Indoor or dwarf pomegranate is the most unpretentious exotic plant, which is grown by amateur gardeners at home because of its beautiful long-lasting flowering, and some also like to enjoy it exotic fruits, so healthy and tasty.
Pomegranate or, in other words, Pomegranate (Punica) belongs to the Derbennikov family (Lythraceae). Their genus includes only two species of low deciduous trees and shrubs. The pomegranate received its Russian name, due to its granular structure of the fruit, from the Latin word granatus (grainy). And the generic name punica comes from the name of the area where thickets of these pomegranates were first discovered (from Latin punicus is translated as Punic or Carthaginian, now this is the region of modern Tunisia).
According to legend, the pomegranate came to us from Carthage under the name Punic apple. Zeus's wife, Hera, often held a pomegranate in her hands, considering it the key to their happy marriage. In Greece, pomegranate was a symbol of fertility. In Ancient Persia, the pomegranate symbolized passionate love. At all times and everywhere, people appreciated the decorative qualities and beneficial properties of this exotic fruit.
The most suitable variety for growing indoors is the dwarf pomegranate variety (Punica nana). This flower, both in pots and seeds, is sold in flower shops under the general name "Dwarf Pomegranate" (Punica granatum "NANA"). On sale you can find seeds of indoor pomegranates of two varieties: “Carthage” and “Baby”.
variety Carthage
Indoor pomegranate variety "Carthage dwarf" grows at home in the form of a tree up to 80 cm tall. The leaves are quite small, no more than 2 cm in length. If a flower is grown from seeds, then flowering and, especially, fruiting will occur no earlier than in 6-8 years. The germination rate of seeds of this variety of indoor pomegranate is very low. It blooms from May to August with red flowers, up to 4 cm in diameter. The fruits are small, no more than 5–6 cm in diameter, slightly sour, but juicy and tasty.
Indoor pomegranate variety "Baby" is usually grown from seeds in the form of a bush. A low bush, from 30 to 50 cm, has 5 – 7 skeletal branches. Elongated leaves grow on branches in groups evenly throughout the pomegranate bush. This variety of pomegranate blooms in the third or fourth year of life.
Baby variety
Its flowers are large, up to 7 cm in length, bright red. They can be single or collected in 5-7 pieces in a bunch. In the first year of the plant’s life, all its flowers are barren flowers. Next year, miniature yellowish-brown fruits with a red blush, 5–7 cm in size, may appear. Fruit ripening ends in mid-winter. This type of pomegranate requires artificial pollination. If a pomegranate bears more than 5 fruits, the extra pomegranates should be removed.
But the indoor pomegranate does not always bear fruit; it happens that it does not bloom at all for many years. In this case, we recommend grafting onto it a branch from a fruit-bearing specimen.
Height different varieties pomegranates are somewhat different, but they are all small in size, no more than one meter. With regular restraining pruning and appropriate care, you can reduce the height of any plant to 30 cm without losing its decorative appearance and abundant fruiting. The leaves of the dwarf pomegranate are small, oval, glossy, up to 3 cm in length. In spring, young leaves have a bronze color, in summer they turn green, and in autumn they turn yellow. The fruits, the so-called pomegranates, also do not exceed 3 - 7 cm in diameter. They are colored orange-yellow or more dark shades, up to reddish and brown. Pomegranate is a spherical multi-seeded berry, divided inside into 6 - 12 chambers. Its pericarp is leathery, thick, usually red-brown in color. The seeds are placed in red-burgundy capsules filled with pomegranate juice. Beneficial features The fruits of the dwarf pomegranate are the same as those of the common pomegranate, but the taste is much worse.
Indoor pomegranates are most often cultivated at home in the form of a bush with 5–7 strong stems, less often in the form of a tree. They are grown for the long-term flowering of numerous bright flowers, and they try to almost completely remove the fruits. The remaining pomegranates on the plant (usually 2-3 of them) ripen indoors in November-January. If you leave all the ovaries, fruiting can greatly deplete the plant's strength, and next year's flowering will be less spectacular. When the plant grows and gets stronger, after 3-4 years, you can leave all the ovaries on it to enjoy the exceptional spectacle of a profusely flowering and, at the same time, fruit-bearing dwarf pomegranate at home.
The dwarf pomegranate was even awarded a diploma from the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain for its decorative properties and other exceptional characteristics.
Pretty indoor pomegranate unpretentious plant, caring for it is simple and easy. We will introduce you to the conditions of its maintenance in home premises.
Lighting with phytolamp
Good lighting is one of the main conditions great view 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 feels good on fresh air under 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 noon it is necessary to protect plants from direct sun rays, especially young specimens, with the help of blinds or curtains.
When there is insufficient 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 period There is even less natural light, and indoor pomegranate may partially shed 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.
Pomegranate is a heat-loving plant. IN wildlife 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.
Water the flower sparingly, and after it dries well. upper layer soil in a pot. 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 should be moderate. If the humidity is too low, we recommend spraying the flower and the surrounding air with cool water. Installing a wide container of cool water next to the pot will increase the humidity and wet cleaning premises. 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.
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.
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 root system did not receive burns. 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's better not to feed him mineral fertilizers, but organic, 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.
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.
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 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 such 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 inner space crowns
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 get stronger, and their root system fills the entire space of the pot, transplant your flower into a new pot, a little bigger size. 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 out. 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 is in flower pot It will be a bit cramped.
Indoor pomegranates reproduce using seeds, seeds and layering.
Only species forms of pomegranate are suitable for propagation by seeds, because the seeds of varieties do not retain characteristic properties mother plant. This method is used mainly for breeding new breeding products. Seeds can be collected from flowering pomegranates at home or bought in special stores. Before planting, they are soaked for a day in a solution of some growth stimulant (for example, in Kornevin). Then they are dried and sown in containers with suitable loose soil under a lid. Place the greenhouse in a bright, warm place. Make sure that the soil in the container does not dry out; spray it in time with warm, settled water using a spray bottle. Ventilate. Wait 2-3 weeks for seedlings to appear. The seedlings are dropped into separate cups when the first three true leaves appear. It should be remembered that pomegranates grown from seeds will begin to bloom and bear fruit only after 5 to 8 years.
Planting seeds
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.
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 the film. Before planting, you can soak the planting material in small quantity water with the addition of 2-3 drops of Zircon or Epin 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 appear in winter time, they will have to be illuminated with a phyto lamp.
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.
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 constant 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 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. Getting vaccinated different ways, depending on the thickness of the rootstock and cuttings, there are a great variety 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.
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 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 argue that in winter, at normal room temperature, good lighting up to 12 hours. per day (with the help of a powerful phyto lamp) pomegranate will feel cheerful and comfortable. Formation of numerous flower buds will not stop at this time.
If your pomegranate grows in unfavorable conditions for it - high humidity, musty room, low temperature - then it may get sick. More often than other diseases, found on pomegranate powdery mildew.
With frequent heavy watering, pomegranate leaves may turn yellow. Perhaps the roots of the plant could not withstand the excess moisture and began to rot. Remove the flower from the pot, remove rotten areas of the root system, wash healthy roots in potassium permanganate, dry them, sprinkle the sections with activated carbon, and plant the pomegranate in new, nutritious, loose soil. The pot must contain a good drainage layer. Water sparingly. To ensure that the root system takes root and copes with the load, trim the crown of your diseased plant by one third.
If the leaves of a pomegranate begin to fall off, there may be different reasons. If this happens at the end of the growing season, then this is normal. Pomegranate is preparing for winter dormancy. If the leaves fall off during the plant’s active cycle, you may not be watering your flower enough or feeding it poorly. Analyze your actions for caring for the plant - perhaps the room is too hot, even stuffy - pomegranate loves fresh air, frequent spraying, nutritious soil, a cramped pot with a good drainage layer.
Indoor or dwarf pomegranate is a very interesting exotic plant. Subject to simple rules for growing and caring for at home, pomegranate all year round will delight you with its bright green glossy leaves, large purple flowers and miniature fabulous fruits. Caring for a pomegranate will not take much effort and time, but you will get full pleasure. Try experimenting with it appearance. You can give the pomegranate any shape - it very gratefully accepts pruning and pinching its shoots. You can even use the pomegranate as an example to master the art of bonsai. But it has been noticed that caring and good-natured people who are interested in taking care of their pet and enjoying each of its flowers and tiny fruits are better able to grow a spectacular decorative dwarf pomegranate, constantly blooming and hung with fruits.
If you have ever wanted to have a fruit-bearing tree at home that would not require special care, would not require a lot of time and, among other things, would bear fruit, then be sure to pay attention to the indoor pomegranate. After all, it’s always nice to enjoy the fruits of your labor, especially if this pleasure is not only spiritual, but also physical!
In this article I will tell you about this wonderful tree, its halo of habitat, I will give 5 practical advice on growing a healthy and fruit-bearing tree and some recommendations for caring for it.
Pomegranate (from Latin: Punicia) in the wild is mainly a small tree, approximately 2-5 meters in height. A little less common is a shrub, the fruits of which are as large as those of trees, but are sour, which gives a special piquancy to the taste of the fruits.
Due to its unpretentiousness, the plant is distributed over a wide range of latitudes, and grows mainly on two continents: Eurasia and Africa. Various sources contain information about the origin of pomegranate in northern Africa, western Asia and southern Europe, but one thing is clear - this type fruit trees appeared independently and quite a long time ago, and cultivation does not have a specific historical place of origin. I can’t help but tell you about the history of the origin of the name Pomegranate: from the Latin punicus is translated as Carthaginian or Punic. The Punes (now their state is called Tunisia) supplied Rome with the most delicious pomegranates. Since then, the name has “stuck” to the heroes of this article. There are also two more popular names for this fruit: malum granatum and malum punicum (malum from Latin “apple”). Indeed, the similarities are obvious. In ancient Greek culture, the pomegranate occupies a worthy place, personifying and symbolizing a happy marriage, passionate love, and fertility.
Indoors, indoor pomegranate is often cultivated as a shrub, the basis of which is 5-7 large trunks, with large quantity branches. Less often, trees are found, but this appearance does not contribute to the healthy growth of the plant, since the thickness of the branches and trunks is mainly only 1-1.5 centimeters. Indoor pomegranate is classified as deciduous plants, so do not be surprised, or even be glad, that in the fall it will shed its leaves and prepare to rest. The branches have spines and during flowering they produce two types of flowers. The so-called “male” and “female”. Fruits are set only in “female” flowers. 
It is quite simple to distinguish them: in future fruits the flower shape is similar to a jug, but from bell-shaped flowers you can’t expect berries. The fruits of indoor dwarf pomegranate of the Carthage variety are quite small. For cultural garden trees The norm is considered to be fruits 15-18 centimeters in diameter.
In addition to healthy and tasty fruits, indoor pomegranate is grown for its red, small but numerous flowers. On average, they are 4-5 centimeters in diameter and there are a lot of them on one bush. It's nice to enjoy this view sometimes own apartment or home.
At home, the most suitable varieties of indoor pomegranates can be considered: dwarf carthage pomegranate and baby pomegranate,
At home, it grows in the form of a tree about 80 cm high. If you buy it as a plant, pay attention to the size of the leaves; in the NANA pomegranate they are about 2 centimeters long, while in an ordinary garden pomegranate they are about 3-4. Even when planted with seeds, and this most often happens, it begins to bloom and even bear fruit at approximately 6-7 years of age. The seed germination rate of this variety is 10-70%, yes, yes, that’s exactly the wide range. Carthage fruits are small, measuring 5-6 centimeters in diameter. Pomegranates are edible, you can also squeeze juice out of them, which tastes sweet and sour. Unfortunately, indoor pomegranate does not always bear fruit; there are times when it does not even bloom. If your pomegranate does not bloom, I suggest you graft a branch from a fruit-bearing tree to a plant grown from seeds.
They are most often grown from seeds, which are sold in bags of 5 seeds. This is a shrub, but smaller in height: 30-50 cm. The leaves, however, are elongated, grow in groups on the branches, and these groups are distributed evenly throughout the bush. Baby blooms already in 3-4 years with bright red flowers up to 7 cm in size, but in the first year it is usually a barren flower. The germination rate of this pomegranate variety is on average more stable and is 50-60%. The fruits are 3-4 cm in size. It is advisable, even if you have more than 7 fruits on a bush, to leave about 5-7 fruits for ripening.
I’ll tell you about what kind of care indoor pomegranate requires at home
Since the plant comes from hot countries, you can guess that it needs quite a lot of light. At a young age, protect the seedlings from too bright light, but gradually, as they grow, accustom them to well-lit windows in your room. Although mature plant very photophilous, do not leave it in direct sunlight. If you have a balcony or terrace, take your plant there. Optimal temperature for any variety of pomegranate, 25-30 degrees above zero is considered.
Tip 1. If you have a summer house or your own garden, then in the summer you should not keep indoor pomegranate at home, but it is better to transplant it outside. For planting, choose the western side and the shade of garden trees. You can bury the plant directly in the pot, thereby making it easier to dig it up in the fall.
Why do we advise choosing a well-ventilated room for keeping pomegranates in hot weather? Because the plant, at low humidity and high temperature, turns on self-defense and sheds part of the foliage, the growth rate slows down significantly.
In winter, the temperature must be kept within 5-10 degrees above zero. At this temperature, indoor pomegranate sheds its leaves, which will undoubtedly have a positive effect on flowering in the future. The rest period lasts 4 months, starting in November. At this time, water young plants lightly, about once every 10 days. As the “punicia” matures, watering is carried out less and less in winter, and at the age of 4 years it is increased to once a month or even once a month and a half (it all depends on the size of the bush).
Tip 2. In winter, take the pomegranate out into the loggia, if the temperature there is about +6 degrees above zero, the plant will harden and the pests will die, if of course they were there.
Neutral soil is best suited for planting. Amateur flower growers most often prepare soil for pomegranate themselves, mixing humus, peat, black soil and coarse soil in equal parts. river sand. But if you don’t have all of the above on hand, buy soil for roses or any other soil in the store, but most importantly with PH7. The root system grows larger in diameter than in depth, so it is better to choose a pot that is wide and not very deep. Be sure to lay good drainage at the bottom; ordinary and everyone’s favorite expanded clay will do. Another advantage of keeping indoor pomegranate varieties is that they do not require a large volume of soil. The size can be selected as follows: in the first year of life, a 0.5 liter pot is enough, then every year, until the age of 5, the size of the bowl is increased by 0.5 liters per year. At the age of 6 years, the Carthage and Baby varieties are considered mature plants and do not require increasing the volume of pots and can be finally placed in 4-5 liter containers. All of the above, of course, is true for the average size of plants and needs to be adjusted in each specific case. When replanting, try not to overdo it, but rather, transship it by increasing the size of the pot; this will not damage the roots of the plant and will only have a positive effect on growth and health.
Indoor pomegranate does not tolerate stagnant water in pots, now you understand why it is so important to organize good drainage. It should be watered abundantly, but the breaks should be sufficient to allow the top layer of soil a couple of centimeters thick to dry out.
Tip 3. An ordinary toothpick stuck next to a bush is perfect as an indicator of soil moisture.
We adjust watering depending on the time of year and periods of plant growth as follows: during sap flow - from March to May - we increase it in order to saturate the plants; during flowering, we reduce watering slightly, that is, just a little, this will help the fruit set, then, when When “pomegranates” appear, we water again a little more often, but with caution, because they may crack
Indoor pomegranate also responds positively to foliage spraying on hot days. This helps maintain the necessary moisture on the surface of the plant.
I am often asked what to feed indoor pomegranate? It is best to fertilize at intervals of 2-3 weeks, and divide it into 3 periods: in the spring we apply nitrogen fertilizers and achieve active growth, in the summer we gradually switch to phosphate fertilizers, the use of which will promote flowering, and in the fall, for the ripening of fruits and reserves. For winter energy we feed with potassium compounds. We prepare fertilizers and apply them to the soil according to the instructions on the packages.
Tip 4. When applying nitrogen fertilizers, wrap the plant trunks with polyethylene so that the solution does not get on the plant itself, otherwise burns may appear on its surface.
Indoor pomegranate can be grown in two very popular ways:
The method is very simple: after purchasing and unpacking a pack of seeds, soak them in a solution with a growth stimulator for 6-10 hours (thus increasing the percentage of successful seedlings). We plant them in one container to a depth of no more than 2 cm, moisten the soil and create a greenhouse. For these purposes, cling film or a cake lid are suitable. We monitor the soil moisture - do not over-moisten it, as there is a high probability of shoots rotting. After the seedlings appear, and this happens approximately 2-3 weeks after planting, we water them regularly, and do not forget to ventilate the mini greenhouse once a day for 20 minutes. After the appearance of 4 main leaves, the film can be finally removed.
This best way obtaining from the offspring all the properties of the parent variety. For propagation by cuttings, “sticks” with 5-6 buds are cut from the fruiting branch of an adult plant. The lower 1-2 buds should be removed. Soak our “cuts” in a root formation stimulator for 3-5 hours, to a depth just up to these 2 buds. Next, we plant the cuttings in prepared, moistened soil to a depth of 3-4 centimeters, and also create greenhouse conditions.
All varieties of pomegranate are valuable raw materials in folk medicine, almost all parts, including roots, bark and partitions in the fruit, find their use. Eating “pomegranates” themselves contributes to normalization blood pressure and remove headache, at the same time, digestive problems go away and appetite increases. In addition to fruits, dried and crushed tree bark is also used (as an anthelmintic or remedy for loose stools), and leaves for making tea.
The heroes of this article quite easily endure all kinds of trimming, tying and other kinds of “bullying”. Do you see what I'm getting at? In addition to the fact that good bonsai trees are made from pomegranate, the root system described above also contributes to this. True, let me give you a little advice, bonsai is the art of growing miniature trees from large ones, so use garden pomegranate for this purpose.
Tip 5. In the fall, before resting time, cut off dry branches and at the same time form the necessary shape of the bush.
Against these misfortunes, unfortunately, fruit plant there is no immunity, so regularly inspect the foliage, branches and trunks. If you find scale insects, whiteflies or other insects, begin treatment immediately: if there are a small number of individuals, you can collect them, but be sure to continue monitoring; in the case of a large population of these creatures, do not hesitate to use chemicals. If you suspect rotting of the roots, and this can be determined by a large number of yellowed leaves, it is necessary to replant the plant with pruning of the rotting roots to healthy tissue and further drying and treating the cut areas with charcoal.
At the end of the article, I would like to say that, following our simple recommendations, It will not be difficult for you to grow indoor pomegranate, both from seeds and with the help of cuttings, as well as provide it with the necessary care.
" Trees
In nature, pomegranate grows as a tree or shrub. The culture gets its name from the Latin word “granatus,” which means fine-grained.
The fruits of such a plant are quite large in size, colored deep red or burgundy color. The pomegranate pulp consists of many small grains.
In nature, pomegranate grows on mountain slopes or in rocky areas, which explains the plant’s unpretentiousness to climate and soil composition.
Also such a tree perfectly adapts to microclimate.
Growth of dwarf pomegranate directly depends on the variety, the average is 1 meter. Pomegranate flowers deserve special attention.
On one tree, 2 types of flowers are formed at once:
The flowers are painted in a bright, red hue and reach a diameter of 3 centimeters.
Scientists call the pomegranate fruit “granatina”; they reach 18 centimeters in diameter. The peel of these fruits is very dense, its color varies from light pink to dark red.
Inside one fruit there can be up to 1200 grains, which are covered with a juicy, fleshy shell. The taste of the pulp is sweet and sour, very juicy and refreshing; such fruits are often used for making juice.
At home, dwarf pomegranate is grown as indoor flower, and the appearance of fruits is a pleasant addition.
It is quite possible to grow pomegranate at home, among all fruit trees Those who grow pomegranate at home are the most unpretentious.
It is very easy to care for such a plant and you can get juicy fruits without making much effort.
Miniature “Nana” pomegranates are grown indoors. They begin to bloom after they reach a height of 40 centimeters, bearing up to 10 edible fruits, which differ from garden trees only in size (5-6 centimeters in diameter).
Typically, the following varieties of pomegranate are grown at home:
Even though several dozen flowers can bloom at one time, on average, 3-4 ovaries are formed.
To grow dwarf pomegranate, you can use seeds purchased in the store. The best time The beginning of April is considered to be the time to plant seeds.
Drainage is poured into the bottom of the box or container, then clean river sand, into which pomegranate seeds are deepened by 5 milliliters. Then the soil is moistened and covered with film or glass, this is necessary to achieve the greenhouse effect.
After the first shoots appear, you need to wait another 2 weeks, because pomegranate shoots appear gradually.
As soon as 5-6 healthy leaves appear on the seedlings, it can be transplanted into individual pots, at the bottom of which drainage is poured and a soil mixture is prepared from:
After the tree is in the pot, it must be water thoroughly to help speed up rooting.
If, as a planting material If a cutting is used, it must be placed in damp sand and covered with a glass jar.
In about a month, the first buds will appear on the cuttings, after which they can be transplanted into separate pots. Rooting will take place much faster if you place the cuttings in a growth stimulator for 6 hours before planting.
This method is less risky, because under such conditions all the varietal qualities of the mother tree are preserved.
In order for the pomegranate to develop well and please with its appearance, it must be provided with the necessary conditions.
| Period | Rules of care |
| In spring and summer | The tree needs as much sunlight as possible and if it is standing outside warm weather, many housewives recommend taking the plant out into the fresh air; an ordinary balcony or loggia is perfect for such purposes. Also during this period, watering the pomegranate should be regular and plentiful; under no circumstances should the soil be allowed to dry out. During During flowering and fruiting, the tree is fed with complex mineral fertilizers once every 10-14 days. Most often, Etisso fertilizer is used for pomegranate; it is sold in two types, both for flowering and green plants. It is worth remembering that during fruiting, pomegranates are watered especially carefully, the soil should be moist, and excess moisture can cause cracking of the fruits. In addition to watering, pomegranates are sprayed with warm water once every two weeks. |
| Autumn and winter | With the onset of autumn, the tree may shed its leaves and enter the dormant phase. In order to create conditions for the tree that are close to natural, reduce the amount of moisture added for about 2-3 months and move the pot to a cool place. To prepare the plant for winter, it is watered with mullein infusion prepared from 100 grams of manure and 1 liter of water. |
After the end of the resting phase, around mid-February, it is necessary Gradually increase the amount of watering and move the plant back to sunlight.
Another point of care will be shaping pruning.. The dwarf pomegranate responds well to this procedure and can be given almost any shape, the choice of which depends only on personal preference.
Very often you can find indoor pomegranates that are similar in appearance to those on a bonsai tree. Pruning should be done in early spring (early March) or late autumn(at the end of December).
Such dates were not chosen by chance, so as not to damage the tree, work is carried out while it is at rest and there is no active sap flow.
In addition to all the procedures, Before reaching 5 years of age, pomegranates are replanted annually, gradually increasing the size of the pot from 100 to 500 milliliters, while it is advisable to choose a narrow container shape.
For mature plants, instead of replanting, the top layer of soil is replaced.
How to grow indoor pomegranate:
Indoor pomegranate, like any other plants susceptible to various diseases and pests, from which you need to get rid of as quickly as possible.
Most often the following ailments occur on such a plant:
| Disease | Description | Ways to fight |
| Powdery mildew | A whitish coating forms on the leaves of the affected plant, on which dark brown balls are located. Powdery mildew is caused by harmful fungi. Typically, the disease appears due to poor ventilation, temperature changes or humidity levels in the room. Infection from other plants by airborne droplets is also possible. | On initial stages a solution prepared from 5 grams works well soda ash and 1 liter of water, you can also add 5-10 grams of soap. If powdery mildew is sufficiently advanced, then you will have to treat it with chemicals, for example, fast, topaz or hom. |
| Branch cancer | The bark on the branches cracks and spongy swellings can be seen at the edges of the chips. The cause of this disease can be mechanical damage or frostbite. | It is very difficult to get rid of this disease; the only way out is to cut off the damaged branches with a sharp garden knife, treat the wound with a disinfectant and apply a thin layer of garden varnish. |
| Spots on leaves | Spots appear on the leaves, the color of which ranges from yellow to brown. Such damage indicates excessive soil moisture. | The plant needs to be transplanted into new ground If the rotting has spread to the roots, then the affected parts are removed and the cut is treated with crushed coal. |
| Whitefly and aphids | Pests feed on the foliage of the tree, which in turn significantly weakens it. | If there are only a few insects, they can be removed manually. Adult butterflies are removed with a regular vacuum cleaner, and larvae and aphids can be gotten rid of by treating the leaves with a solution of laundry soap. You can also use special medications fitoverm, spark, karbofos, etc. Before each treatment, protect the soil with plastic film. |
The pomegranate tree is considered one of the most unusual ornamental plants , but at the same time caring for it is quite simple.
In addition to the expected fruits, it has an excellent appearance and aroma.
Pomegranate (Punica), also called Pomegranate, is a plant of the Derbennikov family (Lythraceae). The generic name punica, translated from Latin, indicates the area of original growth in the Greek territories of Carthage (modern Tunisia). The Russian name comes from another word granatus, which means “grainy” in Latin.
Pomegranate grows in natural conditions in the form of an abundantly branching woody plant. Its thin, short, uneven, angular shoots are covered with light brown and slightly grayish bark. Small leaves, having an opposite arrangement, are collected in whorls of several pieces. The leaves are slightly wavy and have smooth edges. The shape can vary from elliptical to lanceolate. Top part The sheet is glossy, and the bottom is matte.
During the flowering period of the pomegranate, scarlet funnel-shaped flowers appear on short stalks. More often they are solitary, but can be collected in small inflorescences. Fruits can appear only on those flowers whose shape resembles a jug. Bell-shaped flowers are sterile. Pomegranate blossom in natural environment lasts all year round, the plant can simultaneously have flowers and ripe fruits.
The Derbennikov family includes only two species of deciduous trees and small shrubs.
The most suitable for growing at home is the common pomegranate.(Punica granatum). Under natural conditions, the pomegranate tree grows in Southern Europe and Western Asia. This is a small tree up to 5-10 m in height, with green foliage and scarlet flowers. The spherical fruits reach from 8 to 18 cm in diameter.
Breeders have developed a large number of different garden forms and varieties that differ in the taste of the fruit and the degree of their abundance.
Photo. Indoor pomegranate
Another form of the common pomegranate, representing natural look, is a dwarf pomegranate (Punica nana). It is small in size, no more than a meter; subject to regular pruning, it can be up to 30 cm in height. It has small leaves and can bear fruit. The fruits of indoor pomegranate do not exceed three centimeters in diameter. The seeds of this potted plant sold in stores under the generic name "Dwarf Pomegranate" or Punica granatum "NANA".
Important: For indoor growing dwarf pomegranate seeds of two varieties are suitable: “Carthage”, “Baby”.
Some varieties of the original species, suitable for growing at home, but larger in size than the dwarf species, are less common among gardeners:
IN natural environment One more - second - species of plant is known, this is the Socotran Pomegranate (Punica protopunica). Its homeland is the island of Socotra. It is a tree or shrub with abundant branching. It can reach 4.5 meters in height. Differs more small flowers, they are not red, but pink in color, have smaller fruits and rounded leaves. This species was not accepted by gardeners due to its poor taste.
Among the huge variety of plant species For home grown dwarf pomegranate represents the most unpretentious exotic specimen. It takes root well in pots or containers placed in winter garden, greenhouse or just on the windowsill.
Information: The dwarf pomegranate was awarded an honorary diploma from the Royal Society of Horticulturalists of Great Britain for its exceptional decorative properties
To this beautiful plant, the decorative properties of which have received the highest appreciation and recognition, has become a real decoration of the interior, you need to know how to properly care for it.
Despite the fact that pomegranate is not particularly picky about its conditions, there are nevertheless a number of rules that should not be violated.
The main requirement for proper plant maintenance is high level illumination To ensure abundant flowering and fruiting, it is best to provide the plant with direct exposure to sunlight. It feels great in the fresh air, so it can be transplanted into the garden.
In indoor conditions, it is best to place the pot on a south, west or east well-lit window. Northern windows should be avoided. On gloomy and cloudy days, turn on additional phytolighting.
Indoor pomegranate requires high levels of lighting
You can slightly shade the young seedlings of the plant at noon when the sun is too bright. IN summer time You can put the flower on the balcony, where it will have enough light and air.
In the winter season, when there is insufficient light, the pomegranate may begin to partially shed its leaves. It can be helped by installing powerful phytolamps, providing at least 12 hours of daylight. Under this condition, the flowering and fruiting of the plant will continue in winter.
Despite the fact that in the historical homeland of the pomegranate the air temperature is usually quite high, moderate summer air heating within 20-25 degrees is quite suitable for indoor species. The plant does not like hot or stuffy air and may lose leaves. At the same time, growth slows down noticeably. In this case, cool sprays or moving the pot to cooler conditions, such as a balcony, will help.
There is often an opinion among flower growers that the flower has a pronounced dormant period, lasting from November to March. On this basis, you can find recommendations to place the pomegranate in a cooler place at this time of year.
However, based on practical experience It should be noted that if the flower is left in winter at normal room temperature, the flowering intensity does not decrease. Also, keeping warm will not have negative impact and will not affect the process of flower bud formation in any way.
Good pomegranate management includes knowing how to water it.
Important: Both a lack and an excess of moisture can lead to a sudden loss of all buds by the flower at once.
The soil for indoor pomegranate should be loose
Although natural conditions The growth of pomegranate is distinguished by the scarcity and dryness of the soil, for breeding decorative look more comfortable conditions should be provided.
To grow dwarf pomegranate, the soil must be sufficiently loose, nutritious, with rich drainage and neutral reaction. It is not difficult to prepare a suitable mixture yourself. To do this, you can take a number of components one part at a time: turf, humus, leaf soil and coarse river sand. Ready-made soil recommended for roses and begonias is also suitable. The drainage layer is formed from pebbles or expanded clay; they will help drain excess water that may occur after too much watering.
If there is any doubt that the reaction of the earth mixture is truly neutral, you can prepare the soil according to the following recipe:
Take the components in the following proportions and ratios:
1. Option
Option 2
3.Option
Young indoor pomegranate plants take root well in leafy and humus soil.
Young plants take root best in turf, humus, leaf soil mixed with sand.
It is necessary to feed the plant twice a month, but not more often. IN spring time will do nitrogen fertilizer any kind. During flowering, phosphorus fertilizer is used. Gradually, as you approach autumn period switch to potassium fertilizers.
Once a month will have a good effect complex fertilizer. It should also be added if cloudy weather persists for a long time.
Apply fertilizers to soil that is sufficiently moist. The dry earthen lump must first be watered, draining excess water from the pallet.
In autumn, along with a decrease in temperature and a decrease in watering, the amount of fertilizing is reduced. The period that does not require feeding begins in December.
Pruning of pomegranate begins during the period of bud formation on the plant. This usually occurs in February. The pot is transferred from a cooled room to a warm one and they begin pruning dry branches on which there are no extra shoots and no foliage has appeared.
Usually, pruning has a beneficial effect on the plant.. At the same time, most of the small branches that appear are cut off.
Stimulation of branching will be facilitated by pruning carried out above the bud of the young shoot, looking outward. No more than five internodes are left on this shoot.
Important: When shaping the pomegranate, you need to leave four to six skeletal branches
Heavy pruning can weaken the plant. Trimming the pomegranate root shoots will help shape the plant into a tree shape, for example, if you want to get a bonsai. Fragile branches must be handled with care and not broken off.
Sometimes the excess shoots that appear are cut off in the summer, when the plant is growing. Pruning promotes the appearance more buds, which, as a rule, are formed only on sufficiently developed annual shoots.
Young plants need to be replanted annually. Pomegranates over three years old are replanted only once every two or three years. The most favorable time is spring. Transplantation is carried out using the transshipment method. The seedlings are planted in turf soil, to which sand is added and drainage is required.
During each transplant, you should increase the size of the pot, and each subsequent diameter should exceed the previous one by 2-3 cm, but no more. Although the root system of the dwarf pomegranate is superficial, you should not choose a pot that is too wide, because flowering is more abundant when the roots are slightly crowded.
Indoor pomegranate can be propagated in two ways.
Pomegranate propagation is carried out in two ways: seeds and cuttings.
To get pomegranate from seeds, you need to take ready-made ones, purchased at a specialized store. In this case, flowering will occur already in the year of planting, and fruiting will occur in a year or two.
The seeds of a fresh fruit, a growing dwarf pomegranate, are also suitable. Their germination lasts up to six months. The seeds of the largest and ripest fruits are suitable. They are washed from the pulp and dried. You can sow them in April, placing them in the ground no deeper than half a centimeter. Seed growth occurs quite quickly and then the strongest of the seedlings are planted in pots. When growing, provide warmth and good watering. You can pinch several times.
You can also take cuttings from fruiting plants. In the summer, semi-lignified shoots are taken, and in February, woody shoots are taken. They are cut, leaving 4-6 buds on each and planted in moist soil at an angle. Each cutting is covered with a bottle or jar and left in a humid environment. Requires daily ventilation, spraying and watering. The cuttings are transplanted after 2-3 months. Flowering will occur in a year or two.
Indoor pomegranate is susceptible to the scale pest; fitoverm is used for control.
Dwarf pomegranate growing indoors is susceptible to diseases. The most common diseases of indoor pomegranate are: powdery mildew, whitefly, scale insects. If there are few pests, they can be collected by hand. In case of significant reproduction, chemicals are used; fitoverm is suitable.
In too dry a room it may appear spider mite. To prevent it, spraying is necessary. The plant is treated with Actellik, temporarily covering the ground with polyethylene.
Pomegranate may hurt if watered too much. At the same time, its leaves turn yellow. In this case, it is transplanted into dry soil, the rotten roots are cut off, and sprinkled with crushed coal.
When propagated at home, you can often observe how the flower sheds its leaves at the end of November. This happens after its fruits ripen. It is for this reason that many gardeners believe that then comes a dormant period when the plant requires maintenance in cooler conditions.
As a rule, young plants that have not reached the age of three years do not need special air cooling and do not require rest.
Growing indoor pomegranate is not particularly difficult. If you follow the basic rules of care, this delightful exotic plant will delight the eye with bright flowers and even fruits.
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