Detailed Explanation of Soft-Seed Pomegranate Planting Techniques and Management Key Points

First, carry out site selection and garden establishment, and prepare the soil and apply fertilizer before planting. Use cuttings for propagation and seedling raising; the cutting time is generally in spring from February to March. After cutting, strengthen seedling-stage management. In the early stage after cutting, focus mainly on loosening the soil, weeding, preserving soil moisture, and increasing temperature; in the later stage, strengthen fertilizer and water management. When the seedlings shed their leaves, they can be lifted from the nursery.

1. Site selection and garden establishment

The garden should be established in an area with convenient transportation, flat and open terrain, loose and fertile soil, shelter from wind and facing the sun, and complete drainage and irrigation facilities. Before planting, prepare the soil and apply fertilizer, applying 5000 kg of decomposed compost per mu, then harrow and level it together with the soil. Then dig planting holes according to a plant-to-row spacing of 2×3 m or 2.5×3 m. The length, width, and depth of the holes should all be 0.8 m. In this way, the garden site is ready. A small area can also be reserved in the garden as a nursery plot for raising seedlings.

2. Propagation methods

Soft-seed pomegranate has extremely strong asexual reproductive capacity, so when planting on a large scale, cuttings are used for propagation and seedling raising. Select and collect cuttings from November to March. Cut 1-year-old root suckers from the mother plant or robust water sprouts growing inside the canopy to use as cuttings. Cuttings should not be selected from branches harmed by pests or diseases, mechanically damaged, or abnormally grown. The length of the cuttings should be between 15-20 cm, and they should have 1-2 plump buds to ensure smooth sprouting. The cutting time is generally in spring from February to March, when the temperature is favorable for rooting. Professional tools can be used for cutting, which is convenient and quick. After cutting, cover with soil and firm it, then water. Pay attention to cutting density, with a plant-to-row spacing of 20×50 cm being suitable.

3. Seedling raising

After cutting, strengthen seedling-stage management. In the early stage after cutting, focus mainly on loosening the soil, weeding, preserving soil moisture, and increasing temperature. This period generally lasts 40 days. After that, the cuttings have already rooted and become seedlings. At this time, it is necessary to promote the growth and development of the seedlings, so fertilizer and water management should be strengthened, with 1-2 topdressings, each time applying 5-7 kg of urea per mu, and spraying potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution on the leaves 1-2 times to increase the trace elements needed for seedling growth. Also pay attention to underground pests to avoid damage to the root system.

4. Planting

When the seedlings shed their leaves, they can be lifted from the nursery. When lifting the seedlings, dig a 30 cm deep trench on one side of the seedlings, then cut vertically downward about 20-30 cm from the seedlings on the other side, and dig the seedlings out with soil. When digging, mainly avoid damaging the root system and trunk. After digging out, prune the diseased and pest-damaged branches of the seedlings, then transplant them by grade. When transplanting, hold the seedlings upright and place them into the planting holes, spread the root system out, then cover with soil and firm it, and water once to help the seedlings recover and improve the survival rate.