Pomegranite

[gardenqueen]

I bought a Pomegranite last year from QVC and really didn't expect it to flower this year! I have kept the plant in my greenhouse since purchase, (QVC said it could go outside in a sheletered place) potting it on once.  Although it is only about 2 feet tall it is full of flowers, and I do mean full! Although I have googled, no-where can I find:

a) Whether to thin out the flowers.
b) What fertiliser, if any should I give it.
c) Is it alright left out all year.
d) Is it self fertile or do I have to use a paintbrush.

Anyone else had experiencew of growing this fruit please?

[gardenqueen]

[PurpleHeather]

I have just googled it and all the advice I can find is for people growing them in places like California. Plenty of info on the internet but all American.

It does seem to be a tender plant meant for indoor growing in our climate.

You wont do any harm using a paintbrush for pollentating.

The only thing that I woud worry about is if bearing all that fruit in the first year will sap the strength better used for establishing root growth.

It is deciduous so don't worry about it loosing it's leaves. The fertilising suggestion was to treat as any other tree.

They do grow tall it seems, could be a problem with keeping indoors. I also noted that there were instructions for turning them into bonsai.

[dtw]

I've grown some from seed, they are only 6 inches tall.
I can't wait for mine to flower, I suspect it will be a couple of years yet.

[gardenqueen]

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/123Queens456/Nettie/Strawberriesetc022

Thank you Purple Heather for taking the time to look up Pomegranite. Like you I couldn't find anything about growing in this country! I will have to prune some of the flowers off as aprt from anything else the poor little thing couldn't stand the weight if they all ripened!  ::)

[zigzig]

self pollenating but will not tollerate temperatures below 40 degrees F .

http://www.ehow.com/how_5019360_grow-pomegranate-trees-containers.html

[gardenqueen]

Sorry my link didn't work!

Thank you Zig Zag for that link, very informative. It won't be going outside then! I kept some fleece over the tree all winter without any heat in the greenhouse, so maybe I was lucky!

[elhuerto]

They grow wild here, mainly around the wheat fields. They appear pretty tough, we get temperatures below -5 in winter and over 35 degrees in Summer (37 today) and they continue flowering and fruiting. The wild ones are a tad bitter but edible, chickens love the seeds.

[gardenqueen]

When they grow to full height I certainly won't be able to grow indoors! ::) I'll have to find a nice sheltered spot and prepare to put fleece over in the winter. It would be such a shame to lose it as it is looking so healthy.

Elhuerto, don't think I could stand the heat you are experiencing today-phew!

[saddad]

I grew some Dwarf ones from Seed (Bakkers) they took a decade to flower but are completely hardy... have been outside for 17 years now. One has almost made 5'.... I'm sure there are cultivars which are less frost tolerant...
:)


Just dug this out of Photobucket...  ;D
This is a general pic...


:)

[delboy]

Bought one last year for £1 from Woollies and it is doing well in my conservatory, but no flowers, alas..

What's the best soil to transplant it into?

[gardenqueen]

Wow Saddad that is some beautiful tree!  I am wondering whether your tree is in full sun, partial or what? Like Delboy I was going to ask about soil preparation in readiness for transplanting later on.