Reproduction of pomegranate cuttings at home

Pomegranate, or Punica, that is, the Punic tree, is a deciduous plant living up to 60 years, with orange-red flowers and small glossy leaves. In stores, he is a rare guest, so the reproduction of homemade pomegranate is important for flower growers.

How pomegranate breeds

Home pomegranate, due to its small size, has gained recognition from houseplant lovers. It grows to a height of no more than a meter, is a hybrid, singled out as an individual species Punica nana. It is well formed, therefore it is often grown in the form of bonsai.

There are two ways to propagate a pomegranate tree:

• seeds;
• cuttings.

With seed propagation of homemade pomegranate, varietal characteristics are preserved. For a 100% result of obtaining a particular plant variety, a cutting of the desired variety of homemade pomegranate is grafted onto a shoot grown from a grain.

Features of reproduction of indoor pomegranate

Most pomegranate varieties are propagated vegetatively. The domestic pomegranate tree is a hybrid, hence the germination rate of its seeds is low.

Another advantage of propagating indoor pomegranate cuttings is that flowers and fruits on such a plant appear earlier.

A tree grown from a seed blooms later than one obtained from cuttings.

How to propagate pomegranate cuttings at home

There is nothing difficult in this. All guidelines and rules must be followed.

Timing of cuttings

It is necessary to propagate home pomegranate cuttings in the spring, when all nature, under the influence of the sun, begins to wake up. For central Our Country, this is the end of February – the beginning of March.

A tree that has rested during the winter is pruned, leaving 3-5 pairs of leaf plates on the shoots of the current year. The cut branches left after the formation of the crown are used for breeding.

Harvesting cuttings

To obtain high-quality planting material, in order to propagate home pomegranate, choose branches that meet the following requirements:

1. Cuttings are taken from adult fruit-bearing plants.
2. Of the twigs left after cutting the homemade pomegranate, those that have already begun to be covered with bark are left, but it is still very thin.
3. The cutting must have at least 4-5 internodes.
4. Planting material should be free of signs of diseases and pests.

When trying to root green shoots of homemade pomegranate, a very large percentage of rotting, and if you take older branches, the growth of the root system will be slower.

Rooting of cuttings

Before rooting, cuttings of homemade pomegranate are prepared. For this:

• remove the four bottom sheets;
• the stem is cut at an angle, retreating 2-3 mm from the internode;
• leave 2-3 pairs of leaves on top, the rest is removed;
• be sure to pinch the growth point, if any;
• bottom is treated with Kornevin or Heteroauxin;

Propagate by cuttings decorative pomegranate should be planted in the ground, or placed in water.

In water

To do this, take a transparent glass vessel. The plastic is very light, and if handled carelessly, it can turn over, which will damage the young roots. Water is poured just enough to cover the second internode. The vessel is placed in a bright, shaded from direct sunlight, warm place.

The container is also washed, poured with fresh settled warm water, and the sprigs of homemade pomegranate are placed back.

When roots appear after 2-3 weeks, the cutting is planted in the ground. This method of pomegranate propagation at home has one significant drawback: the roots that have grown in water partially die when planted in the soil, and the plant spends time adapting and growing new roots.

in the ground

The substrate for rooting cuttings of homemade pomegranate can be anything, but rather loose and breathable. It could be:

• purchased soil for universal purposes;
• prepared independently from peat and river sand, with the addition of soddy soil or leaf humus;
• perlite or vermiculite.

For planting cuttings of homemade pomegranate, it is necessary to prepare plastic 100 gram cups, preferably transparent, so that the formation of roots can be seen. Glass jars or 2-1 liter plastic bottles cut into 1,5 parts.

Planting takes place according to the scheme:

• pour the substrate into a glass;
• at a slight angle, stick the petiole into the ground so that both internodes are in the ground;
• press the soil around the cutting;
• moisten the substrate well;
• cover a glass with a handle of a decorative pomegranate with a glass jar or place it inside a cut plastic bottle;
• place in a bright warm place, but not under direct sunlight.

Until the root system begins to grow, the cuttings of homemade pomegranate are kept under the “cap”, airing once a day, and making sure that the soil is slightly moist. Roots appear in 2-4 weeks.

Further Care

Since the Punic tree is a tropical plant, for the successful cultivation of pomegranate cuttings at home, it is necessary to create a microclimate that is as close as possible to the natural habitat:

1. Bright diffused sunlight. On the southern windows, the plant should be shaded at lunchtime. Pomegranates are accustomed to the sun gradually.
2. High air humidity. If the apartment is too dry, then homemade pomegranate is sprayed, or the humidity is increased artificially.
3. Air temperature in the range of +20-25°С. At higher values, domestic pomegranate begins to lose leaves, growth and development slows down. You can lower the temperature by spraying with cold water or by placing a plastic bottle with ice nearby. In summer, it is recommended to keep the plant outdoors.
4. Timely and adequate watering. Moisten the soil should be when the top layer of the earth dries.
5. Feeding. Fertilize homemade pomegranate should be 2 times a month. In the spring, top dressings with a high nitrogen content are used, and since July – with a preponderance of phosphorus and potassium.

In winter, a dormant period begins for a homemade pomegranate. A plant that has not reached the age of 3 years is kept at a temperature of + 12-16 ° C, watered less often and not fed.

Transfer

The first homemade pomegranate transplant is made when the roots entangle the entire earthen lump in the cup. Transplanted into a pot, the diameter of which is 2-3 cm larger than the previous one, in early spring.

The root system of a homemade pomegranate is superficial, so it is not recommended to take a deep container, as the ground below will begin to turn sour.

Move homemade pomegranate to a new pot by transshipment:

• drainage must be poured at the bottom;
• sprinkle a little soil on top;
• place an earthen ball with a handle in the center of the pot;
• the substrate is poured on the sides and compacted.

Until the home pomegranate is 3 years old, it is transplanted annually.

How to propagate pomegranate seeds at home

In addition to cuttings, pomegranate at home can be propagated by seeds. To do this, use the bones of a fresh, fully ripe fruit. They do not lose their properties up to 6 months. Seeds of varietal types of homemade pomegranate are sold in garden stores.

For reproduction, the largest fruit is chosen and it is not plucked from the tree until the skin hardens. Grains use the largest. If planting is delayed for some time, then the pulp from the seeds is removed and dried.

The substrate for the germination of pomegranate seeds is prepared from equal parts of peat and river sand. Landing is carried out according to the scheme:

• a layer of soil 6-8 cm is poured into the container and it is well moistened;
• seeds are laid out on the surface at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other;
• covered with soil to a height of 0,5 cm, compacted and moistened;
• the container is covered with glass or cling film, and placed in a warm place;
• Seed germination occurs at a temperature of +25-27°C.

After the appearance of green sprouts, the glass or film is removed and the container is placed in a bright, warm place, but not under direct sunlight. Seedlings dive after 4 true leaves appear on them. For this, plastic transparent cups of 100 ml are suitable.

Care, pruning and transplantation, in the future, are the same as for young pomegranates obtained as a result of cuttings.

Tips and Tricks

Before starting a homemade pomegranate in an apartment, you need to be sure that there are all conditions for growth. The pomegranate comes from the southern latitudes, where there is a lot of sunlight, so it will not feel very comfortable on the eastern and western windowsills. Northern windows are contraindicated for him. For its successful cultivation, southeast, south or southwest window sills are required.

The pomegranate tree grows well on neutral soils, so acidification of the substrate should not be allowed. For this reason, oak soil cannot be used.

The clod of earth should not dry out, otherwise the pomegranate will shed its leaves and the root system will die. But you shouldn’t plant a swamp in a pot either – the roots will begin to rot. Especially carefully it is necessary to monitor the watering regime during the dormant period.

Before planting, dry grains are soaked for several hours in water with growth stimulants.

Conclusion

Reproduction of homemade pomegranate and cultivation will bring not only aesthetic pleasure, but also useful fruits. You just need to follow the rules for caring for the plant. Make sure that the tree does not hurt, is not attacked by pests. Carry out preventive treatment with appropriate drugs.