Can pomegranate be grown from seed? -Sandy – You sure can! Typically, pomegranate seeds germinate with relative ease and can be started indoors during the winter for planting outdoors in the spring. Keep in mind, however, that many pomegranates in grocery stores are hybrids, so their seeds may not produce fruits identical to the parent.
If you want to guarantee the same type of fruit, you should propagate the plants via cuttings. Consider the following when planting pomegranate seeds: For optimal results, germinate pomegranate seeds indoors in the middle of winter, giving them a couple of months to grow before spring planting. Simply remove the pulp from the seeds by rubbing them with a paper towel after rinsing them in cool water.
A few days of drying will prevent the seeds from rotting. Plant the seeds in lightweight, seed-starting potting soil no deeper than 14 inch. Place the container in a warm, sunny window and water the soil as the seeds germinate and grow. Until the seeds have sprouted, it may be helpful to cover the pot with a clear plastic bag for added humidity and warmth during the winter.
Do pomegranates thrive in containers?
The pomegranate tree, Punica granatum, can be a lovely addition to your collection. This tree is most well-known for its bright red fruit, which is quite distinctive; the seeds (technically an aril) burst with a juice that has a strong, distinctive flavor and is rich in antioxidants that may have significant health benefits.
Others use pomegranates as a hedge, while others shape their pomegranates as trees. As with any fruit tree, dead and damaged wood must be removed annually. You will need to wear gloves and long sleeves to protect your skin from pomegranate thorns. Pomegranates are naturally multi-trunked shrubs.
They can be pruned into a single- or multi-trunk tree. In either case, the number of trunks should be restricted to between three and six; otherwise, fruit production may be compromised. I added four to mine. Pruning your pomegranate into a tree shape may jeopardize fruit production if you live in a frosty climate like we do.
Therefore, a shrub form works best in Inyo and Mono counties’ high desert regions. Pomegranates produce fruit on second-year wood, so avoid excessive pruning lest you end up with no fruit. After planting, trim the pomegranate to 60-75 cm in height (24 to 30 in).
In the first year after planting your pomegranate, you must remove suckers from the roots and primary 3-6 trunks. Continue this at least annually or as opportunities arise. After the first year, you will prune your pomegranate during dormancy, after frost danger has passed but prior to full spring bloom.
In the late dormancy of the second year after planting, prune the branches by one-third, remove crossing branches, and leave between three and five shoots per branch. After the third year, you will only need to perform minimal pruning on your pomegranates to stimulate fruit production.
- Heavily pruning your pomegranate will reduce fruit production, but you will need to prune heavily after a year of little growth to revitalize your pomegranate.
- In years with little or no harvest, prune lightly.
- You will need to prune the tops more severely, as this is where the vegetative growth occurs.
Allowing light and air to reach the blooms by exposing the plant’s core will increase fruit set. Reducing the number of shoots at the end of the branches will increase the size and quality of the fruits on the remaining shoots. Hence, the conclusion. Pruning a pomegranate requires less time and creates less mess than peeling and consuming one.
Best of luck! For further details: Ferguson, L., Glozer, K., & Bell, M. (2008). Shaping Pomegranates. UC Davis. http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/datastore/391-575.pdf Wilson Bros Garden (2020). https://www.wilsonbrosgardens.com/how-to-prune-a-pomegranate-tree-or-bush.html, Pomegranate cultivation in California (1980) Agriculture and Natural Resources Leaflet 2459 from the University of California.
https://ucanr.edu/sites/Pomegranates/files/122804.pdf
How long does a pomegranate plant take to produce fruit?
Commonly Asked Questions – Do All Pomegranates Contain 613 Seeds? Answer: No. While some may argue that all pomegranates contain this number of seeds, it would be quite simple to demonstrate otherwise. What is the name for Pomegranate Seeds? Answer: Arils.
Are Pomegranate seeds anti-inflammatory? Studies indicate that pomegranates possess potent anti-inflammatory properties. What Vitamins Are Found in Pomegranate Seeds? Pomegranates contain B vitamins, such as folate, vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium. Question: Are Pomegranates an Antioxidant? They have a high polyphenol content and are renowned for their antioxidant properties.
How long does it take for pomegranate to produce fruit? The fruit of pomegranate trees can take up to seven months to fully mature. The tree will only produce fruit after two to three years of robust development. Question: When Do Pomegranate Fruits Ripen? Pomegranate fruit typically ripens from September to February in the northern hemisphere and from March to May in the southern hemisphere. 
If you are interested in growing your own fruit in a home garden and enjoy exotic fruit, the pomegranate tree (Punica granatum) may be a good option. Each fruit, which is renowned for its sweet but acidic flavor, contains hundreds of crunchy seeds encircled by bright red pulp.
