A Detailed Guide to Growing Pomegranate from Seed and Propagating Pomegranate Trees

The pomegranate is a fruit rich in nutritional value, with an extremely high vitamin C content, and it is also regarded as an auspicious fruit, symbolizing many children and great blessings. So, how do you plant pomegranate seeds? How do you propagate a pomegranate tree? Let's find out together!

1. How do you plant pomegranate seeds?

1. Seed collection

Pomegranate fruits usually ripen from August to September. When the fruits are ripe, harvest them promptly, take out the seeds, rub off the outer seed coat, and dry them for storage. The seeds can be stored mixed with river sand at a ratio of 1:5 to put them into dormancy.

2. Soaking seeds to promote germination

Before sowing pomegranate seeds, soak them in warm water; generally, two ladles of cold water mixed with one ladle of boiling water, and soak for one day. The purpose of soaking is to promote germination and increase the seedling emergence rate. Soaked seeds show a 20-25% increase in emergence rate, emerge 5 to 7 days earlier, and the seedlings are vigorous.

3. Sowing technique

The sowing period for pomegranate seeds is from March on the Gregorian calendar to before April 20. Both fine sand and sandy loam can be used for sowing. Open furrows about 1 cm deep, sow the seeds in the furrows, cover with 1 to 1.5 cm of soil, cover the top with grass, and water thoroughly once to keep the soil moisture content at about 60%.

4. Post-sowing management

After sowing, pomegranate seeds should be sprayed with water frequently, and the temperature should be kept above 10 degrees. Generally, at 10-15 degrees, seedlings emerge in 36 to 40 days; at 15-20 degrees, they emerge in about 25 days; at 20-25 degrees, they emerge in 15 to 20 days. After emergence, they can be exposed to sunlight, and management should be strengthened. When the seedlings are 15-20 cm tall, they can be transplanted into pots.

2. How do you propagate a pomegranate tree?

1. Sowing

Sowing is mostly suitable for propagating new varieties. Before planting, the seeds need to be awakened by soaking in warm water for 3-5 hours to wake them up, and then they are placed in a seedbed for raising seedlings. During this period, keep the soil moist with sufficient water and nutrients. After about one month, they will begin to germinate and emerge. When the seedlings grow to about 10 cm, they can be planted out. For the planting day, choose a period when the weather will be relatively mild and moist for the following stretch of time, as this helps their later survival.

2. Layering

Layering is a preferred method for pomegranate trees when a high-quality mother plant is available. It can effectively expand the population of high-quality pomegranate trees. Select a high-quality mother plant that has been growing and fruiting for about 2 years, and cut a long-shaped branch from its thick stems; it must be cut off, not broken off, and placed into a prepared soil pit for cultivation. During this period, pay attention to the application of fertilizer and water, and control the temperature at about 20 degrees. Wait for it to take root. If the layer tends to slant, it is best to provide support to slightly secure its middle, which helps it take shape quickly.

3. Cuttage

Cuttage involves taking part of the mother plant for propagation, but what is taken is a thick new young branch, not a branch tip. Sharpen one end of the cutting to make insertion easier, keep the length of each section at about 30-50 cm, disinfect the cut end with a carbendazim disinfectant solution, then insert it into the soil, provide good protection, and wait for it to take root and develop.

4. Division

Over time, a cluster of branches grows from the base of the pomegranate tree; these are pomegranate suckers (daughter plants) and can be used for division. The division process is relatively simple. When cutting them off, be careful to cut at the junction between the daughter plant and the root, and do not cut into the mother plant's roots. Afterward, plant them as normal seedlings. This kind of division develops extremely quickly, often growing new roots within a few weeks.

The above is our summary of how to plant pomegranate seeds and how to propagate a pomegranate tree. We hope it can help you!