EXTRA 15% OFF ENDS TUESDAY AT MIDNIGHT. Our 20th Annual Early Spring Sale Starts Now. Click Here for up to 65% Off Regular Price. ×
866-216-TREE (8733)

You have no items in your shopping cart.

Subtotal: $0.00

Wonderful Pomegranate Care Guide

Wonderful Pomegranate (Punica granatum) originated in the region of ancient Persia as far back as 3000 BC and was cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region.
The tree full of green leaves blooms in the spring with incredible flaming, red-orange double-trumpet blossoms and flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The pomegranate fruit matures in the fall, do not pick the fruit before they are ripe that will stop the ripening process. Pomegranates are a super-food and one of nature’s most potent antioxidants and the Wonderful is known for its sweet, deep red color and sizeable stunning fruit. The redder the fruit gets the sweeter the dangling plentifully fruit is.
Pomegranates have no flesh and when they are truly ripe and ready, pomegranates burst open, revealing the clusters of juicy, gem-like seeds pouring out. Mmmm Yummy!
Using pomegranate juice for sauces, vinaigrettes and marinades is a great option or for making Middle Eastern dishes like Persian Pomegranate Chicken or a delicious Pomegranate Salad.
The tree is an ornamental beauty of flowers and fruit and makes a delightful addition to your yard. It also works well as a container-grown plant that will enhance your home's decor. Trees planted in decorative pots are attractive on a patio or an apartment balcony.
The Pomegranate was celebrated in the Old Testament of the Bible and the Hebrew name for the pomegranate is “fruit of paradise”.
The fruit was also promoted in Egyptian mythology and Babylonian Talmud. Valued for the thirst-quenching aril juice, desert caravans carried it and eventually the fruit was dispersed around the globe. The ‘Wonderful’ is the primary cultivar of commerce in the United States. It is also grown in Israel, Europe and Chile. ‘Wonderful’ is among the most intensely colored of pomegranates in both peel and juice, with a marvelous flavor and refreshing juice yield. Many pomegranate lovers consider Wonderful to be unquestionably “wonderful” and the most delicious of all Pomegranates.
Pomegranate peels are loaded with nearly double the antioxidants of the inner pulp.
The fruit has been used for centuries to treat common ailments such as parasites, infections, stomach ache, wounds, ulcers, diarrhea, and dysentery and extensively referenced in medical folklore. The Wonderful pomegranate has a high content of phenolic compounds and the peel can be used for tea, pomegranate peel yogurt curry,  grated for salads and chutney.

Planting Zones
Our Wonderful Pomegranate (Punica granatum) can be planted in USDA growing zones 9-11 only. 
Trees that are planted in the ground that experience freezing temperatures above zone 8 need protection in unusual inclement weather.
Planting in the wrong hardiness planting zone will void the warranty.
Planting zones- https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

Planting In The Ground
1. Do not plant a new pomegranate tree in a space where an old tree has died, the soil may be contaminated and create problems for your new tree. Mature pomegranate trees can grow to a height of 8-12 feet tall, so choose your planting site carefully.
2. The location should be chosen that is sunny, in a well-draining area. Pomegranate trees will not thrive in heavy clay soils.
3. Place the potted tree in a chosen location for 2 weeks and allow the tree to acclimate to the area before you plant in the ground.
4. Dig a hole double the width of the root ball or double the size of the pot and fill with water and wait 24 hours.
5. Fill the hole with water again. If water has drained from the hole within an hour this area has good drainage and the tree can be planted.
6. If the area has terrible drainage choose another area.
7. Add a mixture of compost and well-draining soil into the hole and remove the tree from the pot.
8. Place tree in the hole. DO NOT allow a tree to drop down into the hole-The soil line of the tree should be above the existing soil grade approximate 1-2 inches above the existing grade.
9. Do not bury the root-crown with soil or mulch. A photo of the root crown can be found here - https://lemoncitrustree.com/store/pest-disease
10. Keep other plants away from the tree by creating a 5-foot circumference around the trunk of the tree. Weeds allowed to grow around the tree's base compete for water and nutrients, so pull them up as they appear.

Our Wonderful Pomegranates are self-pollinating. Planting more than one tree or other varieties of pomegranate can help in cross-pollination. The fruit of the Wonderful Pomegranate will remain true to its variety of beautiful red fruit.

The Potted Pomegranate
Pomegranates are best grown in a cactus palm and citrus potting mix in a well-draining pot.
Do not allow the tree to sit in standing water.
Do not re-pot until you have had the tree at least 2 weeks, the tree needs time to adjust
Never plant a tree in a container more substantial than a 10-gallon pot. Always water according to pot size, with a moisture meter. Drilling additional holes in the pot is an easy way to improve drainage.
When repotting DO NOT transplant using stones in the bottom of the pot or use stones on top as a decoration, this will cause a drainage issue and lock moisture into the pot which will cause root rot.
DO NOT USE SELF-WATERING POTS OR GLOBES.
DO NOT USE POTS WITH THE DRAINAGE TRAY ATTACHED.
Select the right sized pot with adequate drainage holes. If the pot has no holes on the side or bottom, it is not the correct pot for planting.
Self-watering is incorrect watering, self-watering is not infrequent deep watering.

Deep Watering Method For Potted Trees
Trees will die if they don't have the necessary requirements and the biggest mistake made is incorrect watering.
1. Check the tree with a moisture meter before watering.

2. The prong should be deep into the pot.
3. Only water when the meter reads 4 (for a meter that reads from 1-10)
4. All trees require deep watering. -Deep watering is drenching the soil until water pours from the holes at the bottom of the pot.
5. Watering with a few cups is not acceptable, this will cause deep roots to die. Never be stingy with the water when the tree needs to be watered.
6. Once the tree has been watered properly, check it with a moisture meter again to make sure the meter reads high- like 9 or 10 and then do not water again until the meter reads 4.
7. In the winter you will water far less, like twice a month (But always check the tree with a meter weekly because this can vary)
8. The meter should never be left in the pot when not in use.
9. Never water with cold water in the winter
10. Never water the tree with water from a water softener.
NEVER ALLOW TREES TO SIT IN STANDING WATER
A space between the bottom of the pot and the tray that catches the water is required-Never allow the pot to sit in standing water.

Pruning
Pomegranate should be pruned to encourage compact growth, in early spring before new leaves appear. Prune dead and damaged stems.

Fertilizing
Pomegranate trees benefit from spring fertilization with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer. In early spring, before new leaves appear, apply a granular, general-purpose 5-5-5 fertilizer
DO NOT over fertilize Pomegranate trees, this can impact fruiting.

Mulching
Use mulch for ground planted trees only.
Maintain a 3-4 inch layer of mulch around the pomegranate tree to retain soil moisture and improve soil quality
Apply the mulch in the spring and fall under the canopy of the tree.
Avoid piling mulch against the trunk of the tree.
The tree trunk needs air circulation, without circulation, the truck could rot away from the root ball so avoid piling soil and mulch close to the root crown and tree truck.

Note on Dormancy
Dormant trees still need to be protected (winterized) to remain healthy and free from diseases and insects. Prune dead branches in the later part of fall. Foliage and branches that are in contact with soil invite undesirable pests. Therefore it is best to keep the winterized potted dormant tree clean of debris. Set it in an unheated garage or basement and allow it to go dormant for the winter months. Water the tree as you would typically through dormancy. It helps to have a moisture meter because in cooler climates the tree will not need to be watered as often (about twice a month).
Water the dormant tree when the meter reads 40%. Fertilize dormant trees in February with a 5-5-5 fertilizer.

Please contact us at support@lemoncitrustree.com or call if you need assistance with your Pomegranate tree.

Lemon Citrus Tree
866-216-TREE (8733)