Pomegranate Seed Germination, Time, Process (Anar)

Introduction to Pomegranate seed germination process

The Pomegranate is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree that grows between 5 and 8 m tall and its botanical name is Punica granatum, It is also known as ‘Anar’ in India. Pomegranate trees are perennial, deciduous, and woody plants that more closely resemble shrubs than trees. The Pomegranate tree is a bush or small tree of the family Lythraceae and its fruit. The juicy arils of the Pomegranate fruit are eaten fresh, and the juice is the source of grenadine syrup, used in flavorings and liqueurs. Pomegranate fruit is high in dietary fiber, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin K.

In this article we also discussed below topics;

Process of Growing Pomegranate from seed
Time to take Pomegranate seeds take to germinate
Conditions for germinate Pomegranate seeds
How do you germinate Pomegranate seeds
Pomegranate seed germination temperature
Process for germinating Pomegranate seeds
Pomegranate seed germination period
Paper towel germination method for growing Pomegranate

A guide to seed germination procedure of Pomegranate

Soil and location for growing Pomegranate

Choose the sunniest location to keep the Pomegranate plant happy and healthy. The more sun it will receive, the more it will fruit. Though it also thrives in partial shade, it makes the plant to bloom and fruit lesser. It is possible to cultivate a Pomegranate tree near a windowsill if it receives full sun. The soil must be loamy, rich in organic content, loose and permeable.

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Propagate Pomegranate from Seed

Slice a Pomegranate in half and then remove the small, red berries.
Rinse the berries under cool water and gently rub the berries with a paper towel to remove the red pulp, leaving only the seed. Set the seeds aside until dry.
Plant the Pomegranate seeds about 1/4 inch deep in a seed-starting tray filled with potting soil. Then, plant one Pomegranate seed per cell. Ideally, plant the seeds in midwinter so seedlings produce strong enough for spring transplanting.
Set the Pomegranate seeds in a sunny window location. That means, provide artificial lighting, such as fluorescent light if no window lets enough sun into your home.
Water the Pomegranate seeds to maintain the soil moist. When the soil feels dry, water it again. Then, cover the seed tray with a clear plastic bag to help retain moisture. Pomegranate seeds germinate in about 6 weeks.
Carefully, take the Pomegranate seedlings outside every day for a few hours as spring approaches. Increase the time the Pomegranate seedlings spend outside per day. This will prepares the seedlings for moving to a permanent outdoor home.

Select soil with naturally good drainage

Pomegranate trees don’t have many soil requirements. Almost any type will do, but it needs drain well. If you have clay-based soil or another type with poor drainage, replace it with looser topsoil.
A visual test is an easy way to check the soil’s drainage. Dig a 1 foot (0.30 m) x 1 foot (0.30 m) hole in the ground, and then wait until the soil in it is dry to the touch (this might take a day or more).
Then, pour enough water into the hole to fill it up.
If it takes more than a few hours for the water to drain out of the hole, then the soil has poor drainage.

Pomegranate seed germination time and temperature

Pomegranate seeds will germinate best in soil that is about 24°C to 26 °C. If the air temperature range isn’t mostly at or above these temperatures, use a soil thermometer to check the ground temperature.

If the soil temperature is not up to this level, wait for warmer weather. You can get a head start by germinating Pomegranate seeds indoors, however. Plant the seeds no more than about ¼ inches deep in light seed-starting mix. Then, place the pots in a bright location, optionally inside a plastic bag or greenhouse that maintains a temperature around 20°C. And always keep the soil moist. Seeds will germinate within 1 to 6 weeks depending more on the variety and climate.

The spacing of Pomegranate seed or Pomegranate plant to plant distance

Pomegranate trees are grown with as little spacing as 1.5 m in-row and 3.6 m between rows, with wider spacing at 4 to 5.2 m in-row and 5.8 m between rows. However, planting at 3 to 5 m in-row spacing and 5 to 7 m between rows.

Process of germinating Pomegranate seeds

First, wash the flower pot out with warm water and dish soap, scrubbing gently with the rag. Rinse the pot and then allow it to air dry. If the flower pot was previously used, this will remove any bacteria, mold or fungus that can remain on the pot.
Fill the flower pot with potting soil, within about 1 to 2 inches of the top of the pot. Do not press the dirt down; it must not be compacted. Pomegranate seeds simply start-up in loose soil in nature.
Push a seed down in the dirt, gently, to twice its diameter. Brush soil over the seed. Several seeds can be placed in the flower pot; put 2 to 3 inches between each seed to give ample growing room.
Water until the soil is saturated, but not pouring out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Continue to keep the soil moist until Pomegranate seedlings emerge. Then, water regularly after that, but the top of the dirt can dry out slightly between watering.
Put the flowerpot in direct sunlight or a brightly lit spot after planting; Pomegranate trees thrive on full sun. Seedlings should emerge within 2 to 3 weeks. The flower pot must remain in a sunny spot; if seedlings will be raised as indoor trees, transplant them to a larger pot when essential and keep in direct sunlight or a sunny spot outside in warmer months.

Planting Pomegranate seeds

Start in mid-winter when the Pomegranate fruit is ripe. Then, it will take the seeds a few months to sprout before the spring planting season. Push the Pomegranate seeds about a quarter-inch deep into the soil. The soil must be a seed-starting and lightweight type of dirt. Maintain the soil moist and in a sunny spot next to a window that gets a good amount of daily sunshine. Cover the pot or pots that the Pomegranate seeds are in with a plastic bag or layer of plastic wrap. Be gentle and loose with the plastic wrap then that air can freely circulate around and over the pots. A Pomegranate seedling will look spindly. They don’t like a lot of water, so water when the top layer of the soil seems dry. Wait until after the last expected freeze passes in the area before transferring the tiny sprouts to the outdoors. You could want to cover them loosely with plastic or gardening net through the first week to help them grow strong and steady in the outdoor weather.

Pomegranate Plant care

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Pomegranates need full sun. Keep an eye on the weather report and if temperatures threaten to drop below 4°C, move the plant indoors to a sunny window. Water the tree deeply about once a week; possibly more during peak summer months.
Prune out any crossing branches or shoots to 3 to 5 per branch after the tree’s first year. Prune out any dead or damaged limbs in the late winter season. The soil must be loamy, rich in organic content, loose and permeable.
During the growing season, the tree is fertilized regularly. Fertilize after every 2 to 3 weeks using liquid 8-8-8 fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
The Pomegranate tree in the pot becomes zinc deficient, which is indicated by yellowing leaves. To overcome this problem, you can spray a diluted zinc solution on foliage.
The application of compost or manure is beneficial. Take care not to over-fertilize it with nitrogen-rich fertilizer as it can cause the tree to make lots of foliage and comparatively fewer flowers.

Paper towel seed germination method for growing Pomegranates

Cut Pomegranate in 4 pieces using a sharp knife.
Remove about 10 seeds and squeeze the juice out of them using fingers. Then put them on a paper towel to dry for a few hours.
Now try to remove the last bit of fruit flesh by carefully scraping it off using fingernails. Then carefully rub the Pomegranate seeds with fingers underwater. This is to prevent mold from occurring.
Place your seeds on a wet paper towel and fold the wet paper towel and put it inside a box or a plastic bag. Then put the container in a dark but warm place. Check once a week to see if your seeds have sprouted. This can take over a month. If the paper starts mold you want to change it.
When seeds have started germinating, it’s time to put them in a pot.
Place your newly sprouted Pomegranate seeds in about 1 cm deep hole and cover it up with soil.
Water the soil till it’s moist. After some time you must start to see some growth. Make sure you have enough sunlight for the seedling. Keep it in a sunny window or also use grow lights. Then, keep it inside until it gets a bit bigger and stronger.
A problem might occur where Pomegranate gets very leggy. The solution to this is to top it. But make sure to keep some of the lower leaves. Once the trunk gets thicker, there should be no problem to plant it outside.

Tips for planting Pomegranate seeds

It’s best to start Pomegranate seeds right now, indoors in mid-winter, so they can have a couple of months to grow before spring planting season.
You scoop out some Pomegranate seeds and rinse them in cool water, and then rub them with a paper towel to remove pulp.
Then you let the Pomegranate seeds to dry out for a few days to keep them from rotting.
Next, you plant the seeds about ¼ inches deep in potting soil.
Place the pot in a sunny, warm window, and keep the soil moist as Pomegranate germinates and grows. South or eat-facing windows are best.
For added humidity and warmth during winter, you can find it helpful to cover the pot loosely with a clear plastic bag until the seeds have sprouted.
When the weather warms in spring, you can harden off the plants (take them outside during the day, bring in at night) before moving plants permanently outdoors. Wait until freezing weather has passed before planting seedlings.

Pests and diseases affected by Pomegranate plants

Insects, such as flat mites, leaf rollers, and mealybugs, can cause some damage. Though, no insecticides are suitable to apply on Pomegranate trees, so removal of any diseased limbs or insect larvae by hand is your best defense. Look for leaf roller larvae in the top of the tree in late spring and under leaves after fruit develops.

A fungus also sometimes affects Pomegranate fruit, but there is no known control beyond removing any fruit that appears diseased. The tree is not very vulnerable when it comes to pests and diseases. It is attacked by fruit flies, whiteflies, and Pomegranate butterflies.

Fruit crack is one problem that is common in all Pomegranate tree varieties. It mainly occurs due to fluctuation or lack of moisture in a substrate at the time of fruiting.

Commonly asked questions about growing Pomegranate trees or seed germination of Pomegranate

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Common questions about growing Pomegranates.

How much time does it take for Pomegranate seeds to germinate?

Heat should be second on the Pomegranate seed care list. These seeds will germinate at normal room temperature in 1 to 6 weeks. Bring the soil temperature up a few degrees and cut this time in half. Try surrounding your plant with foil and placing it in direct sun until the Pomegranate seedlings sprout.

When do you plant a Pomegranate tree?

Take a healthy stem cutting from the parent plant and put them in a well-drain soil at your home. The best time to plant Pomegranate is the late winter season or early spring season. Do not plant Pomegranate seeds in cool weather or frost conditions.

What kind of soil do Pomegranates like?

Neutral to slightly acidic soil is best for Pomegranate trees. They will still survive under considerably more acidic or alkaline conditions, but a pH level of 5.5 to 7.0 is best. If necessary, you can raise the pH level of your soil by adding ground agricultural limestone or lower it by incorporating some form of sulfur.

How much time does it take for a Pomegranate tree to bear fruit?

Pomegranate tree usually grows to a height of 12 to 20 feet tall but you just need a lot of patience while growing Pomegranates in your garden space. It takes 2 to 3 years to bear fruit and 5-7 months to mature the fruit.

How do you increase the Pomegranate fruit size?

Increasing the size of Pomegranate fruits is more about pruning, watering, and fertilizing than anything else. Larger fruit will be formed on older wood so pruning a Pomegranate to be more like a tree than a shrub will help.

Why are Pomegranates plant leaves turn yellow?

Yes, your Pomegranate leaves may drop off and could even turn a yellow color. It happens mostly during the fall and winter season which is due to the unhygienic growing conditions, lack of water requirement, and sunlight to the plants. After seasonal changes, the most common reason that plant leaves turn yellow on Pomegranate is that homeowners overwater them.

Why is my Pomegranate tree dying?

If your tree is losing leaves, it could be due to natural, non-damaging causes such as deciduous annual leaf drop. Pomegranate leaves turn a pretty yellow before they drop to the ground in the fall and winter season. Pests can cause Pomegranate leaf loss.

Why do my Pomegranates have black spots?

Pomegranate foliage develops leaf blotch and fruit spots. Infected leaves are pale green or yellow and also have small reddish-brown spots that turn to black.

Why Pomegranate leaves are curling?

Additionally, if calcium, ammonium, or magnesium is deficient, this causes the leaf tips to turn brown and curl sharply downward. If the tips of the leaves discolor and curl into a hook shape, try using a fertilizer that has micronutrients.

Why is my Pomegranate not flowering?

Inadequate light levels are the main reason Pomegranate plants fail to produce any flowers. A garden exposure that provides at least 8 to 10 hours of direct sun rays daily, particularly from spring to fall is a necessity.

The conclusion of Pomegranate seed germination

Well, the seed germination procedure of any fruit is very important. Either you grow them in the home garden, or on a commercial scale, you must be aware of the procedure of pomegranate seed germination for better and healthy seedlings and high crop yields. You may also like the Maize Seed Germination, Time Period, Procedure.