Content
Pomegranate varieties have different shapes, tastes, and colors. The fruits consist of grains with a small seed inside. They can be sweet or sour. It all depends on the type of shrub, as well as on the place of growth.
Pomegranate is a fruit tree up to 6 m high. There are varieties in the form of a bush. They are characterized by thin, even shoots of a yellow-brown hue. The foliage is round or oblong. The length of the leaf plate is 3-8 cm and the width is 3 cm. The leaves are held on short petioles and collected in bunches. The trunk is uneven, the bark is covered with small thorns.
It blooms magnificently and for a long time, from May to August. The inflorescences are cone-shaped, bright red. Size in diameter is 3 cm. Propagated by cuttings, layering and seeds. In the wild, pomegranates grow in Transcaucasia, Central and Asia Minor.
Pomegranate is valued as an ornamental crop; it is also used to create hedges or bonsai. The purpose of pomegranate fruits is different.They are grown for fresh consumption, technical processing, and juice production.
How many varieties of pomegranate are there?
More than 500 cultivated varieties are known. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, there are more and more of them. The main task is to create a plant that will be resistant to diseases and weather changes.
There is a lot to see in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, which is located in Crimea, near the city of Yalta. There are 340 varieties of pomegranate. Among them are types of domestic selection, as well as crops of foreign origin that do not grow in temperate climates.
There are even more varieties of pomegranate in Turkmenistan, or rather in the Kara-Kala Nature Reserve. This is the largest collection in the world. In total, there are 800 types and forms of pomegranate in the territory.
What types of pomegranate are there?
There are only two species in the pomegranate family - the common pomegranate and the Socotran pomegranate. As a result of hybridization, many varieties and species appeared. They have different fruit colors, composition and effects on the body.
Common pomegranate variety
A perennial tree from a subtropical climate. Life expectancy is 50 years. Productivity from one tree is 60 kg. It grows to a height of 5-6 m. The branches are thin and prickly. The leaves are green and glossy. The fruit is similar in size to an orange. The skin color ranges from orange to brown-red. The growing season lasts 6-8 months. The formation and ripening of fruits occurs within 120-150 days.
The pulp and grains contain malic, citric, oxalic acid, vitamin C, sugar, and minerals. The peel contains tannins, vitamins, steroids, and carbohydrates.
The wild tree is widespread in the Transcaucasus, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Socotran pomegranate variety
Native to the island of Socotra.Quite rare in the wild. The evergreen tree grows 2.5-4.5 m in height. The shape of the leaves is oblong and round. Unlike the common pomegranate, it has pink inflorescences, a different ovary structure, smaller fruit, and low sugar content. Prefers limestone soils. It is found on rocky plateaus, 250-300 m above sea level. Not cultivated.
According to the variety, pomegranate fruits are distinguished by their appearance. The color of the skin can be scarlet, burgundy, sandy yellow, or orange. The grains vary in color. Pomegranate varieties are characterized by the intensity of the red color or its absence. The pulp is found in white, light pink, yellow, crimson or almost black shades. Light pomegranate varieties have a sweeter taste than dark ones.
Yellow garnet
This fruit has the appearance of an unripe fruit. The unusual color attracts a lot of attention. The taste is sweet, one might say, there is no acid at all. The grains are pale pink. The skin is thin.
Yellow pomegranate is used as a seasoning for meat and fish dishes. Yellow juice is suitable for syrup, sauces, and sweet drinks.
The fruit can be frozen. To do this, the pomegranate is placed in a plastic bag and put in the refrigerator for long-term storage.
Popular pomegranate varieties
All known types and varieties of pomegranate are divided into two groups. Fruits belonging to the first group have a hard and dense stone. They grow in a region with a warm climate. Fruit trees are undemanding to soil and external conditions. The second group is plants with soft stones. These cultures are whimsical and receptive.They grow in a certain area. They dry out if the soil, humidity, and air temperature are not suitable.
Gardeners prefer mid- and early-ripening varieties. Early pomegranates practically do not need shelter for the winter; they quickly take root and grow. Fruiting of such trees occurs in the 3rd year after planting, and in the 7th year the yield reaches 10 kg.
Mangulati sweet
The fruit comes from Israel. Medium sized fruits. Weight 180-210 g. Under favorable conditions, the plant will stretch up to 5 m in height. The pulp has a pleasant sweet taste with a sour aftertaste, which is more an advantage than a disadvantage. In Israel, the pomegranate tree symbolizes love. Oil is made from its seeds. The substance is actively used in the cosmetology field.
Akdona
A crop grown in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. Tall but compact bush. The shape is flattened-round. Pomegranate weight is 250-600 g. The skin is smooth, shiny, beige in color with a crimson blush. The grains are elongated, pink in color. The calyx is cone-shaped with curved teeth. Pomegranate juice is light pink in color and tastes sweet. Its sugar content is 15%, acid content is 0.6%. The fruit ripening period is in October. Shelf life 60 days. The average yield per bush is 20-25 kg.
Achik-anor
A variety of red garnets. It was obtained by scientists from Uzbekistan through selection. The average weight of the fruit is 450 g. The height of the plant is 4.5 m. The bush is lush and branched. The pulp is overly sweet, but due to the inherent acidity, the taste is not cloying. A distinctive feature is the peel of a dark green carmine hue. The skin is dense. In ripe fruits, it is carmine-colored inside.
Baby
The second name is “Carthaginian apple”.The appearance of the variety was noted in the Mediterranean countries and Asia. Due to its miniature size, the variety is suitable for growing at home. The leaves are oblong in shape, collected in groups. The leaf plate is glossy. The branches are covered with small thorns. The fruits are orange or red. More relevant to decorative varieties. It does not grow above 50 cm. A bush planted in a pot blooms beautifully and for a long time. However, to prevent it from losing its attractiveness, the plant must be pruned regularly. With the arrival of autumn, some of the leaves fall off - this is a natural phenomenon. Pomegranate needs rest for 1-2 months. New leaves will appear in spring.
Carthage
Homeland - Carthage. The bush is no higher than 1 m in height. Due to its long and abundant flowering, the plant is used as decoration. Suitable for indoor growing. The foliage is oblong green. Flowers are yellow or white. The fruits are small and not intended for consumption. An ordinary pomegranate is many times superior in taste to the Carthage variety.
Nana
Pomegranate was brought to the European continent from Asia Minor and Iran. The foliage is small, oblong in shape. The height of the bush is 1 m. It is a smaller copy of a garden bush. The flowers are oblong, with elongated petals that form fruits. The second type of inflorescences has short petals and no ovary. The fruits have an elongated shape. The Nana variety tastes sweet and sour. The bush is capable of completely shedding its leaves. It all depends on the growing conditions. The plant loves warmth and needs daily watering.
Bedana
One of the best Indian pomegranate varieties.The growing area stretches from Iran to Northern India, covering the Himalayas. The evergreen bush is large and the fruits are small. Pomegranate prefers to grow in regions with dry, hot summers and cool winters.
Cossack improved
Medium sized pomegranate tree. The fruits are round in shape. The surface is cream-colored with green stripes along the entire circumference. A carmine tint to the skin is often found. The skin is thin, yellow inside. The grains are red and pink, large. The taste is sweet.
Guleisha pink
A hybrid variety that was obtained by breeders in Azerbaijan. The spreading bush grows up to 3 m in height. The branches are covered with thorns. This variety of pomegranate produces fruits of varying sizes. The fruits are elongated and round in shape. Average weight is 250 g. The maximum recorded weight of the berry is 600 g. The shelf life of ripe fruits is no more than 4 months. The harvest is not imported. Pomegranate is sold in the fruit markets of Azerbaijan.
Frost-resistant pomegranate varieties
Pomegranate is a heat-loving plant that feels comfortable in the tropics. Meanwhile, it is resistant to cold and can withstand short-term frosts down to -15 °C. However, even frost-resistant varieties cannot survive a long, cold winter. Temperature - 17 °C is critical for the crop. As a result of a decrease in temperature, the shoots on which the fruits form are primarily affected. The entire above-ground part freezes to the root collar. If the temperature drops even lower, the roots of the plant die.
Pomegranate performs well when the temperature in winter is higher - 15 °C. Trees can certainly live in cold regions, but they don’t always bloom. Average frost resistance means covering plants for the winter. The insulation process is simple, but necessary.Otherwise, the trees will die.
Ak Don Crimean
The variety can be easily recognized by the shape of the fruit and the shade of the peel. The color of the skin is yellow-red, with visible reddish patches. The fruit is strongly flattened at the poles, which clearly differs from other varieties. The size is large. The inside of this variety of pomegranate is bright yellow. The color of the grains is dark pink. There is sourness in the taste. The foliage is dark green, 5-7 cm long. The neck is short and thick. The tree is not tall, but wide. Ak Don Crimean does not cause much trouble to the gardener during the care process. They are grown in the steppe part of Crimea and Central Asia. The variety is considered mid-early. Harvest occurs at the end of October.
Red gulyusha
The size of the bush is 3 m in height. The weight of one fruit is 300-400 g. The grains are covered with a thin, pink film. The taste is sweet and sour. The variety is grown in Turkmenistan and Georgia. It ripens, as a rule, in October. The fruit can be stored for 3-4 months. Used to obtain pomegranate juice. Red galyusha grows and bears fruit in temperate climates, provided it is covered for the winter.
Galyusha pink
The pink variety of pomegranate appeared in Azerbaijan. The average weight of the fruit is 200-250 g. It has a more round shape. This variety of pomegranate is used to obtain juice. The yield of liquid product is 54%. Suitable for making sauces. The grains are pink in color and medium in size. Galyusha pink is famous for its interesting taste.
Nikitsky early
The pomegranate variety was bred in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, hence the name. A high-yielding species that requires shelter for the winter. Nikitsky early is successfully grown in the central regions of Ukraine. The bush is medium-sized. Height 2 m. Blooms profusely throughout the summer. Inflorescences are male and female.The fruits are large. The Nikitsky early variety has an external resemblance to the Ordinary pomegranate.
The sweetest pomegranate varieties
Taste characteristics are determined by the percentage of sugar and acid. Pomegranate varieties can be divided into three groups: sweet, sweet and sour and sour. The minimum sugar content in sweet fruits is 13%, in sour ones - 8%.
The taste characteristics of pomegranate are influenced by the climatic characteristics of the growing area, variety, and stage of fruit maturity. Pomegranate loves a lot of light and warmth. Sweet pomegranate varieties are exported from Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries. The ideal region for growing fruits is the area near the Talysh Mountains.
For the fruit to be sweet, it must be fully ripe. Basic criteria for choosing a ripe fruit:
- peel from red to dark burgundy;
- absence of stains, dents, external defects on the surface;
- a large fruit cannot weigh less than 130 g;
- dried and slightly woody skin;
- no smell.
The following describes the three sweetest varieties of pomegranate with photos.
Dholka
The natural habitat is the territory of India. The fruits are colored light pink. The grains are the same shade or white. The weight of the fruit is 180-200 g. The culture belongs to the medium-sized species. Bush height 2 m. Very sweet fruit.
Ahmar
A variety of pomegranate of Iranian origin. It is difficult to find an equal to it in terms of the amount of sugar. The shrub grows up to 4 m in height. The inflorescences are red-orange in color and medium in size. The buds appear in May, and the flowering period lasts throughout the summer.The surface of the fruit is pink with a clear green tint. The grains are pink. They can be eaten.
Nar-Shirin
Another fruit comes from Iran. It resembles the previous variety in shape, color and taste. The peel is beige with light green splashes. The inner surface is pink. The grains are almost all smooth and ideally shaped. The shade ranges from light pink to crimson or red. Nar-Shirin is cultivated in the central part of the country. Gardeners breed the Akhmar and Nar-Shirin varieties mainly for the domestic market.
Conclusion
Pomegranate varieties, regardless of their purpose, require attention and care. Especially in cold climates. The fruits are sweet in warm, southern countries. The desired result is influenced by the soil and compliance with cultivation rules. If desired, in the regions of Central Russia you can grow a pomegranate tree, but in a greenhouse.
