If necessary, apply a fungicide according to the package directions. Feed the pomegranate tree in March and November. What Causes Pomegranates to Crack at Harvest Time? In cooler climates, a south-facing wall can provide the warmer microclimate needed by most pomegranate trees. It grows 8 to 12 feet tall. For maximum fruit production, fertilize your pomegranates annually. Water the pomegranate tree thoroughly after planting, providing it with approximately 2 inches of water. Most pomegranate plants begin producing fruits three to four years after planting. Apply 1/2 pound of nitrogen fertilizer to trees over 3 years old whose trunk diameters are about 3 inches in diameter, or 1 pound for larger trees whose trunk diameters measure about 5 inches or more. While most cultivars are limited to USDA zones 8 through 10, Clemson Cooperative Extension reports that the cultivars known as the "Russian" series can be grown in USDA zones 6 and up. Tamp the soil lightly and water thoroughly after planting. Water pomegranates deeply during the heat of the … Prune the pomegranate in early spring. Trim back branches so that each scaffold branch houses only two to three shoots. It is believed that the Spanish first brought pomegranates to their settlement at St. Augustine, Florida, in the 1500s. How Long Is It for a Citrus Tree to Produce? Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center: Pomegranate, Harvest to Table: How to Plant, Grow, Prune, and Harvest Pomegranates. Increase the irrigation levels … Place the fertilizer about a foot away from the trunk to avoid root burn. Water the pomegranate tree thoroughly after planting, providing it with approximately 2 inches of water. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, California Rare Fruit Growers: Pomegranate. Irrigate the pomegranate tree approximately every seven days after the tree is established. Distribute the fertilizer evenly around the tree. The Russian fruit trees like 'Salavatski' thrive in USDA zones 6 through 9 and produce pale red fruits from a multitude of orange flowers. Plant the pomegranate tree in a location with well-drained soil that receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Before setting out to prune, put on gloves, safety goggles, long sleeves, long pants and a dust mask. All Rights Reserved. She continues to write nonfiction articles on gardening and other topics and is working on a second "50" book about plants that attract hummingbirds. Build the soil up around the tree so that the final surface is slightly elevated from the surrounding soil levels. Harvest them before the fruits are overripe or crack opened. Ruth de Jauregui is an old-school graphic artist and writer who focuses primarily on garden topics. The pomegranate tree (Punica granatum) is a Mediterranean native that can reach heights of 12 to 30 feet. This deciduous tree generally takes a dense, shrub-like appearance with dark green, glossy foliage, flaming orange-red blooms and purplish-red berries. So, follow the same maintenance tips for growing the dwarf species and bonsai forms of pomegranate as the regular variety. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Select a well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer with low levels of nitrogen, such as an 8-8-8- or 10-10-10 combination. Dig the hole twice as wide and a little deeper than the root ball. Provide the tree with 1-1/2 inches of water during each weekly irrigation. Always reduce irrigation levels during heavy rainfall. The leathery rind of the orange-red fruits hides the bright red seeds and juicy pulp that children and adults enjoy in salads, desserts, punch and grenadine syrup. If the tree is bare root, soak the roots in a bucket for a couple of hours before planting. Water thoroughly. During the growing season, feed each pomegranate tree with compost tea or a balanced 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Using about 1/3 of a cup sprinkle your fertilizer on the ground around the roots to enrich the soil with the nutrients that you tree … 'Wonderful' is the most common cultivar, with red flowers that produce extra-large purplish-red fruits. Pomegranates may be infected with fungal diseases. Irrigate the pomegranate tree approximately every seven days after the tree is established. Dig in well-decomposed compost or manure before planting. Aerate heavy clay soils by creating small holes around the inside of the hole. Native from the Middle East to the Himalayas, the pomegranate thrives in hot, dry climates. The pomegranate tree (Punica granatum) is a Mediterranean native that can reach heights of 12 to 30 feet. Select a well-drained, wind-sheltered, sunny location in spring. Generally, shrubs and small trees don't need staking. From Florida, the plants were carried north and west. Water every three to four days with approximately 1 to 1-1/2 inches of water for about the first three weeks. Also, select a location with soil pH levels between 5.5 and 7.0. Dig a hole that has a depth and width that is equal to the root system of the tree. Master Gardener Steve Albert recommends adding 1 to 2 inches of compost or well-decomposed manure from the trunk to the dripline in spring. Gently press the soil around the pomegranate tree to secure its upright position. Prune the pomegranate tree annually to develop a strong framework and improve fruit production. Water the pomegranate tree thoroughly after planting, providing it with approximately 2 inches of water. Water the fertilizer in with approximately 1-1/2 inches of water. Position the tree in the center of the prepared planting hole and fill the hole with soil. A few cultivars, like the red-double flowering 'Pleniflora' and yellow-flowered 'Flavescens,' are grown for their ornamental value; most don't produce fruits. To help reduce infection, avoid wetting the foliage, and remove damaged leaves and branches. Avoid placing the fertilizer directly around the trunk of the tree. The dwarf pomegranate tree care is the same as that of regular sized varieties. Water newly-planted trees more often until established. Always remove any dead, dying or damaged wood and foliage. Plant the pomegranate tree in a location with well-drained soil that receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Water every seven to 10 days, applying 1 inch of water to each tree. Distribute the fertilizer evenly around the tree. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. During the growing season, feed each pomegranate tree with compost tea or a balanced 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer every two weeks. On average, your pomegranate tree should get an estimated 50 to 60 inches (1.27 to 1.52 meters) of water yearly. Fertilize once in fall or winter, or split the application and fertilize in both late winter and spring. Also watch for pests and signs of diseases. Choose heavy, loam soil locations over light, sandy locations. The juicy sweet-tart flavor of the pomegranate (Punica granatum) makes it a desirable fruit in sunny gardens in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 11, depending on the cultivar. Unlike most fruit trees, pomegranates tolerate brackish water, so you can plant a tree in a warm corner in a coastal garden.