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Pomegranate is called the “king of fruits” for its beneficial, medicinal properties. But in order not to purchase a low-quality product, you need to know when pomegranate ripens and how to choose it correctly. The harvest time depends on the variety and country of growth, and the taste depends on compliance with the rules of collection and storage.
Varietal features of pomegranate fruit ripening
Pomegranate is a healthy berry with a thick skin. Depending on the variety, the fruits differ in taste, have different weights and colors. The juice contains many useful substances that treat anemia, colds, improve immunity and stop the growth of cancer cells. It is also rich in iron, which prevents iron deficiency anemia.
The berry has also found wide application in cosmetology. Due to the high content of vitamins and microelements, the juice is used to prepare creams, masks and shampoos.
There are about 350 varieties. They differ in size, color, taste and shelf life. Most popular:
- Ahmar. The sweetest and most delicious specimen from Iran. The plant reaches 4 m; in summer the crown is covered with red-orange flowers.After flowering, small fruits weighing 300 g are formed. The skin is dense, pink-green, the seeds are pale pink. It is believed that the lighter the seed, the tastier the pomegranate. In terms of glucose content, Akhmar occupies one of the leading positions. Local residents value the variety not only for its useful fruits, but also for its flexible branches from which they weave baskets. Ripens in mid-October.
- Azerbaijani Gulyusha. One of the best varieties grown in Azerbaijan. The tree is small, reaches 2.5-3 m. The crown is formed by flexible shoots with small thorns. Round pomegranates weighing up to 600 g have a thin, shiny red-pink crust. Burgundy seeds are small, oblong and grooved. Sweet and sour juice contains 15% glucose, 1.3% acids. Shelf life is 3-4 months. The variety is high-yielding, the tree produces 25 kg or more. Pomegranate ripens on the 20th of October.
- Kizil-Anora. The best variety grown in Uzbekistan. It is early ripening, small pomegranates have a rounded-flattened shape, weighing 600-800 g and a thin, shiny crust of bright red color. Small brown seeds, dark cherry-colored juice, sweet and sour taste. Ripens in early October.
- Ak Don Crimean. A zoned specimen bred in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. The round fruits are large, thin cream-colored peel with one-sided blush and numerous red spots located over the entire surface. Ripe grains are small, the juice is sweet with a slight pleasant sourness. Pomegranate ripens in early October.
- Purple variety. Tall shrub with bright red fruits weighing 300 g. The plant is high-yielding and frost-resistant. The elongated, grooved grains are juicy and very aromatic. Ripens in mid-October.
When the pomegranates ripen
It is difficult to say when a pomegranate ripens; it all depends on the variety and country of growth. It mainly ripens in October. But some varieties will ripen at the beginning of September and until the end of October.
Unscrupulous sellers harvest the tree green, and it ripens unnaturally. Therefore, you need to know when pomegranate ripens and how to choose a ripe one.
When does pomegranate ripen in Crimea?
The sunny climate of Crimea has a beneficial effect on pomegranate cultivation. It can be found in garden plots, city parks and public gardens. The pomegranate ripens on the tree at the beginning of October. All that is sold ahead of schedule are imported grenades.
When does pomegranate ripen in Azerbaijan?
Pomegranates begin to ripen in Azerbaijan on October 26. During this period, the country begins to celebrate “International Pomegranate Day”. Mass consumption of pomegranates lasts 14 days, until November 7, since the harvest ends at this time. Despite the fact that the fruits are not particularly beautiful in appearance, the peel is not smooth and shiny, but the grains are very tasty, sweet and healthy.
When does pomegranate ripen in Turkey?
The harvest in Turkey ripens from mid-September to the end of October. It all depends on the variety and place of growth. Pomegranate is not only a tasty and healthy fruit, but also a hallmark of the Turkish coast along with other exotic fruits. It is better to buy pomegranate at the market during the harvest season.
When does pomegranate begin to bear fruit after planting?
Pomegranate begins to bear fruit 2 years after planting the seedling. If the rules of care are followed, the pomegranate on the tree will ripen for 35 years. To reap a rich harvest, you need to know the tricks of growing.Pomegranate is a fast-bearing plant; fruit-bearing branches dry out and should be removed in a timely manner.
Flowers are laid on last year's branches. The flowers are multi-petalled, solitary or collected together in 3-4 flowers. You can determine the yield by flowers, as they are divided into 2 groups:
- Campanula short-petaled - the pistil is short, the stigma is located below the anther area. Such flowers do not pollinate and fall off over time.
- Pitcher-shaped, long-petalled - the pistil is long, the stigma is located above the anthers, so pollination occurs safely, and ovaries are formed after flowering.
The timing of harvesting depends not only on the rules of care, but also on the method of cultivation. A pomegranate tree grown from seeds begins to bear fruit in 3-4 years. And a plant grown from cuttings, for 2 years after planting.
Growing a pomegranate tree is a troublesome task. But it is not enough to grow a rich harvest; you need to know the rules of collection and storage. The taste and beneficial properties of the berry depend on these rules.
Unripe berries can only be removed in case of bad weather. Ripe ones are removed from the branch before cracks begin to appear on the peel.
Before storing the harvest for long-term storage, pomegranates are not washed; they are wrapped in parchment and stored in a cool room. Once every 7 days, the crop is sorted, eliminating spoiled specimens. If you follow simple rules, the harvested crop can be stored for 2-3 months.
How to tell if a pomegranate is ripe
Very often, crops arrive in stores unripe, and appearance can be deceiving.But in order not to make a mistake in choosing, the ripeness and number of seeds can be recognized by some signs:
- Ripe grains should be oblong and ribbed.
- The color of the peel should be burgundy or bright pink. Pallor indicates increased acidity.
- The peel is dry, without mechanical damage and signs of rot. The presence of cracks indicates overripening.
- The sound when tapped should be ringing. Immature specimens have a dull sound.
- Ripe fruits without aroma. If they emit a strong odor, it means the crop is not ripe.
- The peel should be elastic; if it is soft and spotty, then the fruit is overripe and begins to deteriorate.
- A ripe berry should be heavy by weight, since the heaviness depends on the size of the ripe grains.
- Maturity can also be determined by the inflorescence. It should be dry, without any green color.
- Pomegranate ripens from late September to early November.
Why doesn't pomegranate bear fruit?
The pomegranate tree does not ripen and bear fruit due to natural reasons and due to non-compliance with the rules of care, due to poor climatic conditions.
Natural reasons - since pomegranate is a cross-pollinated plant, fruiting depends on the structure of the flower:
- inflorescences with a short pistil are not pollinated and fruits are not set;
- flowers with an elongated pistil of the ovary form.
Fruiting on a pomegranate tree may not occur due to unnatural reasons. These include:
- Cold weather - pomegranate ripens only in regions with warm climates.
- Lack of light, the tree must be grown in a well-lit area. In the shade, flowering will be sparse or absent altogether.
- Depleted soil, the berry ripens only on fertile, loose soil with neutral acidity.
- Pomegranate ripens and bears fruit only on a grafted tree.
- The pomegranate tree does not like frequent watering. On moist soil it will begin to hurt, the flowers will begin to fall off and the fruits will not set.
Conclusion
Pomegranate ripens within 4 months after flowering begins. The period depends on the region of growth, climatic conditions and varietal characteristics. To purchase ripe, healthy berries, you need to know the harvest time and signs of ripeness.
