How to manage pomegranate trees in autumn and winter? Remember these key points

In recent years, as pomegranates have become increasingly popular on the market, more and more people are growing them, but yields have remained low. The main reason for this is improper autumn and winter management. Autumn is the ripening period for pomegranates and also the key period for pomegranate management, so how should pomegranate trees be managed in autumn and winter? Let's take a look.

1. Fertilizing

Autumn is the ripening period for pomegranates and also a period when temperatures drop. After fruiting, the plant has consumed a large amount of nutrients, causing the tree vigor to become weak and unable to withstand cold waves. This makes the tree vigor even weaker, affects the fruiting rate the following year, and is also the reason yields have remained low. Therefore, after harvesting the fruit in autumn, fertilizer should be applied immediately, and it is advisable to apply it heavily so that the tree vigor recovers quickly. Fertilizing should be mainly organic fertilizer, combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer at the application rate, and the fertilizer amount for young trees should be halved.

2. Shaping and pruning

After harvesting the fruit, the plant has a large number of old branches, weak branches, and diseased and damaged branches. These branches are a burden to the plant, continuously consuming the plant's nutrients while bringing no benefit to the plant, so pruning should be carried out in time to maintain the tree crown. Cut off all these old branches, weak branches, and diseased and damaged branches to increase the plant's ventilation and light penetration, which is beneficial for nutrient accumulation and safe overwintering. When pruning, pay attention to the method. It is not advisable to prune long; proper short pruning should be used, with each main branch bearing 2—3 secondary main branches. Pruning should protect the wounds well to prevent pathogens from invading.

3. Cleaning the orchard and spraying

In order to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases the following year, after pruning the orchard should be thoroughly cleaned. Collect the weeds and debris on the ground, fallen branches and leaves, and the pruned branches together, then burn them. After burning, the ashes can be used as potassium fertilizer. After cleaning the orchard, spray protective agents. This can prevent pests and diseases, reduce freeze damage, and help the plant overwinter.

4. Mounding soil

In winter, when temperatures are cold, the root crown of pomegranates is very prone to freezing, so before overwintering, soil should be mounded around the root crown to help it overwinter safely. The thickness of the mounded soil should be about 20-30 cm. The mounded soil should be moist and loose. When mounding soil, keep a certain distance from the root system to avoid damaging the roots or exposing the roots, which would cause the roots to freeze. After spring arrives the following year, the soil should be removed in time to avoid a large number of root suckers sprouting, which would affect plant growth.

5. Irrigating with freezing water

Irrigating with freezing water is also a common overwintering method. Irrigating with freezing water helps the plant overwinter safely, prevents spring drought, and can also kill pests and eggs overwintering in the soil, reducing pest sources. When irrigating with freezing water, pay attention to the amount, and it is best to water thoroughly once. After irrigation, loosen the soil in time to preserve moisture, so as to avoid excessive water accumulation in the soil causing compaction, making it difficult for the roots to breathe, and leading to overwintering failure.

The above are the key points for autumn and winter management of pomegranate trees. We hope this helps you. If you want to learn more about pomegranate cultivation, please follow us.