why my pomegranate shrub bears such small fruit?
i have had this pomegranate plant - inherited from my sister who shifted house - for nearly a year. when it came to me, it had slightly more branches and leaves but over time these seem to have dwindled. however, lately, it has been blooming, with lots of red flowers but only a fraction of them get fertilised to become fruit.
the other day i was at mustafa samsuddin and the pomegranate fruit - which came from india - was at least four times the size of the largest fruit on my plant. wonder if it is because my plant is not big or that it is not getting enough nutrients from the soil.
the chinese refer to the pomegranate as the fertility plant as it bears many red flowers and fruit with lots of seeds. a friend explains that it is a holy or sacred plant when i asked why some chinese placed the shells of the crabs on the plant.
the pomegranate plant takes about three years to bear fruit. the fruit is ready for picking when it makes a metallic sound when tapped. when it is over ripe, the fruit will split open.
i have blogged here about how to go about eating the pomegranate fruit.
if you believe what they say about the benefits of drinking pomegranate juice here, then all of us should be drinking it regularly.
if you planning to grow one, remember the pomegranate plant likes a lot of sunlight and warmth. it is also a thirsty plant, so you have to water it every day.
i think mine is a shrub, that is why the fruit is so much smaller than those sold at supermarkets or fruit stalls. the commercial ones come from the bigger and taller pomegranate trees.
6 comments:
How to get more fruit and big fruit? You must not always complain about your tree. “Mine can only spurt water, will not response to any stimulus”; “Mine is not big, not enough nutrients”; “Mine is like a shrub, others are bigger trees”.
Your tree takes after you, cannot fertilize, so not enough fruit, and no big fruit.
You must not feel inferior just because yours is smaller.
mr nah, you only make me feel smaller. you should be more encouraging, and say things like 'size doesn't count', 'small fruit can taste just as good' or 'chilli padi is hotter than the normal full-size chilli'.
Plant it in the ground and it will grow into a small tree and maybe bear bigger fruit as it will be happier. Anyway, be happy that it can bear fruit.
hello doris, i live in a fourth level hdb flat, how to plant it in the ground. maybe, in a bigger pot.
Hi your pom pics are lovely Many reasons you aren't geting bigger fruit, or more fruit: location--needs lots of sun--;whether it's cold enough in winter; variety of pomegranate and age of tree. Be sure to make as much sun available, maybe pruning inside to make a kind of vase-looking shape, and give a long lasting fertilizer, time release, available most everywhere. I'm a pom afficionado and have published a book, not written by myself, "Pomegranate Roads" which you can look at @ www.floreantpress.com. Best, Barbara Baer, Floreant Press
anonymous, thanks for the tips. it cannot be lack of sunlight because the plant is in the sunniest spot. i think i need to prune the plant and give it more nutrients.
i have visited the site 'www.floreantpress.com'.
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