Lexi Webster
Pomegranates are native to the Middle East but have become popular in Australia. They are known for their bright, ruby-coloured seeds, which are tangy and sweet, and their pretty red flowers. They can be grown from seeds or cuttings, but it is important to note that pomegranates grown from seeds may not produce the same type of fruit as the parent plant. To grow a pomegranate from a seed, you will need to remove the seeds from a ripe fruit, wash off any pulp, and let the seeds dry for a few days. Then, fill a pot with seed-raising mix, sow the seeds, cover, and gently water. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to grow pomegranates from seeds in Australia, including the best varieties for different regions, planting, care, and harvesting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Climate | Cool winters, hot and dry summers, and well-drained soil |
| Sunlight | At least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily |
| Soil | Deep, loamy, well-drained; sand, clay, or premium potting mix |
| Watering | Regular deep watering for the first 6 months, then once a week |
| Fertiliser | Balanced high-potassium fertiliser with an approximate NPK ratio of 14N-5P-22K |
| Planting Time | Late autumn or winter |
| Propagation | Seeds or hardwood cuttings |
| Seed Process | Rinse seeds, air dry, sow in seed raising mix, cover, and water |
| Germination | A few weeks to six weeks |
| Transplanting | Transplant to a larger pot once seedlings are well-developed |
| Pruning | Lightly prune after harvesting fruit, removing excessive growth, dead wood, and suckers |
| Pests | Fruit flies, aphids, scale, and ants |
| Popular Varieties | Wonderful, Elche, Gulosha Azerbaijani, Midnight Velvet, Red Velvet, Parfianka, Ben Hur, Nana |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right variety for your region
Pomegranates are native to the Middle East and thrive in warm, dry climates with plenty of sunshine. They do well in regions with hot summers and mild winters, such as Mediterranean climates. In cooler climates, young plants may need protection from frost. Pomegranates grow best in areas where they receive direct sunlight for at least six hours per day. If you live in a colder region, plant it on the northern side of your house to maximise light and warmth.
There are many different varieties of pomegranates available in Australia, suited to different regions. Here are some popular varieties:
- Wonderful: This self-fertile variety is known for being very productive, with large, sweet, and juicy arils. It is suitable for warm, temperate, and dry areas and can be grown in a pot.
- Elche: A Spanish variety that produces medium-sized, flavourful fruit. It is suited to dry and warm climates.
- Gulosha Azerbaijani: This variety produces flavourful medium to large fruit. It is suitable for warm, temperate, and dry areas.
- Midnight Velvet: A self-fertile variety with dark purple skin and deep red flesh. It can be grown from cool temperate to subtropical areas.
- Red Velvet: This self-fertile variety has attractive purple-pink skin filled with bright red and juicy flesh. It is suitable for cool temperate to subtropical areas.
- Parfianka: A dwarf variety that produces flavourful early-season fruit.
- Ben Hur: This variety produces large fruit, weighing up to 1.5kg, that is sweet and juicy. It can be grown from temperate to tropical regions.
- Nana: A dwarf variety that only grows to around 1 metre tall, making it perfect for pots. It should be placed in a sunny spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
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Preparing the soil and planting
Pomegranates thrive in warm, dry climates with plenty of sunshine. They do well in regions with hot summers and mild winters, such as Mediterranean climates. In cooler climates, young plants may need protection from frost. Choose a sunny spot with good drainage. They will grow in a variety of soil types, from sand to clay, but do best in deep, loamy, well-drained soil. If your soil type is heavy and poorly drained, plant the pomegranate into a raised mound of free-draining soil.
Before planting, improve the soil by digging in some organic matter like compost or well-aged cow manure. You can also use a soil improver and plant fertiliser. It is a rich source of organic matter that helps improve soil structure and water-holding capacity, as well as attract earthworms and beneficial soil microorganisms. If planting bare-rooted plants during winter, soak the root system in a bucket of water and seaweed solution for 30 minutes before planting.
To prepare the soil for planting, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball of your tree and the same depth. If growing in a pot, choose a container with good drainage that is at least 40-50cm wide and the same depth. An old half-wine barrel with drainage holes added is an ideal size.
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Caring for your tree
Pomegranates are native to the Middle East and thrive in warm, dry climates with plenty of sunshine. They grow well in regions with hot summers and mild winters, such as Mediterranean climates. In Australia, they are typically ripe from March to May and will taste sweetest in areas with hot, dry summers.
Pomegranates are best suited to climates with cool winters and hot, dry summers, and they do well in temperate climates. They are adaptable to subtropical and tropical zones, but high humidity during summer can cause the fruit quality to deteriorate.
Choose a sunny spot with good drainage for your tree. Pomegranates will grow in a variety of soil types, from sand to clay, but they prefer deep, loamy, well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy and poorly drained, plant the pomegranate into a raised mound of free-draining soil. You can improve the soil by digging in some organic matter like compost or well-aged cow manure.
Pomegranates are drought-tolerant once established, but they grow better with regular watering. For the first six months, water deeply two to three times a week, depending on the temperature. After that, water once a week.
Fertilise your pomegranate tree in spring and again in autumn. A good fertiliser will have an approximate NPK ratio of 14N-5P-22K, which you should be able to find at your local garden centre. You can also use a potassium-rich fertiliser to promote healthy leaf growth and fruit production.
Prune your pomegranate tree in winter. Remove excessive growth, dead and diseased wood, as well as suckers around the base of the tree. Shortening the main framework each winter will help produce a strong, compact frame. Lightly prune the tree after harvesting the fruit, taking care not to remove too much mature growth, as pomegranates fruit on this wood.
Pomegranates may be susceptible to pests such as aphids, scale, and Queensland fruit flies. Look out for signs of infestation and treat with horticultural oil or other products available at garden centres. Protect your plants from fruit flies by setting up traps and baiting early in the season.
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Protecting your tree from pests
Pomegranates are usually not affected by pests, but in some areas, they can be affected by fruit flies, including Mediterranean and Queensland Fruit Fly. The presence of fruit flies causes the fruit to look cracked and yellow. To protect your pomegranate tree from fruit flies, set up traps and bait early in the season. This is best done as the fruit is forming or even earlier. While traps will help indicate the presence of male fruit flies, attractant baits will need to be applied to the tree and foliage to attract and kill female fruit flies.
Other pests that can affect pomegranate trees include aphids, scale, and fruit borers. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on sap and spread disease by carrying pathogens between infected and healthy plants. They breed exponentially throughout spring and summer, leading to a major infestation. You can identify an aphid infestation by looking for twisted or curled new growth. To get rid of aphids, spray them with water or use horticultural or neem oil.
Scale insects are often visible as white, yellow, or dark disk-shaped invertebrates on the stems. They can be easily removed from the stem with your fingernail. Ants travelling up and down the stems indicate the presence of scale insects. Treat scale insects with horticultural oil, which may need to be applied multiple times.
Fruit borers are larvae that tunnel into the fruit, causing damage. To control their population, encourage natural predators such as ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps. Neem oil spray can also be used as a natural insecticide.
Regularly monitor your pomegranate tree for early signs of pests and diseases. Look for chewed leaves, discolored foliage, or the presence of pests on leaves and branches.
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Harvesting and storing your pomegranates
Pomegranates are typically harvested from March to May, in autumn, in most parts of Australia. The fruit is ready to harvest when it is full-sized, brightly coloured, and heavy. Skin colour can indicate ripeness, but as colours differ between varieties, it's best to check the label of your chosen variety for harvesting tips. For example, the Midnight Velvet variety has deep purple/red skin when ripe, while the Red Velvet variety has deep red skin. The fruit will also begin to split, indicating that it is ready for harvest. However, if left too long on the tree, there is a risk of it splitting further, which can attract birds and rodents.
When picking your pomegranates, use secateurs or scissors to cut them from the stem, rather than pulling or twisting, to avoid damaging the fruit.
Pomegranates can be stored at room temperature (25°C) for one to two months or longer in the fridge. However, be aware that any split fruit, fruit left too long on the tree, or bruised fruit may develop grey fungal rot. Use split fruit first, and if you observe any fungal rot, remove that section, and the rest of the fruit should be fine.
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Frequently asked questions
Pomegranates thrive in warm, dry climates with plenty of sunshine. They do well in regions with hot summers and mild winters, such as Mediterranean climates.
Choose a full sun position, sheltered from strong winds, or grow a dwarf variety in a large pot. Dwarf varieties include 'Nana' and 'Parfianka'.
Pomegranates will grow in a variety of soil types, from sand to clay, but do best in deep, loamy, well-drained soil. Improve the soil by digging in some organic matter like compost or well-aged cow manure.
First, remove the seeds from a ripe fruit and wash off any pulp. Let the seeds dry for a day or two on a paper towel. Then, plant the seeds in a seed-raising mix about 1 cm deep. Keep the mix consistently moist. Seeds can take up to six weeks to germinate.
Pomegranates should be fertilised from spring to autumn with a potassium-rich fertiliser. Prune the tree lightly after harvesting the fruit, taking care not to remove too much mature growth. Protect the plant from fruit fly by setting up traps and baiting early in the season.
