Pounds of Pomegranates, Organic and Cold Hardy
Whether you’re living up North or down South, the Russian Red Pomegranate Tree is meticulously grown to impress. Though it’s the ideal cold hardy tree for those in cooler climes, the Russian Red is hassle-free wherever it is, with reliable, organic fruit growing in both good and bad years. And you only need one tree to produce fruit!
Plus, Russian Red Pomegranate Trees bloom later, so late seasonal freezes are no problem. This hardy tree thrives in zones 6-11 but will produce fruit in mild zone 6 areas if they’re protected from harsh winds. If you live in a chillier Northern area, in zones 3-5, you can plant your new Russian Red Pomegranate Tree in a pot and bring it indoors for the winter. It adapts to nearly any soil type as long as the soil is well-drained.
Best of all, Russian Red Pomegranate Trees have one of the biggest harvests of any pomegranate tree. Your mature tree can produce up to 90-100 lbs under good, full-sun conditions and in very little space, especially when it’s cross-pollinated with other Russian Reds or Wonderful Pomegranate Trees. A cornucopia of fruit to eat from the branches, share as a snack or juice for healthful benefits, all organically – so harsh chemicals are completely unnecessary.
And fresh fruit is available for nearly 4 months in the fall – delicious, bountiful, sweeter pomegranates that last into colder days. Organic pomegranates are worth almost $3.00 per pound at the grocery store but can be harvested for much less, right from your backyard. Russian Red Pomegranates that are large and juicy, approximately the size of a grapefruit. Easy to grow and unbelievably juicy? There’s nothing better than a homegrown Russian Red.
The Russian Red Pomegranate Trees provide large, organic fruit that’s hassle-free to nurture and harvest. It’s a no-fuss pick that’s humidity-tolerant and remarkably tough, resisting insects, disease, drought and fruit splitting.
Planting & Care
The cold hardy Russian red pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a touch of the tropics to the colder areas where none would normally grow. Best suited for USDA growing zones 6-11 it can tolerate cold snaps as low as zero degrees once established! Reaching a dwarf mature height/width of 8-10 feet, this full sun loving, moderately drought tolerant, fast growing tree can produce fruit in its first year with proper care! The Russian red is also quite humidity tolerant which is good as pomegranates tend to be affected by fungus in overly humid growing conditions. Once the tree has reached its mature stature, it can grow anywhere from 90-100 lbs of fruit each year! The Russian pomegranate will produce on its own but for an extra boost in fruit yield, we recommend adding another nearby or utilizing a Wonderful pomegranate for additional pollination.
Choosing a location: Pomegranates need full sun and loamy soil to perform best although they are quite adaptable to different soil types providing there is good drainage. Try to allow a good 20 feet of space from other trees and structures for the tree to grow unless you plan on keeping it a shorter height through pruning. They do not care for areas susceptible to heavy winds.
Planting directions (in ground):
1) Make your hole twice the size of the root ball and just as deep. If there is a large amount of clay in the native soil, try to amend with sand and perlite to improve the drainage.
2) Carefully remove the tree from its pot and gently comb the sides of the root ball with your hands to free up the roots a bit.
3) Position the tree into the hole and keep it straight as you begin to back fill the hole. Tamp down with your hands to prevent air pockets from forming around the root system.
4) Water the planting area well (but do not over saturate the soil) and then spread a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to help conserve moisture.
Planting directions (potted):
1) Select a pot that will be large enough to grow the tree and be sure it has multiple holes in the bottom. Proper drainage is essential for your pomegranate’s survival.
2) Place the tree into the container and begin to fill in around the roots. Your soil should be loose, loamy and rich in organic material. Do not cover the trunk of the tree with soil.
3) Water your tree and tamp down on the soil eliminating any air pockets that may have developed while potting the tree.
4) Place your tree in a location indoors where it will receive full sun which in turn will give you the best fruiting results.
Watering: Pomegranates have a good tolerance to drought conditions but will perform best in a somewhat moist soil, but overly saturated soil will lead to serious issues. Flower/fruit drop and root rot are the results of the tree receiving an excessive amount of moisture. Typically you should only water your tree once every 7-8 days but in the warmer seasons you may need to provide a little more. Provide 2-3 gallons of water per session but be careful not to water too much in a single setting if you haven’t kept up with the normal 7-8 day regimen, it may shock the tree. It’s better to provide small amounts of water more frequently. A weekly deep watering of the potted pomegranate tree will be sufficient. You may need to provide a little more in the hotter season.
Pruning: Avoid doing any trimming of the tree in its first year of growth. When ready to prune be sure to do so after the threat of any frosts/freezes have passed and before the tree is about to start growing. Dead, undesirable or weak branches should be removed to direct nutrients to the proper areas of the tree. By shortening larger branches you can encourage more flowering. Remove dead/damaged limbs from the potted pomegranate in late winter. “Suckers” can be removed at anytime.
Fertilizing: Do not fertilize your tree for the first year of growth. In the second year, if your pomegranate is performing poorly then fertilizer may be needed to supplement the right nutrients to the tree. Apply 2 ounces of nitrogen in the spring and then an additional ounce each following year. When the tree is about five years old, apply 6-8 ounces of nitrogen in the late winter before leaves begin to emerge. Take care not to over fertilize or it will stunt your bloom production with the excessive nitrogen.
Fertilize your potted pomegranate tree regularly during the growing season. Using a half strength liquid 8-8-8 formula, feed the tree once every two weeks during the growing season. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label for the correct application. Potted trees tend to become zinc deficient which can be identified by a yellowing of the leaves. Spraying the foliage with a diluted zinc solution can fix this issue. Compost or manure can also be beneficial but take care not to use anything with an excessive amount of nitrogen. Although this will encourage a good foliage, it will deter flower production.
