Pomegranate room care for him. Growing in tubs

The word "pomegranate" causes a lot of associations. First of all, I remember a red-orange, rough, leathery fruit with a kind of corolla on the “crown”. You break it open and see a scattering of pinkish or red, like glass grains. Taste them and feel a pleasant sweet-sour, slightly tart taste. According to some legends, it was the pomegranate that was the very “apple” from Paradise, which led Eve into temptation. Whatever associations the pomegranate evokes, one thing is clear - this is a legendary and curious tree. And it can be successfully grown not only in the southern regions, but also in our harsh climate. At home, a houseplant feels great if you follow the simple rules of care.

Characteristics of a pomegranate

Pomegranate is one of the first fruit trees tamed by ancient people. Inhabitants Asian countries Even at the dawn of civilization, people began to eat pomegranate fruits for food.

Wild pomegranate is widely distributed in Turkey, Tunisia, Transcaucasia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. It grows in northern India. Prefers mountainous terrain and bright sun, grows in rough, poor rocky soil and even on saline soils, manages with a small amount of moisture.

For the first time, the pomegranate is mentioned in the annals of the Battle of Marathon, which took place in 490 BC. Herodotus, historian ancient greece, said that in the army of the Persians who attacked the Greeks, there was a special brigade, it was called "grenade". The ends of the spears of the soldiers of this unit were crowned with golden grenades. Among the Persians, the pomegranate was considered an honorary sign.

Over the thousand-year history of the pomegranate, people have bred many varieties of this tree. Sometimes their fruits differ significantly from each other. The Abkhaz garnet has dark red large fruits, and a pomegranate apple from Vietnam light brown. The color and taste of pomegranate seeds differ. For example, in Turkey, along with the traditional red pomegranate, white or pink is grown. Its grains are sweeter.

Breeders continue to create new varieties of this plant, improving fruit quality and yield. However, pomegranate is not only a healthy and tasty fruit, but also beautiful exotic greenery, as well as wonderful and fragrant flowers. decorative properties trees were marked by breeders. It simply had to settle in the homes of flora lovers. Punica nana - a dwarf pomegranate - perfectly took root not only in winter gardens or greenhouses, but also on window sills. AT wild nature it grows in southern Europe, and was first described in early XIX century. Based on this species, other varieties suitable for keeping in an apartment have been bred.

Dwarf pomegranate, according to flower growers, is one of the most unpretentious and long-lived plants. Up, it grows no more than 1 meter, a lush crown branches abundantly and is easy to form. The leaves of the tree are oval, small (about 3 cm long), hard. They are shiny on top and dull below and are located on reddish petioles. Young leaves of a dwarf pomegranate are initially bronze in color, become green over time, and turn yellow in the fall, on the eve of leaf fall.

The dwarf garnet became a diploma winner in the UK. The Royal Horticultural Society awarded the tree with a diploma. It noted that the plant has exceptional decorative characteristics.

During the flowering period (from May to September already after 1 year), a small pomegranate tree is dotted with large (up to 4 cm in diameter) red, dark pink or orange flowers. They are tubular, resembling a jug, or bell-shaped. Flowers do not live long, about three days. But every day new buds appear on the pomegranate tree. indoor pomegranate famous for its long and vigorous flowering. But getting pomegranate fruits at home is not so easy. Out of a hundred flowers, no more than four or five become fruits, the rest of the color falls off. By the way, the pomegranate continues to bloom during the ripening of the fruit.

Bright, like toy fruits of a dwarf pomegranate grow about 5 cm in diameter. These cute little ones can be red, burgundy red or orange yellow. As experts say, small pomegranates are not inferior to large counterparts in useful qualities, although they lose in taste. Harvest from indoor pomegranate is usually harvested in late autumn or early winter.

It is not difficult to care for a dwarf pomegranate. His wild ancestor managed to grow, bloom and bear fruit in very difficult conditions, and the descendant inherited patience and high survival. Growing a pomegranate tree at home is a fun activity that the whole family can do. This plant lends itself well to formation, for example, bonsai can be grown from it. And the sight of a pomegranate strewn with flowers or hung with fruit balls will not leave anyone indifferent.

Pomegranate variety of indoor species

Pomegranate dwarf (Punica nana) became the ancestor of modern varieties of this plant. This is a small, about a meter, woody bush with small leaves, blooms profusely and can bear fruit. Its seeds are presented in stores as dwarf pomegranate or Punica granatum NANA. Two varieties are excellent for potting: Baby and Carthage.

• Room pomegranate varieties Carthage. A miniature bush about 80 cm tall, almost an exact copy of the common pomegranate. The leaves are approximately 2 cm long. When grown from seed, it begins to bloom and bear fruit after an average of 6 years. The fruits of Carthage are 5 to 6 centimeters in diameter, edible, sweet and sour.
• Baby pomegranate. Very compact shrub, up to half a meter in height. The elongated leaves are arranged in groups. This variety is grown mainly from seeds. Baby blooms in 3-4 years. The flowers are quite large (up to 7 cm), bright red. The fruits are small, no more than 4 cm.

Less common in home floriculture got taller varieties. They are grown for their beautiful flowers.

• Flore Pleno. Shrub growing up to 4 meters. Grow it only for beauty. He doesn't bear fruit. But Flore Pleno has carnation-like, double purple flowers.
• Flore Pleno Alba. ornamental shrub up to 4 meters high. His main value- not fruits, but white double flowers.
• double flower. Another view decorative pomegranate. Petals are combined in its lush inflorescences different shades: red, white and pink. The flowers may have specks or stripes.

AT natural environment Another plant species is known - Socotrans pomegranate (Punica protopunica). His homeland is the island of Socotr. It is a highly branched tree or shrub. Grows up to four meters. The main differences from the common pomegranate (Punica granatum) are the leaves are rounded, the flowers are pink, not red and smaller, the fruits are also more modest in size. This species is not cultivated because its fruits are not so tasty.

Photo gallery: types and varieties for the windowsill

Pomegranate Double Flower - ornamental plant with showy flowers Baby pomegranate bush - compact Flore Pleno Alba pomegranate is decorated with white terry Carthage - a miniature copy of the common pomegranate Flore Pleno pomegranate is grown in decorative purposes, it does not give fruits Socotran pomegranate - a highly branched tree or shrub

Conditions for growing at home

Wild pomegranate is not spoiled by nature. He got rocky, scarce land, an arid climate, and, apparently, as compensation - a lot of sunlight.

Dwarf, or homemade, pomegranate is a more pampered creature. Although he is not too picky about the conditions, but, like his wild progenitor, he cannot live without bright light. This plant loves the sun all year round, perhaps, only on a sultry summer afternoon it should be shaded a little. Bright light is necessary for a pomegranate to bloom luxuriantly. And without it, the fruits do not ripen. Pomegranate is a resident of the south, he likes warmth, but not stuffiness and heat, and during the rest period he asks for coolness.

But you don’t have to humidify the air specifically for the pomegranate. The tree is indifferent to humidity. True, sometimes it will rejoice at the refreshing rain from the sprayer.

Table: conditions for dwarf garnet

Season	Lighting	Humidity	Temperature
Spring	Bright light, some direct sun will be helpful. To place a grenade, any side, except for the north, is suitable.	Humidity doesn't matter. You can spray from time to time.	+20–25 о С
Summer	Bright light. On a very hot afternoon, shade indoor pomegranate, especially young plants.	Spraying with cool water in the heat.	+23–25 о С
Autumn	Bright light.	Humidity from 40 to 50 percent.	+20–25 о С
Winter	Bright light with some direct sun. If there is not enough light, add artificial lighting.	Humidity is moderate 40–50 percent.	+12–16 о С

Features of landing and transplantation

Young pomegranate bushes need to be replanted every year. And when the plant is three years old, it is transplanted every two to three years. get busy resettlement pomegranate better in spring, after winter rest and before the start of growth.

Choosing a pot

When transplanting a plant, choose a pot only slightly larger than the old one. Dwarf pomegranate will bloom more willingly and more magnificently if the roots are in cramped conditions.

substrate

Dwarf pomegranate in natural conditions lives on poor land, but his household brother needs more fertile soil. Then it will look more elegant, and bloom more and longer. Give your pet a loose, rich nutrients acid neutral soil. Sample compositions:

• For one part of soddy soil, take half of the leaf humus, a quarter of peat and sand.
• For one part of sand - half of the loam and peat.
• For two parts of clay-soddy soil, one part of leafy soil, humus, sand.
• Take a ready-made store primer made for roses or begonias.
• For young pomegranates, the soil should be lighter and more nutritious. Mix equally sod, humus, leafy soil and sand.

When transplanting, be sure to lay drainage on the bottom of the pot. It can be gravel, expanded clay, broken brick. The drainage layer will protect your pomegranate from moisture stagnation at the roots.

The soil in a container with a pomegranate bush should be constantly loose and airy. In the event that the soil quickly cakes, loses friability, replace it. Add to the new soil mixture sawdust, the best way- pine.

Step by step instructions for transplanting a plant

Care

Dwarf pomegranate is a pleasant plant in every way. Elegant appearance, wonderful flowers that bloom almost all year round, pretty fruits. And with these advantages - a simple, and sometimes even an exciting process of caring for a plant.

Watering and feeding

The watering regime of indoor pomegranate copies the natural cycle of its wild Asian ancestor. Starting in November, when the plant is resting, it is very rare to water the pomegranate bush. It is enough to drink it once a month or a half. At the end of winter, you need to water more often and more. Water should soak all the soil. The next watering - as soon as the surface layer dries in a pot of pomegranate.

When it's time to bloom, limit the watering of the tree a little. Remember: in nature, pomegranate blooms in the hottest and driest time of the year. The only difficulty is that with a lack of moisture, as well as with its excess, the dwarf pomegranate experiences discomfort. This means that the buds and flowers may die. In order not to get bare branches instead of beautiful flowering, observe the measure in watering. Watch the reaction of your pomegranate. He became too dry - add water, moisture stagnates - reduce.

Did you do a great job with the irrigation regime, and your pomegranate pleased you with a long flowering? Thank him. Now, after flowering, increase watering again. Just as the trees in the garden for next year's flower buds get drunk on the eve of hibernation, so your pomegranate should be saturated with moisture.

But if you are planning to get fruits, water your pomegranate carefully in the fall. Excess moisture can cause fruit cracking.

Indoor pomegranate should not be fertilized in winter, during the dormant period. But with awakening in the spring, feed the tree every two weeks. In spring, nitrogen should be in the nutrient composition. When the plant has entered the flowering time, phosphorus-containing fertilizers are suitable. In the fall, switch to top dressing with potassium. Complex fertilizer apply with frequency - once a month. Before feeding the pomegranate must be watered. The nutrient liquid should not remain in the pan, drain it.

And one more detail - bring in top dressing when there is no sun, and the weather is gloomy. Then the food will be better absorbed by the plant.

The fruits of indoor pomegranate are edible. If you want to grow a crop and enjoy pomegranate seeds, do not fertilize your tree with store-bought ornamental plant food. They are high in nitrates and other harmful substances. Apply organic fertilizers or those recommended for fruit or vegetable crops.

At the end of autumn, food is stopped, watering is reduced, and the air temperature is reduced. The pomegranate is being prepared for winter rest.

flowering period

Dwarf pomegranates are usually grown not for their fruits, but for their wonderful flowers. A flowering miniature tree looks charming.

But to see this charm, you have to fulfill some conditions. However, they are not that difficult.

So, pomegranate blooms happily under the following conditions:

1. Cool, about 12-15 degrees, hibernation. This is the best incentive for bookmarking buds.
2. Top dressing with the beginning of awakening, in February or March. And then twice a month.
3. Healing haircut - crown formation before flowering, in March.
4. Bright light all year round. in winter additional lighting daytime lamps.
5. Usually adult specimens bloom, from 3-4 years of age.

It has already been said that pomegranate flowers are not the same: some with an elongated tube look like an inverted jug, others are shorter and resemble a bell. The first - jugs - female flowers, they are able to form an ovary, and then a fruit. The second - bells - are sterile. To grow a crop of homemade pomegranates, it is better to get two plants. Transfer pollen from one tree to the pitcher flowers of another. You can do this with a cotton swab or a brush. You can get by with one tree with flowers of different types.

Video: normalization of flowers and fruits

rest period

In early September, the homemade pomegranate tree prepares for winter, like its big comrades. At this time, leaves fall in the garden and at home too. Pomegranate leaf fall is not a disease, but a normal phenomenon. Do not worry, after a proper wintering, the tree will again be covered with leaves.

And for proper wintering, a grenade needs a dry, cool place. For example, a glazed veranda or balcony with a temperature of 12–16 degrees. Do not freeze the southern plant, its cold limit is +6 degrees. If there is no special room, just put the pomegranate pot closer to the cold window glass and close it with an impromptu screen so that the air does not heat up.

The soil in the pot on the eve of wintering should be dry. Pomegranates need to be watered only 3-4 times during the winter. The exception is young bushes, they need more frequent watering, every two weeks.

Some flower growers claim that their pomegranate does well without a winter rest, and high temperatures do not affect the quality of flowering. But this can only be found out by experience.

Bush formation

Indoor pomegranate is good for "haircut". With the onset of spring, when the pomegranate has just woken up and has not yet grown, the crown of the tree should be formed. This is not traumatic at all, but, on the contrary, useful procedure. Thanks to the pruning of dried and weak shoots, the pomegranate is rejuvenated and healed. The tree can be given a neater look. The pomegranate has very flexible twigs, they can be directed as you like. Anti-aging pruning is also permissible in the fall at the beginning of preparation for winter dormancy.

But be careful. You can not cut the plant too much, so as not to weaken. Approximately 4-6 skeletal branches must be left. To encourage branching, prune young shoots above an outward-facing bud, leaving up to five internodes. If you remove the growth of pomegranate from the roots, you can form a tree. If unnecessary shoots have grown in the summer, you can remove them immediately. But do not get carried away with pruning, keep in mind: the buds are laid only on developed annual branches.

Video: pruning dwarf pomegranate

Diseases and pests

Wild pomegranate and its garden relative are hardened plants, easily enduring weather turmoil and attacks by diseases and pests. Indoor tree may well be harmed by diseases - powdery mildew and rot, insects - spider mites or whiteflies, less often scale insects and aphids. The task of the owner is to protect the pet. How to do this, see the table.

Table: pests and diseases

Pests and diseases characteristic of dwarf pomegranate - photo

The pest entangles the plant with cobwebs It is easy to recognize the scale insect, brown plaques appear on the leaves Aphid sticks around the shoots and buds A sign of powdery mildew is a white coating on the leaves. The whitefly reproduces very quickly. root rot appears with excessive moisture

How does a pomegranate reproduce?

New indoor pomegranate plants can be obtained from seeds (stones) or cuttings.

Reproduction by seeds

For propagation by seeds, it is better to take varietal planting material from the store. Manufacturers usually guarantee high, up to 95 percent, seed germination. Such a plant will begin to bloom a year after planting, the fruits can be grown in the second or third year.

Seeds from a fresh indoor pomegranate fruit are also suitable. They are viable for about 6 months. Prepare the seed:

1. Select the largest and most ripe fruits, their skin is brightly colored and slightly wrinkled.
2. Take out the grains.
3. Remove the pulp.
4. Rinse and dry.

Do not take greenish or soft seeds, they are not suitable.

Start sowing. For this:

1. Planting material, store or home pomegranate, disinfect. Take a saucer or other container, place a fabric folded in half on it, between the layers - seeds. Fill with water with Zircon or Epin, 2-3 drops per teaspoon of water. Change the solution twice a day and so for three days. The seeds must not dry out.
2. Prepare the soil for sowing. Get a substrate from a houseplant store. Or make the mixture yourself: mix peat in half with coarse sand, disinfect it by calcining.
3. Pour drainage into the container, fill it with soil. Place the seeds in the holes to a depth of no more than one and a half centimeters, sprinkle with soil.
4. Moisten the soil. Cover with transparent film. The greenhouse will speed up germination. Keep in a warm place without direct sun.
5. The first sprouts, if the seeds are sown in February or March, will appear in two weeks. If sowing took place at a different time, they can germinate up to 6 months.
6. When shoots appear, move the container to the south window. Seedlings need a lot of light to develop.
7. Do not remove the film at first, just remove it for a couple of hours to air it.
8. Do not allow waterlogging, the soil should be only slightly wet.
9. When the sprouts have become stronger, several leaves have formed on them, remove the film. Give new trees room to grow.
10. After a while, thin out the crops. Remove the weak ones. Leave only strong shoots. If necessary, plant the seedlings in new pots.
11. Water the young shoots abundantly and carefully under the root, water should not fall on the sprouts. Keep the soil moist.

The first flowers on a young pomegranate will most likely appear in a year.

Video: how to grow pomegranate from seeds

Reproduction by cuttings

Indoor pomegranate cuttings are prepared in February or summer. In winter, woody shoots of adult plants are taken, which have already given fruit. In summer, you can take shoots that are not yet completely covered with bark.

1. Cut a cutting from the parent plant, each should have at least 4 buds.
2. Dust the cut with Kornevin.
3. Plant the cutting at an angle in moist, light and nutritious soil (river sand with peat in equal proportions), deepening it by 3 cm.
4. Cover each cutting with a transparent protective cap - plastic cup, bottle or jar.
5. Planting regularly moisten and ventilate.

Blossom young plant will be in two or three years.

Russia is a beautiful country, but, unfortunately, our harsh winters do not allow growing sweet exotic fruits in the open field. We are content with imported fruits or cultivate them in greenhouses and greenhouses. However, it is not necessary to buy gifts of southern nature in a supermarket; any housewife can easily grow them at home. And, if lemons, kumquats, tangerines and other citrus fruits are already widely used as room culture, then home grenades are quite rare. This state of affairs needs to be corrected, because indoor pomegranate is not too capricious and a very useful plant.

In nature, pomegranate (lat. Punica granatum) is a low (up to 3.5 m) deciduous shrub of the Derbennikov family. Wild pomegranates are found mainly in the subtropics, and cultivated pomegranates are grown in almost all southern countries, excluding regions with high humidity. Latin name plants indicates the place of origin of the fruit: in the translation Punica means "Punic" or "Carthaginian". And until now, Tunisia, the birthplace of pomegranates, is their main supplier on the world market.

[!] Ancient Greek legend says that the first pomegranate tree was planted by Aphrodite, the goddess of love. And in modern Greece, they break the pomegranate fruit at weddings, wishing a young couple eternal love and fertility.

As already mentioned, pomegranate is a low branched shrub with a pronounced central trunk and side shoots covered with hard spines. Oval smooth leaves reach a length of three centimeters, the maximum size of flowers in diameter is about four centimeters. Pomegranate flowers are very decorative: large and bright, they perfectly decorate the shrub, so pomegranate is used not only as a fruit-bearing plant, but also as a landscape decoration.

There are only two types of pomegranate in the genus: the common pomegranate (Punica granatum) mentioned above and the Socotra pomegranate (Punica protopunica), found only on the island of Socotra.

Types of indoor pomegranate

Based on the common pomegranate, botanical breeders bred several varieties that differ in miniature size:

• Nana,
• Baby,
• Carthage.

The maximum height of a dwarf pomegranate tree is about one and a half meters. Otherwise, indoor pomegranates are very similar to their adult counterparts: a large number of branching woody shoots, oval glossy leaves, bright and large flowers.

Homemade pomegranate, like its natural predecessor, is a deciduous plant. This means that the change of seasons is reflected in the foliage of the shrub: in spring and summer the leaves are green, turn yellow in autumn, and fly around in winter. As for the life time of flowers, it is also short: flowers that have not formed ovaries last no more than two or three days. However, new buds appear so often that the tree is almost always in bloom.

[!] You can find out whether the ovaries will be in the form of a flower: fruits are formed only in long (jug-shaped) flowers. Usually the number of ovaries is small - about two or three pieces per hundred flowers.

Homemade pomegranate, like ordinary pomegranate, is grown not only because of the fruits, it lush bloom very decorative and decorates the interior. In addition, the tree can be formed in Japanese style bonsai.

As the owners of this exotic plant assure, the fruits that the indoor pomegranate gives are not as tasty as the purchased ones - too small and with a lot of seeds. However, as you know, fruits grown with your own hands are much more desirable.

Pomegranate care at home

Despite the fact that the southern guest is not too capricious plant to grow a homemade dwarf pomegranate from a grower, some effort will be required. It is important to create conditions close to natural, only in this case the tree will actively bloom and bear fruit.

One of the features of growing pomegranate is a dormant period, needed by the plant. How to help the tree to winter?

rest period

At the end of autumn, when the trees outside the window begin to fall leaves, the indoor pomegranate, like its street counterparts, sheds leaves. On adult specimens, this process begins, as a rule, after fruit ripening.

The first fallen leaves are a signal for the grower that the plant should be prepared for wintering. To do this, the pomegranate is moved to a cool (13-15 ° C) room and watering is reduced. Such a room can be a glazed loggia of an apartment or a closed veranda of a house. If there is no corner with the required temperature in the house, you can try to create conditions for wintering in regular room. To do this, the grenade must be moved as close as possible to the cold window glass and covered with polyethylene.

[!] Young, one-, two-year-old grenades do not need a dormant period and can winter in an ordinary city apartment.

Temperature and lighting

Not to mention winter period when a pomegranate needs to provide a lower air temperature, the most suitable range for a plant is 20-25 ° C. Extremely low or too high temperature in summer period will negatively affect the pomegranate: a sudden fall of leaves, flowers and ovaries may begin.

The pomegranate is very photophilous, because its homeland is the sunny southern countries. One of the most common problems of growing a miniature tree at home is the lack of sunlight, so the windows of the southwest or southeast orientation will be the best location for the pomegranate. However, direct scorching rays tender leaves can burn and, during the period of the most active sun, the plant needs to be shaded a little.

[!] Due to the lack of sunlight, pomegranate shoots can stretch and become ugly long form. In addition, such shoots, as a rule, have too few leaves.

First of all, a large amount of light is necessary for the ripening of pomegranate fruits. If there is not enough insolation during the summer, the pomegranates will fall off in the fall, without having time to ripen.

In order for the plant to receive the necessary sunlight to the full, you can take the pomegranate into the open air in the summer - experienced growers insist on the benefits of such a procedure.

Watering and humidity

Watering pomegranate, as well as temperature, depends on the time of year. In winter, watering is significantly reduced (once a month), and with the onset of spring and the awakening of the plants, they begin to gradually increase. In the warm season, moisture should be sufficient, but without excess.

In order to determine the need for the next watering, you need to check the depth of drying of the soil: the earth should dry out by one third or half of the pot.

Both the bay and excessive drying of the soil are badly reflected in the pomegranate: the bay can provoke waterlogging of the earth and, as a result, the occurrence of root rot, and drought can completely destroy the plant. In addition, excessive watering in the fall provokes cracking of ripening fruits.

Pomegranates respond well to microclimates with sufficient moisture. Therefore, in especially hot summer days you can spray the plant with water room temperature from a spray bottle. If the air temperature in the room is low, spraying is not necessary.

pruning

Pruning is a mandatory procedure for a pomegranate. The formed plant develops better, gives more flowers and ovaries, and looks much more decorative: in the form of a fluffy bush with several main branches or a tree with one pronounced trunk.

The best time for pomegranate pruning is the end of February (before waking up) or September (before wintering). However, if necessary, you can prune individual shoots throughout the summer.

For pruning, young branches that are twisted or growing too densely, old elongated shoots and root shoots are chosen.

[!] Old, two-three-year-old shoots are not cut off completely, but only shortened by a third of the length - it is on them that flowers and ovaries are formed in the future.

[!] Pruning is done above the bud, oriented outward, if you leave the outermost bud, in the future, new shoots will turn towards the pomegranate trunk, which will have a bad effect on appearance plants.

Every five years, the pomegranate must be rejuvenated, gradually replacing the main skeleton-forming branches with young ones.

Soil, transplant and top dressing

For the cultivation of pomegranate, fertile, but at the same time quite light (water and breathable) soil with neutral acidity is required. The usual universal soil with the addition of sand is not bad. For self cooking substrate use turf and leafy earth, peat and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1:1.

In order for the water not to stagnate in the pot, and for the roots to receive the necessary oxygen, it is important to organize a sufficiently high, at least one quarter of the capacity, drainage layer. Expanded clay, small pebbles or clay shards can act as drainage.

The frequency of pomegranate transplantation depends on the age of the plant. Young, one-two-year-old specimens are transplanted every year, adults - once every two or three years, especially large trees - no more than once every five years. In addition, you can sometimes update the substrate without repotting and. respectively, without injuring the plant. To do this, you need to replace two to three centimeters of the topsoil in a pot with fresh, nutritious soil.

[!] One of important rules when transplanting a pomegranate - use a fairly compact dish. Only in cramped conditions will the pomegranate bloom intensively and give ovaries. Too spacious a bowl will provoke a rapid growth of green mass to the detriment of flowering.

For pomegranate transplantation, you should choose not too deep, but wide enough pots: root system the southern guest is located mainly near the surface of the earth.

Pomegranate needs feeding, but not all year round. In autumn and winter, during the period of leaf fall and wintering, it is better to exclude fertilizers, and in spring and summer, on the contrary, they can and should be used. In order for the southern tree to develop well after the winter awakening, intensively grow new shoots and bloom densely, nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers are used.

reproduction

Pomegranate can be propagated in several ways:

• seeds,
• cuttings,
• layering,
• vaccinations.

The first two methods are the simplest and most common among amateur flower growers. Let's consider them in more detail.

Reproduction of pomegranate seeds

Pomegranate seeds for planting are best purchased in specialized flower shops, only in this case you can get a tree of the desired variety. Seeds taken from other plants, as a rule, lose their varietal qualities. The best time for planting seeds is the end of March or the beginning of April.

One or more pomegranate seeds are soaked for a day in water, after which they are sown in a mixture of peat and sand at a depth of about five millimeters. The soil must be watered intensively enough, and the pot with planted seeds should be placed in a warm, dark place. After the first shoots appear, the bowl must be transferred to the light.

When the second pair of true leaves appears on the sprouts, the roots of young pomegranates can be pinched 2-3 mm - this is done for better development of the root system. However, only experienced flower growers can carry out this procedure - too much pruning of the root with inexperienced hands will destroy the plant.

When the pomegranates are strong enough, they can be planted in separate containers in a regular substrate.

Reproduction of pomegranate cuttings

After the spring formation of the pomegranate, cut shoots can be used for propagation. For this, branches about ten centimeters long and five buds are best suited. The shoots are buried in a peat-sand mixture, watered and covered with the top of a cut plastic bottle, while unscrewing the lid and thus making a hole for ventilation. After rooting and the appearance of several pairs of leaves, the cuttings are transplanted into separate pots.

[!] Be patient: rooting cuttings is a rather lengthy process. In addition, not all cuttings survive, so it is better to plant several pieces at once, and subsequently choose the healthiest one.

Pests and diseases

Pomegranate is loved by many insect pests: scale insects, aphids, spider mites, but the whitefly carries the greatest danger to the southern tree. You can fight this white scourge different ways: if the population is still small, you can use folk remedies: garlic or onion infusion. If insects are widespread, best solution will be the use of modern insecticides: Aktelik, Aktara, Tanrek and others.

Pomegranate diseases usually appear due to improper care behind the plant. So, for example, too much watering leads to the appearance of root rot, and the scorching direct sun provokes the development of burns on the leaves. If you carefully look after the pomegranate, no diseases will damage the southern tree.

Fruiting homemade pomegranate

Despite the fact that the pomegranate is beautiful in itself, many owners of this wonderful plant want to get delicious fruits.

Fruit formation is not uncommon, but in order to make pomegranates bear fruit more intensively, the following must be considered:

• The best air temperature for the mass formation of buds is 15-19 ° C;
• Excessive watering stimulates the growth of green mass, but at the same time slows down the formation of buds and fruits;
• Prolonged drought also negatively affects the ovary, in addition, the resulting fruits have low taste;
• The location of the indoor pomegranate in a shaded place prevents the normal growth of the shrub and the appearance of flowers;
• The largest number of fruits is formed on two-year-old shoots about 15-40 cm long.

[!] The ovaries formed on the pomegranate of the first year are recommended to be cut off so that the tree grows better.

Do I need to pollinate indoor pomegranate?

It is believed that all dwarf species- self-pollinating plants. However, this is not entirely true and the number of self-pollinated flowers can range from 5 to 30%. If you purchased a copy with a small number of such flowers, you need to help the pomegranate a little.

For pollination, you need a simple paint brush or a match with a piece of cotton wool. In order for the flowers to be pollinated, you need to collect pollen from the stamens with a brush and apply to the pistil.

The benefits and harms of pomegranate

So, your homemade pomegranate has grown, and its wonderful fruits have ripened. It's time to enjoy exotic fruit… But, before you try the amazing fruit, learn all about its properties: about the benefits and even the dangers of pomegranate.

Let's start, of course, with the good:

• Pomegranate fruits are used not only as a tasty treat, but also for medical reasons: anemia, colds, exhaustion of the body;
• In addition, pomegranate juice has the ability to reduce pressure and neutralize some infections (as an aid);
• Not only the pulp of the pomegranate is useful - the peel of the fruit is used in traditional medicine as a remedy for gastric diseases and as an antihelminthic medicine;
• Even flowers have been used exotic tree- they are brewed, getting a drink similar to hibiscus.

All in all, great content. useful substances(vitamins, acids, trace elements, sugars, and so on) make pomegranate one of the most healing fruits.

And now, some negative:

• Due to the high content of acids, pomegranate is contraindicated in people suffering from gastritis or ulcers;
• acids in large quantities can also destroy tooth enamel;
• Pomegranate juice should not be given to children under one year old.

[!] All the properties of an ordinary pomegranate are also characteristic of its indoor varieties.

As you can see, pomegranate is a wonderful fruit, widely used in medicine, cooking, winemaking, and even in the cosmetics industry. And the most amazing thing is that you can grow a southern handsome man without much effort at home.

One day the king decided to find a husband for his daughter. To test the contenders for the hand of the princess, he asked them to bring pomegranate fruits from the garden, which was guarded by evil spirits. No one could get into the magical garden, and only one beautiful young man, in love with the princess, was able to dispel the evil spell and break three grenades.

Or the pomegranate tree (Punica) has long been considered a symbol of fertility, because under the hard red skin of this berry there are hundreds of small juicy seeds with a stone inside. Yes, pomegranate is a berry. Just very big.

Pomegranate is a southern plant, it loves warmth and ripens in warm regions right up to the middle of autumn, if not later. Today, there are also frost-resistant and early maturing varieties, but grown in middle lane in the open field - an activity for extreme sportsmen. However, in Russia there are also such.

Depending on the type and variety, as well as the region in which it was grown, pomegranate berries can be sour or sweet.

sweet taste usually in pomegranates grown in Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan (near the Talysh mountains and Nakhikhevan), Central Asia.

Sour- Karabakh and Ganja (West Azerbaijani) grenades. Georgians can also be recognized by their sour taste and pink flesh with white, slightly pinkish grains.

Pomegranate belongs to the Derbennikov family. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree up to 6 m high. Its branches are thin and have thorns.

Pomegranate has 2 main types of flowers: those that form an ovary (in the form of a jug) and those that do not form fruits (in the form of a bell). Infertile can also be distinguished by small size and a short pestle. They fall off quickly. There are also flowers of intermediate forms. The color of the flowers is orange-red.

The pomegranate tolerates drought well and can withstand a short-term drop in temperature to -17 ° C, but at the same time, the shoots on which the fruits (pomegranates) are formed suffer from it. Therefore, it is grown mainly in the south.

Now they argue a lot about the possibility of growing pomegranate in central Russia. With good, he, of course, can live more than one winter, but whether he will ever bloom with you is a big question. Below is a photo of a pomegranate planted in a garden at the age of two from a pot. It winters in the Moscow region for more than one winter in a row, but has never bloomed yet.

However, a craftsman from Shebekino, V.M. Evdokimov, overcame these difficulties and successfully grows pomegranates in the open field, producing fruits weighing up to 550 g.

Planting a pomegranate

An important condition for growing pomegranate is a total of at least 3000 and about +15 ° C in winter. It is heat that is the key to large and good fruits.

• A planting hole is dug in the same way as for many fruit trees (60x70 cm);
• A fertile layer of soil (about 15 cm) is poured at the bottom and mixed with the ground (somewhere a little more than a bucket);
• The roots are straightened and gently sprinkled with earth;
• After planting, the soil is well watered with dry weeds, straw or humus. This will help the moisture stay in the soil longer.

If you will cover the pomegranate for the winter, it makes sense to plant a seedling at an angle of 60-45 ° to the south side.

Pomegranate care

loosening

Should be carried out in the first years after planting. It is especially useful during the growing season.

Watering

Water the pomegranate sparingly. From the second growing season, the slightest overdrying of the soil will cause cracking of the fruit.

Shelter for the winter

For the winter, you can pull the branches with burlap. If the seedling was planted at an angle, in autumn it bends down to the ground and is insulated with earth, like. Starting from the top, the plant is gently bent to the ground. At the same time, about 4 spades of earth are poured onto the top, after which the whole plant is covered with earth from the row spacing with a layer of about 20 cm. In the spring, when the threat of frost has passed, the plant is gradually, from bottom to top, freed from shelter.

If shelter is not planned for the winter, a one-year-old seedling should be spudded to a height of about 15 cm.

Some gardeners insulate pomegranate seedlings with one or more tires stacked on top of each other.

Crown shaping and pruning

The optimal form for a pomegranate is in the form of a bush, when the plant has a maximum of 6 trunks. This form helps to avoid injury in case of shelter for the winter. They try to give the plant an oblique-fan shape. But with active growth, thickening of the crown and the appearance of branches that can break or grow inward are inevitable. To do this, remove the extra branches.

Basal shoots and thickening shoots are also to be removed.

Like many fruit plants, pomegranate is aging, and he needs to carry out anti-aging. This usually happens once every 20 years. To do this, all branches above the ground are cut off, thereby stimulating the growth of new ones and increasing the amount of the crop.

Fertilization

The bulk is applied to the ground before planting, but if the soil is poor, from mid-June, the plant begins to be fed with phosphorus-potassium or. In summer you can make liquid fertilizers during watering. In the fall, when you dig up, also feed the pomegranate.

Pomegranate reproduction

Pomegranate reproduces (vegetatively) and seeds .

seed method of reproduction

Seeds are taken from a fresh, well-ripened fruit, they do not need to be cleaned.

1. Spread the seeds over the surface of moistened soil, sprinkling them with earth in a layer of about 1.5 cm.
2. While the seeds germinate, do not allow the soil to dry out.
3. When the seeds germinate and reach a height of 3 cm, they are either transplanted so that the distance between shoots is at least 4 cm.
4. When the shoots grow so much that there are no gaps between shoots, they dive again.

Reproduction by cuttings

Cuttings are cut from annual lignified shoots of young plants. The size of the handle is about 25 cm. You can also use shoots for these purposes. For rooting the cuttings, well-fertilized and drained plots of land are suitable. The cutting should be rooted in soil heated to +2 ° C to a depth of about 10 cm. At the same time, 1 internode should remain above the soil surface. Green twigs take root in late May - early June.

Collection and storage of pomegranate crops

In the south of Russia (in some regions of the Kuban) and in the Crimea, fruits begin to be harvested in October.

At this time, they reach maximum maturity, the grains are full of sugars, and the peel becomes a rich red or yellow-pinkish speckled color.

When fully ripe, pomegranate fruits can crack, if you collect them for storage, you need to catch up to this point.

Fruit should not be stored sub-zero temperatures otherwise they may rot. A ventilated room with an air temperature of +2 ° C will be optimal.

The most common varieties of pomegranate

There are many in the world different varieties this southern plant. Each country loves its own variety of pomegranate, but there are also well-known varieties loved by many.

Pomegranate varieties are divided into those with hard seeds in juicy grains and those with soft seeds. Hard bones are considered a sign of poor quality. It's like a wild apple tree and a grafted apple tree good variety. Varieties with soft seeds are very capricious and require care. But the quality of their fruits is amazing.

"Pink Guleisha" and "Red Guleisha"

"Gyuleysha" ("Gyulosha") - best grade cultivated in Azerbaijan. The fruits are elongated-rounded, the skin is thin. At "Gyuleisha pink" she color pink, and for "Gyuleisha Krasnaya" - carmine-red with stains (stripes) at the base of the fruit. The grains are juicy, dark purple in color.

Fruits of the pomegranate variety "Gyuleysha (Gyulosha) pink". Photo from agroxxi.ru

Both varieties of the variety are distinguished by a sweet and sour taste.

Foreword

Fans of indoor plants are sometimes lost in the next choice of "green neighbor". If you want to grow homemade pomegranate, caring for the plant is very simple and will not cause problems in growing it. Such an exotic plant is completely unpretentious, and it can be grown in an ordinary pot on the windowsill.

Dwarf pomegranate - beauty and well-being in the house

The name of the fruit comes from the Latin granatus, which means grainy. According to historical data, the pomegranate was a symbol of a rich harvest, gave faith and life.

The story says that the fruit came to our countries from Carthage and was called the "Punic apple". In every country, pomegranate is a symbol of something special. In Greece it is fertility, in Persia it is passionate love. And the wife of Zeus holds a pomegranate in her hand as a symbol of marriage. Even in the real world in Greece, during the wedding, flowers and fruits of the tree are thrown under the feet of the bride and groom. And the bride herself during the celebration, instead of a bouquet, can throw a juicy fruit to her bridesmaids.

Mostly at home, they prefer a dwarf or indoor pomegranate, the cultivation of which will be a pleasure. It should be noted that the plant perfectly decorates not only any interior of a room or garden, but also has a lot of useful properties.

The first mention of a dwarf pomegranate falls on 1803. In height, the plant reaches a maximum of 120 cm. Its leaves are light green with a glossy sheen, located on red cuttings. In connection with the change of seasons, pomegranate leaves change their color: in spring the plant acquires bronze tones, in summer - shades of green, in autumn - yellow colors.

The flowering time of the shrub falls on May-September. Pomegranate flowers are large with a diameter of up to 4 cm and purple in color, but most of the fruit does not form. The duration of flowering of one flower is a maximum of 3 days, but every day new buds form on the bush. Only flowers with long columns can ripen into small pomegranates. So, out of a hundred flowers, only 3 form a fruit. You should not worry that the rest of the flowers fall off: this is an individual property of the plant.

The pomegranate fruit itself can be colored as in Orange color, and in brown-red and ripens in winter. But the pomegranate does not have a special, pronounced taste, besides, the fruit itself is very small. Therefore, basically the dwarf tree serves as a decoration of the room. The owners, in order for the plant to give all its strength in color and have a sufficient number of new buds, cut off the ovaries.

Necessary conditions for a home tree

The pomegranate belongs to light-loving plants, therefore, the pot must be placed on any windows, with the exception of the northern ones. But the plant does not accept direct sunlight, especially young growth. In summer, when it is warm and light, it is better to take the tree to the balcony or veranda, and to winter the plant should be brought into the house.

Homemade pomegranate, like any exotic plant, needs warmth, especially during flowering. Therefore, the temperature in the room must be maintained above +20°C. But if the room is very hot, then the leaves may begin to fall off the pomegranate. To prevent this, you can spray the leaves with cool water. During the ripening of the fruit, the pomegranate at home prefers cool rooms with a temperature of + 14 ° C, and during the dormant period it is even lower.

The soil of a homemade pomegranate, in order to ensure flowering and fruiting, must be rich and valuable in various mineral components.

Watering the plant also needs to be approached competently in order to prevent waterlogging or drought of the soil. The most abundant watering of the shrub falls on the period after flowering, so that later the plant will please with its flowers. In winter, home pomegranate practically does not need watering - once every 2 months is enough.

Home pomegranate will not refuse to feed, but no more than twice a month. Must be applied to moist soil and spring period nitrogen fertilizers, during the color - phosphorus, in the fall - potassium.

After the fruits of the tree are ripe, it usually sheds leaves, that is, a dormant period begins. To do this, a grenade must be created optimal conditions with a temperature not exceeding +12°С. It is difficult to maintain such a temperature at home. You can, for example, move the plant pot to the window or put it on the balcony for 3 weeks.

After a dormant period, in February, homemade pomegranate begins to form buds. During this period, it is important to prune dry or unnecessary branches of the plant. Pruning is carried out in such a way that the bud of the shrub looks outward, otherwise, with further growth, the inner bud will thicken the plant. You can form a pomegranate in the form of a tree, while cutting the basal branches. It is important to prevent severe pruning, otherwise the plant will weaken, the number of buds will decrease, and, accordingly, the flowers.

For young plants, transplantation is carried out every year until reaching 3 years. Homemade pomegranate does not require large containers and pots, and, conversely, the closer the root system, the stronger the flowering will be.

How to grow a pomegranate?

Reproduction of homemade pomegranate can be carried out in 2 ways:

• cuttings;
• seeds.

Before you grow pomegranate from seeds at home, you need to purchase seed. You can buy it in the store, or you can take it from houseplant. Before planting a seed in a container, it is necessary to prepare it. To do this, the largest and ripest fruit is selected and several grains are taken. To get the seed itself, you need to remove the pulp of the grain, rinse in water and wipe dry with a napkin or dry. Seeds should be planted at a distance of about 1 cm from the surface and away from each other. Seed germination time on average reaches 2 weeks. For good germination of the future plant, the pot should be placed in a warm, sunny place and provided with abundant watering.

To grow a pomegranate at home when propagated by cuttings, the shoots should be taken from a fruitful plant with several buds and covered after planting plastic bottle or glass jar.

If an exotic plant has undergone a disease, there is no need to delay its treatment. When pests appear on the leaves, they must be treated with special chemicals or assemble by hand. Dry room and air can provoke the appearance spider mite. To prevent such a disease, the plant must be often sprayed and moistened. Over-watering can also affect pomegranate health, yellowing leaves - main feature overflow. In such a situation, the plant must be transplanted into dry soil and rotten roots removed.

You should not be afraid of such, as it seemed, excessive care. The main thing is that the process of growing indoor pomegranate brings delight, then the plant will delight the owner with its beauty.

Homemade Pomegranate - Family Health Benefits

Pomegranate is a healthy fruit: for the treatment of diseases, raw materials are obtained from all parts of the plant: from the fruit, peel, flowers, roots.

The value of the fruit lies in the contained minerals and organic acids. Pomegranate is rich in various vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins and even fats. Fruit juice has an analgesic, choleretic, antiseptic effect. The fruits of the plant are used for digestive diseases. They normalize blood pressure, relieve headaches, saturate the body with vitamins. Pomegranate peel has found its use as an anthelmintic drug, due to the content of ursolic acid. Doctors recommend the use of pomegranate juice for infectious and colds, anemia, and problems with the gastrointestinal tract. For indigestion, colitis, the peel of the fruit is used. And pomegranate flowers are brewed like tea, which makes this drink similar to the popular hibiscus.

What is useful pomegranate?

Thus, homemade pomegranate is perfect for those who want to acquire a decorative tree. It will not be difficult for beginner flower growers to grow a pomegranate with juicy and ripe fruits, and even a schoolboy can take care of a dwarf pomegranate.

Successful outdoor pomegranate cultivation is not difficult process, the main thing is to choose winter-hardy variety and grafted seedling.

Count on high yields it is possible if the rules of agricultural technology are observed:

1. Moderate watering.
2. The constant presence of mulch under a bush of straw, mowed grass, dry leaves.
3. Regular and sufficient application mineral fertilizers and organics.
4. Annual pruning of old, thickening, diseased branches.
5. Competent formation of the crown.
6. Rejuvenating pruning every 25 years.
7. Protection of roots and aerial parts from frost.
8. Preventive spraying against diseases and pests.

Pomegranate in the open field begins to bear fruit for 4-5 years

This plant is not whimsical, but still pomegranate in open ground grows better on crushed and well-drained soils. We choose the place the brightest, protected from the winds.

landing pit should be generously seasoned with organic matter (rotted manure). We carefully straighten the roots of the seedling, sprinkle with earth and water generously.

Pomegranate in the garden usually blooms for 3-4 years. And full fruits can be expected for 4-5 years. It blooms profusely, but the fruits are tied only on female flowers. And there are five times fewer of them on the bush than male ones. Garden pomegranate is a self-pollinating plant, so it is quite possible to grow it in greenhouses.

Most convenient option growing pomegranate in open ground - leave a maximum 5 branches in a bush. Crown formation can be done in spring or after harvest.

Only the strongest shoots remain in the bush, directed in different directions. You need to watch to the middle of the bush was well lit. Therefore, all root shoots andthickening shoots are removed.

Garden pomegranate care in spring

• In April-May, depending on the region, we remove the layer of earth, brush off the branches. The plant will straighten itself out.

• We immediately carry out spraying from fruit rot with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture.

• We carefully examine the bush, cut off all rotten, broken and thickening branches.

• We mulch the garden pomegranate bush with a thick layer of straw or grass.

• As soon as the leaves begin to bloom, we carry out foliar top dressing with humisol.

AT June we feed the bush complex mineral fertilizer.

Pomegranate in the open field responds very well to the application of organic fertilizers. Water the pomegranate every 2 weeks infusion of mullein or chicken manure. Autumn around the bush we add 25 grams of superphosphate and 15 grams of potassium. We mulch with manure.

Harvesting

The fruits do not ripen at the same time. The longer the fruit hangs on the bush, the it will be sweeter. If the weather does not allow you to wait, you can pick unripe fruits. They will reach the condition during the laying. Broken grenades should be dried in the attic or outdoors under a canopy.

Watering

This plant does not like waterlogging, but the lack of moisture is also harmful to it. Watering is carried out as needed. Lack of waterleads to shedding of the ovary. After watering, be sure to mulch the bush with straw or grass.

Mulch performs three functions at once:

1. retains moisture;
2. delay the development of weeds;
3. creates ideal conditions for life and active reproduction of earthworms.

They, in addition to processing the soil in biohumus, and also contribute better penetration oxygen to plant roots.

Shelter garden pomegranate for the winter

Even frost-resistant varieties need shelter for the winter.

• First, we spray the pomegranate crown from fungal diseases 3% Bordeaux liquid.

With the onset average daily temperature below 10 degree branch we tie with a rope. If the branches are long, they can be twisted (pomegranate branches are very flexible).

• Too thick branches that cannot be bent to the ground are cut off.

By the way, delicious wine is made from pomegranate fruits. We also wrote.