The pomegranate represents fertility, love and life. The delicious fruits are grown on a large scale in countries with a temperate climate such as Turkey. It is still little known that pomegranate trees can also be cultivated in milder regions of Germany and even reach harvest maturity here.
Pomegranate trees need a lot of sun
Which varieties are suitable?
Since there can be sub-zero temperatures even in warmer areas in our latitudes, you should use hardy and self-fertile varieties. For example:
- Poeny Magic
- Uzbek
- Tyrol
- cataque
Assuming some winter protection, these are frost-resistant down to ten degrees below zero and can be overwintered outdoors in our latitudes.
planting and location
Always place pomegranate trees in a warm, sheltered spot in full sun, for example in front of a house wall. Direct sunlight promotes flowering and ensures that the fruit ripens.
The small tree does not make any special demands on the substrate. Loose garden soil is sufficient.
care tips
Pomegranate trees are hungry. Provide the plants with a commercially available complete fertilizer for fruit trees every two to four weeks during the growing season until the end of August. The preparation should be phosphorous, as this promotes flowering and fruit formation.
In the summer months, the pomegranate tree needs a lot of water, but waterlogging must be avoided. Therefore, water deeply, but always let the root ball dry out.
pruning
The pomegranate makes it easy for you in this respect, because regular pruning is not necessary. If you want to limit the size of the plant, you can shorten it a little in autumn or early spring. Take this opportunity to also remove thin and disturbing shoots.
Don't cut back too much, as the fruit will form on this year's young branches.
Pomegranate in a bucket
If it gets too cold for you in the winter months, you can cultivate the pomegranate in a bucket. Unfortunately, the fruit does not always ripen in this case, but the beautiful, deep red flowers make the pomegranate tree an attractive addition to the balcony garden.
They also need a full sun and sheltered spot. Commercial potting soil is suitable as a substrate, which you can use with mineral components such as
- sand
- expanded clay
- lava chippings
Mix. Water regularly, because the pomegranate reacts to dry periods by shedding its leaves. Is fertilized in a two-week rhythm with a liquid fertilizer for fruit plants.
wintering
Keep the pomegranate outside as long as possible and only place it in an unheated greenhouse or cool room during frosty periods. The winter quarters may be dark, provided it is not warmer than ten degrees. A garage or tool shed is also suitable.
Don't let the root ball dry out completely, but water very sparingly. If the tree sprout again at the end of March, it can remain outdoors because brief night frosts cannot harm it.
tips
Pomegranates do not ripen in the room. The delicious fruits reach full maturity from September to October.