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The pomegranate is called "granular apple", "royal fruit", "Carthaginian fruit". The history of the pomegranate begins in ancient times. Trees with grainy fruits grew on the territory of the planet even before the beginning of our era. For the growth and development of pomegranates, it needs a warm, sunny climate and fertile lands. Whether pomegranate grows on more scarce soils or not depends on the varietal characteristics and conditions of detention.
What does a pomegranate look like?
Pomegranate trees bear fruit for half a century, after which fruiting becomes unstable, and plantings are changed to younger ones. Trees can stretch up to 6 - 7 m. Hybrid varieties grow like shrubs, reaching a height of 2 m. The growing season lasts from 6 to 8 months.
Pomegranate trees look like single-stemmed trees or shrubs with several trunks of the same thickness. The bark of the main stems is dark gray. The structure of the bark is dense, of equal thickness in all areas. Young branches are covered with gray-green bark, but over time, the green tint disappears.
Description of the parts of the pomegranate tree:
Leaves | Oval, light green. Stretched up to 3 cm. Collected in groups of 5 - 10 sheets. |
Flowers | Inflorescences are bell-shaped or crown-shaped, single or double. They have an orange-red tint. |
Roots | They form a powerful rod system that can go deep up to several tens of meters. |
The main wealth of the pomegranate tree is its fruits. They begin to ripen after flowering, the ripening period can be extended up to 180 days. The pomegranate tree blooms beautifully and profusely. The buds are tied at the beginning of summer and bloom, replacing each other, until September.
The fruits gradually increase in size. The color of the peel remains red or pink throughout the entire ripening period, therefore, when harvesting, it is not guided by it.
The structure of the peel is dense, difficult to break. Inside there are juicy grains, ripening in separate sectors, protected by a white film. Each sector contains a different number of grains. The main part of the pulp, which is suitable for eating, is on dense drupes inside the grains. It has a pink-red hue, contains a lot of juice, which is released when pressed.
For fruits, a special botanical term has been invented to denote this variety, they are called "pomegranates". The diameter can reach 12 cm. The weight of one specimen can be more than 500 g. The weight of the pulp is noticeably reduced, since the dense rind is half of the total size. One pomegranate contains from 200 to 1500 grains, it depends on the age of the fruit, the degree of ripeness.
An external feature of the fetus is the presence of a crown-shaped "tuft". According to the existing theory, this feature became an incentive to create a crown, which is placed on the heads of monarchs.
The fruit of the pomegranate tree is harvested as it ripens. Unripe pomegranates ripen quickly during transportation or storage.
The uses of pomegranates are extensive:
- grains are suitable for fresh consumption;
- for making tasty and healthy pomegranate juice;
- the crusts and pericarp are used in the preparation of medicines;
- flowers are used for brewing tea, infusions or decoctions of medicinal properties.
Pomegranate is considered the leader among fruit and berry crops in terms of iron content. It is often recommended for anemia of various origins, anemia, symptoms of chronic fatigue and depression.
Where pomegranates grow
The place where pomegranates grow depends on the characteristics and preferences of the culture. Thanks to breeding work, the habitat of pomegranates has expanded significantly, but the basic requirements for climate and soil composition remain the same. There are three types of culture:
- Wild. These shrubs still grow on Socotra Island, which is geographically located near the Gulf of Aden. The climate of the island is characterized as tropical semi-desert, which is not typical for the culture. There is very little information about how the pomegranate bushes got there, it has not been officially confirmed;
- Ordinary. The most common type of fruit that is cultivated everywhere. They need subtropics and high humidity;
- Dwarf, hybrid. Varieties bred specifically for home cultivation. Ornamental pomegranates form inedible fruits, hybrid varieties with edible fruits grow like shrubs.
The homeland of the pomegranate is considered the territory of modern Iran and the lands adjacent to it. Most often, pomegranate plantations are cultivated in countries with a subtropical climate.
The subtropics are the homeland of the most ancient civilizations, it is here that the culture of mankind began its origins. This climatic zone is characterized by the following signs:
- the average summer temperature does not drop below +20 ° C;
- in winter, the air temperature remains at the borders from 0 to +4 ° C;
- the coastal climate is mild due to the influence of the sea.
Pomegranate grows everywhere in the subtropics, most often it is:
- countries of West and South-West Asia;
- the territory of North-West India, North Africa;
- Eastern Transcaucasia;
- some regions of Central Asia;
- countries of southern Europe.
Where pomegranates grow in Russia
Pomegranate trees grow in Russia. The climate, which is characteristic of the subtropical belt, contributes to the cultivation of selectively bred varieties, adapted to winter temperature drops.
The pomegranate grows on the territory of Abkhazia, which is adjacent to the “pomegranate country” - Georgia. On the coast of the Black Sea, which stretches along the south of the Krasnodar Territory, you can find dwarf species. On the foothills of the Caucasus, there are classic garnets. In the areas of the Azov region, across the territory of the Crimea, pomegranate trees of mixed types grow.
Does pomegranate grow in Crimea
Crimea is a peninsula washed by the Black and Azov Seas. In the southern part of its pomegranate crops are grown without additional shelter for the winter. They grow in parks and gardens. Crimean pomegranate ripens in early October.
The culture appeared on the territory of the peninsula thanks to the Greek colonists. Natural growth conditions are typical only for the southern part of the peninsula, but amateur gardeners successfully grow pomegranates in the northern part of Crimea, taking into account the peculiarities of the thermophilic culture. Here it is additionally covered, helping to endure temperature drops to which the roots are sensitive.
Does pomegranate grow in Krasnodar
Hard-seeded pomegranate varieties grow on the territory of the Kuban. Natural conditions are not suitable for soft-seeded varieties. This is due to the long growing season of pomegranate trees.
For the regions of the Krasnodar Territory, early ripening varieties of pomegranate are recommended. They feel comfortable with the winter digging in the trunk circle.
Most often in Krasnodar you can find the Gyulosha or Gyuleisha variety, whose homeland is Azerbaijan. Fruits ripen a little faster than the classic varieties. This allows for growing in areas with a shorter summer period and allows pomegranates to reach their lowest degree of maturity.
Does pomegranate grow in Sochi
Sochi is the longest city in Russia: its length is estimated at hundreds of kilometers. On the territory of Sochi, you can find pomegranate trees only from the southwest side. This is the Black Sea coast, where the climate is as close as possible to the subtropical one.
The coastal zone allows pomegranate to be grown by the beginning of October; its collection begins simultaneously along the entire length of the plots. Pomegranates grown in Sochi appear on the markets by mid-autumn.
Does pomegranate grow in Abkhazia
Abkhazia is located in the southern part of the slope of the main Caucasian ridge. The country's mild climate makes it possible to grow classic pomegranate varieties. The fruits are harvested in October. Abkhazian pomegranates can be stored for a long time, so they can be seen on the territory of central Russia with the onset of spring. An Abkhazian variety with oval-shaped fruits, characterized by crimson-red pulp and sweet-sour taste, was bred. From these pomegranates, a delicious valuable juice is obtained, which is distributed throughout Russia.
How pomegranates grow
The most delicious pomegranates grow on the territory of modern Iran. This is the natural habitat of trees. Soft-seeded varieties are grown here. In addition, seedless pomegranates grow on subtropical soils.
How pomegranate grows in nature
Trees begin to bear fruit from the age of 3. Full fruiting occurs by 7 - 8 years. For 30 - 40 years, pomegranates are capable of stably and fully bearing fruit.
In order for ovaries to form on the branches and full-fledged fruits to ripen, trees need an elevated air temperature and a humidity level above average. So that the flowers do not fall off and move on to the stage of fruit formation, trees need stable warm days with an air temperature of +20 ° C to +25 ° C. This period in pomegranates is extended for 180 days, therefore frosts at this stage of development are excluded. Trees in winter can tolerate temperatures as low as –12 ° C without loss. For the winter, the branches lose their leaves as deciduous crops.
Flowering culture also has features. Fruits may not form from every flower that appears: many fall off after flowering.
How pomegranate grows at home
Amateur gardeners successfully grow pomegranates at home. Breeding options for trees allow you to create the necessary conditions, regardless of belonging to a particular climatic zone:
- cuttings;
- seeds;
- vaccinations.
At home, pomegranate trees look like dwarf shrub species. For this, special varieties have been created. Among the selection variety for home cultivation, types are selected that are able to form fruits and adapt to changed climatic conditions.
For the summer period, homemade pomegranates are planted in open areas, and in the fall they are removed indoors.
When grown by cuttings, pomegranate trees begin to bear fruit in the 3rd year of existence, when planting seeds, adaptation is delayed for up to 7 years.
How to grow pomegranates
Pomegranates are often grown from seeds. To do this, they are harvested from ripe fruits. Then washed, separated from the pulp. Planting is done in the spring and the house tree is looked after according to a certain pattern.
Homemade pomegranates grow under special temperature conditions. At each stage of development, it should be different.
Bloom | +20 ° C to +25 ° C. |
Fruiting | +16 ... +20 ° C. |
Dormant period | +10 ... +12 ° C. |
Domestic fruits grow up to 6 cm, their weight reaches 200 g. The size of the pulp is half of the total weight. Those who grow homemade pomegranate characterize the taste of the grains as sweet and sour with a predominance of acid.
How much pomegranate grows
Pomegranate trees are long-lived. Common varieties of the classic type bear fruit for more than 50-60 years, then gradually begin to wither. If they are not replaced with young plantings, they are able to grow in a permanent place for several more decades.
There are unique specimens among pomegranates. Azerbaijan is known for centuries-old pomegranate trees, they have been growing there for over 100 years. In the southern part of France, you can find a 200-year-old pomegranate tree that grows for beauty, without fruiting.
Conclusion
Pomegranate grows where the subtropical climate prevails. This is a thermophilic tree capable of delighting with unique healthy fruits for many years. Subject to certain requirements, dwarf varieties can be grown even at home.
