[Arid_gardener] Re: pomegranate question

[Dick Gross]

bcc: AZcrfg

Lori, the fruit may not ripen properly but, inside, set in a spot with the brightest light. If you can manage it, drag it out in some full sun and let soak in it for as long as reasonable and as often as you can.
I would not let it set in a temp of lower than 45 degrees, It won't freeze at that temp but it won't grow either.

Keep the root zone damp but be sure it is uniformally damp throughout the root zone. A common problem is water channelling down the sides of the pot leaving the interior bone dry.

If drainage is adequate, the water will pass all the way through pulling oxygen behind it; but it is important that water percolate all the way through. The best way to do that is to periodically nestle the pot bottom in a soil base that effectively wicks the water away dissolving and effectively carrying some of the accummulated salt deposits with it. You might flush irrigate so every other time or when your best judgement deems it prudent. Then you can pull it back on the sunporch to manufacture more carbohydrates to produce more healthy foliage to support its instinct to reproduce.

Let the root zone get quite dry but not to the point of wilt. You can, with practice, note slight losses in leaf luster and a subtle limp of foliage at which time you might add a small amount of an all-purpose fertilizer with a good soak.

I don't know how to tell when pommegranates are ripe except by cutting one open once in a while. But, you have only one! The skin is always hard.  I have thought of cutting a Slice and wrapping the wounded fruit with parafilm to keep pathogens and insects out. The fruit will stay on the bush for quite some time so have patience.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
University of Arizona Maricopa County
Cooperative Extension

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: LOLLYGOA at aol.com 
  To: info at crfg.org 
  Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 6:05 PM
  Subject: pomegranate question


  Your article online is very informative re: pomegranates; however, i have a question that doesn't seem to be addressed:

  I brought my little 2' pomegranate tree indoors after a summer outside where it flowered and leafed out nicely, expanding from a very small houseplant of 1' to a 3 1/2'er after being repotted. I live in New York City, and the nites have gotten to 45 degrees now that it is the middle of October, so we brought it inside. It has a 2" diameter green fruit on it. How do I get the fruit to turn red? or is this the best it will do on it's maiden voyage? Never had one of these before and I love it and want to keep it healthy for years, if possible.
   Thanks for your help, Lori Connell
  lollygoa at aol.com
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