Punica granatum Linnaeus

Common Names: Punica granatum Linnaeus, Pomegranate; apple of Carthage, 石榴 (shí liú), Nochi Shibari
Native Origin: Central and Southwest Asia

Punica granatum is a deciduous tree grown for its striking flowers and edible fruit (pomegranate). According to efloras.org, the Punica granatum was likely introduced into China from Central Asia or Europe during the Han dynasty (207 BCE to 220 CE).

LEAVES
Punica granatum Linn.’s leaves in general are glossy, dark green and narrow.
Shape: Oblong
Normal foliage color: Green
New foliage: Bronze
Spring foliage: Bronze
Summer foliage: Green
Fall foliage: Yellow

FLOWERS
The Punica granatum Linn. exhibits striking bright red flower; carnation-like. Blooming period begins around June.

FRUITS
The fruit is berrylike (can reach about the size of an orange) with leathery rind, retaining a crown of sepals. Usually with many seeds; seeds are translucent, encased in an edible, orange-red pulp.

CARE GUIDE

• very tolerant to full sun; prefer full sun exposure to yield flowers and fruits. It cannot grow in the shade.
• grows very well in fertile soil mix: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay). Soil: minimum pH: 5.1, maximum pH: 6.5; prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. Note: it is important to ensure good drainage.
• water regularly when top 3 inches of soil is somewhat dry; do not allow the plant from drying out.
• somewhat hardy (USDA Hardiness Zones 7) cold resistant up to approximately 0’C. Punica granatum Linn., requires frost protection when temperature drops below 0’C. Therefore, move the plant indoors if temperatures drop below 0′C during winter.
• repot every 2-3 years

PLANT FOOD
Feed general purpose nutrients before new growth begins in Spring.

PRUNING x SHAPING
Trim and remove leaves/shoots/branches accordingly during the growing season. This will promote compact foliage and growth of new branches. Note: pruning should be done early in Spring so that its stems can flower accordingly. Should tree require hard pruning, perform extensive pruning during winter. Hard pruning is best done during Winter until early Spring. Naturally, the same logic can be applied for wiring.

PROPAGATION
I do not have any propagation experience. But it can propagate via hardwood cuttings and seeds. Seeds should be planted in spring and will flower in about four to five years. According to Morton, J: “to avoid seedling variation, selected cultivars are usually reproduced by means of hardwood cuttings 10 to 20 in (25-50 cm) long. Treatment with 50 ppm. indole-butyric acid and planting at a moisture level of 15.95% greatly enhances root development and survival. The cuttings are set in beds with 1 or 2 buds above the soil for 1 year, and then transplanted to the field. Grafting has never been successful but branches may be air-layered and suckers from a parent plant can be taken up and transplanted.”

PESTS x DISEASES
Like most fruit bearing trees, the Punica granatum Linn., is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies and spider mites. So, keep watch accordingly.