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We threw some pomegranate seeds in pots in the greenhouse a few weeks ago, out of one of Tesco's finest fruits.  Hey presto :-*, we've got 6 cute pink-stemmed seedlings popping their little heads up.

The idea was to grow our own and juice them as the juice is supposed to help clear the arteries of the plaque that narrows them and causes heart attacks (then we could take up smoking again!!! no, no, no, we won't).

Has anyone heard of them being grown in England?  We are in south Hampshire.

In the greenhouse, or in the open :-\?  Will they fruit, or won't they :-\?

As  far as I know (+ this is only what I've read, not experienced) they are natives of Persia, grow to about 4 metres tall + need intense heat to ripen.

I think it is possible to grow a dwarf variety in a pot + get a crop in the greenhouse. Can be propergated from seed (but you already know that).

I think your best bet is to keep one (or two if you have the space - they are self fertile) in a pot in the hottest part of the green house/house, spray with seaweed solution in spring, prune in winter.

Hope that helps. If you want to know more just shout + I'll consult me books!

Good luck
D

Quote from: Diana on May 09, 2005, 20:14:11
As  far as I know (+ this is only what I've read, not experienced) they are natives of Persia, grow to about 4 metres tall + need intense heat to ripen.

I think it is possible to grow a dwarf variety in a pot + get a crop in the greenhouse. Can be propergated from seed (but you already know that).

I think your best bet is to keep one (or two if you have the space - they are self fertile) in a pot in the hottest part of the green house/house, spray with seaweed solution in spring, prune in winter.

Hope that helps. If you want to know more just shout + I'll consult me books!

Good luck
D

Thanks for that D.

I think I'll pot on the 4 strongest seedlings this year, keep them warm in pots inside or out depending on weather, bring them into the greenhouse over winter and then next year I'll plant 2 of them out against a south-west facing wall that has a bit of space in it, then keep them trained into espaliers (ha! dream on Mr Fantasist!) and treat them as if they are apple trees.

Nothing to lose anyway, they were free.

Should make a talking point - even if you don't get any fruit you'll have got free trees. That's how I think of my lemon ;D ;)

Let us know how they do though - I'm always on the lookout for interesting projects, even if they're more of a labour of love.

Got anything else interesting on the go WP?

D

It all sounds very exotic and nice!

I just emptied a box of Tesco's own dates and thought I could plant the stones  ??? or not !?  Will try next week end.  With a quarter of a garden and all these plants I am growing, god knows where I am going to put them !  ;D :D ::)

Pomegranites are totally hardy in our delightful climate - I know - mum, my sis and I have been growing ours now for a couple of years and they all thrive outside!  We all have them in pots and they act like regular decidous shrubs, loose all their leaves come winter, and have just now burst forth into growth again!   I shall try to remember to take a couple of pics and post.  I am planning this year to try to remember to move the pot into my greenhouse over winter and see if they remain in leaf, or at least come into leaf a little earlier.  They do make very pretty plants with pink young foliage.

EJ - they're deciduous, so will loose leaves anyway, but as you say, should leaf up earlier.

Marianne - Dates are easy to grow from seed if slow. Will need keeping indoors. Should look good, but won't fruit.

D

Quote from: EJ - Emma Jane on May 09, 2005, 21:41:27
Pomegranites are totally hardy in our delightful climate - I know - mum, my sis and I have been growing ours now for a couple of years and they all thrive outside!  We all have them in pots and they act like regular decidous shrubs, loose all their leaves come winter, and have just now burst forth into growth again!   I shall try to remember to take a couple of pics and post.  I am planning this year to try to remember to move the pot into my greenhouse over winter and see if they remain in leaf, or at least come into leaf a little earlier.  They do make very pretty plants with pink young foliage.

That sounds promising EJ - but you missed the one extra bit of info that would have really made my mind up.....  do you get any fruits from them?