Growing Pomegranates
Drought tolerant fruits, rich in vitamins!
The pomegranate is a beautiful landscape tree that produces delicious fruits known for being rich in antioxidants, vitamins, potassium, folic acid, and iron.
Pomegranates grow to 12 to 20 feet tall into a fountain-shaped, multi-trunked shrub or tree. They are one of the easiest fruit trees to grow in the Central Texas area, and they are self-fertile. Pomegranate trees can survive drought conditions, but fruit quality and quantity decline without sufficient irrigation. Adequate soil moisture is necessary during tree establishment, and should be maintained at the same rate, especially close to harvest, to minimize fruit splitting.
Location
Choose a location in full sun. Pomegranates vary in susceptibility to freeze damage. Mature trees have survived temperatures as low as 10°, but suffered a lost season of fruiting. To protect the tree, select a spot protected from northern winter winds. The pomegranate does best in well-drained ordinary soil, but also thrives on calcareous or acidic loam as well as rock strewn gravel.
Pruning/Maintenance
Allow the pomegranate to grow naturally as a multi-trunked shrub. Annual pruning is not really necessary, but dead or damaged portions should be removed as time permits, and some thinning of suckers or branches may be necessary from time to time. Heavy pruning reduces fruit production. While it is possible to trim a pomegranate to a single-trunk tree form, the plant will sucker frequently and require constant maintenance. It is easier on the tree to keep it in multi-trunk form.
Harvesting & Storage
Pomegranates vary in the time it takes them to reach maturity. Young trees are likely to drop fruit during their early years; while behavior is disappointing, it is normal. In spring, pomegranates produce vibrant red or red-orange flowers. The fruit ripens in the fall, and must ripen fully on the tree. Harvest by cutting off the fruit to prevent damage. The pulp surrounding the seed can be eaten fresh or made into wine, jelly, or juice. The juicy pulp, known as the aril, and the seed are both edible, but the cream- or pink-colored membranes and the skin are not. Pomegranate fruit may be refrigerated for up to two months, or may be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a month.
Pomegranate Varieties for Central Texas
Austin
Orange flower blooms producing a large fruit with pink skin with a red blush. Fruit ripens early October and has a slightly tart, red to dark red aril that is 1.5 times juicier than Wonderful. Reaches a mature height of 12-15ft.
Garnet Sash
A large, dark red fruit that is both sweet and tart. A productive tree with fruit ripening in October.
Granada
Deep red blooms produce a large, dark red skinned fruit. Dark red, juicy arils that are less tart than Wonderful ripens in October. Can reach 18 feet in height.
Kandahar Early
A large fruit with bright red skin. The sweet, red arils with slight tartness ripen in October.
Kashmir Blend
A medium fruit with light pink-red skin. Fruit ripens in late October to early November. The deep red arils have intense flavor.
Parfianka
A large red skinned fruit that ripens in late October. Fruit has red arils and very small seeds with great flavor.
Pink Satin
A medium to large fruit ripening in late October. Red to dark red skin with sweet, light pink arils that taste like fruit punch. Arils have soft seeds and a non-staining juice.
Red Silk
A medium to large fruit ripening in October. Fruit has large, firm seeds with a sweet berry taste. A semi-dwarf tree growing 6-7 feet.
Sharp Velvet
A large fruit with a dark red skin ripening in November. Dark red arils with a unique, slightly tart flavor. Productive.
Texas Pink
A medium-sized pink to red fruit ripening in early October. Light pink seeds taste like fruit punch. Juice is light pink and non staining.
Wonderful
Orange-red blooms produce a very fruit with blushed red skin that ripens in September. Rich red, juicy, tart fruit. May reach 18 feet tall. This vigorous and productive variety is the most commercially popular in the U.S.