How to Grow Pomegranate From Cuttings? Most pomegranate trees ( Punica granatum L.) found in the residential landscape began as bare-root, balled and burlapped container-grown specimens or stem cuttings. Growing pomegranate from cuttings reproduces a pomegranate plant dependably without the difficulty of growing from seeds, which rarely grow true and exhibit the desirable attributes of the parent plant.
Pomegranate trees thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, and like fertile, deep, well-draining loam or sandy loam with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Pomegranates, despite being a low-maintenance plant, require careful pruning, frequent watering, and ideal fertiliser to grow from a cutting to a strong, hardy tree capable of producing enthusiastically for 15 years or more.
How to Grow Pomegranate From Cuttings?
1. Propagate to Grow Pomegranate From Cuttings
Using pruning shears, take 8- to 10-inch-long cuttings from 1/4- to 1/2-inch-wide sprouts or suckers from the previous year’s growth. In late January, just when the threat of frost has passed, harvest and sow the cuttings. Between cuts, wipe the pruning shears’ blades with an isopropyl alcohol-soaked cloth.
2. Plant the Cuttings
Plant the cuttings in well-draining loam or sandy loam in full sun, with the top node sticking above the soil line. And Plant cuttings 3 to 9 feet apart if developing into a shrub, or at least 18 feet apart in all directions if growing into a tree.
3. Water the Cuttings Regularly
During typical rainfall intervals, irrigate the soil you planted the pomegranate cuttings in every seven to ten days with 2 gallons of water per square foot. Maintain constant moisture in the top 2 inches of soil near the conclusion of the growing season in late summer and before the threat of frost in October. Pomegranates can withstand some flooding, so don’t worry about keeping the soil too wet.
4. Fertilize to Grow Pomegranate From Cuttings
During the first two years of growth, top coat the soil with 1 to 1 1/4 pounds of 8-8-8 fertiliser just before the first frost in late fall and immediately after the threat of frost has passed in early spring.
5. Feed Maure Trees
After the first two years of development, top coat the soil with 2 to 3 1/2 pounds of 8-8-8 fertiliser just before the first frost in late fall and soon after the threat of frost has passed in early spring.
6. Prune When Dormant
If you wish to cultivate a tree-type pomegranate, prune back all large stems except the strongest one with sterilised lopping shears during the first year’s dormant period to develop a central leader. Pinch back new shoots save three to five that grow symmetrically during the first year to function as scaffold branches for the tree.
7. Remove Suckers Immediately
To remove suckers from the roots, grasp them and twist them while pulling. To grab and twist suckers that are too dense to twist off by hand, use pliers. Twisting the suckers off rather than cutting them seals the incision and prevents them from growing again.
8. Top for a Shrub Form
To develop a shrub-type pomegranate, prune the pom to 2 or 2 1/2 feet tall during the first two years of growth. A shrub-type pomegranate’s lowest branch should be no lower than 8 to 10 inches above the ground.
9. Trim All the Branches
During the first dormant period after planting, cut back all branches to three-fifths of their length and prune back any branches that come into contact with other growth. When pruning, remove any old, over-ripe fruit from the pomegranate tree or shrub, as well as any fruit that has fallen to the ground. When you detect weeds growing around the pomegranate, pluck them. Things You Will Need:
- Shears for pruning
- Cloth
- Isopropyl acetate
- Fertilizer 8-8-8
- Shears for snipping
- Pliers (optional)
Also Read: How to Grow Grapes from Cuttings?
