How to grow pomegranate at home
Photo by Assam Athmane on Unsplash
Pomegranate trees are easy to grow and they can grow anywhere between 3 feet to 30 feet tall. They are not affected by any kind of pests and diseases and are easy to maintain. Pomegranate trees take about 3 to 6 years to mature and give fruits. You can grow dwarf varieties in containers. These trees are self-pollinating and help to attract many pollinators. Here is how to grow a pomegranate tree at home.
Growing conditions for pomegranate
Light: Pomegranates grow well when they get sunlight and some afternoon shade. Make sure they get at least 6 hours of sunlight.
Soil: Pomegranate needs well-draining sandy loam soil to grow well. The soil pH should be between 5.5 to 6.5. They can also tolerate salty soil.
Temperature: Pomegranates require a temperature that is between 24 to 26°C. They are drought tolerant. They can also tolerate temperatures as low as 10°F. If you live in regions that are colder than this you can grow dwarf varieties in containers.
Water: Pomegranates are drought tolerant, so you can water them when the soil is dry.
Fertilizing: If you are growing pomegranates in your garden, you can fertilise them 3 times a year. If you are growing pomegranates in containers, you can fertilise them with liquid fertiliser once in 4 weeks.
Pruning: Pruning your pomegranate plants regularly, encourages new shoots and increases fruit production. You can prune your plants during the spring season.
How to grow pomegranate from seeds
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Take a pot and fill it with a potting mix. Take a few pomegranate seeds and sow them 5mm deep.
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Mist the seeds gently and keep the pot in a location that gets sunlight.
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Seeds will germinate within 6 weeks. Remove the plastic bag and add liquid fertiliser once in 10 days.
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When the seedlings grow about 4 to 6 inches tall, you can transplant them into the garden or a container.
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If you are transplanting them to your garden, amend the soil with compost or aged manure before planting your sapling.
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If you are growing the sapling in a container, choose a container that is 24 inches deep and wide. Amend it with a potting mix and then transplant the sapling.
Pests and Diseases
Some of the pests that attack your pomegranates include whiteflies, thrips, scale and mealybugs. Using neem oil and diatomaceous earth can help control pests on your pomegranate tree.