How to store pomegranates after harvest, and how long can they generally be kept?

The pomegranate season has arrived, and many early-ripening pomegranates are now on sale in the market. For buyers, good pomegranate quality is key, but for growers, a whole year's work can result in heavy losses if the fruit is not stored properly. So how should pomegranates be stored after harvest? Let's take a look!

How to store pomegranates after harvest

1. Hanging storage

Hanging storage means tying the pomegranate fruits together with string, low down, to form a string. Then place them in a cool, well-ventilated spot; the temperature where they are placed must not be too high, to avoid reducing their storage life. Alternatively, the fruits can be wrapped in paper, film, etc., and likewise placed somewhere with little fluctuation in temperature and humidity. In this way, they can generally be stored from harvest all the way until the spring of the following year. Note that if the fruit is to be stored, we should harvest about two weeks earlier, to prevent the fruits from becoming overripe and rotting during storage.

2. Heap storage

First we need to choose a suitable location for heap storage; the location should mainly be a well-ventilated, cool room. There should be no other clutter in the room, to ensure it is sufficiently clean and tidy, and before heap storage, be sure to disinfect it well. Then spread about five cm of straw on the ground, then place a layer of pomegranates on the straw and cover with another layer of straw, until all the pomegranates have been stacked. During heap storage, be sure to check about once every 2-3 weeks. If there are any rotten fruits, pick them out promptly, then replace the straw; they can generally be stored until April-May of the following year.

3. Jar storage

First we need to choose a clean, germ-free jar-type container; after washing and disinfecting the container, spread a layer of wet sand with a moisture content of about 5% on the bottom, keeping the thickness at about 5 cm. Then place a bundle of straw or a cylindrical object in the middle of the container, to provide ventilation. Then place the pomegranates around it; the pomegranates can be stacked until they are about 5 cm from the jar mouth. Once they reach that point, cover them well with wet sand, then seal the jar mouth tightly with plastic film; they can also be stored until March-April of the following year.

4. Bag storage

Before bag storage, the pomegranates must first be pre-cooled. Then disinfect them, put the treated pomegranates into polyethylene film, tie it tightly, and then place them indoors at a suitable temperature. Bag storage can last about 3-4 months, and the fruit quality will not be greatly affected. Ordinary bags can also be used for packaging; kept at a temperature of around 3 degrees, they can also be stored for about 100 days.

That is all the editor has to share today about methods for storing pomegranates after harvest; we hope every grower can also find a method that suits them for keeping the fruit.