Dwarf or indoor pomegranate - a miniature ornamental tree, designed for home cultivation. Of all the representatives of the exotic flora, he is perhaps the most unpretentious, so it adapts quite easily to the microclimate of the room. Growing a pomegranate in the house is a fascinating and enjoyable occupation, since, apart from exceptional decorativeness during flowering, the culture is capable of producing small, but quite edible fruits.

Fans of exotic domestic plants may be interested in the question of where to get and how to grow a dwarf pomegranate on their own. After all, ready-grown trees in flower shops have a very considerable price. It should be said that the pomegranate is well propagated by cuttings and seeds. The seed method has several options, but its efficiency is low, since it takes more time to grow a full-fledged tree, and the seeds do not always germinate.

For breeding home grenades, you can use several variants of seed:

  • seeds purchased in specialized stores - they have the highest germination rate;
  • seeds formed in the flower of a dwarf pomegranate growing in the house;
  • seeds extracted from fresh homemade pomegranate fruit.

It makes no sense to use seeds from ordinary pomegranate bought on the market, because even if they give gatherings, the tree can only bloom after 7 years, and the dimensions of such a plant are completely unsuitable for placement.

In order for the seeds to germinate, they must be properly prepared and planted. If the material is purchased in a specialized store, then, as a rule, it is enough just to soak for a day in water, and better in a growth stimulator (Kornevin), and then land in a moist soil. If the seeds are taken from fresh fruit, then they must first be separated from the pulp, rinsed well, and then dried thoroughly - this will help prevent material rotting. Then everything is as in the previous case: soak in the growth stimulator for a day, and land in the ground.

Sowing of seeds is carried out in the spring, approximately in the middle of April. For planting used substrate consisting of equal parts of sand and peat. Sowing is carried out in a moist soil to a depth of 0.5-1 cm under glass or film. The seed pot is placed in a warm place, since they need a temperature not lower than +25 ° C to germinate. Quality material rises quite quickly. When 2-3 true leaves are formed on the seedlings, they are planted in separate pots along with a clod of earth. For further development, plants need a warm and humid microclimate. For better branching, the largest twigs pinch.

Growing video

From the video you will learn how to grow pomegranate in different ways.

Growing with cuttings

Growing a pomegranate from a cutting is easier than from seed, and this method also has a higher survival rate. Planting material taken from adult fertile plants in spring or summer. From a strong and healthy stem, cuttings of 10–12 cm long are cut, so that they have 4–5 live buds. Next, these blanks are placed in a growth stimulator, and then planted in a moist substrate at a small angle.

For better rooting, the cuttings are covered with a jar or a cut-off plastic bottle, the soil is kept moist, and aired daily.

With proper care after a month on the cuttings will begin to grow roots, and buds bloom. After another two months, the plants can be planted in separate pots. The tree, grown from cuttings, fully blooms for 2-3 years. Buds that appeared on the plant in the first year, it is desirable to break.

Care

Growing pomegranate room, care at home is quite simple. The main thing - to try to create a suitable microclimate. For a tree, light, temperature, humidity of the air and soil are of great importance. In room conditions, the pot with the plant is better placed on the windowsill (not only on the north side), and in the summer to bring to the balcony. Remember that direct sunlight can cause burns, so in hot weather pomegranate should be pritenit or arranged in partial shade. In the fall, the tree is returned back to the room.

Pomegranate is a thermophilic culture. For its normal development, flowering and fruiting, it is necessary to maintain the air temperature in the range from +20 to +25 ° C.

If in the summer the room is stuffy and the temperature exceeds +25 ° C, the tree may start dropping the leaves, so you should take it to the balcony and periodically spray it with cool water. When fruit ripening begins, the temperature should be slightly lowered, to +16 ° C. The lowest temperature that an indoor pomegranate can withstand is +6 ° C, below this indicator the plant dies.

Pomegranate is watered in a different mode, depending on the stage of its growing season and weather factors:

  • during the active growing season, as well as in hot weather, the plant needs a lot of moisture - since February, the pomegranate is watered regularly as soon as the topsoil dries;
  • during flowering, the frequency of watering is slightly reduced, but it is monitored to ensure that the soil does not dry out, as the buds can begin to fall off;
  • after flowering, the amount of watering increases again - this measure contributes to the abundant flowering of the tree next year;
  • during fruit ripening, watering is carried out carefully, since an excess of moisture can lead to cracking of the spicing fruit;
  • in winter, the plant begins a period of rest - at this time it is watered very rarely, only so that the roots do not dry out.

To maintain the decorativeness of a room pomegranate, it is necessary to feed about 1-2 times a month. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in the spring, in the summer, before and after flowering - a complex mixture with phosphorus, during the ripening of fruits and in the late autumn - potassium. Fertilizers are applied in liquid form through irrigation. Top dressing is best done in cloudy weather or in the evening. In mid-autumn, feeding is stopped.

Like any houseplant, pomegranate can be sick and exposed to pests. Since the tree loves moisture, it sometimes affects powdery mildew - a fungal disease that develops against the background of high humidity, and manifests itself as white raids on the leaves. If signs of disease appear, reduce the humidity (stop spraying and watering the plant). Due to excessive moisture, the roots may rot, and the leaves turn yellow.

Of pests, grenades sometimes attack scutes, spider mites or whitefly. While insects are few, they can be assembled by hand. If the population has increased, then chemical means should be applied (Aktellik, Fitoverm). The same drugs can be sprayed on the tree for prevention.

Pruning

The formation of a crown for a homemade pomegranate is common, because the culture is mainly grown with a decorative purpose, and not for the sake of obtaining fruits. In this case, pruning not only rejuvenates the plant, but also gives it an original decorative form. As a rule, pomegranate tree is pruned once at the end of winter, in February, when bud formation begins. At the same time, from the cold, it is transferred to a warm room (room), and dry, not yet blossomed branches start cutting off. During this period, the pomegranate is best tolerated pruning procedure.

To tree was lush, you need to cut off the young shoots above the kidney, looking outside, leaving 4-5 internodes. In order to avoid excessive thickening of the crown, the buds should be cut inward, as well as all small twigs. You should not get involved in pruning, as it can weaken the plant. For an indoor tree, it suffices to leave 5-6 skeletal branches. Performing pruning, remember that pomegranate flowers are formed on only the most developed annual shoots. Sometimes, with excessive branching, there is a need for unplanned pruning in the summer. When removing shoots during the active growing season, it is imperative to close the cutting places with a garden pitch.

Transfer

In the first three years, an indoor pomegranate cultivated in a pot should be transplanted annually. At first, the tree grows quite intensively, and if it does not have enough land and nutrients, then the plant will soon begin to hurt and lag behind in development. Upon reaching the age of three, transplantation is carried out 1 time in 2-3 years, mostly in spring. Technically, this is very easy to do, since the transplantation procedure consists in transferring the tree into a larger pot along with the ground.

The garnet root system is fibrous, well developed, and grows more in breadth than inland. But this does not mean that the pot for the tree should be large and wide. Every year it is enough to increase the diameter of the pot by 3-4 cm (about 0.5 l). The soil for the cultivation of pomegranate needs a neutral, consisting of turf or black soil with the addition of sand. You can buy ready-made store soil for roses, as long as its acidity is neutral. The drainage layer in the pomegranate pot is obligatory, since an excess of moisture can harm it. Remember that in nature pomegranate grows on rocky terrain - try to create similar conditions for it. If the roots are in a small cramped, pomegranate flowering will be more lush.

Like all trees, a pomegranate needs rest. This period he comes after the ripening of all fruits - around the beginning of December. When the tree starts dropping the leaves, care should be taken to create suitable conditions: lower the temperature to + 10-12 ° C, and reduce watering to a minimum. If the house has a basement, a pot of pomegranate can be carried there for two months. Under the conditions of a city apartment, it is more difficult to provide such a temperature, therefore, in the absence of a heated loggia, the plant is moved closer to the window glass and is fenced off with dense material from the rest of the room. In the cold, the plant is kept until February, after which the tree is again ready to dissolve the buds.

Video “Care”

From the video you will learn how to care for pomegranate.

Pomegranate (Punica), also called Pomegranate, is a plant of the Derbennik family (Lythraceae). The generic name punica in Latin refers to the area of ​​initial growth in the Greek territories of Carthage (present-day Tunisia). The Russian name comes from another word granatus, which means “grainy” in Latin.

Pomegranate grows in natural conditions in the form of abundantly branching woody plants. Its thin, short, uneven, angular shoots are covered with light brown and slightly grayish bark. The small leaves, having the opposite arrangement, are collected in several pieces into whorls. The leaves are slightly wavy, have smooth edges. The shape can vary from elliptical to lanceolate. The upper part of the sheet is glossy, and the bottom is matte.

During the pomegranate flowering period, funnel-shaped scarlet flowers appear on it on short pedicels. Most often they are solitary, but can be collected in small inflorescences. Fruits can appear only on those flowers, the shape of which resembles a jug. Flowers of bell-shaped type are sterile. The flowering of pomegranate in its natural environment continues throughout the year, and the plant may simultaneously have flowers and ripe fruits.

Types, varieties of pomegranate and their photos



The Derbennikovy family includes only two types of deciduous trees and small shrubs.

The most suitable for growing at home is Pomegranate  (Punica granatum). Under natural conditions, pomegranate tree grows in southern Europe and Western Asia. This small tree is up to 5-10 m tall, with green foliage and scarlet flowers. Fruits of spherical shape reach from 8 to 18 cm in diameter.

Breeders brought a large variety of garden forms and varieties that differ in taste and degree of fruit.

A photo. Pomegranate

Another form of common pomegranate, representing a natural look, is widespread in indoor floriculture - it is Dwarf Pomegranate (Punica nana). It is small in size, not 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 a pomegranate do not exceed three centimeters in diameter. The seeds of this potted plant are sold in the store under the general name "Dwarf Pomegranate" or Punica granatum "NANA".

Important: For indoor cultivation suitable seeds of a dwarf pomegranate of two varieties: "Carthage", "Baby".

Some varieties of the original species that are suitable for growing at home, but exceeding the size of the dwarf species, have received less distribution in gardeners:

  • « Flore pleno"- the plant comes from Persia, has an exclusively decorative function, does not bear fruit. The size of the shrub reaches a height of 3-4 m. Terry bright red flowers resemble a carnation;
  • « Flore pleno alba“- similar to the previous species, but its flowers are white;
  • « Double flower“- another type of terry pomegranate, having multi-colored flowers, where in one inflorescence there are at the same time petals of red, white, pink flowers, they can be monochromatic, have stripes or specks.

In the natural environment, another is known - the second - the type of plant, it is Socotransky Pomegranate (Punica protopunica). Its homeland is the island of Socotr. It is a tree or shrub with abundant branching. The height can reach 4.5 meters. Differs in smaller flowers, they have not red, but pink color, smaller fruits and rounded leaves. This species was not accepted by gardeners due to the worst taste.

Home care for pomegranate

Among the huge variety of plant species for home cultivation dwarf pomegranate is the most unpretentious exotic specimen. It perfectly takes root in pots or containers placed in a winter garden, a greenhouse, or just on a window sill.

Reference: Dwarf pomegranate was awarded an honorary diploma of the Royal Society of Gardeners of Great Britain for exceptional decorative properties

To make this beautiful plant, the decorative properties of which received the highest rating and recognition, become a real decoration of the interior, you need to know how to properly care for it.

Required lighting and temperature

Despite the fact that the grenade is not particularly picky about the conditions of detention, however, there are a number of rules that should not be violated.

The main requirement for proper maintenance of the plant is a high level of illumination. To bloom and fruiting was abundant, it is best to ensure the plant direct action of sunlight. It feels great in the fresh air, so it can be transplanted into the garden.

In room conditions, it is best to place the pot on a well-lit south, west or east window.. Northern windows should be avoided. On gloomy and cloudy days include additional phyto-illumination.

The room grenade requires a high level of illumination.

You can shade a little young saplings of the plant in the afternoon when the sun is too bright. In summer, you can put a flower on the balcony, where he will have enough light and air.

In the winter season, when there is a lack of light, pomegranates can begin to partially drop foliage. He can be helped by supplying powerful fitolamps by providing a daylight time of at least 12 hours. Under this condition, flowering and fruiting plants will continue in winter.

Despite the fact that the temperature of the air in the historic homeland of pomegranate is usually quite high, moderate summer warming of air within 20–25 degrees is quite suitable for indoor species. Hot or stuffy air the plant does not like and can lose leaves. At the same time growth is noticeably slowed down. In this case, cool sprays or moving the pot to cooler conditions, such as on a balcony, will help.

Often there is an opinion among gardeners that a flower has a pronounced rest period, which lasts from November to March. On this basis, it is possible to meet recommendations to place a grenade at this time of year in a cooler place.

However, based on practical experience, it should be noted that if the flower is left in winter at normal room temperature, there is no decrease in the intensity of flowering. Also, the content in the heat will not have a negative impact and will not affect the formation of flower buds.

Necessary watering and humidity

Good pomegranate conditions include knowledge of how to water it.

  • In winter, the flower should be watered very rarely, not more than once in a half or even two months.
  • A gradual increase in watering begins in February, it should saturate the soil in the pot with moisture. Every next watering begins after the top layer dries.
  • Slightly reduce watering during flowering. This is exactly what happens in nature, where pomegranate blooms in the hottest and driest season.

Important: Both deficiency and excess moisture can lead to a sharp loss of the flower at once all the buds.

  • If the weather is hot and the room is clearly stuffy, it is necessary to spray the room grenade with cool water. But this is not necessary if the air in the room is not very hot.
  • Immediately after the end of flowering, pomegranate requires abundant watering, this will ensure the formation of a large number of flowers next year.
  • If the task of growing pomegranate fruits is set, then in the autumn period watering is carried out with great care. Excessive moisture leads to cracking of the fruit.

Soil requirement and fertilizer for indoor pomegranate

The ground for the grenade should be loose

Despite the fact that the natural conditions of pomegranate growth are distinguished by the scarcity and dryness of the soil, more comfortable conditions should be provided to develop a decorative look.

To grow a dwarf pomegranate, the soil should be fairly loose, nutritious, with rich drainage and a neutral reaction. It is not difficult to prepare a suitable mixture yourself. To do this, you can take on one part a number of components: sod, humus, leaf earth and coarse-grained river sand. Suitable and ready soil recommended for roses, as well as begonias. The drainage layer is formed from pebbles or expanded clay, they will contribute to the drainage of excess water that may occur after too much watering.

If there is any doubt that the reaction of the earth mixture is really neutral, you can prepare the soil according to the following recipe:

Take the components in the following proportions and ratios:

1. Option

  • sod land - 50%;
  • leaf humus - 25%;
  • peat - 12%.
  • sand - 13%.

Option 2

  • sand - 50%;
  • loam - 25%;
  • peat - 25%.

3.Variant

  • clay-turf ground - 100%;
  • leaf land - 50%;
  • humus - 50%;
  • sand - 50%.

Young plants of indoor pomegranate 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 a plant twice a month, but not more often. In the springtime, nitrogen fertilizer of any kind will do. During flowering fertilizer uses phosphate. Gradually, as the autumn period approaches, they switch to potassium fertilizers.

Once a month a complex fertilizer will have a good effect. It should also be added if the weather is cloudy for a long time.

Fertilizer is applied to the soil, quite wet. A dry earthen clod must first be watered, while draining excess water from the pan.

In the fall, together with a decrease in temperature and a decrease in irrigation, reduce the number of dressings. The beginning of the period that does not require additional feeding begins in December.

Trimming, is it necessary to replant the pomegranate after purchase, transplanting

Pruning of pomegranate begins during the formation of buds on the plant. This usually occurs in February. The pot is transferred from the cooled room to the warm one and the pruning of dry twigs begins, with no extra shoots and no foliage.

Normally pruned plant has a beneficial effect.. At the same time cut off most of the appeared small branches.

Branch stimulation will be facilitated by pruning carried out over the bud of a young sprout looking out. On this shoot leave no more than five internodes.

Important: Four to six skeletal branches should be left during pomegranate formation.

Strong pruning can weaken the plant. Trimming the root of the pomegranate will help form a plant in the shape of a tree, for example, if you want to get bonsai. With fragile branches need to be treated carefully, not to break them.

Sometimes, extra shoots that appear are pruned in the summer, when the vegetation of the plant occurs. Pruning contributes to the emergence of a larger number of buds, which, as a rule, are formed only on fairly developed annual shoots.

Young plants need to be transplanted annually. Pomegranate over the age of three years are transplanted only once every two or three years. The most favorable time is spring. Transplantation carried out by the method of transshipment. Seedlings are planted in turf soil, which add sand and always drainage.

Pot size should be increased during each transplant., while each subsequent diameter should exceed the previous by 2-3 cm, but no more. Although the root system of a dwarf pomegranate is of a surface type, it is not necessary to choose a too wide pot, flowering is more abundant when the roots will experience a small tightness.

Propagation of pomegranate room seeds and cuttings

Pomegranate room can be propagated in two ways.

Pomegranate is propagated in two ways: seeds and cuttings.

To get a pomegranate from the seeds you need to take ready-made, bought in a specialty store. In this case, flowering will occur in the year of planting, and fruiting in a year or two.

Also fit the seeds of fresh fruit, growing dwarf pomegranate. Their germination lasts up to six months. Seeds fit the largest and ripened fruit. They are washed from the pulp and dried. You can sow them in April, putting in the ground no deeper than half a centimeter. The growth of seeds occurs fairly quickly and then the strongest of the shoots are planted in pots. When growing provide heat and good watering. You can pinch several times.

From fruiting plants can also take cuttings. In the summer, they take semi-woody shoots, and in February - woody shoots. They are cut, leaving 4-6 buds on each and planted in moistened soil at an angle. Each stalk is covered with a bottle or jar, left in a humid environment. Daily airing, spraying and watering are required. Seating cuttings produced after 2-3 months. Flowering will come in a year or two.

Diseases and pests

Indoor pomegranate is susceptible to the pest of the insect; for the struggle they use fitoderms.

Dwarf pomegranate growing in room conditions is prone to disease. The most common diseases of the pomegranate are: powdery mildew, whitefly, scythe. If there are few pests, they can be collected by hand. With significant reproduction using chemicals, fitoverm suitable.

A spider mite may appear in a too dry room. To prevent it, spraying should be done. The treatment of the plant is carried out by the drug Actellic, covering the ground with polyethylene for a while.

Pomegranate can be sick with too much watering. At the same time his leaves turn yellow. In this case, it is transplanted into dry soil, cut rotten roots, sprinkle them with pounded coal.

Rest period

When breeding at home, it is often possible to observe how at the end of November a flower drops leaves. This occurs after the ripening of its fruits. For this reason, many gardeners believe that then comes a period of rest, when the plant requires maintenance in more refrigerated conditions.

As a rule, young plants that have not reached the age of three years do not need special air cooling, they do not need rest.

Growing a pomegranate is not particularly difficult. If you follow the basic rules of care, this delightful exotic plant will be pleasing to the eye with bright flowers and even fruits.

Successful cultivation of pomegranate in the open field is not a difficult process, the main thing is to choose a winter-hardy variety and a grafted seedling.

You can count on high yields in the event that the rules of agricultural engineering are observed:

  1. Moderate watering.
  2. The constant presence of mulch under a bush of straw, cut grass, dry leaves.
  3. Regular and sufficient mineral fertilizers and organics.
  4. Annual pruning of old, thickening, diseased branches.
  5. Proper formation of the crown.
  6. Anti-aging pruning every 25 years.
  7. Protection of the roots and the aerial parts from frost.
  8. Preventive spraying against diseases and pests.

Pomegranate in the open field begins to bear fruit for 4-5 years

This plant is not whimsical, but still the pomegranate grows better in conditions of open ground grainy and well drained soils. Choose a place the brightest, protected from the winds.

Landing pit  should generously fill with organic matter (rotted manure). We carefully straighten the roots of the seedling, sprinkle it with earth and pour it generously.

Pomegranate in the garden usually blooms for 3-4 year. A full-fledged fruit can be expected to 4-5 year. Blooms profusely, but the fruits are tied only on female flowers. And they are five times less on the bush than men. Garden pomegranate is a self-pollinated plant, therefore it can be grown in greenhouses.

The most convenient way to grow pomegranate in the open field is to keep the maximum 5 branches in the bush. Crown formation can be done in spring or after harvest.

In the bush there are only the strongest shoots, directed in different directions. Need to follow to middle of the bush  was well lit. Therefore, all radical growth andthickening shoots removed.

Care for garden pomegranate in spring

  • In April-May, depending on the region, we remove the layer of earth, shake off the branches. The plant will gradually straighten itself.
  • Immediately we spray the fruit rot with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture.
  • Carefully inspect the bush, cut off all the rotted, broken and thickening the crown branches.
  • We mulch a garden pomegranate bush with a thick layer of straw or grass.
  • As soon as the leaflets begin to bloom, we conduct foliar feeding with humisol.

AT june feed bush  complex mineral fertilizer.

Pomegranate in the open field responds very well to the application of organic fertilizers. Every 2 weeks we pour grenades mullein infusionor chicken litter. Autumn around the bush  dropping 25 grams of superphosphate and 15 grams of potassium. Mulch manure.

Harvesting

Fruits do not ripen at the same time. The longer the fruit hangs on the bush, the he will be sweeter. If the weather does not allow you to wait, you can break the immature fruits. They will reach a condition during a lay. Picked up grenades need to be dried in the attic or on the street under a canopy.

Watering

This plant does not like overmoistening, but the lack of moisture is also harmful to him. Watering is carried out as needed. Lack of water  leads to shedding the ovary.After watering, be sure to mulch the shrub with straw or grass.

Mulch  performs three functions at once:

  1. retains moisture;
  2. delay the development of weeds;
  3. creates ideal conditions for livelihoods and active breeding of earthworms.

They, besides processing the soil in vermicompost, also contribute to better penetration of oxygen to the roots of the plant.

Shelter garden grenade for the winter

Even frost-resistant varieties need shelter for the winter.

  • First, we spray the crown of pomegranate from fungal diseases. 3% Bordeaux liquid.

With the onset of average daily temperatures below 10 degrees branch we tie with a rope. If the branches are long, they can be twisted (pomegranate branches are very flexible).

  • Too thick branches that can not be bent to the ground, cut off.

By the way, they make delicious wine from pomegranate fruits. We also wrote.


  Tart taste of pomegranate is known to almost everyone. The view of juicy grains, densely accumulated under the hard skin, causes reflections among gardeners - is it possible to grow pomegranate at home? Caring for a plant, judging by the statements of experienced gardeners, does not require special skills. A minimum of patience, a little time, the right agricultural technology - and a curly bush will take a worthy place in the interior of the apartment.

The origin of the pomegranate

Homeland of flowering fruit plants - dry subtropical zones of South Asia. In the open ground deciduous trees or large shrubs are cultivated in the Krasnodar Territory, the Caucasus and the Crimea. Distributed throughout the Mediterranean to the Himalayas.

In the genus Pomegranate (Punica) of the family Derbennikovye, there are only 2 species, of which only one is grown under room conditions - ordinary pomegranate.

What does a pomegranate look like?

In nature, a pomegranate is a coppice shrub or small tree reaching 6 meters in height; room varieties do not exceed 1 m.

Depending on the conditions of room culture, the plant is deciduous and evergreen. The shoots with grayish-brown bark are erect and strongly branching. Foliage is from 2 to 8 cm long, on a short reddish petiole or sessile opposite, lanceolate-oval, entire.

The flowers are bright, decorative, self-pollinated, singly arranged at the ends of the shoots. Calyx of 3-6 teeth, fleshy, bright scarlet or pinkish, slightly lighter at the ends of the teeth. Petals of a rich scarlet or crimson hue, more rarely a milky white or sunny yellow color. Long flowering - buds open alternately from late May to September.

Fruits - spherical grenades with a lot of seeds in a juicy cover and a lingering cup, many decorative indoor varieties are inedible, but there are fruit with a pleasant sweet-sour taste.

The best varieties for home growing growers consider the following:

  • Kmyza Kabuh;
  • Bala-Mursal;
  • Achik Don;
  • Gulusha Azeri;
  • Shaumyan;
  • VIR-1;
  • Punikum grenade “Nana” - abundantly fruiting.

Transplant and placement in room conditions

For growing pomegranate indoors, a deep, but small in diameter pot or container is chosen - the plant develops better when the roots are a little cramped. Young copies are transplanted annually, more adults - every 2-3 years.

The composition of the soil mixture is undemanding, because in nature it grows on poor gravelly, sandy or stony soils. From ready store soils, the soil for flowering plants is quite suitable for him.

Self-cooked ground mix includes equal volumes of the following components:

  • sod land;
  • humus;
  • leaf earth;
  • sand;
  • peat.

Planting a pomegranate does not involve much difficulty. At the bottom of the tank stack a low layer of drainage of expanded clay or pebbles. The pot is filled to a third with a potion mixture, the roots of the plant are placed in it and the remaining space is filled with soil to the level of the root collar. Moisturize, sprinkle with a thin layer of sand on top and do not water the next 2-3 days - the roots should be fixed in the new ground dough.

The soil in the flower pot with pomegranate must be regularly loosened.

The apartment room grenade placed near the southern windows. During dormancy, the plant is transferred to cool rooms with a temperature not lower than 8–10 degrees of heat (warmed loggias or glazed balconies), and mulch the surface of an earthen clod with sawdust. Without wintering in such conditions, the tree refuses to bear fruit.

In the spring with the advent of heat, a container of pomegranate is carried out into the garden to fresh air. The plant is not afraid of exposure to direct sunlight, but at first, until it gets used to the bright light, it is better to shade it a little so that the foliage does not burn. In September, the tree is returned to the apartment.

Home Grenade Care

If you grow an indoor pomegranate just as a flowering plant, then look after it is easy. Difficulties at home arise with fruiting, which can be difficult to achieve.

  • Lighting

Garnet photophilous. This is one of the few plants that are not afraid of bright midday rays. In winter, when cloudy weather stretches for too many days in a row, a grenade needs to be dimmed. In case of a lack of lighting during the growing season, the tree sheds foliage.

  • Temperature conditions

For normal development, a grenade is important not so much high temperatures as the total duration of days with thermometer readings within 24-26 degrees above zero. In a room setting, he is quite warm enough for the fruit to ripen.

The rest period is important for the plant as the temperature drops to 10-12 degrees Celsius. At this time, deciduous varieties shed their leaves; evergreens spend the winter with a crown.

  • Proper irrigation mode

Pomegranate is a moisture-loving plant. From March to August, it is desirable to maintain a constant uniform humidity of the earthen coma, then the frequency of irrigation is gradually reduced to moderate throughout the autumn and winter: watered on the 3-4th day after the topsoil in the pot dries out. With the arrival of spring, the intensity of moisture is restored.

In hot summer weather, pomegranate bushes are periodically or regularly sprayed.

  • Top dressing

The plant needs decadal feedings using solutions of mineral and organic fertilizers. In the spring, nitrogen-containing compounds are used to effectively increase the green mass, and with the beginning of bud formation, fertilizers with a predominance of phosphorus and potassium for harmonious flowering.

Do I need trim a room grenade?

The decorative pomegranate grows quickly, literally in half a year the rooted cutting may already need pruning of the shoots to form a spectacular crown in the form of a single-trunk tree or a bush of 4-6 basic skeletal branches. In one season, several pruning will be required, during which the basal shoots are removed, shoots growing inside the crown are pinned to the tops of the branches, which are significantly ahead of the growth of the main pagons.

Before the beginning of the rest period, it is advisable to shorten the branch by a third, given that the fruits of a pomegranate are formed on the ripe pagon last year.

In the spring, in the end of February - the beginning of March, dry branches, tops growing vertically up and near-root shoots are removed.

Propagation of pomegranate in room conditions

For the cultivation of new copies of a pomegranate practiced reproduction by cuttings and grafting, as well as seed method.

Of the seeds, as a rule, the stock is grown, because the varietal qualities of this method are lost, unless the purpose of obtaining a new plant is not a fruit tree, but a flowering plant.

For crops use a light peat-sand mixture. In January-February, the seeds are buried by 1 cm, no more, they are constantly watered, they watch that the soil does not remain too wet or too dry.

Approximately 15 days later shoots appear. After a couple of months, real leaflets grow on the plants. Seedlings are transplanted into separate pots when they grow 3-4 pairs of leaves, then continue home care and cultivation as in the case of an adult pomegranate.

At the beginning of the first summer month, the seedlings are carried out to fresh air and placed in a corner of the garden with ambient lighting, for example, in the shade of a tree with a sparse crown.

Reproduction of a pomegranate is also carried out using apical half-lignified cuttings after spring or summer pruning. The cut off part of the stalk is treated with “Kornevin” and immersed in a peat-sand mixture. Cover the top with plastic wrap. Regularly watered and aired the mini-hothouse. The appearance on the top of a new leaflet indicates that the plant has rooted successfully, after which the film is removed. The seedling is transplanted into a soil mixture for adult pomegranates after the formation of 2-3 pairs of new leaves.

Dwarf pomegranate is able to please with flowering in the first year of life, but an experienced ovary growers recommend not to leave the ovary, so as not to weaken the plant. Only next year, the development and ripening of 2-3 fruits is permissible.

Propagation by grafts is used in their practice by experienced growers.

Cultivation problems: care errors, diseases, pests

The pomegranate flower is a known water-bread, but waterlogging is painful - yellowish and brown spots are formed on the leaf plates. From a lack of lighting the foliage is showered.

The most common disease affecting a pomegranate houseplant is powdery mildew. The reason for its appearance is infection from other plants located in the neighborhood. It also happens when a pomegranate tree is placed in a room with sudden changes in temperature at night and daytime, as well as when air circulation is poor. Plants with a mild form of lesion are treated with a soda solution (5 g in one liter of water) with the addition of a small amount of soap. Severely diseased bushes are treated with fungicides in accordance with the instructions drawn up by the manufacturer.

Another disease plaguing room grenades is twig cancer. Manifested in the form of cracks bordered by spongy swellings. The cause of the disease is mechanical damage during pruning or severe hypothermia. It is difficult to treat a diseased plant. Sometimes it saves the timely removal of the affected areas, but in most cases, the tree dies.

Almost everyone knows about the benefits of pomegranate juice. However, homemade pomegranate bushes do not always please the grower with full fruits with excellent taste.

In addition to juice and other parts of the plant are used in cooking and cosmetology to get rid of various problems. For example, pomegranate flowers are eaten - they give a spicy taste to some salads.

Cosmetic masks are prepared from the frayed leaves, which prevent hair loss and help to lighten the pigment spots on the face and hands, as well as cure the skin from acne.

Consequently, home pomegranate is not only an elegant flowering plant, but also useful. To obtain the fruits, all the necessary agrotechnical measures are diligently carried out, but the cultivation of trees for interior decoration is completely limited to minimal care - timely watering, loosening the soil and ensuring a cool wintering.

A popular pomegranate tree, strange as it sounds, can be grown at home. But in such a situation it is not necessary to hope for full-fledged fruits, since the plant will primarily perform decorative functions. For the purpose of growing at home, plants of a dwarf variety are better suited.

Dwarf variety of grant - a plant, though exotic, but unpretentious and therefore perfect for growing at home. In open ground, a shrub can grow in tropical or subtropical conditions. On the territory of our state, the plant is grown on window sills and in greenhouses in special containers or flower pots.

According to legend, garnet was brought to us from Carthage  and was called the Punic Apple. The hero of the sun god's wife was presented as the emblem of marriage. The Greeks believed that pomegranate fruits symbolize fertility, and the ancient Persians personified it with passionate love. But whatever a pomegranate is associated in different countries, its useful properties are familiar to all.

How to grow pomegranate at home?

If the home grower decided to grow pomegranates on his window sill, then he will be very pleased with the ease of maintenance and planting of an ornamental plant. The only thing that is important to understand is that if, in addition to enjoying the decorative beauty of the plant, you want to get tasty fruits, then it is not recommended to grow edible fruit from the stone. In such a situation, it is advisable to plant a dwarf grenade cuttings.

Material suitable for planting is the cutting on which there is 6–8 buds and mature wood. The sprout is cut at an oblique angle and must have a smooth surface, for which the cut is performed with a sharp blade or scalpel. Such a stalk is easily and quickly rooted, especially if it is put in water, in which a means is developed to stimulate root growth for 6 hours. From the first days after planting the plant does not require special measures for care. The main thing is to prepare a fertile soil composition.

Temperature indicators, soil and dressing

Indoor garnet is picky about temperature conditions, especially at the time of flowering. The plant feels great when the temperature in the room slightly exceeds +20 ° C. If the room temperature is above +25 ° C, leaf fall may occurcausing inhibition in the development of the grant. In order to reduce the temperature suitable spraying foliage cool water.

In order for the fruits of the plant to ripen qualitatively in autumn, the pomegranate should be taken out on the balcony where the temperature will be + 14–16 ° C. During the period when the plant is at rest - from November to March, it is better to put a pot with pomegranate on an unheated windowsill, where the temperature will be no higher than + 10–12 ° C. The minimum temperature that the indoor plant is able to withstand is -5 ° C. A further decrease in temperature can lead to the death of the shrub.

Despite the fact that the dwarf plant grows in its familiar environment in poor soil without moisture, at home, he will need a qualitatively enriched drained soil. To create favorable conditions for the cultivation of ornamental pomegranate, it is better to use the following soil mixtures:

  • ½ part of the turf ground diluted with 25% leaf humus and the same amount of sand;
  • ¼ parts of loam and peat, complemented with sand;
  • clay-sod soil composition in the volume of 2 parts, 1 part of leafy soil and in the same volumes of humus and sand.

You need to feed a pomegranate at least 2 times a month. In the spring, it is better to use fertilizers containing nitrogen. In time, when pomegranate flowers appear on the plant, phosphate fertilizer is used, and with the onset of autumn - potassium fertilizer. Fertilizer is applied to wet soil in cloudy weather. With the onset of autumn, the frequency of dressings decreases significantly, as does the temperature in the room where the home grenade is located. This allows you to prepare the plant for the winter.

Home care for the plant

Home grown decorative pomegranate already 2 years later the first flowers are released, and with proper care can bear fruit. And despite the fact that the plant is unpretentious in terms of care, you need to know some of the nuances of growing pomegranate on the windowsill:

Such completely unpretentious plantgrown at home, during the growing season must travel to different rooms with different temperatures.

How is the shrub crown formed?

With self-growing trees, its crown can be easily formed by embodying its most bizarre fantasies. To this end, homegrown pomegranate from the first year of growth is subjected to regular pruning. Cutting the plant forms a rather lush crown with a large number of skeletal branches. Pruning is better to carry out in February, which allows with the onset of spring to get new shoots that can bloom and even bear fruit. Forming the crown it is important to bear in mind that it is advisable to completely remove the weakened shoots, and cut off the rest by half.

Nuances of propagation of pomegranate seeds

  An indoor plant, such as pomegranate, can multiply by cuttings as well as seeds. For seed propagation, it is better to use seed from specialized stores. Growing a houseplant from seeds purchased in a gardening shop - the first flowers can appear in the first year, and fruiting 2–3 years after planting a pomegranate.

Naturally, as a seed, you can use seeds from a fresh fruit, which do not lose the quality of germination in six months. Seeds are suitable only from large and fully ripened fruits. Sowing the plant is carried out in April under glass, to a depth of half a centimeter. For rapid seed germination, it is important to maintain a temperature in the range of + 25–27 ° C. With the onset of the growth phase, when 2-3 leaves appear, the strongest shoots are transplanted into a separate container. During the growth of seedlings, they require proper care, which means maintaining a comfortable temperature and regular watering.

Reproduction houseplants cuttings

When breeding an exotic plant is important observe the following simple rules.

  1. The stalk is taken from an adult houseplant that has repeatedly bear fruit.
  2. In the summer season, it is advisable to use half-woody shoots, and with the onset of winter, fully woody shoots.
  3. The cuttings are prepared with 4–6 buds, and the lower part is planted at a certain angle into moist soil consisting of sand and peat mixed in equal proportions to a depth of no more than 3 centimeters.
  4. The cuttings are covered with a plastic bottle with a cropped neck or a glass jar.
  5. The shoots are kept in a humid environment, and are regularly ventilated.
  6. Before direct planting, the stalk is processed by the rooting.

After 3 months, the grown saplings are transplanted in separate pots. Flowering occurs very quickly, but in the first year it was recommended to completely cut off the flowers.

Diseases encountered in growing pomegranate

  Despite all the simplicity of the plant, even in the conditions of an apartment, it is subject to the development of various diseases, the most common of which is the spider mite. To combat the pest, the pomegranate is sprayed with garlic tincture periodically. But it is important during the procedure to protect the soil with a film.

If during the growing season there is yellowing and abscission of foliage, then most likely the plant is affected by the whitefly, which is fed by pomegranate juice. To combat the pest can use shop tool "Derris"which for the best effect is applied several times.

Abundant flowering - fruiting guarantee

Properly grown at home, the plant, both from the stone and the cutting, has flowers of different types - male dominant on pomegranate and female, most often found in inflorescences. They are distinguished by their shape, which makes the plant look even more attractive and exotic, because at this moment the shrub is covered with beautiful flowers of bright purple color with many stamens. The ease of care for decorative pomegranate is also due to the lack of need for additional pollination.

Those who want to get the maximum amount of fruit from a plant should understand one insignificant subtlety, which is used in growing pomegranates by experienced specialists. The trick is due to the fact that for watering at the time of flowering need to use cool waterwhose temperature should be within + 18–20 ° C. Also so that the plant does not fatten and does not produce a huge amount of male flowers, you need to use a small and narrow flower pot.

Many florists use another minor trick - reducing the amount of watering. But it is important to exercise maximum caution and not to overdo it so that the grenade does not die. It is better to sacrifice several ovaries than letting the plant wither.

  If the plant throws out a very large number of flowers, practically not forming fruits, you should pay attention to the pot in which it grows. It is necessary as it has been repeatedly mentioned to use narrow capacity of small size. Also during the wintering of the grant you need to keep the tree in a rather cool place. During fruiting, props are used to avoid breaking the branches under the weight of the crop.

If brown spots appeared on the leaves, it means that the plant lacks moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to review the frequency or volume of irrigation. But at the time of ripening of the fruit, watering should be moderate to prevent cracking of the skin. The crown of the plant is formed only before the beginning of the growing season.

If planting occurs not by cutting, but by seed, it is important choose pits with pulp. Dried seed material loses the ability of good germination. According to the advice of many experienced flower growers, it is advisable to soak the seeds for several hours in warm milk or water with the addition of growth stimulants before directly planting a pomegranate.

As you can see, to grow a decorative pomegranate at home is not difficult. The main thing is to follow the advice of experts and an exotic tree will please the grower for many years.