Growing pomegranate from seed at home. Indoor dwarf pomegranate - home care

A symbol of fertility and a source of health, as well as the Christian symbol of the Resurrection and the forbidden fruit, the grain of which the lover Hades gave to Persephone - we are talking about. Its amazing medicinal properties and juicy tart taste are loved by many. It is logical that more and more gardeners are trying to grow pomegranate on the windowsill.

In this article we will tell you how to plant a pomegranate tree at home.

Growing pomegranate from seed

Growing pomegranate, this amazing and exotic plant, begins with... purchase. But don’t worry: the costs, unlike purchasing a ready-made pomegranate seedling from a florist shop, will be minimal. A suitable preparation for growing a future tree is a fresh fruit, without traces of rot and mold on the peel, as well as without dents or cracks.

For sowing, 4 - 5 seeds are enough, since the germination characteristics of pomegranate are truly impressive (up to 95%).

If you are interested in how to grow a pomegranate tree in an apartment, you must define an action plan for yourself. The process will take many months, and wait quick results not worth it: pomegranate is not the easiest plant to grow. You will have to complete a number of procedures, including:

• Selection seed for the future tree;
• Preliminary preparation seeds for planting (soaking);
• Soil preparation (you can buy ready-made soil substrate in flower shop) and container for seedlings;
• Planting plant seeds in the ground;
• Organization of a mini-greenhouse over the planting;
• Picking the sprouts that have made their way out pomegranate;
• Planting young plants in separate pots.

To grow a pomegranate tree at home, you need to devote a certain amount of time to this activity - up to several hours a week. Depending on the variety, there are plant specimens that are unpretentious or, on the contrary, difficult to care for.

Variety selection

Pomegranate is an exotic guest in our latitudes. But some plant varieties do well in cool climates and/or in the absence of many warm sunny days a year. The plant needs good lighting and moderate temperature conditions, since its growing season lasts from 8 to 9 months. For this reason, in climates north of the subtropics, pomegranate trees are grown in heated greenhouses. But it can also take root on an ordinary windowsill in the form of a low bush, although you shouldn’t expect large fruits from such a seedling (we’ll tell you why below).

When choosing pomegranate seeds for sowing, pay attention to varieties such as:

• Dogwood anor;
• Gyuleisha pink;
• Cossack improved;
• Nikitsky early.

The variety of pomegranate will indicate its ripening period (early ripening) and the peculiarity of the seed structure (there are fruits with soft and hard seeds). A plant whose seeds are soft is more difficult to breed because it is accustomed to growing in the subtropics.

For everyone who is interested in how grow dwarf pomegranate, seeds of the “Carthage” and “Baby” varieties are recommended for planting. These are varieties of indoor pomegranate, which grows quite quickly and well without creating greenhouse conditions. A developed bush reaches a height of no more than half a meter, having only five to seven skeletal branches. This plant can be easily arranged as a bonsai while maintaining its miniature size.

Preparing and planting the seed

Preparation of seed material from pomegranate (this is the name of the plant’s fruit) consists of the following procedures:

• Cleaning the seeds. The pulp from the beans is removed manually (it is not necessary to use additional tools). Its remains are washed away under the stream running water;
• Selection. The soft and green seeds of the plant are discarded. Only seeds that are hard in structure and have a yellowish tint are used;
• Soaking the seeds. Pomegranate seeds are soaked for half a day in a solution of water with the addition of two drops of a growth stimulator. In parallel with the process of soaking the seeds, a substrate is prepared for planting the plant, which uses a mixture of garden soil, peat and sand;
• Sowing. Pomegranate seeds are taken out of the solution, sown into the ground to a centimeter depth and sprinkled with a thin layer of soil. They are planted in small flat containers.

After planting is completed, pomegranate seedlings are sprayed warm water from a spray bottle. The container is covered with film. Once every 2–3 days, the cover is raised for ventilation.

Watering and care

Sown pomegranate seeds develop at temperatures not lower than +25 °C. Also, caring for them should include the activities described below:

• The plants that have hatched are moved to a southern or eastern window sill;
• Moisturize earthen lump should only be sprayed; watering with a jet will wash away the top layer of soil;
• When the seedlings have two leaves, they are planted in separate containers filled with leaf humus, turf, peat and sand. A drainage system is pre-organized.

When the seedling reaches 10–15 centimeters in height, care procedures it is looked after in the same way as an adult tree:

• IN winter period The tub with the seedling is moved to a cool room, but with a temperature not lower than +12 °C. This is an imitation of the natural conditions in which the tree grows;
• Watering is carried out as the earthen root dries out and only from above, as with pomegranate root system– superficial;
• During the spring-autumn season, universal fertilizers are applied to the soil to indoor plants, frequency – once every 15 days;
• In early February, when the buds begin to bloom on the branches of the tree, the plant is moved to a well-lit place and watering is increased. Old shoots are cut off at this moment.

The tree is replanted annually with an increase in the diameter of the pot.

Seedlings three years old and older are transplanted as the container is filled with the root system. To artificially maintain the crown green, some gardeners place a pot of pomegranate in a warm room during the winter months so that it does not shed its leaves. This is not entirely correct from the point of view of agricultural technology, since the pomegranate will quickly deplete its strength and may become ill.

The appearance of the first harvest

With the most favorable forecast, a pomegranate sprouted from a seed will enter the first phase of flowering by the fourth year of life. Fruit ovaries may appear on the crown for 5 – 6 years. But often gardeners are faced with the problem of the complete absence of any signs of vegetation in pomegranate. What is the reason for this phenomenon? Let's figure it out.

Reasons for the absence of fruits

Pomegranate is a cross-pollinated plant with two types of flowers:

1. The first type is with a short pistil that does not form a fruit;
2. The second type is with a long pistil, capable of setting fruit.

As a rule, in pomegranate grown from seeds, up to 95% of all flowers are sterile, which explains the scant fruiting or its complete absence. Also, the increased need for bright lighting and stable thermal conditions, which are required by the pomegranate tree, can play a role in inhibiting flowering and fruit set. Sometimes a plant reacts with “idle growth” to an incorrectly selected soil composition that is too acidic or alkaline.

The problem with pollination at home is a direct factor explaining the lack of fruits in pomegranate.

Pollination of a plant can be stimulated artificially by transferring pollen from one flower to another with a cotton swab, along all stigmas. Additionally, the tree is sprayed with a solution of the Ovary preparation. This effective method, after which it will be covered with pomegranates of different sizes, but forced fruiting can cause a general deterioration in the condition of the seedling.

Pomegranate sprouted from a seed is not considered a cultivated species. To cultivate it, they usually carry out vaccination to another tree that has already been tested for fruiting. This is a complex procedure that requires experience and certain knowledge, so it will be difficult to carry out on your own.

Growing pomegranate in the garden

A pomegranate tree growing in the yard, covered with large sweet fruits, will decorate any summer cottage. Choosing a variety, frost-resistant, and, most importantly, a grafted seedling will help turn this dream into reality. To obtain a rich harvest from planting, the following recommendations must be followed;

• Watering with a moderate volume of water;
• Regular application of mulch to the planting circle;
• Timely feeding of seedlings;
• Formative and preventive pruning to maintain a lush, healthy crown;
• Measures to protect the root system and above-ground parts of the tree from freezing during the cold season;
• Preventive foliar spraying.

When transferring a plant seedling to open ground, remember that for successful rooting it requires:

• Planting in crushed stone substrate with sufficient drainage;
• The landing site is selected on the bright side of the site with protection from strong winds;
• Rotted mullein is poured into the planting trench;
• When planting in the ground, the root system of the plant must be straightened so that it is in an even position. The seedling is sprinkled with a layer of soil and watered abundantly.

In the absence of severe climatic manifestations and diseases, a pomegranate planted in open ground will bloom after 3 to 4 years. Fruiting is expected by the fifth year. Flowering may be vigorous, but few fruits will appear, since pomegranate has more male flowers than female flowers, on which the ovaries appear.

A pomegranate tree must definitely form a crown, otherwise the basal shoots will grow greatly, and thickening shoots will spoil the shape of the bush. The procedure is carried out in the spring months or after removing the fruits from the tree. The branches are pruned, leaving up to five branches, so that the middle of the crown is well illuminated from all sides.

Stages spring treatment:

• After wintering, the pomegranate shakes off excess soil. Rotten, broken and unnecessary branches that interfere with the crown are cut off;
• After pruning, the plant is sprayed to protect against fruit rot. The solution used Bordeaux mixture(1%);
• The top layer of the substrate near the trunk is mulched with straw;
• After the leaves bloom, foliar feeding is carried out with a liquid concentrate with humic substances.

Additional care

In order for the pomegranate tree to develop without anomalies in the garden, it should be fertilized periodically:

• In summer - feeding with a complex of mineral preparations;
• In autumn - application of fertilizers based on potassium and superphosphates;
• Regularly - fertilize the soil with rotted manure or chicken droppings (every 2 weeks, except late autumn and winter months).

Due to a lack of moisture, fruit ovaries may fall from the tree. Watering is carried out as the tree trunk circle visually dries out. After moistening, the soil is mulched. In the dry season, the intensity of irrigation is increased by 2–3 times.

Even frost-resistant plant seedlings need to be covered during the cold season. The operating principle is as follows:

• At the beginning, the crown is sprayed with 3% Bordeaux mixture based on lime and copper sulfate;
• Thick, unbending branches that cannot be bent to the ground are cut off;
• The remaining branches are fastened together and sprinkled with a layer of loose soil. Spruce branches are placed on top.

These standard rules of agricultural technology, if carefully followed, will help you preserve the pomegranate seedling and prepare it for fruiting next season.

Planting and caring for pomegranate (in brief)

• Bloom: three years after planting.
• Lighting: bright diffused light.
• Temperature: during active growth– 18-25 ˚C, during the rest period – 12-15 ˚C.
• Watering: during the growing season - often and abundantly, but during flowering, watering is reduced. In winter, watering is infrequent.
• Air humidity: in hot weather, evening spraying of leaves with warm water is recommended.
• Feeding: from spring to autumn, twice a month with mineral complexes for indoor plants with a low nitrogen content. In winter, the plant is not fed.
• Rest period: from late autumn to February. A plant in need of rest begins to shed its leaves.
• Transfer: young plants are replanted annually, and those that have reached three years of age, only when the roots fill the earthen ball.
• Trimming: in February, to stimulate branching and give the crown shape.
• Reproduction: cuttings, grafting and seeds.
• Pests: affected by mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects, aphids, codling moths and whiteflies.
• Diseases: branch cancer, root rot.

Read more about growing pomegranate below.

Homemade pomegranate - description

The pomegranate plant is a long-living deciduous plant from the subtropics, up to 5-6 m high in nature and rarely higher than two meters in room conditions. Pomegranate branches are prickly and thin. The oval and glossy light green leaves of pomegranate reach a length of 3 cm. Pomegranate flowering begins at the very end of spring and lasts all summer. The red-orange pomegranate flowers come in two types: the bisexual and pitcher-shaped pomegranate flower sets fruit, while the numerous bell-shaped flowers are sterile. The spherical pomegranate fruit is large berry with a leathery pericarp and can reach a diameter of 18 cm. The peel of the pomegranate can be yellow-orange, red-brown or any shade in between. The berry, divided into 6-12 chambers or nests located in two tiers, contains pomegranate seeds in quantities of up to 1200 or more pieces. Each seed is surrounded by a succulent cover. Pomegranates usually begin to bear fruit at the age of three. Full fruiting lasts from 7 to 40 years.

Indoor pomegranate today is as popular as indoor lemon. a coffee tree, orange, mango, date palm and other exotics that cannot be grown in gardens due to the discrepancy between our climate and those familiar to tropical and subtropical fruit trees conditions. But growing homemade pomegranate is a hobby for passionate people, and you should understand that your efforts may not bring the expected results. Pomegranate from seeds at home is a very realistic goal, but it can only be realized if optimal conditions for the plant are observed and timely and proper care is observed.

Indoor pomegranate from seed

How to grow pomegranate at home.

How to grow pomegranate from seed? Fresh seeds of ripe, healthy and beautiful pomegranate can be used as seed material. You should know that pomegranates sold in stores and markets are hybrids, so the fruits of homemade pomegranate grown from their seeds will not preserve taste qualities parent variety, although the decorativeness of the plant may be beyond praise. It is best if you get hold of a ripe and tasty indoor pomegranate fruit. The seeds are removed from the fruit and the pulp is removed. The seeds should be cream in color and feel firm to the touch - soft and greenish seeds are not suitable for growing. Soak the seeds for 12 hours in water with two or three drops of Zircon or Epin added to stimulate the germination process. The solution should not cover the seeds completely - in addition to moisture, they need oxygen.

How to plant a pomegranate.

Pomegranate is grown in a loose substrate consisting of fertile soil, peat and sand. For this purpose, you can purchase universal soil for flower plants in the store - pomegranate is unpretentious to the composition of the soil. Prepared and dried pomegranate seeds are buried 1-1.5 cm into the substrate, lightly watered, cover the container with polyethylene or glass and place in a place well lit by the sun. If pomegranate is planted at the end of winter or early spring, then in a couple of weeks you can expect seedlings to appear, and seeds planted at other times of the year can sit in the ground for several months.

How to care for pomegranate seedlings.

Growing pomegranate at home requires creating optimal comfort for it. The conditions for growing pomegranate include maintaining the room temperature within 25 ºC, regular ventilation and spraying the substrate with warm water.

When the first true leaves form on the seedlings, plant the seedlings, shortening the root by a third, in small individual pots with nutrient soil and a drainage layer underneath. Place the pomegranate on the lightest windowsill - it needs to be in direct sunlight for at least 2 hours a day. For sprouts that sprouted in winter, you will have to arrange additional lighting.

Once the seedlings have formed three pairs of leaves, pinch them back to encourage the pomegranate to grow with two crowns. When three pairs of leaves are formed on each shoot, pinch them too so that the pomegranate grows into a lush tree.

Maintain the temperature in the room in which the young pomegranate is growing within 20 ºC, providing it with regular ventilation. In summer, it is better to take homemade pomegranate out onto the balcony or terrace, since the plant loves fresh air and sunlight. Ten months after germination, you can see pomegranate blooming.

In the fall, the tree will shed its leaves and enter a dormant state. You can, of course, make it grow in winter, but this quickly gets tired and depleted of the tree - everyone needs rest, and pomegranate is no exception. Move the indoor pomegranate to a room with a temperature of 10-12 ºC, stop feeding, reduce watering to the required minimum and let the plant rest for a month or two. After a period of dormancy, leaves will appear on the pomegranate again, and it will become more beautiful than before.

Caring for pomegranate in a pot

Watering the pomegranate.

Water the pomegranate seedlings at the root so that water does not get on the leaves - for this it is better to use a watering can with a narrow spout. The substrate in the pot should be barely damp at all times. During pomegranate flowering, watering is reduced, but the soil in the pot should not be allowed to dry out. Water for irrigation should not be cold - 1-2 degrees warmer than the air in the room, and should stand for at least 24 hours.

The reduction in watering can be compensated by spraying the leaves of the plant with non-cold boiled water.

During the dormant period, watering the plants is reduced significantly.

Pomegranate fertilizer.

During the seedling period, to stimulate the development of seedlings, you can dilute half a teaspoon of wood ash in half a liter of water and water the plant with this nutrient solution. From spring to autumn, the pomegranate tree is fertilized every two weeks with universal liquid fertilizers for indoor plants. If you grow pomegranate for its fruits, which you intend to eat, then it is better to fertilize not with mineral fertilizers, which contain too many nitrates, but with organic fertilizers - slurry or a solution of chicken manure. But keep in mind: if a pomegranate is overfed with nitrogen, it will not bloom, which means it will not bear fruit.

Pomegranate transplant.

Pomegranate in room conditions should grow in cramped pot- the more spacious the container in which it grows, the more it forms sterile bell-shaped flowers. The first time a pomegranate is replanted is a year later. IN further transplantation carried out no earlier than the pomegranate root fills the entire pot. Each subsequent container should be 2-3 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. When the pomegranate is 4 years old, it is no longer replanted, but the top layer of substrate in the pot is replaced annually.

Pomegranate trimming.

A pomegranate is formed in the form of a bush with 3-4 skeletal branches or a tree with a low trunk and 4-5 skeletal branches. Subsequently, 4-5 second-order branches are laid on each skeletal branch, on which third-order branches can subsequently be formed. Excess and fatty shoots are cut out, as well as root shoots. With age, old branches that will no longer produce crops are cut out. Pomegranate bears fruit on shoots current year.

Pests and diseases of pomegranate

Homemade pomegranate, like any indoor plant, can be affected by pests - mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects, aphids, moths and whiteflies. Diseases of home pomegranates are root cancer, Phomopsis, or branch cancer, gray rot and leaf spot. Aphids are destroyed with a two-day infusion of 40 g of tobacco in 1 liter hot water, which after infusion is diluted with water 1:2 and 4 g of grated is added to it laundry soap. Whiteflies, spider mites and scale insects die after treating the pomegranate with an infusion of garlic or onion: 20 g of husk is poured into a liter of water, left for 5 days and filtered. You can get rid of the codling moth only by collecting fallen fruits affected by the pest and removing diseased pomegranates from the tree that have not yet fallen. Can be used to control pests chemicals: from mealybugs get rid of pomegranates by triple treatment with an interval of 5-6 days with Confidor, Mospilan or Aktara, and spider mites with acaricides Aktellik or Fitoverm.

Root cancer, like branch cancer, is manifested by cracking of the bark and the formation of wounds with spongy swellings, drying out of shoots, branches, and in the case of severe defeat and the whole tree. At the first signs of the disease, it is necessary to clean the wounds to healthy tissue, treat them with a solution of copper sulfate and cover them with garden varnish. If there are many such areas, cut the tree down to a stump - perhaps this way you will be able to save it. Most often, the disease occurs due to mechanical damage to the bark and wood of the pomegranate.

The pomegranate turns yellow.

Readers often ask why pomegranates turn yellow. If you do not find pests on the pomegranate tree, in particular spider mites, then it may be suffering from too high air temperatures. Pomegranate also turns yellow if there is a lack of water in the soil, but yellowing in this case is accompanied by the appearance of dark spots on the leaves.

The pomegranate falls.

If pomegranate leaves fall off, this may be a consequence of their yellowing, and the reasons for this phenomenon are the same as for sudden yellowing of leaves - spider mites or other pests, diseases, too high an air temperature or insufficient watering. The leaves begin to fall and natural cause- Pomegranate is a deciduous tree, so in indoor culture, and in nature, pomegranates fall off at the end of the growing season, when they are preparing for wintering.

The pomegranate is drying.

Pomegranate leaves dry out for a reason insufficient humidity air or due to problems with roots that arose because you repeatedly violated the watering regime. Smell the soil in which the pomegranate is growing, and if it smells strongly of mold, immediately transplant the plant into a new substrate, inspecting its roots and removing rotten areas if necessary. Wounds on the roots are treated with crushed coal.

Indoor pomegranate - reproduction

How to propagate pomegranate.

Indoor pomegranate is propagated by seed, as well as vegetatively - by grafting and cuttings. We have already written that a pomegranate grown from a seed does not always retain the varietal characteristics of the parent tree, but a varietal cutting can be grafted onto these seedlings. Pomegranates grown from cuttings and layering retain the characteristics of the mother plant completely.

Pomegranate from cuttings.

For cuttings, trimmings from the current year's growths about 10 cm long are prepared. Cuttings can also be cut from basal shoots. First, the cuttings are placed for 6 hours with the lower cut in a solution of a root formation stimulator, then they are washed under running water and planted in a substrate consisting of equal proportions of peat and sand, deepening the lower cut by 2-3 cm, and the cuttings are covered with a transparent sheet to create a greenhouse effect. dome or plastic bottles with the neck cut off. Keep the cuttings on a light windowsill. When they give roots, and this can happen in 6-10 weeks, they can be planted in separate pots with soil for citrus plants or with a mixture of sand, humus, turf and leaf soil in a ratio of 1:1:2:2. If you provide the pomegranate from the cuttings with good care, it can bloom in the second or third year after planting. It is also possible to propagate pomegranates by lignified cuttings, but they take even longer to take root, and many of them die.

How to graft pomegranate.

Pomegranate can be propagated by grafting at home. To obtain a varietal plant, a varietal cutting is grafted onto a pomegranate rootstock grown from a seed. Only a fruiting pomegranate can produce the cuttings required for grafting. Vaccination is carried out different ways– it all depends on the thickness of the rootstock and scion cuttings. Currently, more than 150 types of vaccinations have been developed, and you will have to decide for yourself which one to choose. The simplest to perform, and therefore the most common, vaccinations are considered to be simple copulation, copulation with a tongue (English), behind the bark, in the cleft, in the butt and in the side cut. If the grafting is successful, the pomegranate will bloom in 3-4 years.

Types and varieties of homemade pomegranate

There are only two known types of pomegranate - Common pomegranate (Punica granatum) And Socotra pomegranate (Punica protopunica), which is endemic to the Yemeni island of Socotra. The Socotran pomegranate has flowers that are not crimson, but pink, and the fruits are not as large and sweet as those of the common pomegranate. You could read the description of the common pomegranate at the beginning of the article.

Due to its popularity, the dwarf garnet, which has a hybrid origin, is highlighted in separate species Punica nana, because it is most often grown indoors, including in the form of bonsai. The species is distinguished by its short growth - no more than 1 m - and early fruiting. Plants begin to bloom within 3-4 months, and two-year-old trees form about a dozen small fruits up to 5 cm in diameter. The ideal plant For growing indoors, nana pomegranate is resistant to dry air. This species, unlike varieties of common pomegranate, almost does not shed leaves for the winter.

Breeders have developed more than 500 varieties of pomegranate, many of which can be grown indoors. For example:

• – Uzbekistan– in room conditions, this variety of pomegranate grows up to 2 m. Its fruits are spherical, bright red, weighing up to 120 g, thin peel, sweet and sour wine grains burgundy color;
• – Baby- a plant up to half a meter high with single or collected in bunches of 5-7 flowers and yellow-brown with a red blush fruits with a diameter of 5-7 cm, ripening by mid-winter. Plants of this variety require artificial pollination;
• – Carthage– pomegranate, blooming from May to August with red flowers up to 4 cm in diameter and juicy, tasty, slightly sour fruits;
• – Shah-nar– a variety of Azerbaijani selection with round or pear-shaped red fruits in a peel of medium thickness and with small grains of a pleasant sweet and sour taste;
• – Ruby– trees of this variety grow up to 70 cm in height. They differ from plants of other varieties more bright flowers ruby hue. Fruits at good care reach a mass of 100 g and 6-8 cm in diameter.

The varieties Kzyl-anar, Vanderful, Ulfi, Lod-Zhuar, Ak-Dona, Gyuleysha red and pink, Purpurovy, Salavatsky and others are also common in garden culture. If you want to have a pomegranate at home, you can grow any variety of common pomegranate, even a vigorous one - at home it is still unlikely to grow above 2 m.

Properties of pomegranate - harm and benefit

Pomegranate is one of the healthiest fruits. Its fruits contain vitamins P, C, B12, B6, fiber, sodium, iodine, phosphorus, iron, potassium, manganese, calcium and magnesium. Pomegranate juice contains sugars - fructose and glucose, malic, tartaric, citric, oxalic, succinic, boric and other organic acids, sulfate and chloride salts, phytoncides, tannin, tannins and nitrogenous substances.

The presence in the fruits of all these substances necessary for the human body determines the beneficial properties of pomegranate. It quenches thirst, improves hematopoiesis, promoting the production of hemoglobin and the formation of red blood cells in the blood, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, the nervous system and immunity. An infusion of pomegranate fruits and flowers is one of the oldest hemostatic agents. For older people, pomegranate is recommended to restore strength after surgery.

Pomegranate is rich in vitamin K, necessary for metabolism in connective tissues and bones, and in particular for the absorption of calcium. Pomegranate slows down the development of osteoarthritis, relieving inflammation and swelling of cartilage tissue.

Pomegranate juice, which, among other things, helps normalize blood pressure, is indicated as a hematopoietic agent for diseases of the heart, circulatory system, kidneys, lungs and liver, and the estrogens contained in pomegranate ease the symptoms of menopause and help fight depression.

Pomegranate is an essential product for vegetarians, since its juice contains 15 amino acids, almost half of which are found primarily in meat products. Thus, someone who has consciously given up animal food by eating pomegranate may not experience a lack of animal proteins. Pomegranate juice has a diuretic and choleretic effect, as well as analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

The benefit of pomegranate is also that it is an excellent remedy for scurvy, uric acid diathesis, atherosclerosis, headaches and gastrointestinal disorders. People who have been exposed to radiation, live in areas of increased radiation and work with radioactive isotopes are strongly recommended to drink pomegranate juice. It is also indicated for anemia, hypertension, malaria, bronchial asthma and diabetes.

Containing alkaloids, pomegranate peel has a strong anthelmintic property. A decoction of it is also used for inflammation of the liver and kidneys, joints and eyes. It helps both as a gargle for a sore throat and for intestinal disorders. Pomegranate peel powder, lightly fried with olive or butter, is used as a mask for oily facial skin, as well as for the treatment of burns, cracks and abrasions.

Pomegranate seeds - effective remedy to increase intestinal motility and a source of valuable pomegranate oil, which, due to the high content of fat-soluble vitamins E and F, promotes rapid healing of wounds, regeneration of epidermal cells, rejuvenates and protects the human body from cancer. And pomegranate extract restores skin after too much sun exposure.

The white films separating the chambers with seeds inside the pomegranate fruit are dried and added to tea, since they have the property of balancing the condition nervous system, relieve excitement, anxiety and relieve insomnia.

In traditional medicine, decoctions and tinctures are made from the fruits, flowers, peel, bark and seeds of pomegranate to treat anemia, stomatitis, diarrhea, burns, conjunctivitis and other diseases.

Pomegranate - contraindications.

Pomegranate juice, saturated with acids, is contraindicated for gastritis with high acidity, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. If necessary, it is heavily diluted with water. For the same reason, the harm of pomegranate can manifest itself by corroding tooth enamel, so after eating pomegranate or its juice, you need to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. The fixing property of pomegranate can cause constipation in people with problems with the digestive system, and the toxic substances contained in the peel, in case of an overdose of the decoction, can cause a strong increase in blood pressure, weakness, dizziness, convulsions, sharp blurred vision and irritation of the mucous membrane, so before using decoctions, be sure to consult your doctor.

Currently, breeders have grown 130 varieties. It grows best in areas with arid climates with hot summers. The flowers are scarlet, collected in racemes. Flowers of both sexes grow on shoots that grew last year. But on the shoots of the current year, flowers bloom that do not form fruit.

The planting hole should have dimensions of 60x70 cm, 15 cm of fertile soil is poured into it, followed by a bucket of humus mixed with soil or the same amount of well-rotted manure connected to the ground. If the soil is clayey, then add sand.

When planting a tree, place it on a mound to a depth of 5-10 cm, carefully straighten the rhizomes, and cover them with soil.

Then water generously and thoroughly mulch the ground with cut straw and humus, then the moisture will not dry out too much. If you begin to cover the tree for the winter, then plant it at an angle of 60-45° to the South. Press the soil down thoroughly so that there are no empty spaces near the roots. Water once a week.

Growing conditions and tree care

Good sunlight and warmth are the main conditions for pomegranate ripening. Tree leaves begin to bloom at t=+10-12 °C and they stop growing at the same temperature in the fall. The buds are set at t=+16-18 °C in June, the fruits develop in 5-6 months, it depends on the variety and weather, they finish ripening in October - November.

The plant grows well where in winter the temperature does not drop below -12-14°.

Since pomegranates bloom late, they are not afraid of frosts in the spring, but autumn frosts damage the fruits.

Watering a pomegranate tree:

• Pomegranate tolerates extremely dry air well if the soil is well watered.
• If there is little water in the soil, then the fruits become small and are of poorer quality.
• Pomegranate also does not tolerate excess water well, few fruits ripen, they are of poor quality, and the leaves begin to grow strongly.

Pomegranate loves light and if it is shaded by other trees, it grows poorly and has few fruits. It tolerates heat better than figs. Plants do not require frequent. The seedlings remain in the garden until the first frost, after which they are transferred to the apartment. In winter, the seedlings are placed in a dark room with a temperature of +10 ° C, then the leaves will not fall off, and the next year the trees will bloom profusely. During this period, they are watered very rarely, so that their rhizomes do not dry out.

Pomegranate feeding:

• In June, a complex solution is added under the pomegranate.
• And every 2 weeks the plant is watered with infusion of manure or.
• In autumn, 25 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium are scattered around the tree, and the fertilizers are slightly buried.
• On top there is a circle of rotted manure.

The crown is formed in the spring or after harvesting the fruits. The first step is to cut off dead branches and branches that thicken the tree. Afterwards, the stem shoots are removed and the basal shoots are eliminated.

When the crown is formed, the trunks are cut off, leaving 5 pieces, that is, the result is a bush-like shape, this is most suitable for pomegranate.

Once every 25 years, anti-aging pruning is done. To prepare for wintering, stakes are driven into the ground near the pomegranate, then the tree is tilted and tied to the stakes with a rope. Then a 15-20 cm layer of soil is poured on top. In the spring, in mid-May, the tree is freed: the rope is cut off, the soil is shaken off the tree.

Growing pomegranate at home

• The substrate must have neutral properties and be nutritious and loose. You can make it by mixing 1 part each of turf, sand, humus, and leaf soil. Or you can buy special soil for and in the store. At the bottom of the pot, make drainage from pebbles or expanded clay.
• Reproduction. Only species are suitable for sowing seeds, as varieties may lose their characteristics. In autumn or spring, pour a mixture of turf soil and sand into the pot. sow into the substrate and place the pots in. Such pomegranates begin to bear fruit after 5-8 years. Or at the beginning of summer, cut the semi-lignified shoots into pieces 10 cm long and plant.
• . Young trees are transplanted in the spring from a smaller pot to a larger one. Grown pomegranates are replanted once every 3 years into pots of the same size.
• Lighting requirements. Select the grenade from the southern, western and eastern window sills. To extend his day, you can use additional fluorescent lamps. In winter, with a lack of light, the pomegranate may shed its leaves. But under the lamps, if you observe a 12-hour day, then it blooms and produces fruits.
• Temperature requirements. The tree grows at temperatures of +20-25 °C.
• . Water the pomegranate when they see that the top layer of soil has dried out. Do not water too much, and also do not dry out the soil, as drought causes the roots to die. Water with soft, settled water at room temperature.
• As a result, the ovaries of the tree fall off and the fruits begin to rot. To destroy the moth, collect diseased parts of plants and burn them.
• Pomegranate aphid. Aphids reproduce on leaves and shoots. To eliminate it, pesticides are used. But it is much safer to use an infusion: grind 400 g of dried tobacco leaves and tobacco dust, pour into a bucket of water (10 l), leave for 2 days, then strain and add another 20 l of water. Then add 40 g of soap. Then plants. You can take 100 g of green leaves and 50 g of dry leaves, grind them and leave them in 1 liter of lukewarm water for a day, then filter.
• Pomegranates can also damage scale insects and spider mites. For prevention, shrubs are inspected and watered. If you see pests, treat the crop with Actellik or Fitoverm.

The most common diseases of pomegranate:

• leaf spot
• gray rot
• branch cancer
• root cancer

But if you care for the plant correctly, it gets enough light and moisture, and you don’t forget to feed the pomegranates, then the trees won’t get sick.

Pomegranate juice contains a lot of iron, which is why it increases the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. In addition, it is drunk for colds and coughs. The peel is used to treat diseases of the stomach and intestines, and the bark is used to remove worms.

More information can be found in the video.

Indoor pomegranate is also called dwarf pomegranate. Considering the fact that in nature these plants usually grow on saline lands or in rocky areas, one should not be surprised at their unpretentiousness. In apartments or houses, they adapt perfectly to the microclimate of the home. But still, let’s try to look at some of the nuances of breeding this crop.

Growing pomegranate from seed at home

Growing pomegranate at home, contrary to many opinions, is not a labor-intensive or complicated process. If you planted a plant as exotic decorative tree, both methods are equally suitable for you: from grain, or by layering. But to obtain a harvest and preserve the varietal qualities of the fruit, only the second of them should be used.

How to plant pomegranate at home from seed

As a material for planting and propagation, you can use seeds, which can be carefully collected from a plant flowering at home or purchased at specialized exhibitions and agrotechnical stores. For better effect they are soaked for a day in a solution with root growth stimulants (Kornevin).

Then they are sown in flowerpots and covered with a transparent film. With the appearance of the first shoots, you can remove the improvised greenhouse and place the plant in a well-lit and warm place.

To grow pomegranates from seeds at home, it is important to properly prepare them for germination by carefully removing the pulp, rinsing them in cool water and drying them thoroughly. This point is really important because it helps prevent them from rotting.

It is advisable to plant the seeds to a depth of 1 cm in a loose soil mixture (peat and black soil - 1:2), while not forgetting about drainage. The location here must be chosen in the same way as in the case of seeds - where there is enough sunlight. As the earthen ball dries, it should be moistened.

You should know that sowing seeds often does not bring the desired result and this method is used mainly when breeding new breeding products and when it is not possible to use layering.

How to grow homemade dwarf pomegranate from seed video

Growing pomegranate at home using cuttings

The easiest way to grow indoor pomegranate at home is by propagating it using ordinary cuttings. It is this method that is considered the most common due to the complete preservation of genetic material and high level survival rate. The quality of the harvest and the seedling’s resistance to diseases will ultimately depend on this.

1. For layering, at the very beginning of spring, the middle (about 15 cm) of an adult stem with 3-4 buds is selected.
2. Next, you can place the cutting in water or treat it with Kornevin to stimulate growth.
3. The soil for rooting does not differ from that recommended for germinating seeds.

If all stages are carried out properly, then within a month the pomegranate will form a primary root system, and new branches will begin to appear from the buds. Strong pomegranate trees are usually planted in separate pots after 1-2 months.

Pomegranate indoor care at home photo

Caring for pomegranate at home is simple. In summer, it is even planted in open ground to decorate the flower garden in an original way. The main thing is to take into account that shaded areas are suitable for this culture. This will avoid sunburn.

When growing home pomegranate, care should include systematic spraying and abundant watering, and in the spring it would not be amiss to apply light nitrogen-containing fertilizers. This will help the flower recover more quickly from the cold season, enhance growth and have a beneficial effect on the density of the bush and the richness of the color of the leaves. In summer experienced gardeners It is recommended to use fertilizers with phosphorus to stimulate the appearance of buds and the beginning of flowering.

If growth is weak and there is a small amount of ovary, it is necessary to reconsider the temperature regime, humidity level, watering frequency or location. To prepare a crop such as pomegranate for wintering, care at home will include the introduction of complex mineral fertilizers, alternating them with potassium supplements.

During this period, the plant may change, dropping its foliage - this is a completely normal phenomenon. But, since the plant loves fresh air, it is worth taking it out onto the loggia, while avoiding subzero temperatures and drafts. As for the frequency of watering in general, in winter their number can be reduced to 1-2 times a month. Is it true this advice is relevant only for mature seedlings; young ones will need more moisture.

Growing homemade pomegranate and caring for it video

Pomegranate home plant care: pruning and replanting

Those who are wondering how to care for pomegranates at home should not forget about the formation of the bush. Typically, shoots growing inwards are removed, as well as all dry branches. It is best to do this in the off-season, then the pomegranate will grow fluffy and beautiful.

You can grow a pomegranate plant at home in the form of a compact tree or shrub. With the onset of heat, the so-called stimulation of branching is carried out, leaving the shoot so long that there are from 2 to 5 pairs of leaves on it. To avoid excessive thickening, you need to prune on the buds looking inside the bush.

In order for pomegranate to grow full and healthy at home, it is advisable not to transplant it into new pot at least 3 years. After this, you can replace the depleted one every spring with minerals soil and the flowerpots themselves are larger in size. Chernozem and turf soil are excellent for pomegranate. It is also important to remember the need for drainage (small pebbles work great) to protect the roots from rotting.

Trimming homemade pomegranate video

Bottom line

Indoor or dwarf pomegranates, caring for them at home, which really does not take much effort and time from gardeners, are often bred by those who want to get to know the art of bonsai better. And it is not surprising, since with high-quality pruning and pinching, the plant can be given almost any shape. Whatever you choose this crop for: obtaining tasty and healthy fruits or for aesthetic pleasure, following simple rules and recommendations, the result will not be long in coming.

Rightfully recognized as the king of fruits, it has a rich history. It is one of the seven plants mentioned in the Bible. Pomegranate is often talked about in myths and legends. Its fruits have long been considered a symbol of wealth, friendship and love among many peoples. A strange plant can settle on the windowsill and become part of the history of your home.

Watching how homemade pomegranate grows is extremely exciting activity. There are two ways to get a new plant: cuttings or seeds. In the first case, a cutting with 6-8 buds and mature wood is cut under acute angle, treated with a root growth agent and planted in a pot.

Growing homemade pomegranate from seed is longer and interesting process. Regardless of the chosen method, the tree is completely unpretentious in care. If you create favorable conditions, homemade pomegranate will bloom and then delight you with little ones. delicious fruits. We suggest you figure out how to grow a pomegranate from a seed at home, and how to care for it.

Homeland of the plant

The homeland of pomegranate is the ancient state of Carthage, located on the territory of modern Tunisia. In honor of its habitat, the fruit was named Malumpunicum, which means Carthaginian apple.

First seedlings noble wood brought to Carthage by the Phoenicians in 825 BC. At that time, these lands were considered places of vibrant international trade. With the attack of the Romans, most of the territories were destroyed. Only the spacious pomegranate gardens remained untouched.

Pomegranate in natural environment

The times of Carthage are long gone. In which countries do pomegranates grow today?

Arid tropical and subtropical climate – ideal conditions for plant life. The fruit is widespread throughout the world, and many varieties of pomegranate are also found in Russia.

Traveling through the warmer parts of our homeland, you can come across entire pomegranate gardens. Pomegranate grows in Crimea, the Azov region, in the south Krasnodar region, in Dagestan and the North Caucasus. Wild pomegranate grows on the rocky slopes of Transcaucasia in mixed forests.

The height of the pomegranate tree depends on the variety and can reach 6 meters in height. The trunk is strong, light brown in color with thin prickly branches. The pomegranate blooms from May until the end of summer. Male flowers resemble an elongated bell in shape, while female flowers resemble a jug of orange-red, white or yellow shades. What the tree and pomegranate fruits look like depends on the growing area and variety. The most common varieties:

• Crimean striped. A small tree covered with large fruits weighing about 300-450 grams and thick skin;
• Gyulosha pink. The plant and fruits are larger Crimean pomegranate, with thin skin and sour grains;
• Nikitinsky early. Low shrub with large and sweet fruits;
• Bala-Mursal. Pomegranate with tasty and heavy fruits (about 500 g each) and high yield;
• Achik-Dona. The fruits are yellow-pink in color with elongated grains and sweet pulp;
• Dwarf pomegranate. An ornamental plant no more than a meter high. The taste of the fruit is not much different from ordinary pomegranate varieties.

Planting pomegranate seeds

Growing pomegranate at home begins with selection planting material. Take ripe fruit without signs of rot, mold, dents or abrasions. Size and appearance of the fetus this issue, are not very important. As a rule, there are hybrids of fruits on the shelves that do not pass on their qualities to the next offspring. and select grains for planting, clean them of pulp and rinse in running water.

Pomegranate seeds should be firm with a pleasant gray-beige or ivory color. These signs confirm that the seed contains the amount necessary for germination. nutrients. Seeds that are soft to the touch or green when they fall into the soil will simply begin to rot. Select the seeds you like and place them in salt water. Those that sank to the bottom first are best suited for landing.

Also, seeds can be purchased in special stores. The most common varieties are Baby and Carthage.

Pomegranate seeds must be disinfected to prevent the development of fungus. To do this, it is recommended to soak them in solutions of potassium permanganate, Zircon or Epin. Just a couple of drops per teaspoon of water is enough.

To start the germination process, pierce with a needle and soak the selected material. Pour some water into a saucer so that the seeds are half exposed to air. Every 12 hours you need to change the water and make sure that the seeds do not dry out. You can create an additional moisturizing layer by lining the bottom of the saucer with gauze or a napkin. It is recommended to use filtered water free of impurities.

After 3 days, the grains can be planted in the ground. Unlike many plants, homemade pomegranate germinates in the soil, and not while the seeds are soaked. In order for the sprout to quickly free itself from the dense skin, the seed is lightly sanded with a nail file or sandpaper with a fine abrasive. A mixture of equal parts of fertile soil, peat and river sand is suitable as a substrate. In the absence of peat, it can be easily replaced with turf soil and humus. Also suitable special mixture for planting indoor plants.

A drainage layer of pine sawdust and expanded clay, small pebbles, gravel or pieces of foam is laid on the bottom of the pot. This is necessary to protect home pomegranate from stagnation of water and rotting of roots.

Wide pots with a height of 10 cm or more are suitable as containers. Make 1-1.5 cm depressions in the ground, place pomegranate seeds in them and lightly sprinkle with earth. There is no need to compact or place a lot of soil on top, this will prevent the sprouts from breaking through. Spray the soil with warm water and cover plastic film to create greenhouse conditions. The mini-greenhouse must be ventilated every day and moistened with a spray bottle as needed. Optimal temperature for seed germination is 25-30 degrees. The pot can be placed near the radiator, but make sure that the soil does not dry out.

Seeds planted in late autumn or early spring may hatch in a couple of weeks. At other times, the cultivation period increases to several months. If sprouts have not appeared after 6 months, it means that the seeds were unable to germinate.

Usually, the strongest ones are selected from the hatched sprouts. Thin and poor seedlings produce weakened plants susceptible to disease. Therefore, they are either pulled out or pinched, leaving the root in the ground. As it decomposes, it will provide nutrients to the developing home pomegranate. Also, seedlings can be planted in several pots. Picking is carried out after the appearance of two true, not cotyledon, leaves. For this:

• Each sprout at home is given its own pot.
• Fill the container with drainage and substrate.
• Make 2-2.5 cm indentations. Moisten the soil so that homemade pomegranate quickly takes root.
• Carefully plant the sprout in the hole, sprinkle it with earth and lightly tamp it down.

Monitor soil moisture. After landing excess moisture harmful to young plants. When germinating in spring or summer, homemade pomegranate sprouts will receive enough natural sunlight. In winter and autumn, additional lighting with an ultraviolet lamp is required.

Caring for pomegranate at home

Regardless of the planting method, indoor pomegranate will decorate your home. The tree grows 90-110 cm in height, abundantly strewn with bright green foliage. Starting at age 2, every 10 months, homemade seed pomegranates produce beautiful, bright purple flowers.

It is believed that the domesticated fruit king does not bear fruit. To achieve fruit appearance, decorative pomegranate will have to be grafted. However, many flower gardening practitioners claim that the first fruits appear in 3-4 years; it is enough to properly care for the pomegranate. The number of male flowers many times exceeds female ones, although it is the latter that are necessary for fruiting. Therefore, in addition to standard conditions such as lighting, temperature and watering, there are little tricks:

• Male flowers do not grow as actively if you plant pomegranate in a narrow container;
• During the flowering period, the water should be slightly cool, approximately +18-20 degrees;
• The chances of fruiting increase if you pollinate your homemade pomegranate yourself with a brush or cotton swab

It is necessary to fertilize the plant 1-2 times a month. In the spring, pomegranate needs phosphorus, which stimulates flowering, and nitrogen, which nourishes the foliage. IN autumn period potassium will help prepare for winter. Universal fertilizers for indoor plants in liquid form are suitable for nutrition. However, it should be remembered that such fertilizers contain large amounts of nitrates, which accumulate in the fruits. An infusion of manure and aquarium water are suitable as safe organic fertilizers.

Priming

Since pomegranate lives naturally on rocky slopes, care at home will not turn into burdensome plant control. You don't even need special soil. It is enough to mix turf soil diluted with humus and coarse sand, loam and peat in a ratio of 2:1:1. All-purpose loose soil for houseplants is also suitable. To prevent stagnation of water and rotting of roots, a drainage layer is laid on the bottom.

Temperature and humidity

As for the temperature regime, indoor pomegranate requires certain care and attention. Suitable temperature fluctuates between 18-25 degrees and about 12-15 in winter. Moderate humidity is suitable for plant growth and development.

After the period of natural shedding of leaves, which takes place in November-December, homemade pomegranate should be placed in a room with a temperature of +5-0 degrees. More low temperatures harmful to the plant.

In the spring, after the frosts are over, the shrub can be placed on the balcony or taken out into the garden, hidden in the shade of branchy trees. On fresh air homemade pomegranate develops better and blooms more readily.

During the flowering period, temperatures above 25 degrees are unacceptable. It leads to the fall of leaves and a halt in the development of home pomegranate. To reduce the temperature, you can spray the tree with cool water.

Lighting

Homemade pomegranate is a lover of bright but diffused light. It is better to place the plant on a windowsill with south side and shade from straight lines sun rays. In winter, an artificial extension of daylight hours is required, for example, using an ultraviolet lamp.

Watering

The root system of home-grown pomegranate is located in the upper layers of the soil. Therefore, water the plant when the soil surface becomes dry. To do this, use settled water at room temperature.

In hot weather, it is optimal to moisturize homemade pomegranate every day, in winter up to 2 times a week. If the soil in the depths remains wet and the top layer dries out, spray the soil with a spray bottle. It is better to protect the leaves and flowers of the plant from contact with water.

Trimming homemade pomegranate

The formation of shrubs and pruning of homemade pomegranate is carried out in February, before the onset of the active growth phase. Flowers form only at the ends of strong branches, so all thin and damaged shoots can be safely removed. Young shoots are pruned at the bud facing outwards.

You can add a touch of Japanese culture by forming a homemade pomegranate into a bonsai. To do this, the tree is grown with one branch, tying it to a wire. The height and shape of the plant is independently regulated. You can make a spiral bush, completely straight or with a slope on one side. The foliage is cut in the form of a ball, triangle or cube. It all depends on your imagination. Volumetric growth of foliage is achieved by pinching the fourth pair of leaves after the third pair has fully ripened. So the home pomegranate will grow with two tops.

Transfer

Homemade pomegranate is replanted annually for five years. The diameter of the new pot should be several centimeters larger than the previous one. As a rule, to enhance flowering, a narrow pot is selected for home pomegranate. A sure signal to move to a larger pot is when the roots completely envelop the earthen ball. For an adult tree, it is enough to renew the container once every 4 years.

Possible problems of diseases and pests

Insufficient watering appears on the leaves of homemade pomegranate in the form of brown spots.

Spider mites appear in dry, hot air. A white sticky web forms on the leaves, after which they fall off. The tree can be saved using folk remedies (garlic and tobacco tincture). Cover the soil with plastic before use. From chemicals Actellik and Fitoverm are suitable.

The whitefly feeds on the sap of homemade pomegranates, which causes the leaves to turn yellow and fall off. Inspect the plant, collect all pests by hand and treat the bush with Derris or soap solution.

Fruit stalk and aphid. As with whiteflies, collect all the insects and spray your homemade pomegranate with insecticides.

Gray rot covers homemade pomegranates with a moldy coating. To combat the disease, all affected areas of the plant are removed, then the tree is treated with fungicides, for example, Bordeaux mixture.

Branch cancer is a lesion with spongy swellings appearing along the edges. The disease affects only frozen and injured branches. First, the shoots die and the homemade pomegranate dries out completely. It is advisable to remove the affected areas and treat unprotected surfaces with garden varnish. However, even this rarely saves the plant. Most often, it dies completely.