Indoor pomegranate also called dwarf. Considering the fact that in nature these plants usually grow on saline lands or in rocky areas, one should not be surprised at their unpretentiousness. In apartments or houses, they adapt perfectly to the microclimate of the home. But still, let’s try to look at some of the nuances of breeding this crop.
Growing pomegranate from seed at home
Growing pomegranate at home, contrary to many opinions, is not a labor-intensive or complicated process. If you planted a plant as exotic decorative tree, both methods are equally suitable for you: from grain, or by layering. But to obtain a harvest and preserve the varietal qualities of the fruit, only the second of them should be used.
How to plant pomegranate at home from seed
As a material for planting and propagation, you can use seeds, which can be carefully collected from a plant flowering at home or purchased at specialized exhibitions and agrotechnical stores. For the best effect, they are soaked for a day in a solution with root growth stimulants (Kornevin).
Then they are sown in flowerpots and covered with a transparent film. With the appearance of the first shoots, you can remove the improvised greenhouse and place the plant in a well-lit and warm place.
To grow pomegranates from seeds at home, it is important to properly prepare them for germination by carefully removing the pulp, rinsing them in cool water and drying them thoroughly. This point is really important because it helps prevent them from rotting.
It is advisable to plant the seeds to a depth of 1 cm in a loose soil mixture (peat and black soil - 1:2), while not forgetting about drainage. The location here must be chosen in the same way as in the case of seeds - where there is enough sunlight. As the earthen ball dries, it should be moistened.
You should know that sowing seeds often does not bring the desired result and this method is used mainly when breeding new breeding products and when it is not possible to use layering.
How to grow homemade dwarf pomegranate from seed video
Growing pomegranate at home using cuttings
The easiest way to grow indoor pomegranate at home is by propagating it using ordinary cuttings. It is this method that is considered the most common due to the complete preservation of genetic material and high level survival rate. The quality of the harvest and the seedling’s resistance to diseases will ultimately depend on this.
- For layering, at the very beginning of spring, the middle (about 15 cm) of an adult stem with 3-4 buds is selected.
- Next, you can place the cutting in water or treat it with Kornevin to stimulate growth.
- The soil for rooting does not differ from that recommended for germinating seeds.
If all stages are carried out properly, then within a month the pomegranate will form a primary root system, and new branches will begin to appear from the buds. Strong pomegranate trees are usually planted in separate pots after 1-2 months.
Pomegranate indoor care at home photo
Caring for pomegranate at home is simple. In summer it is even planted in open ground to decorate the flower garden in an original way. The main thing is to take into account that shaded areas are suitable for this culture. This will avoid sunburn.
When growing home pomegranate, care should include systematic spraying and abundant watering, and in the spring it would not be a bad idea to apply light nitrogen-containing fertilizers. This will help the flower recover more quickly from the cold season, enhance growth and have a beneficial effect on the density of the bush and the richness of the color of the leaves. In summer experienced gardeners It is recommended to use fertilizers with phosphorus to stimulate the appearance of buds and the beginning of flowering.
With weak growth and a small number of ovaries, it is necessary to reconsider temperature regime, humidity level, watering frequency or location. To prepare a crop such as pomegranate for wintering, care at home will include the introduction of complex mineral fertilizers, alternating them with potassium supplements.
During this period, the plant may change, dropping its foliage - this is a completely normal phenomenon. But, since the plant loves fresh air, it is worth taking it out onto the loggia, while avoiding subzero temperatures and drafts. As for the frequency of watering in general, in winter their number can be reduced to 1-2 times a month. True, this advice is relevant only for mature seedlings; young ones will need more moisture.
Growing homemade pomegranate and caring for it video
Pomegranate home plant care: pruning and replanting
Those who are wondering how to care for pomegranates at home should not forget about the formation of the bush. Typically, shoots growing inwards are removed, as well as all dry branches. It is best to do this in the off-season, then the pomegranate will grow fluffy and beautiful.
You can grow a pomegranate plant at home in the form of a compact tree or shrub. With the onset of heat, the so-called stimulation of branching is carried out, leaving the shoot so long that there are from 2 to 5 pairs of leaves on it. To avoid excessive thickening, you need to prune on the buds looking inside the bush.
In order for a pomegranate to grow full and healthy at home, it is advisable not to replant it in a new pot for at least 3 years. After this, every spring you can replace the soil depleted of minerals and the flowerpots themselves with larger ones. Chernozem and turf soil are excellent for pomegranate. It is also important to remember the need for drainage (small pebbles work great) to protect the roots from rotting.
Trimming homemade pomegranate video
Bottom line
Indoor or dwarf pomegranates, caring for them at home, which really does not take much effort and time from gardeners, are often bred by those who want to get to know the art of bonsai better. And it is not surprising, since with high-quality pruning and pinching, the plant can be given almost any shape. Whatever you choose this crop for: obtaining tasty and healthy fruits or for aesthetic pleasure, following simple rules and recommendations, the result will not be long in coming.
Growing exotic fruit trees and shrubs in a house or apartment is becoming increasingly popular thanks to the large number of varieties of ornamental crops. Garnet is no exception.
It is quite possible to grow decorative pomegranate yourself. The main thing is to ensure proper care
By providing it with proper care at home, you can grow not only an ornamental plant, but also an annual fruiting plant. Not all decorative varieties pomegranates can bear fruit, so choose a variety based on your needs.
Benefits of growing pomegranate
Indoor pomegranate is almost no different from the shrub that is grown in the garden. The only difference concerns the size of the plant. Ornamental shrubs several times less.
The popularity of growing such a crop is due to external features grenade. It easily fits into the interior of any home. Its wide crown with numerous branches covered with thorns, dense landscaping and beautiful bright red flowers and fruits attract the eye.
Pomegranate fruits are round, massive, bright burgundy in color, hanging from beautiful thin branches of the bush. They are not only beautiful, but also useful: they contain a large number of vitamins and minerals.
Eating small grains in a soft, juicy shell helps strengthen the immune system, and systematic consumption of pomegranate juice helps prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Pomegranate is a healthy product with a rich composition
Indoor varieties
For growing in an apartment, it is advisable to choose dwarf varieties, but you can also use ordinary shrubs from the garden. The only drawback garden bush- its dimensions. Most of Such pomegranates have a powerful spreading crown, and the height reaches 4–5 m. When grown at home, garden pomegranates do not exhibit parental characteristics, which once again speaks in favor of choosing a dwarf variety.
The following decorative pomegranates are suitable for growing at home:
- Nana.
- Baby.
- Ruby.
- Uzbekistan.
Each variety of indoor shrub has distinctive features and features for caring for pomegranate at home. If you want to plant a small pomegranate that can be placed on a windowsill, the Baby variety is best.
The height of such a shrub does not exceed 50 cm. It produces up to 3 kg of light brown fruit per season. If a gardener’s desire is to grow an exact copy of a garden pomegranate, then it is better for him to plant the Nana variety. It rarely grows more than 1 m in height and produces up to 4 kg of large burgundy fruits.
The tallest variety of decorative pomegranates that can be grown at home is Uzbekistan. This plant looks more like garden forms. It grows up to 2 m in height and produces fruit the size of a large apple.
Flowering and fruiting
Growing at home will not bring rich harvests, so decorative non-fruit-bearing varieties are often chosen. Flowering occurs in spring and lasts until August, which is especially important for the interior. In winter, the shrub does not shed its leaves.
Pomegranate is a bisexual plant; it produces two types of flowers.
The female ones are elongated and oblong, and the male ones are bell-shaped with short pistils, the majority of them. Small flowers fall off quickly, and by autumn the large ones grow into small, thin-barked fruits up to 4–5 cm in diameter.
They most often appear light orange and turn brown or burgundy as they mature. Home-grown pomegranate produces up to 5 kg of tasty fruits, the size of which differs from those produced by garden shrubs.
As they ripen, pomegranate flowers turn burgundy
Growing from cuttings
Propagation by cuttings can be carried out 2 times a year. It is most effective to use semi-lignified summer cuttings or completely lignified material obtained at the end of winter for this purpose. Rooting works best with summer material, because during this period flowers may already form on it.
Cutting process:
- Leave 4 internodes on each cutting and treat the cut areas with a root formation stimulator.
- Prepare the soil for rooting (moistened peat and sand substrate).
- Bury the cuttings into the soil to a depth of 2-3 buds, install it at an angle.
- Cover the container with the cuttings with polyethylene and place in a warm, well-lit place.
Successful rooting will occur at a soil temperature of 23 to 26 °C. It is important to monitor the constant moisture of the soil: it should not dry out, but excess moisture can lead to rotting of the cuttings, so the polyethylene must be systematically removed from the container, ventilating it.
Rooting a cutting is a long process; it will take from 30 to 50 days. As soon as new buds appear on the cuttings, the polyethylene can be removed, continuing to carefully care for the plant. The shoot that took root first and has already grown must be cut off by 1/3 to allow it to branch.
Growing from seeds
Growing pomegranate from seed is a difficult and time-consuming task. Only fresh seeds, previously cleared of pulp, are suitable for planting. Before use, the planting material is filled with water, but not completely, otherwise the seeds will lose their germination and are soaked there for 1 day.
It is best to sow pomegranate seeds in winter. After 5–6 months, the young bushes can be taken outside without harm. Planting process:
- The seeds are taken out of the water and dried.
- Prepare a container for growing. A drainage layer of small pebbles and expanded clay is laid on its bottom. It promotes good removal of excess moisture.
- Prepare the soil. It is best to use loose, nutritious soil. You can prepare such a substrate yourself by mixing river sand, humus, turf soil, as well as an equal part of leaf soil.
- Seeds are placed in moistened soil. They can be sprinkled with a thin layer of earth or dug in 1 cm.
- The container is covered with polyethylene and put away in a warm place.
After 14–16 days, the first shoots will appear. During this period, it is necessary to provide the plant with a sufficient amount of sunlight, so it is necessary to remove the polyethylene and move the container closer to the window. Further care caring for pomegranate sprouts comes down to moderate watering and planting it when the first 4–6 leaves appear on the plant.
Pomegranate care
The first difficulties in care can be expected already in the first year of the bush’s life. It often begins to bloom a few months after planting. It is advised to pick off the flowers when they appear, because the young plant does not yet have the strength to ripen them. Only from the second year of cultivation can 2–3 pairs of flowering be left.
How to care for decorative pomegranate: correct lighting, watering, fertilizing and pruning, plant replanting.
Lighting and air temperature
Garnet loves light. If it is deficient, the plant sheds its leaves, so you should place the pot closer to the window, preferably on the south or southeast side. The most suitable areas for growing it are a loggia or balcony, where there is a lot of light and no drafts.
In summer, the plant can be taken outside, but it needs to be acclimated to direct sunlight gradually. They can leave burns on young leaves, so the bush should be shaded.
This plant is thermophilic, but it does not tolerate heat. It is not recommended to grow them in rooms where the air temperature exceeds 27 °C. Pomegranate can be kept where the air temperature is not lower than 11 °C. The critical level is 6 °C. At this temperature, the plant can live no more than 1 month.
Watering and spraying pomegranate
Pomegranate loves moisture, it especially needs it during the flowering period and the formation of ovaries. Watering rules:
- Monitor soil moisture. Drying out leads to the death of the bush. In summer, the plant is watered 2–3 times a week, and in winter – 1–2 times.
- Use warm water for irrigation.
- The pot must have drainage; you cannot water without it.
- Spray the bush at least 1-2 times a week in summer.
Spraying is carried out if the plant is constantly in a room where the air temperature does not fall below 20 °C.
In winter, pomegranate enters a dormant state and tolerates fresh coolness well. The main thing is to maintain soil moisture.
Fertilizer and replanting
Pomegranate needs frequent feeding. From April to October, the plant needs to be fertilized at least 2 times a month. A variety of means are used for this:
- complex type mineral compositions;
- infusion of mullein diluted with water;
- aqueous solution of chicken manure.
Indoor pomegranate can be fertilized with an aqueous solution of chicken manure
Fertilizers are applied at the root of the plant along with watering. The main thing is to monitor the proportions and not exceed them, otherwise the leaves and fruits will fall off. Mullein is diluted with pure warm water in a ratio of 1:10, and chicken manure - 1:25. Many gardeners, in order to protect their plants from death, dilute the fertilizers again by adding another ¼ of the water.
Transplantation is carried out in early spring. The transfer method is used. Transplantation is carried out annually until the plant reaches the age of 5 years. Later, the procedure is repeated once every 4–5 years. It is best to use pots that are slightly larger in volume than the old containers.
Trimming
Pomegranate grows very quickly. If a cutting has been planted, then after 6–7 months it will outwardly resemble small tree. For his active growth and maintaining decorativeness requires pruning. Its result will later be the correct distribution of plant forces for the ripening of the crop.
Pruning allows the pomegranate to form a standard tree. It is best to leave only 4–5 trunks on the bush, shortening them to 5 internodes. The cutting sites should be selected according to the location of the buds. Pruning is carried out above those buds that are directed away from the crown of the bush.
With the first days of spring, you need to carry out sanitary pruning. Root shoots and dry branches are removed. Young branches are pruned only if they have already bear fruit, and those shoots that stand out from the crown must be pinched.
Diseases and pests
Decorative pomegranate is rarely subject to diseases and pest attacks, but cases of infection sometimes occur. The main problems faced by the gardener:
- Spotting. It often occurs due to overwatering. The appearance of spots is the plant’s reaction to damage to the roots. Replanting the plant can correct the situation. When you shake the pomegranate roots off the ground, inspect them for rot. Damaged areas are trimmed and treated with crushed charcoal.
- Branch cancer. The first sign of the disease is swelling of the bark and the appearance of cracks on it. It is very difficult to get rid of the disease: it is necessary to trim off the damaged parts of the crown and keep the plant warm.
- Powdery mildew. Arises due to bad conditions content. You can fight it with the drugs “Skor” or “Topaz”, a weak solution soda ash with soap. Spraying is carried out according to the instructions: exceeding the dose of fungicides can cause the death of the plant.
- Pests are whiteflies, scale insects and aphids. It’s easy to get rid of aphids: you just need to wipe them soap solution pomegranate leaves, and when whiteflies appear, spray the bush with infusion of garlic or onion. The latter helps not only against whiteflies, but also against scale insects. Recipe: 20 g of onion peel is poured with water, left for 5 days, filtered and used for its intended purpose. Specialized chemical preparations “Confidor”, “Mospilan” and “Aktara” help against pests.
In the image and likeness of a pomegranate. It is believed that the crown on the fruit became the inspiration for the creators of the crown. The headdress appeared in the East, where pomegranate fruits grow.
Due to their scarlet color, like rubies, they were considered symbols of power. So they turned the fruit crown into a crown. Do you want to see the sign of the kings in your home? Learning to grow homemade pomegranate.
Homemade pomegranate from seeds
Pomegranate belongs to the genus Derbennikovaceae of the Myrtaceae family. It includes small shrubs and trees. Pomegranate is one of the latter. In its natural environment, the tree grows in southeastern Europe and Asia.
According to climatic conditions, the culture is suited to lands where temperatures do not drop below -15 degrees. There, grenades reach 6 meters in height. At home, trees usually do not exceed one and a half meters. Standard height bushes in pots - 90-100 centimeters.
You can grow a crop from a fruit seed purchased at the market or in a store. However, they sell from large trees there. It’s better to look into a seed shop and find there the name “Dwarf Pomegranate”, more precisely, its varieties “Carthage” and “Baby”. They are adapted for home keeping; with proper lighting and pruning, they stay within 40 centimeters.
Grow up pomegranate at home from the seed of a large, smooth fruit without dents on the skin, mold or rot. Frozen grenades are also not suitable. The seeds in the remaining fruits germinate in 95% of cases.
So, there is no need to select a lot of seeds for planting, 2-3 are enough. The flesh around them should be elastic and scarlet. Green grains are not ready to germinate.
Before planting seeds, the pulp is removed from them, or rather, washed off with slightly warm water. running water. Afterwards, take the settled liquid room temperature, adding a couple of drops of a growth stimulant, for example, Epin, to a teaspoon.
We keep the seeds in its solution for 12 hours. At this time we prepare the soil. A flower one from a store will do. If it is possible to create a substrate yourself, we take peat, river sand and fertile soil, that is, humus.
Mix the components in equal proportions and place them in plastic pots or cups with drainage added at the bottom. We make holes in the bottom of the containers to allow water to drain out.
We place the seeds in pots 1-1.5 centimeters deep, sprinkle them with soil and spray them generously with warm water. For a greenhouse effect, cover with film or cut plastic bottle. You need humidity and an air temperature of about 25-30 degrees Celsius.
We are waiting for sprouts. If planted in late autumn or early spring, they should appear in a couple of weeks. Seeds planted in the ground at another time hatch within a month to 3 months.
When the first leaf appears, remove the covering material and place the pot in a sunny place, not forgetting to periodically moisten the soil with a spray bottle. The soil should not dry out. After the development of the 8th leaf, we transplant the tree into the main pot.
Ceramic is preferred. A shallow container is sufficient. Homemade pomegranate from seeds has a shallow root system. The substrate from the bottom of the pot remains unclaimed.
Growing pomegranate from cuttings
A cutting is a cut branch intended for vegetative propagation. Vegetative propagation of plants without seeds is called vegetative. Cuttings from pomegranate are separated in summer or February.
In winter, completely woody shoots are taken, and in summer - only half. The latter take root better. However, in mid-summer the plant is covered with flowers. Many people do not regret cutting off beauty.
The buds look like scarlet roses, sometimes they have an elongated shape close to a funnel. The petals are scarlet, like the pomegranate fruits. Some crop varieties are bred exclusively for their buds. In general, no one will judge if the cutting is taken from winter plant. The separated branch must have at least 4 internodes.
Perhaps it is better to concentrate on the question how to plant pomegranate seeds at home. Pomegranate cuttings are 45% less likely to survive. Every second one will survive. You can increase the indicator by treating the stem cut with a rooting stimulator. We find it in gardening stores.
The photo shows homemade pomegranate shoots
Pomegranate cuttings also produce roots in water. To be sure, you can make a substrate of sand and stick a shoot into it for about 3 buds. Maintain a 45-degree angle with respect to the soil. Upright cuttings rarely take root.
After planting the cutting, cover the pot with film and place it in a well-lit place. We keep the temperature at 23-27 degrees. Once a day, remove the film for 20-30 minutes for ventilation.
If the cutting takes root, it will happen faster than in the case of seeds. Usually, the branch sets with the soil within a week or a week and a half. After another three weeks, rooting is completed.
Evidence of this is the new kidneys. We wait for 3-4 ex and shorten the escape by a third. This will lead to branching of the tree and the formation of a lush crown. The formation of 2-3 lateral branches gives reason to transplant the shoot into the main pot.
Pomegranate cuttings, despite the low survival rate, have advantages. Taking a branch for rooting, we see how strong and healthy it is. Trees from seeds can grow frail. The reason will lie in the parent plant, its fruit, and not in caring for the seedling.
In addition, the pomegranate variety is definitely visible from the cuttings. Seeds, even in packages, sometimes surprise. From the “Dwarf Pomegranate”, for example, an ordinary one can grow. So trust the inscriptions on the packages and photo.
Homemade pomegranate You can hardly find them in pots in stores. Rare offers bite in terms of price. Therefore, lovers indoor plants and they get clever by germinating seeds and rooting cuttings.
However, before applying to the soil planting material it's worth finding out how to grow pomegranate at home. As they say in relation to people: “It’s not enough to give birth to a child, you still need to raise him.” To do this you need to be patient and know some secrets. So, let's find out the nuances of caring for a tropical tree.
Pomegranate care
Bright light is the first thing you need indoor pomegranate. Home care involves growing trees exclusively on southern windows. Pomegranate is one of the few plants that loves direct sunlight.
From 4,000 to 6,000 lux for a tree - a comfortable environment. In cloudy weather and in winter, pomegranates are illuminated with phytolamps. They should increase daylight hours to 10-12 hours. In this case, the tree will continue to bloom and bear fruit. A lack of light will lead to the shedding of some leaves and hibernation.
Although pomegranate seeds germinate at 30 degrees, adult trees prefer temperatures within 20-25 Celsius. They are being held all year round.
There is information that from November to March the pomegranate has a dormant period and needs coolness. However, flower growers prove the opposite by posting photos online winter trees in bloom and noticing that the heat did not affect their health and fruiting.
The watering regime is also the same all year round. Pomegranate likes slightly moist soil. As soon as the soil begins to dry out, it is moistened. If excess water has drained into the pan, it is released.
Stagnation of moisture in the pot stand can lead to rotting of the tree roots. It will die on its own and will not bear fruit. Pomegranate berries, by the way, reach almost half a meter in diameter.
This is the record-breaking pomegranate grown in the Chinese province of Sichuan. The width of the fetus was 48.7 centimeters. Standard tree berries do not exceed 18 centimeters in diameter.
Water the pomegranate with settled, soft water at room temperature. At the same time, the plant has no special requirements for air humidity. Perfect option for apartments with a dry atmosphere due to heating devices.
Pomegranate is favorable to fertilizers. However, fertilizing gives strength for the formation of a mass of buds and rapid growth. The tree has no resources left for fruits. If pomegranate is grown for their sake, it is worth keeping fertilizing to a minimum.
Having given up on getting a bountiful harvest, we add nitrogen-phosphorus from spring to July. They will help the ovaries of “roses” to form. From the second half of summer, potassium supplements are needed.
The advantage of the pomegranate is not only its relative unpretentiousness for tropical plant, but also in its resistance to diseases. Both fungi and insects rarely set their sights on the hero of the article. In this regard, pomegranate is more profitable than other fruit crops grown at home, for example, oranges and lemons.
Pruning and replanting homemade pomegranate
Pruning pomegranate helps to form a lush crown and limit the height of the tree. It is customary to cut off shoots growing inside the bush. Leaving the branches directed outward, we make the crown spreading. At the same time, you need to trim the shoots on the buds, looking inside the bush. The procedure is well tolerated by the plant in the off-season.
Cutting shoots stimulates branching. By pruning near the buds, directed towards the inside of the crown, we avoid thickening it. For the viability of shortened branches, we leave at least a couple of leaves on them, preferably 5. In their natural form, by the way, pomegranate branches are chaotic and curvilinear, as if broken. This picture is attractive for a semi-wild garden, but not at home.
Pomegranate trimming is carried out according to two schemes. The first is aimed at creating the appearance of a spreading bush, and the second - a miniature tree. In the latter case, you can work not only with thin branches, but also with powerful shoots that rather resemble trunks. Even in their young state, they are twisted into such plaits. This forms a single, wide trunk with a rounded crown.
Having worked on the basics of composition, you can think about replanting the pomegranate. The plant needs it at least 3 years after planting. It’s also better not to keep it in the first pot for more than 4 years. By this time, the soil in the flowerpot is depleted, and there are almost no resources left for the tree to grow.
If the plant grows stronger before 3 years, then after pomegranates it easily tolerates annual transplants. They change both the soil and the pots. If you are too lazy to replant, you can delay the process for 3 years.
You can’t wait any longer, since pomegranate is a fast-growing crop. Over the course of a season, a tree can double in size, as can its root system. Maybe. It is thanks to its rapid growth that the pomegranate is considered the tree of life.
That's what they called him back in Ancient Egypt. The fruit of culture, as a sacred symbol of life, was placed in the sarcophagi of the pharaohs in the hope of giving them rebirth in another world.
The pomegranate is also called the tree of life in the “Karana”. According to scripture, the hero of the article grew up in Paradise. Later, the Prophet Muhammad recommended pomegranate fruits to his disciples as a medicine against envy and hatred. So, the energy of the tree is peaceful.
The ancient Greeks associated culture with Aphrodite, and therefore with love and voluptuousness. The senses are ignited not only by the color of the fruits and their grains, but also by the drinks in which they are present. Grenadine is made from pomegranate. This is a sweetener syrup, as well as a natural coloring. It is added to alcoholic drinks, in particular liqueurs and wines.
Ornamental plant indoor pomegranate (Punica) is the most unpretentious dwarf shrub for growing on a windowsill or in a greenhouse. In the homeland of the pomegranate, in countries with a hot and humid climate, it is planted in open ground, decorating lawns with perennial deciduous shrubs. The ornamental plant is quite unpretentious to the composition of the soil and does not require frequent watering. During the flowering period, it is almost completely covered with red inflorescences, which ripen into small pomegranates - a symbol of passionate love among the ancient Greeks.
Varieties of indoor pomegranate
Several varietal types of indoor pomegranate are adapted for home floriculture:
- Punica Granatum "NANA" (Dwarf Pomegranate);
- Baby;
- Carthage.
They vary in height (from 30 cm to 100 cm) and the size of the fruit (5-7 cm in diameter).
Secrets of caring for indoor pomegranate
Lovers of indoor potted flowers appreciate decorative dwarf plant not only for its exceptional external qualities, but also because caring for indoor pomegranate does not require special skills. If you follow some rules and create a minimum of conditions for the dwarf shrub, it will thank you lush flowering from November to the end of January.
In summer, indoor pomegranate “lives” perfectly in the garden or on the balcony. To avoid leaf burns, do not plant it in the sunny side. The best place– east or west side shaded by trees.
Caring for indoor pomegranate at home. Photo
In the hot season, the plant requires abundant glaze and spraying.
In order for the mini-shrub to increase the number of green leaves for caring for indoor pomegranate at home, it is better to choose nitrogen fertilizers, and in order for fruits to appear - phosphorus additives. You can choose a mineral mixture at any specialized flower shop.
The loss of leaves on a plant may not always be a sign of it feeling unwell. Before winter, pomegranate sheds its leaves, freeing itself from dense greenery. At this time it is necessary feed its potassium fertilizer.
Caring for indoor pomegranates is different for adults and young ones. Young plants need watering more often, while older plants can be watered once every 10 days.
For wintering A non-hot place, even a glassed-in loggia, is better suited. An important requirement is the absence of drafts and very low temperatures;
At transplantation plants should choose black soil with the addition of turf. Complex soil is ideal;
At the bottom of the pot into which the plant is transplanted, it is necessary to place drainage so that the roots do not rot.
Bush formation
At proper cultivation indoor pomegranate, the plant will look beautiful and original. To achieve an aesthetically pleasing shape and a neat appearance, flower growers trim off excess shoots and form a bush. It is best to carry out pruning at the beginning of active growth time or before wintering - in spring and autumn.
Caring for indoor pomegranate at home involves pruning:
- dry twigs;
- fattening (not developing) shoots;
- branches that grow towards the depths of the bush.
External shoots, if they are healthy, should not be pruned. To get a beautiful, full-fledged bush, it is better to start pruning for formation on adult plants that are already more than 3 years old. Young pomegranate room conditions definitely needs to be replanted. This is done annually to replace depleted soil with fresh one.
Secrets of propagating indoor pomegranate
Dwarf shrub is a fairly common plant that can be purchased at any flower shop and, after being brought home, transplanted into a suitable pot. But it is much more interesting to grow this flower yourself, especially since it reproduces well both from cuttings and seeds.
Propagation by seeds
Growing a plant from seeds is very simple. The main thing is to create for him the right conditions. Flower growers recommend taking the seeds of a young plant, they have a large vitality and germinate better.
Pour any store-bought plant growth stimulant into a small bowl and soak the seeds in it.
When they swell, plant them in the ground, covering the container with soil with film.
Remove the polyethylene when the first shoots appear, and place the container itself on the windowsill on the sunny side.
A stronger plant can be transplanted into a separate pot.
Propagation by cuttings
Reproduction and cultivation of indoor pomegranate from cuttings has one secret. If you do not choose the right branch for cuttings, the plant will not bear fruit. To take a cutting, select a fruiting branch that already has small pomegranates on it.
Place the cuttings in a jar with a growth stimulator.
When the lower cut swells, remove the cutting and replant it in a container with soil, covered with film.
As soon as new shoots appear on the branch, the film can be removed and the pot placed in a well-lit, warm place.
When the plant begins to form and young branches appear, pomegranate shoots need pinch. In this case, it will increase the number of branches and will be lush and beautiful. They don’t do this only if they plan to use the flower as a bansai.
Many people believe that it is very difficult to get pomegranates to bloom indoors, much less to produce fruit. In fact, this is not true. If you properly care for the plant, even a small pomegranate can bloom in the first year. As for the flowers, few people know that pomegranates have male and female flowers. You can distinguish them by examining the base. In male flowers it is thin, while in female flowers it is thicker. In addition, male flowers fall off almost immediately after opening, while female flowers become rounded during flowering, forming a pomegranate fruit.
You should not wait for flowering and fruit formation on young, newly emerging branches. As a rule, they appear on the longest, most mature shoots. Knowing all these simple secrets, you can easily grow a “passion flower” on your windowsill.
Even at home today you can grow pomegranate, the dwarf form of which I really like. The tree develops well indoors and caring for it is not difficult, although it has its own characteristics. If you follow all the recommendations, you will be able to grow lush beautiful plant which will decorate your home.
In nature, pomegranate grows up to 10 m in height; at home, its height varies between 30-100 cm, so it is easy to grow in an ordinary apartment or country house.
Among the plant varieties, the most popular are:
- “dwarf Carthage” up to a meter high;
- a miniature "baby" species, it grows up to 30-50 cm in height.
The shoots of the tree are strewn with oval glossy foliage. During the flowering period, which lasts from April-May to August, bright red pomegranate flowers up to 4 cm in length and 2-3 cm in diameter delight the eye. They have the shape of a bell or pitcher and are self-pollinating.
IN autumn period small, round fruits up to 5 cm in diameter are formed, the color of which can be either light orange or dark burgundy. Fruits with a hard, thin skin have a sour taste and contain many small scarlet grains with seeds.
Preparation for landing
Indoor pomegranate is grown by planting seeds house plant. Before sowing them, you need to prepare the soil.
To plant them you will need neutral, fertile, loose soil. A commercial composition for roses or begonias is suitable.
You can make the mixture yourself, using equal proportions of:
- sand;
- humus;
- turf and leaf soil.
Drainage is placed at the bottom of a wide, shallow pot, using pebbles or expanded clay.
Landing
To grow dwarf pomegranates, take hard, cream-colored seeds. They are washed, kept in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 12 hours, and dried. The seeds can be stored and used for 6 months.
Planting is carried out in the spring, then the seeds will quickly sprout. If you do this at another time, the process will be delayed.
The seeds are sown in the soil prepared in advance, deepened by 1 cm, covered with film and waiting for shoots. They appear within 2 weeks under the following conditions:
- good lighting;
- room temperature 25-27 degrees;
- moist soil.
After the first leaves appear, the seedlings are picked into separate pots. When the tree reaches 10-15 cm in height, the shoots are pinched so that they bush better.
Reproduction
At home, pomegranate is propagated by cuttings and grafting.
Propagation by cuttings
This is the optimal method, because cuttings take root and take root without problems, while retaining the properties of the mother bush.
To propagate a pomegranate, you need to cut off its young shoots, which begin to become woody, with 4-5 live buds. You can carry out this procedure:
- in spring;
- in summer.
In this case, the cuttings take root faster.
Cut shoots are soaked using a growth stimulator for the rhizome. The lower part of the cuttings is cleared of buds and stuck into previously prepared soil. Planting is carried out at an angle, deepening the shoots by 3-4 cm.
When the rooting process is complete, new shoots appear. When this moment comes, each seedling is planted in a separate container.
Reproduction by grafting
This is an effective, albeit labor-intensive process. For the rootstock use any young indoor pomegranate. You will also need cuttings from a varietal, healthy, fruit-bearing tree.
Any grafting method can be used, for example:
- in a side section;
- into cleft
Features of care
After planting or propagating a pomegranate tree at home, it needs to be provided with quality care.
Place
A pot of dwarf pomegranate is placed on the windowsill. If there is a lot of light, this will do:
- southern;
- eastern;
- west side.
On cloudy days dwarf pomegranate provide illumination with a phytolamp.
Lighting
The pomegranate tree loves bright light, without which it begins to shed its leaves.
In summer, you can take the plant to the balcony, or in a private house - to the street. During the first few days he needs adaptation; keep him in direct sunlight little by little, gradually increasing the duration.
Temperature
During the growing season, which lasts from spring to autumn, the plant requires an air temperature of 24-26 degrees. For the rest period it is reduced to 12 degrees. The rest lasts 1-2 months, its duration affects subsequent flowering and fruiting.
If it is not possible to reduce the temperature in the room, then a number of conditions must be met:
- reduce the number of waterings;
- place the pomegranate in a dark place;
- remove leaves from the tree.
Watering
The pomegranate tree requires a lot of water. It is watered as the soil dries.
You need to make sure there is no excess moisture, otherwise the plant will get sick. During the wintering period, the soil should not be allowed to dry out.
Humidity
To support required level humidity, spraying is necessary. They are performed:
- once a day during hot periods;
- in warm weather - 2 times a week.
These procedures improve appearance plants. During the dormant period, spraying is stopped.
Top dressing
Decorative pomegranate definitely needs feeding. It is carried out twice a month during the warm period. In this case they use:
- in spring - nitrogenous compounds;
- during the flowering period - mixtures containing phosphorus;
- in autumn - potassium-containing fertilizers.
Once a month you will also need a comprehensive mineral composition. In the fall, fertilizing is done less frequently, stopping completely from December until spring.
Trimming
To form beautiful bush, its good development is carried out by pruning the pomegranate tree. Molding is carried out in 4-6 main shoots. Thin stems are trimmed so that each has 5-6 buds for foliage, and a cut is made above the topmost one.
In summer, only young shoots are pruned. This stimulates more luxuriant flowering.
You should not get carried away with the process so as not to lose a lot of crowns. This will weaken the tree.
Transfer
Young plants that have not yet reached their maximum possible height are replanted every year. In this case, each time the size of the pot increases taking into account the volume of the rhizome.
Mature trees are replanted once every 3 years by transshipment. This will allow minimal impact on the root system.
Indoor pomegranate does not need special care, and in terms of decorativeness and beauty it will surpass many plants, becoming a decoration of the home garden.
