Pomegranate has long been considered a minor fruit plant, but in recent years its cultivation has developed and the fruits are in great demand. In fact, because of its healthiness, the beauty of the plant and the simplicity with which it can be cultivated, it is absolutely recommended to put a few specimens in the mixed organic vegetable patch or in the garden .
The ornamental value of this species is given mainly by its very showy orange-red flowers, which continue to bloom for a long time from late spring to summer, but also the fruits that ripen in autumn are very beautiful to see all attached to the plant . Therefore, it is definitely worth increasing the spread of this species, which can be grown without problems using organic farming methods, choosing natural fertilizers such as compost and manure and treating diseases and pests only with ecological means.
Pomegranate cultivation it’s very old in our territories, it was in fact already practiced by the Phoenicians and the ancient Romans, but the origin of the species is oriental. The plant belongs to the family of Punicaceae and the fruit species is Punica granatum which depending on the variety and the way of handling can have a arboreal or shrubby . In general, the height is still quite limited in both cases, reaching 2 or 3 meters, although there are cases of long-lived grenades that have reached greater heights.
Contents [Ocultar]
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Suitable climate and soil
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How to Plant a Pomegranate
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Growing pomegranates in pots
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Pomegranate cultivation in detail
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pomegranate size
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plant diseases
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harmful insects
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pomegranate harvest
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variety of pomegranates
Contents
Adapted climate and terrain
Climate necessary for cultivation. The pomegranate tree is a typical species of warm and temperate environments and suffers if temperatures drop below -10°C. For this reason it is very widespread, especially in central and southern Italy, but it can also be grown in the north, where, however, it is best to plant it in sheltered places with good sun exposure.
the perfect ground . Although an adaptable species, the pomegranate prefers loose soil and not subject to water stagnation. If the planting must be done in very clayey soils, it is therefore advisable to mix sand with the earth excavated from the hole in which the tree is going to be planted and to form a baulatura to facilitate drainage. The grenade tolerates limestone and iron deficiencies well in the soil because it is a species capable of exploiting soil conditions that are not very good in terms of nutrients.
How to Plant a Pomegranate
for planting of pomegranate the periods indicated are fall and early spring while mid-winter should be avoided due to cold and excessively rainy periods when the ground is wet and impassable.
Transplant . For planting pomegranate seedlings, a large hole is made and the first layers of excavated earth are mixed with compost or manure, both mature and abundant. This bottom manure we will add more fertilizer and granulated manure each year, but always without overdoing it. The plant should be placed upright in the hole, then the soft soil should be compressed with the feet before watering. If the plant is made with bare roots, it is useful to practice the waffle a technique that promotes rooting and involves immersing the root system in a large container of water, fresh manure, sand and soil for 15 minutes or more.
the rhizome . The pomegranate is usually bred by cuttings, layering, multiplication or rooting of suckers while grafted plants are rarely found.
plant sets . planting styles depends on the strength that the plant can withstand. If we give her a little tree habit and the soils are particularly fertile, other developments are to be planned and it is advisable to maintain 4 or 5 meters between individual plants and between rows, while on poor soils and opting for a sapling habit we can go distance of 3 meters among the plants. In the most common case where the pomegranate tree must be planted in a garden, you must leave at least 3 meters between the plant and other plants or the walls of buildings.
Growing pomegranates in pots
for culture pomegranate in jar the treatments are the same, except for the frequency of irrigation that needs to be intensified. The pot, which must have a size from the start adapted to the plant, it must be replaced over the years by containers of increasing volume so that there is always enough soil in the roots. Dwarf Pomegranate Varieties which do not exceed one meter in height, are perfect for balcony cultivation, but are generally only ornamental and therefore not satisfactory as far as fruit production is concerned.
Grenade programming in detail
Irrigation . In summer, the pomegranate needs to receive a certain amount of water to ensure good fruit set in the fall. For this reason, it is advisable to set up a drip irrigation system from planting, which is essential especially in the first years, and also useful later in the absence of rain. However, in general it is a plant that tolerates drought quite well, as long as it is not too long. Excess water is harmful as it can cause fruit to crack and result in loss of quality, as well as root damage.
Padded. Along the row of the pomegranate orchard we can spread sheets of black mulch , avoiding the birth of wild plants that would compete for water and nutrients. For some plants it is best to spread a circular layer of thick straw around, which also protects the roots from the winter cold and decomposes over time, contributing to the formation of humus in the soil. Instead of straw, you can use cut grass for the same purpose and let it dry for a few days.
pomegranate size
plant shape . The most used forms for the pomegranate are the bush form with 3 or 4 main branches and the shape of a young tree .
Cut. With pruning we secure the pomegranate the basic form the manager to the bush or the tree . The first solution produces a good aesthetic effect, but makes the harvest less comfortable, so if the goals are productive, it is better to opt for a short tree with a trunk at least half a meter high, from which depart the main branches. In bush management, the plant is pruned about 20 cm from the ground after planting and then the main branches of the bush are kept, removing the others by thinning cuts. Over time, the plant tends to produce many suckers that must be eliminated. The size is made after harvest in late fall or late winter and is intended to encourage production, which is normally done on the outermost branches. Thus, when thinning, it is advisable to cut the most inward-facing branches and thin out those that are too thick.