only from a seed, but also from a cutting. If you propagate pomegranates using cuttings, seeds, or layering at home correctly, the tree will soon delight its owners not only with beautiful, fragrant flowers, but also with delicious, juicy fruits.

How to grow a pomegranate

Pomegranate is a popular fruit among many gardeners. It can be planted and propagated in a variety of ways:

with a bone;
root cuttings;
by grafting;
by cuttings.

Trees are rarely planted from seeds. This is because trees grown from seeds rarely inherit the qualities and characteristics of their parents.

The most effective propagation method is cuttings. This method produces high-quality, viable seedlings. Cuttings germinate and take root quickly, thanks to the plant cells' ability to regenerate.

Cuttings

For cuttings, select healthy shoots, one- or two-year-old. They are capable of developing a strong and sturdy root system and root quickly and easily. A full-grown pomegranate tree will grow from a cutting in just two years.

When to take cuttings

The pomegranate is a tree native to warm climates. In regions with moderately cold climates, it requires special conditions for reproduction, growth, and development.

Pomegranates are propagated by cuttings in central Russia in early spring. There is no risk of frost damage to indoor seedlings. Therefore, pomegranates can be planted indoors as early as late February or early March. Planting can also be done in the fall.

Important!

For a tree growing indoors, it is essential to extend daylight hours and install additional light sources in the room.

Rules for preparing cuttings

To propagate pomegranate cuttings at home and ensure they take root well, you need to properly prepare the material. To do this, it's important to follow a specific procedure:

use cuttings taken from young and healthy trees;
the optimal length of cuttings should be from 20 to 25 cm;
each shoot should contain 4-6 buds.

Selected cuttings are cleared of thorns and inspected for harmful insects or their larvae. Damaged or weakened branches are not used. They are more susceptible to infection and can become a source of infection for other, healthy seedlings.

Rules for rooting cuttings

Before planting cuttings, they must be properly prepared. To do this:

cut off 4 lower green leaves from the branch;
cut the lower end of the cutting at an angle of 2 mm from the bud;
the leaves on the top of the shoot are also removed, leaving only the top three;
If there is no growth point, it must be pinched (to allow the roots and side branches to develop).

After pruning, the branches are left undisturbed for several hours. After the sap flow has ceased, the leaves and cut ends are treated with a Kornevin solution (a preparation that stimulates root formation).

How to root in water

Pomegranate cuttings root faster in water. To perform the procedure:

take a glass container with a capacity of 0.5 liters and fill it with water;
dissolve 1 tablet of activated carbon in the liquid;
Place the prepared cutting into the vessel.

Place the container in a well-lit area (but not in direct sunlight). The first roots will appear within a week. Active development will begin within 14 days.

If the root system isn't developing, or is developing poorly, it's recommended to remove the cuttings from the water and place them in a Kornevin solution. The planting material should be soaked in the growth stimulator for 12 hours. Then, the branches should be placed back in water.

How to root in soil

The cuttings are transplanted into the soil after they have developed two or three leaves. A drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the pot (a layer of pebbles prevents water stagnation and allows air to pass through, thereby protecting the roots from rotting). Soil is added on top, and the future tree is rooted in it.

Important!

Place pots with seedlings on windowsills facing south, but avoid direct sunlight. This can cause sunburn and death.

How to care for rooted cuttings

Pomegranates are very demanding when it comes to growing conditions. They will thrive only with sufficient light and a certain level of humidity. Regular watering and timely fertilization greatly influence the growth and development of the seedling.

Temperature and illumination

A young plant dislikes both cold and heat. The optimal temperature for it is 10°C. If the room temperature rises or falls, the seedling is moved to a room with more comfortable conditions.

Humidity, watering, fertilizing

Pomegranates don't like excessive humidity or heat. To ensure the seedling thrives in its current location, maintain moderate humidity. If necessary, you can install humidifiers.

Water pomegranate seedlings as needed. Use settled, chlorine-free water. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Pour water into the tray (to prevent moisture from accumulating inside the pot and causing root rot).

Pomegranates are fertilized with products that stimulate growth and development. Sodium humate is the best choice for this purpose. During flowering, the tree is treated with Bud (which stimulates flowering and ovary formation). Once during the growing season, the pomegranate tree is fed with a complex mineral mixture for indoor plants.

Transplanting a pomegranate to a permanent location

Pomegranates are transplanted to their permanent location at the end of summer. Follow these instructions for transplanting:

form a hole (0.7 m deep and 0.6 m wide);
a support peg is installed in the center of the hole;
drainage, a mixture of soil, sand and humus, is placed into the hole;
a young bush is moved into the prepared hole (carefully, so as not to damage the roots);
sprinkle with earth and lightly compact.

The seedling is tied to a stake with rope or twine. The root zone is watered and covered with mulch (this will protect the roots from the cold, provide them with an additional source of nutrition, and prevent pests).

Important!

If several plants need to be planted in one container, the distance between them should be at least 2 m.

Propagation of pomegranate by grafting and seeds

To propagate a pomegranate by grafting, take a branch from a healthy, fruit-bearing seedling. The cutting is trimmed and grafted into a cleft, a side cut, or behind the bark of another tree or shrub. The grafted pomegranate will bloom in 2 or 3 years.

Pomegranates can be propagated from seeds. To grow a seedling from a seed:

pour a layer of soil (6-8 cm) into the container and moisten it;
grains are laid out on top of the layer (the distance between them should be 2-3 cm);
cover the seeds with soil (2-3 cm), water.

Growing tips from the pros

Advice from professional gardeners will help you grow an exotic pomegranate tree at home.

For planting, it's best to purchase a special soil mixture designed for citrus plants. A mixture of river sand, rotted leaves, and turf can be used.
You cannot plant a pomegranate in soil taken from where an oak tree grew (it has high acidity).
During the first few years of its life, the seedling needs to be repotted annually. Repotting is done in early spring.
The new pot for repotting should be 1-2 cm larger than the previous one. If the pot is too large, the root system will develop rapidly, while the above-ground portion of the plant will develop slowly.

The tree will bloom only when its root system is fully formed. Excessive root growth inhibits the flowering process.

The pomegranate is very beautiful. You can see unopened buds, flowers, and ripening fruits all at once. To grow a tree from a cutting, you need to prepare the soil for planting, prepare the seedling, and root it, providing it with the necessary conditions: warmth, moderate humidity, good light, and supplemental nutrition.