Choosing the Best Spot for Your Pomegranate
Pomegranates thrive in direct sunlight for at least six hours daily, even during winter. Select a sunny, warm location, especially if you live in colder regions. For added warmth, plant on the northern side of your house. If your pomegranate is in a pot, move it closer to a wall to benefit from radiant heat.
Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent root diseases. Avoid damp areas and consider planting on a slope or using raised beds. In flat backyards, create mounds or use pots for better drainage. Caring for pomegranates involves providing them with plenty of sunlight, well-draining soil, and regular watering to promote healthy growth.
steps for planting your pomergranates
- Test Your Soil: Perform ribbon and pH tests six weeks before planting.
- Condition the Soil: Mix in organic materials like compost and manure, then let the site rest.
- Dig a Hole: Make it twice the root system’s size and loosen the bottom soil.
- Plant and Backfill: Place the tree at the same soil level as in the pot and use a quality soil mix.
- Mulch and Water: Add mulch and water deeply with a seaweed solution to promote healthy roots.
fertilizing your pomegranates
Start fertilizing in late winter, using a fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 14-5-22. Reapply in autumn if using a six-month product. Yellowing leaves may indicate nutrient deficiencies or rootbound pots. Always water after fertilizing and avoid feeding stressed plants.
watering guidelines
Winter/Autumn: Water weekly, adjusting for rainfall. Avoid overwatering to prevent root disease.
Spring/Summer: Water twice weekly or more in summer, ensuring consistency to prevent fruit splitting. Check soil moisture for potted plants.
managing pests and diseases
Common pests include aphids, scale, and fruit flies. Treat aphids and scale with horticultural oils, and use traps for fruit flies. Root rot and black rot are common diseases. Prevent these by managing water, keeping mulch away from the trunk, and spraying dormant trees with Bordeaux spray.
pruning your pomegranates
Train the tree to a single trunk with four or five main branches. Prune in winter to remove dead branches and improve airflow. Avoid cutting more than a third annually.
harvesting pomegranates
Pomegranates ripen from late summer to autumn. Let the fruit fully ripen on the tree, as it doesn’t continue ripening after picking. Store fruit at room temperature for 1–2 months or longer in the fridge. In conclusion, with proper caring for pomegranates, they can thrive and yield abundant, delicious fruit.
source:https://plantnet.com.au/growing-guides/the-complete-guide-to-growing-pomegranates/
