Pomegranate Tree Southwest
The Pomegranate tree (Punica granatm ‘Wonderful’) is an excellent fruit tree for the Southwest USA. It does provide great vitamin C-type fruit. It is deciduous (loses leaves in winter) in the southwest. And according to many online and offline gardening experts, it is considered a “Super Food” rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It is a drought-tolerant fruit tree that responds well to pruning and can be used as an ornamental tree.
It is best suited to Mediterranean-style gardens but will look good in a Xeriscape or desert-style garden as it is drought tolerant once it becomes established.
The Pomegranate Flower
It will bloom bright beautiful orange-like blooms in early spring that will become a large delicious edible fruit. It will grow to about 25ft. tall and 15ft. wide. Plant them in the front yard for a spectacular show of orange flowers in early spring.
How to grow a Pomegranate tree.
Water the first 30 days every day after initial planting. Then cut back to about 2-3 times per week for a good healthy tree. Do not overwater or fertilize before harvest. This may spilt the outer skin surface of the fruit. It is a very hardy tree that will survive drought conditions and poor soil. When you do fertilize be sure to use a good fruit tree fertilizer.
Where do Pomegranate trees grow?
Just about any place where they can get lots of sun and plenty of water. Their growing USDA zone is 7-11. They like a warm semi-arid climate which is perfect for the southwest landscape. Plant them in full sun, however, they can tolerate some shade preferably afternoon shade. It’s important to note that they will need at least 6 hrs. of full sun anything less than that and you will have less fruit.
When To Prune the Pomegranate
Prune The Wonderful Pomegranate in late winter or early spring. Be sure to remove crossing and dead branches. Color Your World Nurseries located in Las Cruces NM, will always have this type of tree year-round.
Types of Pomegranate trees
The dwarf variety is a showy shrub that is planted in a container of any size. It is deer resistant and only gets about 3-4ft. tall. The blooms are spectacularly bright. It is a showy shrub that will look good in a decorative container. It is deer resistant and only gets about 3-4 ft. tall. The blooms are bright orange and a spectacular sight during the spring seasons. Learn more about the dwarf pomegranate at monrovia.com.
- Pink Satin Pomegranate
- Ambrosia Pomegranate
- Wonderful Pomegranate (mentioned at the beginning of this article).
The Health Benefits of Pomegranate Juice
According to Healthyline.com, pomegranate juice has several potential health benefits. Here is a list.
- Antioxidants
- Alzheimer’s disease protection
- Aids in Digestion
- Anti-inflammatory
- Arthritis
When to plant Pomegranate?
Spring is a great time to plant your pomegranate tree. It will take a few years before it will start producing a good harvest. They will normally ripen in about September. Do not let them over-ripen as this will also make them split. Mid-fall is when the pomegranate fruit is ready to harvest.
Planting several in a row will provide a nice border to keep traffic or people from entering the area. The large branches and stems appear to have large thorns.
Problems with the Pomegranate tree
It is a hardy tree and is disease and insect-resistant. It loves the dry hot season, especially in the Southwest.
Alternaria fruit rot will attack the Pomegranate fruit but typically happens where there is ample rainfall. If this does occur on your tree a copper fungicide will alleviate the problem. Learn more about diseases and insects on plants.
Why do Pomegranate fruit split
One of the main reasons is inconsistent watering. They like to be watered same time every day. Also, flood watering all at once can also cause the fruit to split. Temperature fluctuations can do the same.
It is important to use a good drip watering system that will give water to your tree evenly every day during the growing seasons.
