How to Grow Pomegranates From Seed
Pomegranates are a hearty plant that thrives in desert climates. Optimal outdoor growing zones include zones seven through ten, with the driest places being the best. Pomegranates prefer loamy or sandy soils for optimal drainage. Many grocery store fruits and vegetables produce viable seeds. While most produce in the stores are hybrids, occasionally purebred fruit can be obtained. Purebred fruit seeds will produce plants that make edible fruit within five years. For those desiring to guarantee edible fruit on a pomegranate tree, nursery cuttings are a more reliable growing method.
- Pomegranates are a hearty plant that thrives in desert climates.
- For those desiring to guarantee edible fruit on a pomegranate tree, nursery cuttings are a more reliable growing method.
Allow the seeds to dry out for three days. This process ensures they will not rot during germination.
Place the seeds in a pot with potting soil. Do not use outdoor soil, as most urban soils contain disease and are lacking in the necessary nutrients for thriving new plants.
Water the seeds regularly. The soil must be kept moist or the plant will not survive. If the soil is drying out too quickly, wrap the pot in a plastic bag.
- Allow the seeds to dry out for three days.
- This process ensures they will not rot during germination.
Outdoor Transplant
Place the plant in a sunny window to encourage healthy growth. Once the sprout has germinated for two months, begin the hardening process by placing the plant outside for increasing amounts of time.
Transplant the sprout after one month of hardening to a location that receives full sun. Full sun is defined as at least eight hours each day.
Water the tree daily for the first two weeks. The pattern aids in establishing the roots. Decrease the waterings to every other day for another two weeks, and then to twice weekly or whenever the soil is dry to 2 inches below the soil line.
- Fertilize established trees with a nitrogen 8-8-8 fertilizer annually to encourage vigorous growth and production.
- Place the plant in a sunny window to encourage healthy growth.
Fertilize established trees with a nitrogen 8-8-8 fertilizer annually to encourage vigorous growth and production.
Indoor Pot
Place the plant in a sunny window to encourage healthy growth.
Fill a five to ten gallon pot with a mixture of one part coarse sand to three parts potting soil.
Make a cone shape in the center of the soil and transplant the tree sprout.
Water the tree daily for the first two weeks. The pattern aids in establishing the roots. Decrease the waterings to every other day for another two weeks, and then to twice weekly or whenever the soil is dry to 2 inches below the soil line.
- Fertilize established trees with a nitrogen 8-8-8 fertilizer annually to encourage vigorous growth and production.
- Place the plant in a sunny window to encourage healthy growth.
Select a main trunk and remove all suckers regularly to encourage tree-like growth. Pomegranate plants are self-fruiting, so there is no need to place the plant outdoors. Instead, shake the blossoms to loosen up the pollen spores.
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Writer Bio
Ann White is a freelance journalist with prior experience as a Corporate and Business Attorney and Family Law Mediator. She has written for multiple university newspapers and has published over 300 articles for publishers such as EHow and Garden Guides. White earned her Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in English literature.
