How to grow Pomegranate

Punica granatum

Fertilize in Early Spring with compost.
Water well in spring, in the other seasons watering is not so important.
The plant is deciduous over winter.

Growing Pomegranate from seed

The seeds germinate easily and can be started any time of year indoors, in pots, with a little warmth. Transplant the seedlings when large enough to handle into well drained compost.

Transplanting Pomegranate

The plants are at home in a Mediterranean type climate but can be grown in zone 8 or 9 against a warm wall. Hardy to around -10C if roots are kept from becoming waterlogged in winter. Can also be grown in pots and moved to a more protected site to overwinter

Ensure that temperatures are mild (minimum night temperatures should be around -10°C / 14°F) and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Pomegranate is a half hardy plant.

Harvesting Pomegranate

Pomegranate is grown for the flowers and the edible fruit. It is the pulp around the seeds that is usually eaten, or juiced a long with the seeds.

Pomegranate rind is also useful. This is the dried pericarp of the fruit, and has been used as a treatment for diarrhoea. It is very astringent, this accountsj for the bitter taste when accidentally eaten with the red seeds, it also contains tannins.

To obtain juice, use a fruit press type juicer, like the lever action type sometimes used for citrus.

Seed Saving Pomegranate

Collect the seeds from a ripe fruit and remove the red pulp. Dry the seed for 24 hours and then clean of the remaining dried pulp. Sow at once.

How long does Pomegranate take to grow?

These estimates for how long Pomegranate takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Pomegranate to germinate?
20 days

Average 20 days | Min 15 days | Max 41 days (7)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Pomegranate?
+ days

Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Maturity How long until Pomegranate is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 223 days

Average 223 days | Min 132 days | Max 326 days (4)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Pomegranate?
= days

Pomegranate Etymology

“pomegranate” is from the medieval Latin words “pomum” which means apple, and “granatus” which means seeded.

The genus name Punica is named for the Greek word for purple. Purple was also what the Greeks called the Phoenicians: “purple people” or “Phoinike”.3

Pomegranate Folklore & Trivia

Some scientists also believe the pomegranate to have been the Forbidden Fruit in the Bible. 1

In Jewish Mythology the seeds of the pomegranate are considered a fertility charm and are a part of the traditional Jewish New Year (Rosh HaShannah) dinner.

The French word for pomegranate is “La Grenade”, the word may have lent itself to the weapon as long ago as 1532.23 La Grenade is also the origin of grenadine, which was first made from pomegranates.2

To this day it symbolises fertility and life

Other names for Pomegranate

Double red flowering pomegranate, Favorite pomagranate, Wonderful Pomegranate, Pomagranate, Granatapfel, melograno, rimmôn, rummân, granada, Pomeranate, Dwarf pomegranate

Footnotes

1 Sustainable Gardening Australia

2 The Kitchen-How to make homemade grenadine

3 Pomagranate: Anatomy of a Divine Remedy by Hassan Amjad Page 8

4 “Success With Houseplants, Packet 21”


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