Irrigation for Pomegranates

Water

• Irrigate newly planted trees well at planting time and regularly every week to 10 days. After planting, create a soil ring several inches thick and high and a couple of feet in diameter around the plant. Fill in this ring with water every few days. In a few months, the soil ring will gradually dissolve indicating that the tree is now established. Though established trees are tolerant of drought, regular irrigation ensures healthy fruit growth.

Soil and Site

• Pomegranate trees adapt to a variety of soil types as long as they are well-drained with a preferred pH range between lightly acidic to neutral. The tree also adapts to calcareous soil or rock-strewn gravel. Choose an area receiving full sun for best growth and provide an open area for developing into a tree size. During the first two springs, fertilize with 2 to 4 oz. of ammonium sulfate or nitrogen fertilizer. In older trees, fertilize annually with well-rotted manure or compost.

Propagation

• It is easy to propagate pomegranate with seeds, which take about six weeks to germinate. This is not, however, a preferred method of propagation because trees grown from seed are not true to type. Best results are achieved with 12- to 20-inches-long hardwood cuttings taken during late winter to early spring from year-old wood. Use a rooting medium to hasten rooting. Trees propagated with cuttings start to bear fruit in about three years.

Harvest

• Pomegranates are ready to harvest when the color is deep red and tapping produces a metallic sound. Avoid waiting too long because the fruit will start to crack, especially during wet or humid weather. The fruit has an extended storage life at 32 to 41 degrees F and keeps well for up to seven months. Juice content and flavor also improves during storage. Fruit is eaten fresh or juiced for fresh use, jellies, sauces, syrups or wines.