Learn how to grow a pomegranate tree. Growing Pomegranates in Potsis not difficult, and it is colder hardy and easy to grow than other tropical fruits.
I like food that you have to work at a little to get to. Crab, artichoke and my personal favorite, pomegranate, are examples of foods that require a little extra effort on your part to get at the delectable interior. Pomegranates are not only delicious but are getting bonus points for their high levels of antioxidants, leading many to try their hands at pomegranate growing. If this includes you, let’s look at caring for pomegranate plants with an emphasis on indoor pomegranate trees in containers.
The pomegranate tree is fairly small—its dwarf varieties grow as low as two feet high—and can flourish in pots, making it a good option for container gardeners. Though the tree is not particularly difficult to cultivate in a container, it does require regular care in its early years: if you choose to grow it from infancy, be prepared to prune and trim it fairly often.
The Dwarf Varieties
These are small enough to be considered large shrubs and are best suited for container gardening. However, some of these varieties are ornamental, so make sure you buy a variety that will produce fruit: for instance, the ‘Wonderful’ variety, which is extremely popular and available in many garden stores. Their fruits have a thick outer rind and are filled with juicy arils.
How to Grow?
Find the Perfect Variety of Pomegranate Tree
The first step is to find the perfect pomegranate tree. A dwarf pomegranate tree is the right size for growing indoors as it only reaches about three feet whereas a regular pomegranate tree can grow up to 30 feet tall if it’s being grown in the right climate zone. You could grow a regular pomegranate tree indoors, and then transplant it outdoors, but you’d need to live in zones eight to 11 to allow for the tree to reach its full potential outside.
The Nana dwarf variety of pomegranate trees is one that’s known to have a fruit that is edible. Some are more edible than others as some of the varieties have fruit that is meant to be more of an ornamental purpose.
Mix Your Soil
You’ll want to fill up your container, terra cotta or otherwise, with potting soil. You’ll need to mix two parts sand, one part potting soil, and one part peat moss until you’ve filled up your container. This soil is perfect for creating a well-drained soil system.
Placing the Container
You’ll want to find a location in your home that has an eastern or southern exposure to ensure that your pomegranate tree will receive the most amount of sun possible during the day. It needs about four to six hours worth a day. The more sunlight, the better as this tree isn’t happy with partially shaded areas.
If your home doesn’t have any areas that always receive a lot of sun throughout the entire year, you may have to supplement the amount of natural light that your pomegranate tree is getting with the use of a grow light. Just steal one from your hydroponic or aquaponic set up. This may seem like cheating, but think of what’s best for your tree as the more sunlight it gets along with other nutrients, the better the harvest will be for you.
Location
The best location for your pomegranate tree is a sunny place which will help the tree to thrive and produce plenty of fruits. A pomegranate tree will thrive in a less sunny place too but it will bloom and fruit less. You can cultivate pomegranate tree near a windowsill if there’s enough sunlight.
Watering
In the growing period, its water requirement is medium to high. Therefore, it should be watered regularly and deeply. Soil must be kept moist but not wet or waterlogged.
Note: In winter watering should be reduced.
Fertilizer
Like most trees growing in containers, pomegranate trees will need regular fertilizing. Mix a slow-release organic fertilizer into the soil when you pot it up and then use a diluted liquid, organic fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.
Pruning
Pruning is necessary to give and maintain the desired shape of your pomegranate tree and encourage flowering and fruiting. It is best done after all danger of frost has passed when the tree is about to start growing. Between early to mid spring.
Prune off weak, dead and undesirable branches to direct shrub’s energy to right parts and shorten long branches to encourage flowering.
Harvesting
Pomegranate trees will first start to regularly produce fruit around their fifth year. When they do, let the fruits mature to a deep red before you remove them—if the skin cracks, you’ve waited too long. For best results, snip the pomegranates off the tree with cutters rather than handpicking them.