Pomegranate is a fruit-bearing deciduous tree cultivated in the Middle East all through to California. The shrub grows up to ten meters and serves many functions. For instance, pomegranate is a fruit crop. Farmers harvest the shrub’s fruits from September to May and use the ripe sections to produce juice, smoothies, and wines.
Besides, the plant serves an ornamental purpose because of its brightly colored flowers. It is, therefore, an incredible plant you can use for edible landscaping.
Where Does It Grow?
Scientific studies reveal that pomegranates can thrive in any location between Iran and Northern India. You must, however, provide the right
- Soil conditions
- Temperature
- Moisture content
- Nutrient content for the plant to thrive
But overall, the shrub is drought-resistant, thus perfect for propagation in dry areas.
The Cultivation Process
The pomegranate tree also flourishes in different soil types. Loamy soils are, however, the best suited for shrub growth. Recall, loam drains well even after the torrential rain. It, thus, protects the roots of the tree from fungal attacks during flooding.
But how do you cultivate such a versatile shrub? Learning the tricks below can help you get the best yields fast.
1. Preparation
Pomegranate trees exist in many different varieties. Eversweet and Wonderful pomegranates are, however, the most popular. You should, therefore, get the best cuttings to guarantee you of a fruitful yield. More so, you can plant the best pomegranate seeds during winter to ensure you have enough clippings to plant in spring.
2. Location
Next, you need to find the right spot for cultivation. An area with sufficient solar glare is adequate. The site must, however, be spacious enough to accommodate all the pomegranate trees you plan on growing. Remember, most deciduous shrubs occupy a twenty-foot diameter. Excellent spacing, thus, ensures that light penetrates through the plantation with ease.
3. Propagation
Growing a pomegranate tree is not hard. Your success, however, rests in how best you prepare the cuttings for planting. Experts prescribe that you slash out ten-inch pomegranate clippings from the mother plant in late winter.
Anyway, you should only extract cuttings that are a quarter or half-inch in diameter and from a one-year-old plant. Next, you must dip the cut end into a growth hormone you can access easily from the local retailer. The growth hormone ensures the plant survives before planting. It also encourages rooting.
Planting is a last resort. You must, however, find a spacious location with an ample supply of sunlight. It should also have well-drained soils. It is only after identifying with a suitable spot that you can then insert the lower end of each cutting into the earth. The top node should, anyhow, remain above the ground. Last, space the plants eighteen feet apart to reduce competition.
Shrub Care
Do you know how to care for the pomegranate shrub? Well, pruning helps rejuvenate the plant. Recall, the process extracts diseased branches leaving the plant stronger. Trimming also boosts fruit production.
More so, clipping yields the right shape. That said, you can always use the bush for ornamental landscaping. Do you, however, know when and how to prune pomegranate tree?
Most farmers prune a mature pomegranate shrub when it fails to produce enough fruit yield. Trimming the tree in the late winter before the buds open up also gets recommended. You must, however, avoid exposing the buds to frost altogether. Last, you can trim the shrub throughout the growing season to eliminate the dead sections.
The Pruning Process
And what tools do you need for the job? A sharp pruning shear will do the job right. It helps you cut away weak shoots, leaving the stronger parts intact.
Caution, however, gets advised. Remember, messing up with single sucker systems exposes the plant to a lot of hurts. A small infection might lead to death. But how do you trim the plant right and fast?
1. Go for the Multi-trunk System
The multi-trunk system works during the early stages of development. It is a process that eliminates the plant top, thus encouraging the growth of new side shoots. In short, you do not have to worry about destroying the shrub when you use the multi-trunk approach.
2. Trim the Young Shoots to About Half Their Length
Selecting at least five healthy shoots is a good start. You must, anyhow, cut the stalks down to about twenty-four inches. Pruning in such fashion rejuvenates the plant and helps it produce new buds. The result is a bushy shrub you will love.
3. Remove Suckers Every Other Summer
Pomegranate suckers grow fast when the conditions that favour propagation are right. You should, however, cut away the sprouts to prevent competition between the mother plant and the young shoots. Eliminating the new growths from their bases helps. Also, cut out any dead branches from the plant using a fine-tuned saw.
Conclusion
Pruning a pomegranate bush is relatively easy. All you must do is use the right tools to complete the project. Above all, you should embrace the techniques listed earlier to do a clean job.
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