POMEGRANATES

Punica granatum

A mature pomegranate tree as seen in this specimen growing in a garden in Melbourne. This very hardy plant needs little attention once established

Close up of a tree in late autumn. The ripening fruits add colour the garden. The photo was taken in the garden of a relative in South Australia

A cracked fruit

Close up of a cluster of fruit

Close up of the beautiful pommegranate flower

Close up of a soft-seeded Pomegranate: white seeds are enclosed within pink juicy flesh. This tangy flesh gives Pomegranates their unique flavour

I have looked forward to the opportunity to grow pomegranates for a long time, as this most beautiful fruit is hardy and drought tolerant.

Fruit Of Ceremonies And Ornament

This large and brightly coloured fruit has a history of being cultivated for use in religious ceremonies and as an ornament in households. There are however many uses for the tangy sweet pulp extracted from around woody seeds. Varieties with a soft edible seed are now becoming more common and should lead to an increase in the popularity of pomegranates as a fresh fruit.

The tree tends to develop into a large shrub with many suckers produced. Careful pruning when young can lead to a small weeping tree of about 3 metres in height. After the tree reaches this size only light annual pruning is needed in order to maintain healthy fruiting spurs.

Healthy Fruit

They are thought to have originated from Persia and are tolerant of very cold conditions in winter, but require hot dry conditions during summer and autumn in order to develop healthy fruit. The fruits can be as large as a grapefruit and can vary from a yellow to bright reddish orange in colour.

The Pomegranate is suited to our Mediterranean climate and although easy to grow in most soils care must be taken in order to avoid fruit from splitting. In order to do this a keen grower suggests the plant needs to be watered consistently over summer. If the plant receives too much water after a dry spell the fruit will not be able to expand quickly enough and split, resulting in fungal infections. As a result of this I would suggest a well drained spot be chosen and regulate the soil moisture level over summer by adding water when needed.

Good News For Hobby Farms

Pomegranate strikes easily from dormant cuttings and will produce fruit after a relatively short time compared to most fruit trees. There are few pests and diseases concerning home gardeners and the plant has a low water requirement compared to most fruits. Keep an eye out for birds however, as the bright fruits are easy targets.

Pomegranate Varieties

Separating seeds from the surrounding pithy tissue can be tedious and eating the hard seeded varieties will put most people off the fruit, but having experienced the sweet tasting soft seeded varieties in Southern Europe I have been converted and will experiment with varieties on the farm. At present the most common variety available in nurseries is Wonderful, but no doubt newer varieties will soon be available.

I look forward to growing different varieties on the farm and will also experiment with grafting rootstocks that may allow more success with soft seeded varieties.