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Pomegranate, or Punica, that is, the Punic tree, is a deciduous plant that lives up to 60 years, with orange-red flowers and small glossy leaves. It is a rare guest in stores, so propagating homemade pomegranate is important for flower growers.
How does pomegranate reproduce?
The homemade pomegranate, due to its small size, has gained recognition among indoor plant lovers. It grows no more than a meter in height and is a hybrid, separated into the individual species Punica nana. It forms well, so it is often grown as a bonsai.
There are two ways to propagate a pomegranate tree:
- seeds;
- cuttings.
When propagating homemade pomegranate from seeds, the varietal characteristics are preserved. For 100% results in obtaining a specific plant variety, a cutting of the desired variety of home pomegranate is grafted onto a shoot grown from a seed.
Peculiarities of propagation of indoor pomegranate
Most pomegranate varieties are propagated vegetatively. The domestic pomegranate tree is a hybrid, therefore, the germination rate of its seeds is low.
Another advantage of propagating indoor pomegranates by cuttings is that flowers and fruits on such a plant appear earlier.
A tree grown from a seed blooms later than one obtained from cuttings.
How to propagate pomegranate from cuttings at home
There's nothing complicated about it. You must follow all recommendations and rules.
Timing of cuttings
Homemade pomegranate should be propagated by cuttings in the spring, when all nature, under the influence of the sun, begins to wake up. For central Russia, this is the end of February - beginning of March.
A tree that has rested over the winter is pruned, leaving 3-5 pairs of leaf blades on the shoots of the current year. The cut branches remaining after the formation of the crown are used for propagation.
Harvesting cuttings
To obtain high-quality planting material to propagate homemade pomegranate, select branches that meet the following requirements:
- Cuttings are taken from adult fruit-bearing plants.
- Of the remaining branches of homemade pomegranate after cutting, those that have already begun to be covered with bark are left, but it is still very thin.
- The cuttings must have at least 4-5 internodes.
- Planting material must be free of signs of diseases and pests.
When trying to root green shoots of homemade pomegranate, there is a very high percentage of rotting, and if you take older branches, the growth of the root system will occur more slowly.
Rooting cuttings
Before rooting, homemade pomegranate cuttings are prepared. For this:
- remove the four bottom sheets;
- the stem is cut at an angle, retreating 2-3 mm from the internode;
- leave 2-3 pairs of leaves on top, remove the rest;
- Be sure to pinch the growth point, if there is one;
- the bottom is treated with Kornevin or Heteroauxin;
Decorative pomegranates should be propagated by cuttings by planting them in the ground or placing them in water.
In water
To do this, take a transparent glass vessel. The plastic is very light, and if handled carelessly, it can tip over, which will damage the young roots. Just enough water is poured to cover the second internode. The vessel is placed in a bright, warm place, shaded from direct sunlight.
The container is also washed, fresh, settled warm water is poured in, and the sprigs of homemade pomegranate are placed back.
When roots appear after 2-3 weeks, the cuttings are planted in the ground. This method of propagating pomegranate at home has one significant drawback: the roots that grow in water partially die when planted in the soil, and the plant spends time adapting and growing new roots.
In the ground
The substrate for rooting cuttings of homemade pomegranate can be anything, as long as it is sufficiently loose and breathable. It could be:
- purchased primer for universal use;
- prepared independently from peat and river sand, with the addition of turf soil or leaf humus;
- perlite or vermiculite.
To plant cuttings of homemade pomegranate, you need to prepare 100 gram plastic cups, preferably transparent, so that the formation of roots can be seen.Glass jars or 1-1.5 liter plastic bottles cut into 2 parts.
Planting takes place according to the following scheme:
- pour the substrate into a glass;
- stick the petiole into the ground at a slight angle so that both internodes are in the ground;
- press the soil around the cutting;
- moisten the substrate well;
- cover a glass with a decorative pomegranate stalk with a glass jar or place it inside a cut plastic bottle;
- place in a bright, warm place, but not in direct sunlight.
Until the root system begins to grow, the cuttings of homemade pomegranate are kept under a “hood”, ventilated once a day, and making sure that the soil is slightly moist. Roots appear in 2-4 weeks.
Further care
Since the Punic tree is a tropical plant, to successfully grow pomegranate cuttings at home it is necessary to create a microclimate as close as possible to the natural habitat:
- Bright diffused sunlight. On southern windows, the plant should be shaded during lunch hours. Pomegranates are gradually accustomed to the sun.
- Increased air humidity. If the apartment is too dry, then homemade pomegranate is sprayed, or the humidity is artificially increased.
- Air temperature in the range +20-25°С. At higher values, home pomegranate begins to lose leaves, growth and development slow down. You can lower the temperature by spraying with cold water or placing a plastic bottle with ice nearby. In summer it is recommended to keep the plant outdoors.
- Timely and adequate watering. The soil should be moistened when the top layer of soil dries out.
- Feeding. Homemade pomegranate should be fertilized 2 times a month.In the spring, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are used, and from July - with a preponderance of phosphorus and potassium.
In winter, the dormant period begins for home pomegranate. A plant that has not reached the age of 3 years is kept at a temperature of +12-16°C, watered less often and not fed.
Transfer
The first transplant of homemade pomegranate is done when the roots entangle the entire earthen lump located in the cup. Transplant into a pot, the diameter of which is 2-3 cm larger than the previous one, in early spring.
The root system of homemade pomegranate is superficial, so it is not recommended to take a deep container, as the soil below will begin to sour.
Move homemade pomegranate to a new pot using the transfer method:
- drainage must be poured onto the bottom;
- sprinkle a little soil on top;
- place an earthen ball with a cutting in the center of the pot;
- The substrate is poured on the sides and compacted.
Until the home pomegranate is 3 years old, it is replanted annually.
How to propagate pomegranate at home using seeds
In addition to cuttings, pomegranate can be propagated by seeds at home. To do this, use the seeds of fresh, fully ripened fruit. They do not lose their properties for up to 6 months. Seeds of varietal varieties of homemade pomegranate are sold in garden stores.
For propagation, choose the largest fruit and do not pick it from the tree until the skin hardens. The largest grains are used.If planting is delayed for some time, the pulp is removed from the seeds and dried.
The substrate for germinating pomegranate seeds is prepared from equal parts of peat and river sand. Planting is carried out according to the following scheme:
- a layer of soil of 6-8 cm is poured into the container and moistened well;
- seeds are laid out on the surface at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other;
- cover with soil to a height of 0.5 cm, compact it and moisten it;
- the container is covered with glass or cling film and placed in a warm place;
- Seed germination occurs at a temperature of +25-27°C.
After green sprouts appear, the glass or film is removed and the container is placed in a bright, warm place, but not in direct sunlight. The seedlings sprout after 4 true leaves appear on them. Plastic transparent cups of 100 ml are suitable for this.
Care, pruning and replanting in the future are the same as for young pomegranates obtained as a result of cuttings.
Tips and tricks
Before you start a homemade pomegranate in your apartment, you need to be sure that there are all conditions for growth. Pomegranate comes from southern latitudes, where there is a lot of sunlight, so it will not feel very comfortable on eastern and western windowsills. Northern windows are contraindicated for him. For its successful cultivation, south-eastern, southern or south-western window sills are required.
The pomegranate tree grows well in neutral soils, so do not allow the substrate to become acidic. For this reason, soil from under oak trees cannot be used.
The lump of earth should not dry out, otherwise the pomegranate will shed its leaves and the root system will die. But you shouldn’t grow a swamp in a pot either - the roots will begin to rot. Particular care must be taken to monitor the watering regime during the dormant period.
Before planting, dry grains are soaked for several hours in water with growth stimulants.
Conclusion
Reproduction and cultivation of homemade pomegranate will bring not only aesthetic pleasure, but also useful fruits. You just need to follow the rules of caring for the plant. Make sure that the tree is not sick and is not attacked by pests. Carry out preventive treatment with appropriate medications.
