Anybody grow pomegranates?
 

I'm working on planting a small orchard at our new place. There is about a 2 acre patch near our house that already has a mature pear tree and a small fig. I planted my 3 fig trees (which I had been growing in pots at the old apartment). I plan to add a couple of plums, peaches, and maybe one day even grapevines.

One of the fruits I am particularly interested in growing are pomegranates. I love the fruits, and the juice is awfully expensive at the grocery store. I know they will grow around here. When I was a kid a little boy across the street had a tree in his backyard, and I remember lots of stained lips and t-shirts when the fruits were ripe :)

Does anyone here grow them? I'd like some tips, as well as a good source for the trees. I was really young when our neighbor had the tree, but I don't recall them really having to do much with it.

Any tips would be appreciated!

Jennifer

[FONT=Times New Roman]Hi Jennifer,[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]Sorry I just saw this, I haven’t been around for a couple of days.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]Be careful when you buy a pomegranate.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]There are many different kinds out there some are just ornamental.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]The one you want is called wonderful this is the type they make the juice from, thus the name.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]Pomegranates don’t need a pollinator as some fruits do so you can grow just one.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]My little pomegranate has more than doubled in size in the last year.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]You can train the (tree) to be a tree by cutting back the suckers or it can be a bush or what ever you want.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]I have seen them grow in all types of soil, with neglect they will live with nurturing they will thrive.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]This is a better way, here are some links.[/FONT]
[URL="http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pomegranate.html"][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=#800080]http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pomegranate.html[/COLOR][/FONT][/URL]

[URL="http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/pomegranate.html"][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=#800080]http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/pomegranate.html[/COLOR][/FONT][/URL]

[FONT=Times New Roman]You should be able to buy wonderful pomegranate trees in any good local nursery.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman](((Cheap))) Maybe $5.00-$10.00 for a little bush[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]You have picked a very healthy fruit to enjoy; it goes back to biblical times.[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]Viva le pomegranate!!!!:dance: [/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]Worth:) [/FONT]

Thanks Worth!!

Good advice about not getting an ornamental type. I never thought of that. I will seek out some "Wonderful" bushes.

How old is yours, and do you get fruits yet?

I'll bet jelly made with pomegranate juice would be awesome! Maybe homemade wine, too...hmmm :D

[FONT=Times New Roman]I’ve had it in the ground now for about 1 ½ years the first year was hot and dry and it was about 2 feet tall.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]The next season was wet and the tree is about 7 feet tall.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] I don’t know how old it is as I don’t know how long it takes to grow two feet tall from seed.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]I would just about bet it is a cutting from another tree and rooted.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]This year no fruit but I had a few blooms, it didn’t need to fruit anyway, ‘it was too small.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]Most trees just hang on for the first two or three years and when the roots take hold then they start to grow faster.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]Another tree you should think about is a bay tree.:yes: [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]There is nothing like going out and picking a fresh bay leaf for your favorite soup or stew.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]They are slow growing and can grow in a partially shaded area, I have two, the darn dear keep eating on one of them.:evil: [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]Here is a link to bay trees.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[URL="http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/launobilis.htm"][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=#800080]http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/launobilis.htm[/COLOR][/FONT][/URL]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]They should grow in your area just fine, ‘that is if you like bay leaves. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]If you or anybody else needs help on plants you can eat such as bay or anything else just give me a holler I will be glad to help any time.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]If I don’t know off hand I will do the research.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]I love to spread the word on edible and medicinal plants.:love: [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]Worth[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]

trees
 

Thanks Worth for that great link about bay laurel. I have one in a pot that I haul in and out in the summer. I've had it for 3 years and it is about 1.5 high and bushy. I did have a problem with scale last year...noticed it when it was indoors for the winter. So far I haven't seen any of those lice looking critters.
What other herbs do you grow?
Sue

Sue I will have to get back with you.
I'm headed south to Texas today.

A big wave to Sue and Sherry.

See you guys in two weeks and you all better have some cold weather when I get back.
Im sick of this 14 degree stuff, 'feels like a heat wave.:P

Worth

JENN, This is Rodger I live in Little Mountain SC and I have a 100plus year old Pomegranite tree, actually two. I have 40 two year old plants that are about 2ft tall. This tree is about 20ft tall and 10ft around and I sually get a couple of wheel barrels full of softball size fruit, however the late freeze this year killed the tree back a few feet and I only have one small fruit. You are welcome to a plant. I will be having them at the Pee Dee plant and flower show April 10-13 along with my Heirloom tomatoes peppers eggplant and other vegetable starts. I can get one too you then if you like. The plants are a little big to ship and I would rather wait for them to go dorment. They are in 4 inch pots. Let me know if interested I am 110 miles from from the Pee Dee market, you can talk to Bobbie she has been to little mountain at the Tomato Tasting which was less than a mile from my house. Rodger

Wow, thanks Rodger!
I would love to buy a couple of trees from you. I can definitely wait until April. (I usually make it to the festivals at the Pee Dee market). Were you at the fall festival last weekend? A shame to think I may have missed you by a week!

I'll email Bobbie this weekend. I remember she went to the tasting in Little Mountain. Hmm...maybe we could take a little day trip up there this fall. She lives close to me and w've met in person this summer, and have emailed back and forth a few times.

Do you have any other fruit trees for sale?

Worth, thanks for the bay tree suggestion. That's a great idea! I love bay leaves in soup and black-eyed peas! :D

Jennifer

I was not at the fall festival. I have had many request to do the fall shows but my work schedule didn't allow it this year but I believe I will do them next year. I would be happy to give you a tree at the spring festival. I do have other fruit trees but none that I have rooted or grown. I grow the pomegranite because I had so many request for it from people who have come by to buy vegetables from me. My greenhouse growing is reserved for heirloom tomatoes, peppers eggplant , melons and squash plants I also grow several ornamental peppers. I will be certified organic for the 2008 season so I wil offer organic plants, seed and seasonal vegetables. I also custom grow plants for individuals and market growers. With this persistant drought other than some collards and a few other greens I have not done a fall garden and I have lost lots of ornamentals in my yard. I look forward to seeing you next spring. Rodger