Pomegranate tree
Punica granatum
Plant’s characteristics
- Punica granatum : Pomegranate tree
- Family : Lythraceae
- Origin : Western Asia
- Height in its natural environment : 5 m
- Hardiness : -15°C
- Flower colour : bright red
Height : about 5 to 20 cm (depending on seasons)
Medium grower
Description of the plant
Everyone knows the Punica granatum, if only because of its delicious fruit, the pomegranate, which has lent its name to a city in Spain (Granada) as well as to a famous syrup, grenadine.
But beware, you must not be inconsiderate of our Pomegranate tree to be able to contemplate its superb bright red blossom or to taste its equally red fruits, because it considers itself a holy plant! Indeed, Punica granatum is well and truly present in the Old Testament and some people even wonder if the tree of Paradise, instead of an apple tree, might not be a Pomegranate tree... As for its fruits, they would be nothing less than a source of eternal youth, fertility, beauty and love... To be offered at any age of life!
But if you know how to handle it, with tact and respect, it will gladly offer you its succulent seeds, one for each day that God creates, because its pomegranates would contain 365!
The good news? Punica granatum is a hardy exotic fruit tree and is resistant to heavy frosts.
Notice to amateurs...
Also known as : Apple of Grenada,
[Deyrolle board]
Growing tips
Repotting
When you receive your plant, repot it in a pot slightly larger than the bucket, which must be well pierced. Avoid pot covers which prevent residual water from draining away and encourage fungal diseases. Choose a fine potting soil, ideally with added perlite or sand to lighten the substrate (do not use garden soil or acidic soil such as heather). Then plan two repottings per year (spring and autumn), gradually increasing the size of the pot and adapting it to the size of the root network (the roots must have room, but not too much as the plant must be able to dry out its substrate between waterings). This avoids having to add fertilizer, which always risks burning the fragile roots of the plants and making the plant wither as soon as the fertilizer is stopped.
Watering
Moderate watering: watering should be copious (the whole root ball should be wet), but wait until the substrate has dried deeply before watering again (you can stick your finger in the soil: as long as you feel moisture, do not water). Your plant will recover better from a lack of water than from an excess of water. Always water at the base of the plant, and do not mist it, because stagnant water in the armpit of the leaves favors cryptogamic diseases. If your atmosphere is too dry, put bowls of water nearby (above radiators for example), so that evaporation humidifies the air.
For an indoor planting
Unless you want to try a bonsai culture (yay!), this plant is not recommended as an indoor plant, but is meant to be planted outdoors (see next section).
For an outdoor planting
If your climate allows it, you will be able to plant your plant in full ground, a full sun is recommended. We advise you however to cultivate it in pot the first year and to make it spend the first winter in the heat, in order to strengthen it well. Plant it between the end of the risk of frost (generally at the beginning of May) and the end of August, in a soil which must be light and draining; do not hesitate to add sand and fine potting soil if necessary. Be careful with the minimum temperatures indicated: they are given for a mature plant, and you have to take into account the wind which accentuates the cold felt, as well as the water retention capacity of your soil, which can rot the roots if it is not sufficiently draining. So take a little safety margin!
Pruning
This plant is very easy to prune, which will make it branch out.
Fertilizer
Our plants are grown naturally, without chemical fertilizers, so we advise you to repot them regularly (twice a year) rather than adding fertilizer.
In case of pest attack
If your plants are under attack by aphids or other pests, the best way to control them is by hand. Change their soil, remove as many undesirables as possible by hand and then shower your plants with a strong stream of water to eliminate any eggs that may be present. Spray them (insist on the underside of the leaves) with liquid black soap diluted in water. Repeat the operation several times at a few days interval. Take them outside in good weather, rain, sun and wind will kill most of the aggressors!