How to Grow a Pomegranate Bonsai? A Detailed Guide to Care and Management
Chinese people regard the pomegranate as a mascot and a symbol of many children and abundant blessings. Many families keep one, hoping for good fortune. The pomegranate tree loves sunlight, tolerates drought and cold, is not particular about soil, and is very well suited to pot cultivation. So how do you grow a pomegranate bonsai? Below, Huacaole shares with you the knowledge of pomegranate bonsai care and management.
How to Grow a Pomegranate Bonsai: Care and Management of Pomegranate Bonsai
I. Light for Pomegranate Bonsai
During the growing season, the pomegranate bonsai requires full sun, and the more sunlight it gets, the more flowers it produces and the more vivid their color. A sheltered, sunny, dry environment favors flower bud formation and blooming. When light is insufficient, it will only grow leaves and not bloom, affecting its ornamental effect. The suitable growing temperature is 15-20°C, and in winter the temperature should not drop below -18°C, otherwise it will suffer cold damage.
II. Fertilizing Pomegranate Bonsai
During the growing season, apply a nitrogen fertilizer once every 10 days. During the fruit ripening stage, apply nitrogen fertilizer frequently while also increasing the proportion of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote the formation of flowers and fruit. Every 2 to 3 years, repot and change the soil once in spring. The potting soil should be loose, fertile culture soil, and a suitable amount of medium- to long-lasting fertilizer such as cottonseed hulls or sesame residue can be added as a base fertilizer. When repotting, be careful not to prune the roots too heavily, so as not to affect the pomegranate's flowering and fruiting that year.
III. Watering Pomegranate Bonsai
In summer, watering once a day is generally sufficient, and in late autumn you can water once every other day. From late April to early June is the pomegranate's bud stage, when it should receive ample light and be watered somewhat sparingly to keep the potting soil on the dry side. When the new leaves at the branch tips wilt slightly, place the pomegranate tree in a shaded spot for 30 minutes, then water the pot thoroughly; repeat this several times, and flower buds will appear in about 20 days. If the potting soil is too dry, it easily causes bud drop, dried fruit and fruit drop; if the potting soil is too wet, although it sometimes does not affect the plant's growth, it also easily causes bud drop and fruit cracking. This is also one reason affecting its flowering and fruiting.
IV. Shaping Pomegranate Bonsai
Shaping a pomegranate bonsai: the pomegranate tree has strong sprouting ability and grows new branches several times within a year. Shaping is often carried out before spring bud break, cutting off water sprouts, overly dense branches and thin, weak branches. When a branch's thickness reaches about 70% of the ideal thickness, cut the branch short to encourage the growth and development of side branches. Be careful to retain those robust fruit-bearing mother branches. Buds that grow out in summer and autumn should be cut off promptly. After the fruit has set firmly, cut off excess fruit not needed for the shape; a medium-sized pomegranate bonsai needs only 3 to 5 fruits. The fruits should be distributed at varying heights, some sparse and some dense, not evenly spaced. If there is too much fruit, besides looking messy and disorderly, it will also affect next year's fruiting.
V. Pests and Diseases of Pomegranate Bonsai
The main pomegranate diseases are white rot, black spot and anthracnose. Spraying a 200-fold dilution of equal-amount Bordeaux mixture about once every half month can prevent the occurrence of many diseases. When the disease is severe, fungicides such as thiophanate-methyl, mancozeb and carbendazim can be sprayed. Never use omethoate or dichlorvos pesticides. Do not use methamidophos or monocrotophos during the flowering period, as they affect pollination.