2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Common pomegranate (lat. Punica granatum) - fruit crop; a representative of the Pomegranate genus of the Derbennikovye family (Latin Lythraceae). It is found naturally in Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, North-West India, North-East Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Characteristics of culture
Pomegranate is a deciduous tree up to 10 m high with a wide crown, strongly branched trunk and angular shoots. Leaves are light green, leathery, oval, opposite, up to 6 cm long, equipped with short petioles. Flowers are single or double, bell-shaped, orange-red, up to 4-5 cm in diameter. Fruits are spherical pomegranates of red or brown-red color, up to 10-12 cm in diameter, contain a huge number of seeds with a juicy outer layer.
The culture blooms from spring to autumn, the fruits ripen in August - October. The growing season of common pomegranate is 180-210 days. The crop is distinguished by high yields; from one adult tree, you can get up to 60 kg of fruits. Pomegranates are long-livers, give good yields up to 50-60 years of age, later the yield decreases. Pomegranates begin to bear fruit in the third year after planting.
The subtleties of cultivation and reproduction
Pomegranates are warm-loving, and their cultivation in Central Russia is difficult, although today cold-resistant varieties have been bred. The optimum temperature for active growth and development is 23-25C. Pomegranates do not tolerate temperatures below -20C, this applies even to adult specimens. The location is preferably open and sunny, light shade is also acceptable. Soils for growing crops are desirable well-moistened, fertile and loose. On dry, salty, heavy clayey and poor substrates, pomegranates form small yields of fruits that are not distinguished by high quality and taste.
Pomegranate is propagated most often by green cuttings. Cuttings are cut from annual shoots in the middle of summer. Reproduction by lignified cuttings is also possible, in this case the material is harvested in early autumn, and planted for rooting in early spring. Good results are obtained by reproduction of pomegranate by grafting and layering. The seed method is used extremely rarely; sowing can be carried out both in spring and autumn. With spring sowing, entrances appear in 2-3 weeks. The seeds do not need pre-sowing treatment. Unfortunately, the seed method is ineffective and laborious. Species pomegranates propagated in this way do not retain the characteristics of the parent plant. This rule does not apply to varietal pomegranates.
Planting seedlings of culture is carried out in pre-prepared pits. At the bottom of the pit, it is imperative to equip high-quality drainage with a layer of at least 10 cm. Drainage will allow you to drain excess water from the roots, which means it will protect against decay and other troubles. Strongly acidic substrates are preliminarily limed. To accelerate the survival rate of the seedling and enhance growth, mineral and organic fertilizers are introduced into the pit. From organic matter, compost, humus or rotted manure are suitable. The size of the planting pit is 60 * 70 cm. When planting, the roots of the seedling are carefully straightened and sprinkled with a soil mixture consisting of garden soil, sand and humus and filled with mineral fertilizers. Watering and applying mulch to the near-trunk zone is the last stage of planting, it plays an important role.
Care
In general, caring for a pomegranate is similar to caring for other fruit trees. Watering should be moderate, during the period of fruit ripening it is impossible to allow the soil to dry out, this can lead to their cracking. Formative and sanitary pruning also affects plant development and yield. As a rule, pomegranates are formed in the form of an obliquely fan-shaped bush, leaving up to 6 stems. Also, as necessary, remove thickening branches and standard growth. Rejuvenating pruning is carried out once every 20-25 years.
In regions with cold winters, pomegranates need shelter. With the onset of cold weather, the branches are pulled together with burlap, and the near-trunk zone is mulched with peat or dry fallen leaves. Pomegranates respond positively to feeding. During the season, it is important to carry out three dressings: the first - in early spring (with organic matter), the second - in early June (with phosphorus, potash and nitrogen fertilizers dissolved in water), the third - for digging the near-stem zone (with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers). If not properly cared for, pomegranates are attacked by pomegranate aphids, clove rolls, pomegranate mites and pomegranate moths. Of the diseases, the greatest danger to culture is phomopsis (aka branch cancer).
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