[Arid_gardener] Re: pomegranate tree

[Olin Miller]

To return to the original question (over-watered plant and dry fruit), like 
Don Garnett indicated the dwarf variety var. 'Nana' is usually considered as 
an ornamental, the fruit might be edible but is not palatable, and  the tree 
usually holds its leaves all winter but in the past few colder winter ours 
lost most of its leaves.  It only grows to about 4 feet in containers but 
when it is planted in the ground ours grew to over 7 feet tall.  It is more 
compact and doesn't send out suckers from the roots like the larger 
varieties.  Fruit is small - about 2 inches - compared with var. 'Wonderful' 
which has 3 - 5 inch fruit.

As to the 2-3 times weekly deep watering, it seems like a bit much, not only 
for the pomegranate but also for the other plants.  If you can't get your 
condo to decrease the frequency, maybe you could reduce the bubbler output.

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
============================================

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Leo M/Rosemary J Abrami" <abrami at cox.net>


> Thanks for all this advice.
> We bought the plant from a nursery and I haven't a clue what variety  it 
> is - maybe I can backtrack and ask them what they sold us.
> Last year we left the fruits on for aaaaages, hoping they would turn  red, 
> so I don't think that was the problem.  I suspect that the one  red fruit 
> we got was from the stock and the rest may be from the  graft - is this 
> possible?
> Don't know how to handle the watering situation.  As I said, the  bubbler 
> frequency is controlled by the condo association system and,  besides 
> which, the pomegranate is surrounded by other plants  (including my 
> thriving herb garden) that need water.  Will have to  think about that...
> Our whole garden is 24' x18' with a paved patio in the middle and a  path 
> on two sides so there's really very little room.  Despite this  we have 
> four trees: lemon, apricot, fig, pomegranate; salvia, vinca,  nasturtiums, 
> sunflowers, assorted native bulbs, papyrus,  passionflower vine, morning 
> glories, aforesaid herb garden and  whatever I put into pots for seasonal 
> color.  ...

> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <abrami at cox.net>
> To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
> Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2008 9:41 AM
> Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
>
>
>> Rosemary Abrami
>> 85375-4903
>> abrami at cox.net
>>
>> We have a pomegranate tree in our small, sheltered yard.  It is strong 
>> and
>> healthy, presently covered in lush foliage and many blooms, as well as
>> several already-forming fruits.
>> Watering is on a communal bubbler system controlled by the condo i.e. we
>> can't affect it, and waters deeply twice a week at present, increasing to
>> three times a week in the very hot months.
>> I fertilized with  16-8-4P when the first buds started showing.
>> Last year we had an large crop BUT the fruits were dry and only pale pink
>> inside, apart from one small fruit that was deep red and juicy.  What a
>> disappointment!
>> What can we do this year to make sure that we get a delicious and
>> nutritious crop?  All suggestions gratefully accepted
>