Position – Plant your pomegranate in full sun for maximum flower and fruit production. They do not like wind, so plant them in a protected spot.
Size – Pomegranates typically grow to between 3 and 6 metres in height and have a wide canopy spread. The purple pomegranate is a small bush that has purple skin with red seeds.
Soil Type – These trees are not fussy about the soil type they grow. Add a layer of organic mulch to get great nutrients into the soil.
Watering – Once the tree is established, it can tolerate drought and heat very well. Even with no water, the tree will grow, but it won’t produce good quality fruit in any significant quantity. Water it about twice a month if there has been no rain. Keeping the soil moist during fruiting will prevent the fruits from splitting.
Fertilising – Fertilise your plant from April to July. Nitrogen is the most important element for your pomegranate trees if they are not bearing fruit. Well-aged horse manure works wonders. Or visit your local nursery for a recommended fertiliser.
Pruning – Pomegranates do best when they are pruned lightly after about two years.
Harvesting – The fruit of the pomegranate tree takes a long time to ripen (about 5 to 7 months), and most will ripen from about April. During hot and dry conditions, pomegranates can ripen earlier and faster, so the fruit must be picked just before they are fully mature as they crack if they are allowed to become overripe.
They are ready to be picked if they have good, strong colour and if, when tapped, they sound metallic.
Use a pair of scissors to cut the fruit off rather than tugging them.
