How to properly propagate pomegranate from cuttings at home

Features of the plant

Pomegranate is a small tree with juicy and sweet fruits. The plant is cultivated not only for its fruits, but is also used in the garden as decorative hedges with flowers of various colors. At a young age, pomegranate has very flexible shoots, which allows you to create absolutely any shape from the trunk and crown, which is ideal for bonsai.

The tree reaches a height of up to 5 meters and often has sharp spines at the ends of its branches. In the tropics this plant is evergreen, but in subtropical climates with cold winters the leaves fall off in the fall. The first flowers and fruits appear at 3 years of age. Many varieties, with proper care, can bloom all year round.

This is a self-pollinating plant, and from the moment of flowering to the full ripening of the fruits, 4-5 months pass. For normal fruit ripening, the temperature must be at least 25 degrees.

How to care for young sprouts

Small sprouts require a temperature of +18 to +25°C and lighting for 10-12 hours a day.

If planting was carried out in the fall, the plants need to be illuminated with special phytolamps. Its minimum operating time is 2 hours in the morning and evening. In winter, the sprouts are constantly illuminated throughout the day.

Pomegranate needs moderately humid air. The heat from the radiator can destroy young plants, so place bowls of water next to the container, use a humidifier, or sometimes spray the sprouts with a spray bottle.

Water as needed: ideally when the soil dries to a depth of 2-3 cm.

The sprouts are distributed into a separate pot after 2-3 leaves appear on them. Use the same soil as when planting grains. At the same moment, the sprout is pinched so that the roots become stronger and develop better.

There is an opinion that pinching is best done a month after transplantation. This stimulates the rapid development of new branches and makes the crown round.

Hibernation of indoor pomegranate

Does indoor pomegranate need hibernation?

If you are unable to provide your pet with constant good lighting, it makes sense to talk about the winter dormancy period of the pomegranate. Usually it occurs from November to February. At this time, it is necessary to place the flower in a cool room, water less, do not feed, and wait for spring. Lowering the temperature in a city apartment is problematic. You can place a flower pot close to the window glass, separating it with polyethylene from the rest of the room. Or you can take the pomegranate into a heated basement during this time.

But, we claim that in winter, at normal room temperature, good lighting for up to 12 hours. per day (with the help of a powerful phyto lamp) pomegranate will feel cheerful and comfortable. The formation of numerous flower buds will not stop at this time.

Secrets of caring for indoor pomegranate

Lovers of indoor potted flowers value the decorative dwarf plant not only for its exceptional external qualities, but also because caring for an indoor pomegranate does not require special skills. If you follow some rules and create a minimum of conditions for the dwarf shrub, it will reward you with lush flowering from November to the end of January.

In summer, indoor pomegranate “lives” perfectly in the garden or on the balcony. To avoid leaf burns, do not plant it in the sunny side. The best place is the eastern or western side shaded by trees.

Caring for indoor pomegranate at home. Photo

During the hot season, the plant requires abundant watering

and spraying.

In order for the mini-shrub to increase the number of green leaves for caring for indoor pomegranate at home, it is better to choose nitrogen fertilizers

, and in order for fruits to appear - phosphorus additives. You can choose a mineral mixture at any specialized flower shop.

The loss of leaves from a plant may not always be a sign of poor health. Before winter, pomegranate sheds its leaves, freeing itself from dense greenery. At this time it is necessary to feed

its potassium fertilizer.

Caring for indoor pomegranates is different for adults and young ones. Young plants need watering more often, while older plants can be watered once every 10 days.

For wintering

A non-hot place, even a glassed-in loggia, is better suited. An important requirement is the absence of drafts and very low temperatures;

When transplanting

plants should choose black soil with the addition of turf. Complex soil is ideal;

drainage at the bottom of the pot into which the plant is transplanted.

so that the roots do not rot.

Method for rooting sprouts in water

The method of rooting cuttings in water is used at home, when growing plants, flowers, and shrubs. Plants such as grapes, roses, chrysanthemums, begonias, currants, and gooseberries reproduce well in this way. When propagated by this method, you can visually observe the viability of the cutting and the development of its root system; if necessary, using special means, help the plant in further development and growth.

Materials for the procedure

After cutting the cuttings, the lower cut is dipped into a dry mixture of Kornevin and crushed activated carbon (in equal quantities), the excess adhering mixture is shaken off so as not to cause the death of the planting material. The cuttings are placed in a bowl with water in a warm, bright place. It is advisable to take glassware for cuttings, made of white glass.

Polyethylene dishes are light, unstable, and quickly tip over, which causes unpleasant troubles and damage to the emerging cuttings. Through the transparent glass, the development of the roots is clearly visible. If the water becomes cloudy and mucus appears on the roots, they must be carefully washed with warm water and filled with fresh, warm, chlorine-free water.

Period of appearance of roots

Within a week, the buds of the shoots will begin to turn green and swell, and by the end of the week the first white roots will emerge. Over the next week, the development and growth of the root system will begin.

If there are weak, thin roots, it is clear that the root system is not developing enough, the shoot is not viable, and may die during transplantation. It is necessary to dilute Kornevin in water at the rate of 1 milliliter per 1 liter of warm water and keep the planting material in this solution for 12 hours, then put it back into clean water. When a well-developed, dense root system is formed, the shoots are transplanted into a pot in a permanent place.

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Planting in prepared soil

After 3-4 young shoots with leaves appear, the cuttings are transplanted into separate pots without damaging the root system with an earthen lump. Drainage is poured into the bottom of the pot. The pots are placed on the windowsill (provided that the window sills are wide), in the room on the south side; In bright sunshine, the plant is shaded so that the sun's rays do not burn the leaves. You can place the pot in a place that is well lit, opposite a window - this is the best option for the development of the plant.

Methods for growing in open ground

Is it possible to grow a tree in a garden or country house and how to do it? There are plenty of ways to grow pomegranate trees. It is bred from seeds, cuttings, sprouts, using layering and grafting. But each of them has its own characteristics.

From the seed

The fruit to be pitted is chosen to be large, absolutely ripe, with good taste characteristics. Only then can you be sure that the daughter plant will be no worse, but provided that high-quality care is provided for 2-3 years.

1. Peel the pomegranate seeds and immediately place them in a container with a stimulating solution for 10-12 hours.
2. Prepare a pot for planting and soil.
3. Distribute the seeds evenly over the surface of the soil at a depth of 1 cm. Then sprinkle with a 1.5 cm layer of soil.
4. It is necessary to create greenhouse conditions.
5. Provide seedlings with regular watering with warm water and access to fresh air.
6. Remove the greenhouse as it grows.
7. When the sprouts stretch 3-5 cm upward, they will need picking.
8. After 3 months, repeat.
9. Leave only strong, healthy shoots to obtain a pomegranate tree.

Cuttings

This is the most popular method among gardeners. It gives an almost 100% harvest guarantee.

1. In the first days of spring, we prepare the cutting: we take the middle of a two-year branch about 15-20 cm.
2. The presence of 2-3 kidneys is a must.
3. Soak for 2-3 hours in a biostimulator solution.
4. Plant the prepared cuttings in a container with well-warmed soil to a depth of 10 cm. One internode should remain on top.
5. Greenhouse conditions should be created to obtain the desired result.
6. Do not forget to ventilate and water the cuttings.
7. After 3-4 months, transplant the sprout into a large container for further germination.
8. A year later, in late spring, you can plant it in the ground.

By layering

The method of propagation by root shoots is used in cases where there is a need to rejuvenate the pomegranate tree. Then carefully separate the strong root shoots and plant them in open ground for further strengthening.

Important. The procedure should be carried out in the spring

Then by winter the sprouts will become strong and flexible, thus withstanding the shelter for the winter.

Vaccination

There are several types of pomegranate grafting:

• splitting the cuttings;
• under the bark;
• budding, which involves grafting with a sleeping eye.

The first two methods are performed in early spring, around March. But the last one is at the beginning of autumn. The cutting should be selected from a young plant, 15-20 cm in size. It is better to insert it into the tree from the north side, so the sun's rays will not penetrate the splice site. The first flowering of pomegranate will occur in 3-5 years.

From a sprout

The principle of the method is quite similar to the seed method. Carefully plant the finished sprout in a container with prepared, nutritious soil. We create the right conditions for further growth - this is temperature and humidity in the room, watering, spraying. After a few months, depending on the size of the plant and the time of year, plant it in the ground.

Reproduction

Indoor pomegranates reproduce using seeds (seeds) and layering.

Propagation using seeds

Potted pomegranate seeds

Only specific forms of pomegranate are suitable for propagation by seeds, because the seeds of the varieties do not retain the characteristic properties of the mother plant. This method is used mainly for breeding new breeding products. Seeds can be bought in special stores.

If you want to grow pomegranate from the seeds of your own home-ripened fruit, no problem. To do this, take seeds from the largest, well-ripened fruits. These seeds are creamy in color and hard to the touch. Greenish and soft seeds are not suitable for germination! Carefully prepare the seeds for planting. Remove all the pulp from them, rinse them well in cool water, maybe with potassium permanganate, then dry them thoroughly. This will prevent the seeds from rotting during storage and germination. Dry pomegranate seeds remain viable for up to six months.

Planting seeds

In the spring, preferably in April, plant the seeds in loose, nutritious soil to a depth of 0.5 - 1 cm in a pot with drainage under a film. Before planting, you can soak the planting material in a small amount of water with 2-3 drops of Zircon or Epin added to it for 12 hours. This stimulates the germination process. The solution should not completely cover the seeds; in addition to moisture, they require oxygen.

Choose a place for the pot that is well lit and warm. The seed germination temperature is 25 – 27°C. Monitor soil moisture. As the top layer dries, the planting should be moistened with warm, settled water using a spray bottle so as not to accidentally wash out the soil. Shoots appear quite quickly in spring, and seeds planted at other times of the year can sit in a pot for several months.

Plant the strongest specimens in the phase of two or three true leaves in separate small pots, up to 6 cm in diameter. The shoots, 10 cm long and having formed three pairs of leaves, are pinched for better tillering of the flower. Place pots of young pomegranates on the warmest light windowsill. They need daily sunbathing, at least two hours a day. Protect from the midday sun with blinds. Ventilate the room - pomegranates love fresh air.

If pomegranate sprouts appeared in winter, they will have to be illuminated with a phyto lamp.

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You need to know that a pomegranate grown from the seed of an ordinary large fruit purchased at the market will bloom only after 7–8 years. And the plant turns out to be large - it is unlikely to fit into the dimensions of your house. In indoor culture, it makes sense to grow only compact decorative pomegranates of dwarf size.

Propagation by cuttings

Indoor pomegranate cuttings

We recommend this particular method of pomegranate propagation due to the high survival rate of cuttings and their complete preservation of the genetic characteristics of the mother plant. If you are going to root cuttings from your pomegranate in the summer, choose well-ripened semi-lignified shoots about 10 - 15 cm long, so that they have at least 4 - 5 buds. In winter, usually in February, lignified pomegranate shoots of the same length are used for rooting. But their rooting takes much longer and with great losses. In any case, treat the prepared cuttings with root growth stimulants (Kornevin, for example), remove a pair of lower buds from them and then place them in a container with nutritious loose soil at an angle, to a depth of 3 cm, cover it with film or a jar. Daily ventilation, spraying and, if necessary, watering are necessary. The rooting process is quite slow, and some cuttings may die. Therefore, we recommend that you cut them immediately with a reserve, 4-5 pieces. After two to three months, rooted cuttings can be transplanted into pots prepared for continuous growth. The very next year, a young seedling will delight you with its flowering, and fruiting will occur in a couple of years.

Indoor pomegranate grafting

Indoor pomegranate can also be propagated using grafting. A varietal cutting is grafted onto a pomegranate rootstock grown from a seed. It is taken from a healthy adult plant that consistently bears fruit. Grafting is done in different ways, depending on the thickness of the rootstock and cuttings, there are a great many of them.

The easiest ones for beginning flower growers are grafting by simple copulation, behind the bark, into the cleft, into the butt and into the side cut. You should choose the type of vaccination yourself and try to implement it. You can use the services of a specialist. If the varietal cutting takes root, the pomegranate will bloom in three to four years.

Suitable conditions

The south side of the room is suitable: the pot is placed on the windowsill; in the summer you need to make a shelter for it.

• In order for the seedling to start growing quickly, it should be soaked before planting;
• the soil is fertilized and then well moistened;
• drainage is required;
• The last watering of the cutting occurs in early October.

When propagating an exotic plant, it is important to follow these simple rules:

1. The cuttings are taken from an adult indoor plant that has repeatedly bear fruit.
2. In the summer, it is advisable to use semi-lignified shoots, and with the onset of winter, completely woody shoots.
3. The cuttings are prepared with 4–6 buds, and the lower part is planted at a certain angle in moist soil consisting of sand and peat mixed in equal proportions, to a depth of no more than 3 centimeters.
4. The cuttings are covered with a plastic bottle with the neck cut off or a glass jar.
5. The shoots are kept in a moist environment and ventilated regularly.
6. Before direct planting, the cuttings are treated with a rooting agent.

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After 3 months, the strengthened seedlings are transplanted into separate pots. Flowering occurs very quickly, but in the first year it is recommended to cut off the flowers completely.

Despite all the unpretentiousness of the plant, even in apartment conditions it is susceptible to the development of various diseases, the most common of which is spider mites. To combat the pest, the pomegranate is periodically sprayed with garlic tincture.

But it is important to protect the soil with film during the procedure.

If yellowing and falling leaves are observed during the growing season, then most likely the plant is infected with whitefly, which feeds on pomegranate juice. To combat the pest, you can use the store-bought product “Derris”, which is applied several times for better effect.

In the case of pomegranate, two propagation methods are available. The first of them is seed, more complex and less effective. You should use it only if you have at your disposal large, selected seeds taken from high-quality fruits. Only in this case, when using the seed propagation method, there is a high chance of getting a plant similar in characteristics to the mother shrub. But most often, home botanists and breeders use a different method - vegetative.

Possible problems

If you do not care for the bush correctly or do not provide it with suitable growth conditions, then problems may arise with it:

1. Yellowing of the tree . This problem is very common. First, the bush must be carefully examined for the presence of harmful insects, in particular spider mites. If there are no pests, then the bush most likely turns yellow due to the excessively high air temperature in the room. Yellowing may also be due to insufficient moisture in the soil mixture, but in this case dark spots form on the leaf blades.
2. Flying leaves . The flying of leaf blades may be a consequence of their yellowing, and this may be due to the fact that pests have settled on the bush, for example, spider mites, or the plant is affected by some disease, as well as due to excessively poor watering or the fact that in the room very hot. The loss of leaves may also be due to the fact that the plant is preparing for a dormant period, because it is deciduous. In this case, the process is completely natural and there is no need to be alarmed.
3. Drying of the tree . Drying of the foliage may be due to the fact that the air humidity in the room is excessively low or to problems with the root system that arise when the tree is not watered correctly. In this case, the substrate in the pot should be sniffed; if it has a strong smell of mold, then the bush will need to be transplanted into a fresh soil mixture. During replanting, carefully inspect the root system of the bush and cut out all rotten areas. Wounds on the surface of the root system must be sprinkled with coal powder.

Caring for young shoots

Despite the fact that this is an unpretentious plant, the growing conditions for pomegranate must be properly organized, as this will allow you to get a good harvest of fruit. After planting the seeds, the first shoots begin to hatch within a few weeks. It is during this period that it is necessary to provide optimal conditions for the rapid formation of young shoots

It is very important to know what a pomegranate sprout looks like so as not to confuse it with weeds whose seeds could remain in the soil

When the first shoots appear, heat and humidity play an important role. It is strictly forbidden to water the soil, but if the soil is dry, you can spray it a little with a spray bottle.

Seedlings with 2-3 leaves are transplanted into separate pots. Pomegranate seedlings are planted in the soil, to prepare which you need to mix:

• leaf humus - 1 part;
• sand – 0.5 parts;
• turf – 2 parts;
• peat – 0.5 parts.

Pomegranate has a superficial rhizome, so the tree can grow well in small containers. The most important thing is to ensure good drainage. Caring for young plants involves abundant regular watering, which is carried out as the surface layer dries. Excess water from the pan must be poured out.

If the plants were planted in winter, then they require additional artificial lighting, otherwise the pomegranate sprout will become very elongated or will not grow at all. When transplanting seedlings, it is recommended to tip them a little so that they stretch less. Then, after the third pair of leaves appears, you need to pinch the top, thus stimulating growth with two crowns.

Subsequently, these two branches need to be pinched at the level of the 3rd pair of leaves. Without this, the pomegranate will simply stretch upward for a long time and remain fragile. The first flowering can be at the age of 10 months, provided that the tree has enough light.

Sprouts prefer bright light, but on hot days it is best to create a little shade to avoid burning the leaves. It is recommended to place the pot on a south-facing window. Periodically you need to take it out into the open air. In winter, it is recommended to place the plant in a well-lit, cool place.

During the growing season, it is recommended to maintain the temperature at 20-25 degrees, and closer to autumn it should be lowered slightly. The young tree needs to be replanted every year, choosing a slightly larger pot each time.

Brief description of cultivation

1. Bloom . After planting, the plant blooms only after 3 years.
2. Lighting . The light should be bright, but always diffused.
3. Temperature regime . During intensive growth of the tree - from 18 to 25 degrees, and during the dormant period - from 12 to 15 degrees.
4. Watering . During the period of active growth, watering should be frequent and abundant, but during the flowering period, watering should be reduced. In winter, the bush should be watered sparingly.
5. Air humidity . Experts advise on hot days in the evening to moisten the foliage with lukewarm water from a sprayer.
6. Fertilizer . In the spring-summer period, fertilizing is carried out once every 2 weeks and a mineral complex fertilizer for house plants with a low nitrogen content is used. In winter, all feeding is stopped.
7. Rest period . It begins in late autumn and ends in February. When the bush needs rest, its leaves begin to fly away.
8. Transplant . Young trees need regular replanting, which is carried out once a year. Bushes older than three years should be replanted only if necessary, after the roots no longer fit into the container.
9. Trimming . The bush is pruned in February to form the crown and stimulate branching.
10. Reproduction . By seed method, cuttings and grafting.
11. Harmful insects . Mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects, aphids, codling moths and whiteflies can settle on the bush.
12. Diseases . Branch cancer, root rot.

Description of dwarf decorative varieties of pomegranate

In nature, the pomegranate tree grows up to 5-6 meters. However, special decorative varieties are grown at home, which, due to their size, are called dwarf. They generally grow between 80-120 cm. The leaves are small, oval-shaped with a pleasant gloss. They have a bright light green color.

An interesting detail is that the foliage almost constantly changes its color.

When the growth period begins in the spring, they are more saturated bronze tones, and during the summer they manage to acquire rich green tones. By autumn they turn yellow, like most of the trees we are used to.

How to grow pomegranate from seed at home

Pomegranate is an amazing plant in every way. Let's start with the fact that it blooms for a long time: from the beginning of summer until autumn. Following the blossoming flowers, more and more new ones appear. Those who saw a blooming pomegranate will never forget this amazing sight. Against the background of green foliage, the flowers look fabulously beautiful - bright orange-red in color and unusual bell-shaped - and cover the plant abundantly. It is also surprising that on a pomegranate you can simultaneously observe both flowering and fruit setting.

On a pomegranate you can simultaneously observe flowers and set fruits

In the East, this plant has long been considered the king of fruits. Pomegranate flowers and fruits symbolize longevity, fertility, wealth and abundance. Many Bible scholars believe that the "apple of heaven" was actually a pomegranate. There is also a belief that the shape of the sepals of the fruit gave people the idea of ​​​​creating a crown. Well, it’s not worth talking about the benefits of fruits. Everyone probably knows how many microelements, vitamins and organic substances are contained in this fruit.

The shape of the sepals resembles a crown, which is probably why pomegranate is called the royal fruit

Another amazing fact is that pomegranate can be easily grown at home from a seed. If in nature the plant grows up to 6 m, then in indoor conditions the tree rarely exceeds the two-meter level. Thanks to this, an indoor pomegranate can decorate any corner of the apartment and bring joy and prosperity to the house. In general, dwarf pomegranate grows best indoors. It is decorative, has a miniature size and easily adapts to living conditions. It produces few fruits, and they are small - about 5 cm in diameter. But they have a pleasant taste and are juicy.

All purchased seeds are hybrid plants that are adapted specifically to indoor conditions. But many amateurs also germinate seeds from purchased fruits. True, it is best to collect material for sowing not from imported pomegranates, but from domestic ones. In Russia, there are few places where this exotic fruit grows, but they do exist - Crimea, Krasnodar Territory, and the North Caucasus.

Indoor pomegranate is a small but very beautiful plant

The nuances of propagating pomegranate seeds

A houseplant like pomegranate can be propagated by both cuttings and seeds. For seed propagation, it is better to use seed material from specialized stores. When growing a houseplant from seeds purchased at a gardening store, the first flowers may appear in the first year, and fruiting may take place 2–3 years after planting the pomegranate.

.

Naturally, seeds from a fresh fruit can be used as seed material, which do not lose their germination quality for six months. Seeds are suitable only from large and fully ripened fruits. The plant is sown in April under glass, to a depth of half a centimeter.

For rapid seed germination, it is important to maintain a temperature within +25–27 °C. With the onset of the growth phase, when 2–3 leaves appear, the strongest shoots are transplanted into a separate container

As seedlings grow, they require proper care, which includes maintaining a comfortable temperature and regular watering.

Problems when growing pomegranate

If you do not follow the care conditions, the pomegranate will almost immediately respond with external signs of deviation from the norm.

Falling and yellowing of leaves

If the leaves begin to fall off and turn yellow, this may be a consequence of 3 reasons:

• insufficient watering and humidity levels in the air;
• lack of fertilizers;
• location of the bush in a heavily shaded place.

Important! Pomegranate is a deciduous plant, so yellowing and falling off of flowers in the fall is normal.

Why doesn't pomegranate bloom?

This is one of the most common problems. The most likely reason is the lack of sufficient fertilizers

. They need to be applied at least 2 times a month during the warm season.

Pomegranate tree diseases and their treatment

Pomegranate diseases are associated with yellowing and loss of leaves, absence of flowers or ovaries. There is also a specific disease. due to the fact that the branches of the plant begin to peel off and die. It's called branch cancer

and is manifested by cracked bark, the appearance of foreign formations; In addition, the branches begin to dry out in large numbers. All diseased shoots should be removed immediately.

Pomegranate pests and their control

There are several dangerous insects for this bush:

1. The pomegranate moth damages fruits by laying its eggs in them. Such fruits must be immediately removed and destroyed, and any insecticides are suitable to combat the butterfly.
2. Pomegranate aphid - especially likes to feed on young, non-lignified branches. To combat it, the tree is sprayed with an infusion of tobacco and soap (ratio 10:1).
3. Mealybug.
4. Spider mites leave whitish webs on branches and leaves. These insects are also controlled using universal insecticides.

Pomegranate blossom (video)

Thus, you can grow pomegranate and expect flowers and fruits from it both at home and in the open ground. With proper care, the bush grows beautiful, spreading, with bright flowers, thanks to which it fits well into the design of any flower garden.

Peculiarities of propagation of indoor pomegranate

Most pomegranate varieties are propagated vegetatively. The domestic pomegranate tree is a hybrid, therefore, the germination rate of its seeds is low.

Another advantage of propagating indoor pomegranates by cuttings is that flowers and fruits on such a plant appear earlier.

A tree grown from a seed blooms later than one obtained from cuttings.

Attention! When homemade pomegranate is propagated by seeds, as a rule, the characteristics are split. This means that seeds ripened in one fruit turn out to be heterogeneous.

Cutting options

To grow figs, green and woody planting material is used. Working with such cuttings has some differences. This must be taken into account when choosing a method.

In both cases, it is important to choose a suitable mother plant. It should already be blooming and bearing fruit.

This is a guarantee that child trees will also have this ability.

It is important to inspect the tree for disease and pest damage. If there are any suspicious spots or other symptoms, propagation is postponed until the plant is completely cured.

Lignified cuttings

Lignified cuttings have a hard but elastic bark. If you make a cut on it, you can see the green layer. The branches should not be too old or dry

It is important that there is no damage or signs of disease or pest damage.

The branches are cut into lengths from 15 to 25 cm. They must have at least three living buds. The lower cut is made at an angle of 45°, and the upper cut is made perpendicular to the branch.

The collected branches are placed in storage. If there is a basement, they are buried in sandboxes. Before use, sand is disinfected with a hot dark pink solution of potassium permanganate or by calcination in the oven (30-40 minutes at 180°C).

In the basement, planting material is stored at a temperature of +1…+5ºС. Once every 30 days, the sand is moistened with a small amount of cold water so that the cuttings do not dry out.

In March, the cuttings are cleared of sand. The lower part is shortened by 1.5-2 cm. Incisions 1.5 cm deep are made on the bark (in the lower part). The depth of such cuts should be such that the green epithelium is not damaged.

Green cuttings

Green cuttings are cut in spring. They must be absolutely healthy, well developed, without damage. The number of buds on high-quality pruning is at least 3-4. The branches are cut at an angle of 45º.

A juice resembling milk is released from the cut of green branches. Immediately after cutting, the planting material is left for 6-8 hours so that the sap stops.

The planting material is kept in a cool, dark place for 4-6 hours. Shallow cuts are made on the bark. After this, the cuttings are immediately rooted. The blanks form a root system in 1.5-2 months.

Bush formation

If indoor pomegranate is grown correctly, the plant will look beautiful and original. To achieve an aesthetically pleasing shape and a neat appearance, flower growers trim off excess shoots and form a bush. It is best to carry out pruning at the beginning of active growth time or before wintering - in spring and autumn.

Caring for indoor pomegranate at home involves pruning:

• dry twigs;
• fattening (not developing) shoots;
• branches that grow towards the depths of the bush.

External shoots, if they are healthy, should not be pruned. To get a beautiful, full-fledged bush, it is better to start pruning for formation on adult plants that are already more than 3 years old. Young pomegranates must be replanted indoors. This is done annually to replace depleted soil with fresh one.

Types and varieties of homemade pomegranate

In nature, there are only 2 types of pomegranate, namely: the common pomegranate (Punica granatum) and the Socotra pomegranate (Punica protopunica), which is endemic to the Yemeni island of Socotra. The Socotran pomegranate differs from the ordinary one in the pink color of the flowers, as well as in smaller and less sweet fruits. The common pomegranate is described in detail at the beginning of this article.

The dwarf pomegranate is a hybrid, but since it is very popular among gardeners, it has been separated into a separate species called Punica nana. This species is most often cultivated at home, including as a bonsai. The height of such a tree does not exceed 100 centimeters. This species differs from others in that it begins to bear fruit very early. The first flowering is observed already at 3–4 months. And in two-year-old pomegranates, about 10 small pomegranates are observed to form, reaching up to 50 mm in diameter. This species grows well at home due to the fact that it is resistant to low air humidity. This species differs from the ordinary pomegranate in that it practically does not shed its leaf blades during the winter. Thanks to breeders, more than 500 varieties of this species have been born, most of which are cultivated at home. Eg:

1. Uzbekistan . At home, the height of such a tree can reach about 200 cm. The rich red, spherical fruits weigh about 120 grams. Their skin is thin, and the grains are wine-burgundy in color and have a sweet and sour taste.
2. Baby . The height of the bush, as a rule, does not exceed 50 centimeters. The flowers are collected in bunches of 5–7 pieces or are single. The color of the fruits is brownish-yellow with a red blush, they reach 50–70 mm in diameter, and the pomegranates ripen at the end of the first half of the winter period. Such bushes must be pollinated artificially.
3. Carthage . Flowering occurs in May–August. Red flowers reach 40 mm in diameter. Slightly sour, juicy pomegranates are very tasty.
4. Shah-nar . The variety was born thanks to Azerbaijani breeders. The red fruits are pear-shaped or round in shape, they are covered with a peel of medium thickness. The taste of the small grains is pleasant, sweet and sour.
5. Ruby . The height of such a tree is about 0.7 meters. Unlike other varieties, this one has flowers of a more saturated ruby ​​color. If the plant is well cared for, its pomegranates will weigh about 100 grams and reach 60–80 mm in diameter.

The following varieties are popular among gardeners: Kzyl-anar, Vanderful, Ulfi, Lod-Zhuar, Ak-Dona, Gyuleysha red and pink, Purpurovy, Salavatsky, etc.

If you have a desire to grow pomegranate at home, then you can choose not only compact, but also vigorous varieties. The fact is that in indoor conditions they very rarely grow more than 200 cm.

HOW TO GROW POMEGRANATE ON THE WINDOW

How to plant pomegranate at home

It is best to plant seeds in November or mid-spring. To begin with, the selected grains are placed in disposable containers up to 8-10 cm deep, maintaining a distance of 2-3 cm.

Drainage is poured into the bottom of the container. This could be pebbles, branches or sticks, broken bricks, small crushed stone. Drainage should occupy 1/4 of the container.

Seeds cannot be buried in the ground; it is best to press them a little into the ground with a pencil or stick. Each seed is immersed 1 cm.

The container is covered with film or glass to create a greenhouse effect so that the moisture does not evaporate too quickly. Afterwards, the container is placed in a warm place with a temperature of at least +25°C.

The soil is moistened as it dries using a sprayer. You can’t pour too much water - the seeds will rot or go deep and won’t be able to germinate. Immediately after the first shoots form, the container is moved to the windowsill. The temperature should be maintained no more than +18°C to avoid excessive stretching of the sprouts.

There is no need to immediately remove the bag or glass. The plant is gradually accustomed to dry room air over 3-5 days. After this, the seedlings are transferred to the usual growing regime.

How to germinate pomegranate

Pomegranate sprout from seed

Before planting, it is useful to soak clean pomegranate seeds in any available stimulant - Epine Extra, Zircon, aloe juice, wood ash, Immunocytophyte.

To prepare a solution of Epin or Zircon, add 1-2 drops of the drug to a glass of water. The seeds are poured with nutritious water so that it covers them halfway. Better yet, spread the seeds between wet disks - this way you will be sure that they will not suffocate. Exposure time – 10-12 hours.

You will find even more recipes for natural solutions for soaking seeds in the article - “13 ways to treat seeds before sowing.”

Just don’t germinate pomegranate seeds in water for more than a day. In my experience, after this period they rapidly lose viability.

To improve the germination rate of pomegranate seeds, two simple techniques are used:

Scarification is mechanical damage to the hard shell of a bone using improvised means. For pomegranate seeds, this is convenient to do with a nail file.

Then the seeds are carefully pierced with a needle. It is important with all these manipulations not to damage the germs in the grains. If you doubt your sleight of hand, I recommend taking a closer look at the second method.

Stratification - aging seed material in a cool place. Pomegranate seeds are placed in damp sand and sent to the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

After 3-4 months at a temperature of 0...+2, they are removed from the sand and sown as usual.

After stratification, 90-95% of the seeds germinate. Without it, expect to get no more than 50% of seedlings.

Picking and pinching pomegranate seedlings

Small pomegranates need a temperature of +18...25 degrees and 10-12 hours of abundant lighting per day.

If you sowed at the end of autumn, the plants will need additional lighting with special phytolamps. At a minimum, they are turned on daily for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening. But in winter it is better to illuminate the grenades constantly, 12-14 hours a day.

Moderately humid air is good for pomegranate. In winter, bowls of water are placed near the bowls with plants, a humidifier is turned on in the room, or the greens are periodically sprayed with water from a spray bottle.

Watering is done as needed, when the soil dries to a depth of 2-3 centimeters.

When the plants have 2-3 pairs of true leaves, they are picked into separate containers. The requirements for the substrate are the same as for planting pomegranate seeds.

What kind of pot is needed for pomegranate?

At first, seedlings only need a small plastic or clay pot (cup) with a volume of 100-200 milliliters. Definitely with drainage holes!

In slightly cramped containers, pomegranates develop better and surprise the owner with frequent and abundant flowering.

When picking, the central root of seedlings is pinched to 1/3 of its length. After this, the roots become denser and grow better.

For the first 5-7 days, pomegranate trees are kept in diffused light, then transferred to the old place.

In winter, hot radiators dry out the air in the apartment - sometimes the humidity level drops below 20%! This is harmful not only for young pomegranates, but also for humans. To create a favorable atmosphere in the room, I recommend using a humidifier. It will immediately become easier for you to breathe, and your favorite aromatic oils will give you pleasant relaxation.

I have seen advice that pinching the top of a pomegranate should be done after laying three pairs of true leaves. But it seems to me that it is better not to rush into this matter and give the plants a chance to get stronger.

I recommend removing the tops of plants no earlier than a month after picking. This technique stimulates the appearance of new branches and the plants acquire a beautiful rounded shape.

It also depends on the height of the pinch what your pomegranate will look more like - a miniature tree or a lush bush.

If you don't want to pick seedlings, cut off all the plants except the three central ones. Carefully and not tightly intertwine them together. Watch a short video to see how simple and easy it is:

Propagation by cuttings

For propagation, choose lignified cuttings that have 4 internodes. Pomegranate sprigs take root with a 50% probability. Therefore, it is better to treat the cut areas with a growth stimulator, for example, “Kornevin”. You can root cuttings in water, but it is better to do this in a mixture of sand and peat or in peat tablets. In such an environment, branches grow roots faster and rarely rot. How to plant shoots:

1. Pour a layer of drainage into the container and sprinkle it with a substrate consisting of sand and peat. Don’t forget to disinfect the mixture first to protect the plants from germs and pests. To do this, hold it over steam or heat it in the oven.
2. Moisten the soil well and deepen the cuttings at an angle of 45° to the second or third bud.
3. Cover the planting with polyethylene or glass. Make sure that the cover does not touch the plants.
4. Place the planting in a warm, bright place out of direct sunlight. To ensure that the cuttings take root, maintain the soil temperature within +23 °C.

When caring for seedlings, regularly spray the substrate with warm water from a spray bottle, preventing it from drying out. Be sure to ventilate the greenhouse and, if necessary, wipe off condensation from the film.

It takes about a month for the cuttings to fully root. You can tell that the branches have taken root and grown roots by the appearance of new buds. As soon as this happens, remove the film, but continue to carefully moisten the soil, preventing it from drying out.

After 2–3 months, plant the seedlings in separate containers. During the event, shorten the central shoot of the young tree by a third of its length. This way you stimulate the growth of side branches, and the pomegranate will begin to branch.

Cold-resistant pomegranate varieties for growing in the garden

A pomegranate bush can be grown not only at home, but also in the garden. To do this, you need to choose special winter-hardy varieties:

1. gulyusha
   grow up to 2-2.5 meters in height, have a spreading crown, due to which they are used in garden landscape design. Resistant to frosts down to –15 o C.
2. Ak Don Crimean
   is also resistant to Russian climatic conditions. The variety forms a small tree that needs to be pruned in time to achieve a beautiful bush shape. It is cultivated for fruit production in Central Asia, where it was bred.

Winter-hardy pomegranate varieties take root well in the climatic conditions of Central Russia, but most often they do not bloom. To cultivate them, mandatory protection will be required during the winter cold period, since they may not withstand frosts below -15 o C.

Harvesting and storing pomegranates

In southern Russia (in some regions of Kuban) and Crimea, fruits begin to be harvested in October.
Harvesting pomegranates At this time, they reach maximum ripeness, the grains are full of sugars, and the peel acquires a rich red or yellow-pinkish speckled color.

When fully ripe, pomegranate fruits may crack; if you collect them for storage, you need to catch them before this moment.

Fully ripe pomegranates may crack

Pomegranate stores well and remains fresh for a long time.

Pomegranate stores well and stays fresh for a long time

Fruits cannot be stored at sub-zero temperatures, otherwise they may rot. A ventilated room with an air temperature of +2 °C will be optimal.

Flowering and fruiting

Pomegranate blooms not only beautifully and unusually, but also for a long time - from April to the end of summer.

Flowers are of two types: pitcher-shaped with long pistils that form fruits, and bell-shaped with short ones that do not form fruits. There are much more of the latter, 90% and, accordingly, only 10% are fruitful. The flowers are self-pollinating.

Sterile flowers fall off quickly, fruitful ones “live” for 6-10 days. The flowers are up to 2 cm in diameter and up to 4 cm in length.

After flowering, in the fall, the dwarf pomegranate produces charming small round fruits with a dense but thin skin, color from light orange to burgundy red, they do not exceed 4-5 cm in diameter. The fruits are covered with a hard skin, under which there are seeds, “wrapped” in juicy dark red pulp. The fruits are edible, but taste sour.

You can buy indoor pomegranate in the store, or you can grow it yourself from a seed or cutting.

Growing pomegranate from cuttings

Indoor pomegranate cuttings can be carried out in mid-summer (semi-lignified cuttings) or in February (lignified cuttings). 4 internodes are left on each cutting.

Pomegranate cuttings do not always root well; the rooting percentage may be less than 50%. For a more reliable result, the sections are treated with a root formation stimulator.

Semi-lignified cuttings take root better, but since it is a pity to trim shoots at the time when they are most decorative (flowers appear on them in mid-summer), rooting of completely lignified cuttings is often practiced.

You can root cuttings in water or a substrate consisting of a mixture of peat and sand in equal quantities. You can also use peat tablets. Before planting the cuttings, the substrate is well moistened.

The cuttings are placed in the ground at an angle of 45 degrees. Deepen by 2-3 buds. The container with the cuttings is covered with film and placed on a well-lit windowsill in a warm room. For rooting, the substrate temperature should not be lower than 23 degrees.

Further care of the cuttings comes down to regular watering; the soil should not dry out. Also, once a day, briefly remove the film for ventilation.

The first roots appear after 1-2 weeks. Complete rooting occurs after a month, as evidenced by the appearance of new buds on the cuttings. Then the film is removed and careful watering continues, avoiding waterlogging.

The first grown shoot is shortened. Cut it off by one third so that the tree begins to branch.

Growing pomegranate from seeds

The second way to grow homemade dwarf pomegranate is by seed.

Seeds must be used fresh, because... they lose their viability very quickly. The seeds are soaked in water for a day (do not completely fill the seeds with water, otherwise they will “suffocate”). Seeds taken from a fresh fruit must first be cleared of pulp to prevent them from rotting in the ground after planting.

Seeds are sown in the ground, immersing 1 centimeter into the ground. The best time to sow seeds is in winter, in January-February, so that at the beginning of summer the young plants can be taken out into the fresh air.

After sowing the seeds, it is necessary to constantly monitor the soil moisture. It should not be over-moistened or over-dried.

After about 2 weeks, the first shoots appear and are placed on a light windowsill. After 2 months, real leaves appear on the seedlings. Poorly developed seedlings are removed. When 3-4 pairs of true leaves grow on the remaining seedlings, they are planted in separate containers. In May, they are taken out into the garden or onto the balcony, placed under a canopy or under trees. The bright sun causes burns on weak seedlings.

In autumn, well-developed seedlings are transplanted into pots and transferred to a cool place until spring. In February-March they are placed on the windowsill, and in May-June they are again taken out into the garden or onto the balcony.

Indoor pomegranate can begin to bloom already in the first year of life, but in this case it is recommended to remove the flowers, because By this age the plant is not yet strong enough. In the second year, you can leave 1-2 ovaries.

Garden pomegranate will begin to bear fruit in 5-7 years.

Plants grown from cuttings bloom and bear fruit earlier than those grown from seeds.

In addition, pomegranates obtained from seeds do not retain varietal characteristics and the fruits are of poorer quality.

Home care

Indoor pomegranate is a rather unpretentious plant; caring for it is simple and not burdensome. We will introduce you to the conditions of its maintenance in home premises.

Lighting

Lighting with phytolamp

Good lighting is one of the main conditions for the excellent appearance of indoor pomegranate, its development and constant flowering. In summer it can be taken out to the balcony or planted in the garden. An adult plant does well outdoors in direct sunlight. But young seedlings must be accustomed to the street gradually, leaving them in the sun for no more than two to three hours a day, and at midday it is necessary to bring pots with plants into shaded places. This will avoid sunburn of its young leaves. When placing pots of pomegranates in a room, choose any window sills except in northern directions. At midday, it is necessary to protect plants from direct sunlight, especially young specimens, using blinds or curtains.

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If there is a lack of lighting, as happens in early spring or during prolonged cloudy weather in the summer, we recommend using additional lighting with phyto lamps or fluorescent lamps.

In winter, there is even less natural light, and indoor pomegranate may partially lose its leaves. But if you select sufficiently powerful phyto lamps and organize daylight hours for the flower for at least 12 hours, then it will delight you with its flowering and fruiting even at this time.

Ambient temperature

Pomegranate is a heat-loving plant. In the wild it grows at fairly high temperatures. But indoor specimens are quite happy with moderate temperatures in the range of 25 – 30 °C. during the growing season. If the temperature in the room rises higher, then you should take the flower pot to a cooler place. In summer it is a balcony or veranda in the garden. Spraying with cool water will help in the spring. In a hot and stuffy room, indoor pomegranate will begin to lose foliage and buds and slow down its growth. Ventilate the room, do not allow air to stagnate.

The dwarf pomegranate also does not like low temperatures. At sub-zero temperatures it dies. When the ambient temperature on the veranda or balcony is below 15°C, the flower pot should be brought into the room.

Watering

Water the flower sparingly, and after the top layer of soil in the pot dries well. For irrigation, use settled, soft, room temperature water. If you put a pomegranate to rest during the winter, water it at this time no more than once a month. But this remark is suitable for an adult plant (5-6 years old). A young pomegranate plant will need to be watered once a week. You will begin to water your indoor pomegranate more often and more abundantly in February, when you return the flower to its former bright, warm place on the windowsill. The soil will need to be completely saturated with moisture so that all the life processes of the flower are activated. The flower needs abundant watering before flowering begins. But during the pomegranate flowering period, from May to September, watering the plant should be reduced.

In the wild, it blooms during the hottest and driest period of the year, and excess moisture can cause the pomegranate to drop all its buds. But you shouldn’t forget about watering pomegranates for a long time - prolonged drought will lead to stress to the root system, which can also lead to the complete loss of all buds and loss of decorativeness of the flower.

That is, water indoor pomegranate regularly and when the top layer of soil is completely dry - and everything will be fine.

If fruits ripen on a pomegranate tree, it should be watered with caution in the fall, as excessive watering can lead to cracking of the fruits.

Air humidity

Air humidity should be moderate. If the humidity is too low, we recommend spraying the flower and the surrounding air with cool water. Placing a wide container of cool water next to the pot and wet cleaning the room will increase the humidity. Wipe off dust from the leaves with a damp, clean cloth.

There is also no need for high humidity in the room; frequent ventilation will help reduce it. But drafts are not allowed.

The soil

Everyone knows that pomegranate grows in the wild on poor soils in the arid regions of the Earth. But, to grow a beautiful decorative indoor specimen, you will have to choose a more nutritious soil mixture. It should be loose, moisture and breathable, with a neutral reaction pH=7. Commercial soil for roses and begonias is suitable. At the bottom of the pot there should be a good drainage layer of expanded clay or large river pebbles.

Top dressing

Dwarf pomegranate is grateful for regular feeding. From February to summer, it needs nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers. At this time, the buds are being laid, the pomegranate is preparing for abundant flowering. Feeding is carried out once every two weeks, not more often. Closer to autumn, fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers is replaced with potassium fertilizers.

We must remember that fertilizers can only be applied to moist soil, for example, the next day after the next watering. Preferably in the morning or evening hours so that the root system does not get burned. In cloudy weather, you can feed the plant during the day.

If indoor pomegranate is grown for its fruits, then it should be fertilized with extreme caution. It is better to feed it not with mineral fertilizers, but with organic matter, so that excess nitrates do not accumulate in the fruits. If you feed it with purchased fertilizers, choose fertilizers for fruit and berry crops and follow the recommendations on the package. In addition, if a pomegranate is overfed with nitrogen supplements, it will not bloom and there will be no fruit.

Trimming

Pruning indoor dwarf pomegranate has a beneficial effect on its decorative appearance, ability to flower and bear fruit. A pomegranate bush or tree grows very quickly. Over the course of a season, without pruning, it will more than double in volume. At the same time, its numerous thin crooked shoots will form the crown in a chaotic manner. To make the pomegranate look not only neat and compact, but also healthy, it should be well trimmed.

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The pruning procedure is carried out several times a year. The first time is at the beginning of the growing season. After hibernation, if your pomegranate was resting in a dark, cool place, move it to a bright, warm place and cut off all the dry branches, as well as some of the small and unnecessary shoots. To stimulate branching, trim the young shoot above the outward-facing bud, leaving no more than 5 internodes on it. You should not cut the plant too much; it may weaken. Leave no more than 6 skeletal branches, which are stronger.

It is important to know that buds form only on well-developed annual shoots. Try not to break them when pruning!

You can grow pomegranate in the form of a bush with 3 - 5 skeletal branches. But, if you cut off all the root shoots, you will get a pomegranate tree with a low trunk and four to five skeletal branches. Over time, four to five second-order branches are laid on each skeletal branch, and then third-order branches are formed on them. Excess shoots are cut out, as are old branches on which there will no longer be a harvest. Pomegranate sets fruit only on the shoots of the current year.

In the summer, during the active growing season of indoor pomegranates, you can also trim off excess branches - elongated or growing inside the crown. Don't worry - pomegranate tolerates this kind of pruning well.

After flowering, if there are no fruits on the branches, the pomegranate is pruned again for the third time. Remove thin weak branches and thin out the inner space of the crown.

Replanting indoor pomegranate. Suitable pot

It is advisable not to transplant young specimens of dwarf pomegranates into other containers for the first two to three years. When the pomegranates grow and become stronger, and their root system fills the entire space of the pot, transplant your flower into a new, slightly larger pot. Moreover, it must be taken into account that pomegranate roots grow wider than deep. Therefore, the pot is required to be wide, but not very deep. In indoor conditions, pomegranate likes to grow in a cramped pot. Carry out the transplant by transshipment.

It is better to do this in early spring. In a new pot, 2-3 cm wider than the old one, place a layer of drainage made of expanded clay or clean pebbles, a little fresh soil (buy ready-made soil with neutral pH7 in the store, for example, soil for growing roses or begonias). Remove your flower from the old pot along with a lump of root soil. Pomegranate roots grow superficially; excess, depleted soil will remain in the old pot and must be thrown away. Place the pomegranate in the middle of the new pot. Fill the free space with soil, while gently shaking the flower container so that all the voids inside it are filled. For the next three years, each spring, replant your pomegranate into a new container with a slightly larger diameter. At the age of 6 years, indoor dwarf pomegranates are considered mature plants. Now they are rarely replanted, as needed, and in pots of the same size. Or they don’t replant at all, but only replace the top layer of substrate in the old pot with a new one. Typically, a 5 liter pot is enough for an adult plant. A too large pot for pomegranate is not suitable - it will bloom more profusely if the root system in the flower pot is too crowded.

I will highlight the main points

Dear friends, I will highlight the main thoughts from the content of the article.

1. Propagation by petiole produces a bush with the characteristics of an adult plant.
2. Planting seeds often does not preserve the properties of the variety.
3. Reproduction from root suckers is the most reliable option.
4. Young seedlings require regular feeding, just like adult bushes.
5. Timely transplantation is important.

That's all I wanted to tell you about propagating pomegranates at home. To consolidate and test the quality of the knowledge gained, I suggest taking part in a test on the topic of the article.

Test yourself: how to propagate indoor pomegranate?

All plants reproduce by seeds, and pomegranate is no exception. From a twig and seed you can grow a new pomegranate bush.

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Required soil composition and pot volume

To grow pomegranate at home, commercial soil is suitable - for citrus trees, but you can make the soil yourself - from a small amount of fine river soil, washed to remove clay, sand, turf soil, leaf humus, peat. Under no circumstances should you use oak soil, as this soil is acidic.

The plant must be replanted annually in the first years (in early spring), increasing the size of the pot each time. If the pot is large enough for the root system, the tree will begin to grow roots to fill the pot. Only when the roots fill the pot will the tree begin to grow. When the pomegranate grows, you can take a large clay pot in which it will be comfortable for many years.