How and what to feed pomegranate at home

Indoor pomegranate is an unpretentious plant that, with proper care, pleases with abundant flowering and fruiting. To prevent the tree from dying, it is important not only to choose suitable soil and a place in the house for it, but also to fertilize it regularly. From this article you will learn how to feed pomegranates at home.

What does a pomegranate growing at home need?

For planting, you can buy ready-made seeds adapted for home conditions, or take them from a fruit purchased in a store. The rarest way to grow this plant in a room is by cuttings (cultivation from fruit tree branches).

To get a pomegranate tree with fruits, follow the row care conditions behind him:

1. Lighting. This is a very light-loving plant, so place it near windows on the south side. Protect young shoots from direct sunlight.
2. Temperature. To ensure long and abundant flowering, from May to September provide the plant with a constant temperature of +20...+25°C. During fruiting, the pomegranate only needs +12…+16°C. In winter, to allow the plant to rest, put it in a cool place with an air temperature of no more than +10...+12°C.
3. Watering. When the plant is just gaining strength, water it generously. During the flowering period, reduce the frequency of watering, but make sure that the soil does not dry out. During winter rest, pomegranate requires almost no moisture, so water it once a week.
4. Fertilizer. Feed the tree only during flowering and fruiting. There is no need to do this in winter.
5. Air humidity. In summer, pomegranate needs additional moisture, so on particularly hot days, spray it with a spray bottle.
6. Protection from pests and diseases. To prevent the tree from unexpectedly dying, inspect it regularly. At the first sign of insects or diseases, treat with special preparations.
7. Transfer. This indoor plant grows up to 2 m in height, so it is advisable to regularly replant it in larger pots. Young pomegranate - once a year, adult tree - at least once every 3 years.
8. Trimming. Every year in February, remove old branches.

To form the correct crown grenade, regularly pinch out the young plant.

How often and when to feed it

For normal growth, pomegranates are regularly fed with nitrogen, organic and potassium-phosphorus fertilizers. The first time this is done is during landing. It is imperative to follow the recommended standards, especially during the flowering period, otherwise you can harm the plant.

The main emphasis on fertilizing is in the spring and summer. Fertilize at least 2 times a month, after watering. It is optimal to “feed” pomegranate once a week, alternating various additives.

In winter, during the dormant period, the tree does not need fertilizer.

The best fertilizers for pomegranate

Fertilizing is carried out in two ways - root and foliar. For this, different types of fertilizers are used - organic, mineral and folk remedies.

Organic

The peculiarities of using organic fertilizers are that they are applied to the soil only after watering. The big advantage of this type of feeding is its nutritional value and environmental friendliness.

One of the most popular organic fertilizers is mullein infusion, which is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10 before application.

In second place in popularity is a solution of chicken manure. It is prepared as follows:

1. Pour two parts water into one part of the litter.
2. Close and store in a warm place for 2-3 weeks.
3. Dilute the infusion with water in a ratio of 1:25.
4. Before adding to the soil, make the solution even less concentrated - dilute it again with water in a ratio of 3:4.

In order not to damage the roots of the plant, you must strictly follow the standards specified in the recipe.

Mineral

It is advisable to use mineral fertilizers if organic fertilizers do not have the required effect or the soil is severely depleted. This fertilizer cannot be applied to the soil; it is used only for spraying the plant.

Mineral fertilizers, depending on their composition, are divided into:

• potassium salts;
• superphosphates;
• phosphates;
• nitrogen.

During the flowering period, pomegranates are fertilized with phosphorus additives; During active growth, in the spring, nitrogen fertilizing is used. In autumn, the plant needs potassium and organic fertilizers.

Reference. The tree is sprayed with mineral fertilizers only in cloudy weather or in the evening, otherwise the leaves may get burned.

Folk remedies

Folk recipes for fertilizing indoor pomegranate are a good alternative to mineral fertilizers.

Banana peel

An infusion or powder made from banana skins prevents potassium, magnesium and phosphorus deficiency.

To prepare it, add 1 tbsp to the peel of one banana. water and insist. Water the plant once a week.

The powder is very easy to prepare. Banana skins are dried, ground in a coffee grinder and the resulting powder is poured under the root.

Potato peelings

This is an excellent replacement for organic fertilizers - manure and chicken droppings. The preparation method is simple: pour boiling water over the peelings, cool, filter and pour the resulting solution over the pomegranate.

Citrus peel

To prepare the fertilizer, use any citrus fruit - lemon, orange, tangerine, etc.

Cooking method:

1. Take equal parts of citrus and pomegranate peels.
2. Fill them with hot water.
3. Leave in a dark place for at least 3 days.
4. Strain.
5. Water the plant once a week.

Experienced gardeners recommend using an infusion on the peel of citrus fruits after winter rest, during the active growth of pomegranate.

How to feed pomegranate depending on the time of year and growth phase

If you properly care for indoor pomegranate, it will delight you not only with abundant flowering, but also with fruiting.

After the cold season, in mid-spring, pomegranate requires fertilizers with a high nitrogen content. It is during this period that it is in the stage of active growth of shoots and leaves.

For good development of buds and abundant flowering in the summer, the plant is fertilized with phosphorus fertilizers.

In the fall, when the pomegranate begins to bear fruit, the tree is fed with potassium compounds. They will not only ensure good yield, but also strengthen the plant’s immunity for the winter.

How to fertilize to grow a large pomegranate

If you do not care for the plant correctly or do not use fertilizers, you may not see fruiting.

To ensure pomegranate fruits set, give preference to organic fertilizers. Do not feed it too often, as a large amount of nitrogen prevents flowering and ovary. 1-2 times a month is enough.

Rules for applying fertilizers

To prevent soil depletion, pomegranate is fed a day after each watering. When adding organic fertilizers to the soil, it is important to protect the trunk, as they can damage the plant.

Feeding application scheme:

• from February to May - ammonium nitrate or urea;
• from May to the end of September - phosphorus-containing additives;
• from October to November - potash or organic fertilizers.

It is enough to fertilize a healthy young plant once every 2 weeks, a weakened tree – once a week.

This is interesting:

A step-by-step guide to propagating pomegranate from cuttings at home.

Is there a seedless pomegranate and how to distinguish it from a regular one.

Is it possible to eat pomegranate at night and what harm and benefits can it cause?

Conclusion

Pomegranate is considered one of the most unpretentious ornamental fruit trees. To obtain a harvest depending on the growth phase, it is important to ensure optimal temperature conditions, timely watering, feeding and replanting. If you follow all the care recommendations, the first fruits will appear already in the 3-4th year of the plant’s life.