In the East, pomegranate is called the king of all fruits. Its fruits are known for their beneficial properties. They contain a huge amount of vitamins and nutrients, which is why growing this plant is so popular among gardeners. It is planted both at home and in greenhouses. When growing pomegranate, gardeners strive to get a rich and high-quality harvest. There are a number of features of the ripening of its fruits that must be taken into account to obtain a good harvest.
To get good pomegranates, it is important to harvest on time
Benefits of fruit
The pomegranate fruit is a berry with a thick skin. Its weight often exceeds 500 g. The fruit contains a large number of elongated ribbed grains. Depending on the variety, pomegranates can vary in hardness. They contain a large number of useful elements that help treat colds and anemia. There is another advantage: berry juice is an excellent antioxidant, which is an excellent means of preventing cancer.
This crop is highly valued by doctors, because these berries contain a large amount of iron. Eating pomegranate fruits prevents diseases such as anemia. And a large number of vitamins counteracts infection with tuberculosis, dysentery and E. coli.
According to doctors, this culture is one of the most useful and universal. It strengthens the immune system and helps the body fight many diseases. The level of antioxidants in the king fruit is higher than in blueberries, citrus fruits or green tea.
Pomegranate is also valued in cosmetology. The combination of nasturtium flowers and pomegranate fruits allows you to create one of the most effective skin peels, which is an excellent means of combating harmful environmental factors. The juice of these berries is often used in making face masks. Its chemical composition, rich in vitamins and minerals, makes the skin smooth and soft. Despite the origin of the plant from North Africa and the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, gardeners have adapted to growing it in our harsh conditions. But without knowing the specifics of growing pomegranate, you may encounter difficulties related to its fruiting.
Pomegranate in cooking
Juicy pomegranate seeds have a pleasant sweet and sour taste with light astringent and tart notes. For this reason, pomegranate is used as a savory addition to various dishes, and in the East it is added to hot sauces and marinades to enrich the taste. Narsharab sauce, which is boiled pomegranate juice, is known throughout the world.
Pomegranate is used to make layered salads; its exquisite sourness goes perfectly with meat, fish, vegetables and legumes. Many Asian cooks marinate meat in pomegranate juice, making it unusually soft and juicy; pomegranate juice is also added to meat and fish when stewing. Recipes for barbecue with lamb pomegranate or pilaf with pomegranate are recognized classics of Caucasian cuisine. Compotes and jelly are made with pomegranate, it is added to desserts and baked goods, and Hindus dry pomegranate fruits and use them as aromatic spices. Dried and crushed pomegranate peels are part of the Caucasian seasoning “baharat”; pomegranate seeds are used to decorate dishes. And in the Caucasus, jam, marshmallows, marmalade are made from these fruits, tinctures and wine are made.
Features of fruiting
The plant begins to bear fruit at the age of three. Fruiting lasts from 5 to 35 years. To get a high-quality harvest, you need to take into account some tricks of its cultivation. Pomegranate is a fast-growing plant. Its first fruits ripen 2 years after planting. After harvesting, the shoots that bore the berries dry out.
The characteristics of fruiting are directly related to the flowering period of the pomegranate. Flowers are formed only on the current year's growth. The flowers are multi-petalled, solitary, less often 3-4 flowers are collected together. One pistil, many stamens.
Its flowers can be divided into two groups, the names of which speak for themselves:
- Bell-shaped short-pistillates: the pistil style is short, the stigma is located below the anther area. Such flowers do not form ovaries and fall off. They have only a decorative appearance.
- Pitcher-shaped, long-pistillate flowers: the style is long, the stigma of the pistil is located above the area where the anthers are located. These flowers form fruit ovaries after pollination.
Long-spiked flowers of the first flowering period produce tasty and high-quality fruits. Fruits are also formed on last year’s branches, but due to the harsh climatic conditions of our winter they do not have time to ripen.
Even protected from frost in September or October, the shrub completes the growing season. Therefore, amateur gardeners have to be content only with the crop that was produced first.
By mid-October, the crop yield can reach 40 kg per bush.
The ripening time of pomegranates also depends on the method of their propagation. A plant grown from seeds produces fruits within 3–4 years of life. And a crop propagated by cuttings bears fruit in the second year. This phenomenon is caused by the fact that it takes less time to root and grow a crop from a ready-made lignified shoot than to grow a bush from seeds.
Description and characteristics of pomegranate
Pomegranate is a long-lived plant from the Derbennikov family, genus Pomegranate. On average, it actively grows and bears fruit for about 100 years. In nature, there are trees that are about 300 years old.
When grown on an industrial scale, every 50-60 years, pomegranate plantings are cut down and replaced with new plants, since by this time the crop yield decreases.
This is interesting! During the Middle Ages, the pomegranate was called Pomum granatus, which translates as “seed apple.” In Ancient Rome, the plant was called Malum granatus - “grainy apple”. Later, C. Linnaeus gave the culture an official name - Punica granatus, which translates as “Punian granular”. From Italian and German, the name of pomegranate is still translated as “apple”.
For comfortable growth, pomegranate trees require a subtropical climate. The plant can withstand cold temperatures down to -15°C, and at temperatures of -20°C and below, its entire above-ground part freezes over.
The plant loves light, so it is planted in open areas. To make the fruits large and sweet, they must be shaded by leaves. This is taken into account when forming the crop crown.
Pomegranate is not picky about soil composition. Able to grow even on sandy and saline soils.
The plant is hardy and famous for its sleeplessness. If the trunk and branches of a tree are completely covered with sand, it will sprout new adventitious roots, and the old root system will gradually dry out. This is proven by a cemetery of pomegranates with multiple rooting of tiers along the trunk, found near the Ganja-Gai River.
Pomegranate is not picky about watering and humidity. It tolerates drought well. However, to improve fruiting, it is recommended to spray the crown. On dry days, the soil is periodically moistened.
Like all cultivated plants, pomegranate is susceptible to diseases and pest attacks. It is most often affected by Phomopsis (twig cancer) and sooty fungus. Among the pests, the most common problem is considered to be pomegranate mite, carnation leaf roller, corrosive woodworm, pomegranate codling moth, and aphid.
Breeders are constantly developing new varieties of pomegranate with increased resistance. When grown on an industrial scale, the problem is combated with the help of chemicals.
Botanical description
Pomegranate is not only a source of tasty and healthy fruits. Trees look aesthetically pleasing during flowering and fruiting periods.
Cultivated varieties are usually grown in the form of a tree 3-6 cm high. In the wild, the type of plant depends on the conditions and method of formation; in mountainous areas and with a lack of soil, pomegranate grows like a shrub.
Pomegranate branches are thin, but flexible and strong, capable of supporting heavy fruits. They have thorns on them. The closer the plant is to the wild form, the longer and sharper the thorns on the branches.
The leaves are opposite, elongated, pointed on both sides, glossy, bright green. The maximum length is 8 cm, and the width is 2 cm. In the tropics it grows as an evergreen tree, and in countries with cold winters it sheds its leaves when frost occurs.
Flowers of 2 types. Bell-shaped specimens are sterile. They do not have ovaries and fall off after the plant has flowered. There are most of these flowers on the tree. The pitcher-shaped specimens are bisexual and have a noticeable ovary at the base. It is from them that fruits are formed.
There are flowers of intermediate forms. In the fruit pomegranate they are red-orange, simple, have a leathery cup with 5-7 pointed lobes. It contains thin, delicate petals, stamens and a style with a thickened, lobed stigma. In decorative varieties of the plant, flowers can be simple or double, in red, pink, white and variegated shades.
The fruits are spherical in shape, with a retained leathery, crown-shaped pericarp. The scientific name for pomegranate berries is pomegranates . The hard peel, which reliably protects the pulp from damage, can be red (the most common option), yellow, orange, brown, brown. It is inedible, but is actively used in medicine and cosmetology.
Beneath the skin are numerous pomegranate seeds, which are seeds surrounded by juicy pulp. It comes in dark and light red, pink or yellow. It tastes sour, sweet, sour-sweet.
The seeds are numerous. Their number can reach 1200. They are located in 6-13 chambers, separated by a dense cream-colored film. Bones can be hard or soft. Reproduction by a generative method is possible.
This is interesting! About 60 kg of fruits are harvested from one pomegranate tree per season.
Origin and historical homeland
Scientists believe that pomegranate is an ancient crop, dating back at least 4 thousand years. It is believed that the fruits of the plant were used as food by ancient people of the Stone Age.
Persia (modern Iran) is considered the historical homeland of culture. Also in ancient centuries, the plant was distributed wild in Carthage (modern Tunisia), Afghanistan, Turkey, Transcaucasia, and Central Asia.
Pomegranate trees have been cultivated since ancient times and are distributed throughout the Mediterranean. The culture was brought to America during the time of the Spanish conquistadors. Later, the plant spread throughout all countries and cities with a subtropical climate.
Pomegranate was especially revered in Greece. Poets sang about it, and the best warriors were awarded fruits cast in gold. Mention of the grainy apple appears in the Old Testament.
This is interesting! Some peoples believe that the pomegranate was the apple that seduced Eve in the Garden of Eden.
How does wild pomegranate grow?
Wild pomegranate thickets are most often found along ridges, near mountain rivers, on rocky, sandy and pebble-alluvial soils.
In favorable conditions, the plant grows into a tall tree. On mountain slopes it becomes shrub. The more favorable the conditions for growth, the higher the culture.
The fruits of wild pomegranate are smaller than cultivated ones. They have a sweet and sour tart taste. The peel is bright red or orange with light spots. The grains are light red. The seeds are hard.
Varietal features
There are more than 350 varieties of pomegranate. Most of them produce tasty, healthy fruits that are ready for long-term storage and transportation. But there are also varieties of the crop that do not tolerate ripening indoors and are problematic for storage and transportation. These varieties include:
- Purple variety. A vigorous shrub that bears fruit in mid-October. The juice of the fruit is sweet and aromatic. Excessive juiciness of the fruit characterizes this variety as unsuitable for storage. They are consumed in the first month after harvest.
- Kzyl-Anar. The juice content in the fruit is 53–54%. They can be stored for up to 4 months, but do not tolerate transportation well.
- Krmyzy-Kabukh. Has good juice content. It also contains up to 14% sugar and up to 2% acid. This variety will ripen by mid-October. It can only be stored for a long time in the refrigerator, so this variety rarely enters the domestic market.
Although the fruits of this plant are most often ready for harvest in mid-October, their taste may be poor. Some varieties of crops require ripening. Therefore, having decided to plant such a plant, it is necessary to study its features in detail.
Pomegranate Festival: reviews
- 10 great
Pomegranate - a miracle fruit
Thank you for the interesting article and exhibition. All this made an indelible impression on our entire family. From your article, we realized that this is a very valuable product and therefore a separate day was given to it.
Pomegranates were widely cultivated already in biblical times, and towns such as Rimmon, Gath-Rimmon and En-Rimmon undoubtedly received their names because there were many pomegranate trees growing there. Such a variety of fruits tells us that a person should eat and drink and enjoy the good fruits of his labor. This is a gift from God.
October 26, 2020
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Signs of ripeness
How to distinguish an unripe pomegranate from a ripe one? More often, pomegranates ripen already on store shelves, and their appearance can be deceiving. According to some signs, you can determine not only the ripeness of the berries, but even the approximate number of grains. So that the buyer does not have doubts when choosing a ripe pomegranate, he needs to take into account some features:
- Pomegranate seeds should be oblong and ribbed. If they are round, this indicates that they are unripe.
- The color of the pomegranate should be bright. Pink and burgundy shades predominate. Pallor indicates the presence of acid.
- The peel should be intact, dry and thin. The presence of a crack indicates that the berry is overripe.
- When tapped, a ringing metallic sound should be heard. An unripe fetus has a dull sound.
- Ripe pomegranate has almost no smell. A strong aroma indicates that the fruit is unripe. When the fruits ripen (after 4–5 months), they have no smell left.
- Ripe pomegranate is elastic. The softness and spotting of the peel appears as a result of the rotting process.
- A ripe pomegranate is only light in appearance. The weight of the fruit depends on the size of the juicy grains - a heavy fruit is definitely juicy, and an unripe one is light.
- The maturity of a pomegranate can be determined by the inflorescence (ovary). The flower must be dry, ripe, without any greenery.
An overripe pomegranate bursts
What year does pomegranate bear fruit after planting?
Many gardeners who decide to grow this crop on their property do not always know how long after planting in the ground pomegranate bears fruit. It all depends on the method of reproduction:
- If a seedling is grown from a seed, then fruiting begins at 4-5 years of age, since the plant needs time to take root, develop a bark system with sufficient nutrition, and gain strength.
- Cuttings are a more profitable process from the point of view of obtaining a faster harvest. Such seedlings begin to bloom and bear fruit in 2-3 years, increasing in volume with each passing year.
It is also possible to purchase ready-made seedlings in nurseries, 1-2 years old, which begin to form buds the next season. It is advisable to purchase them with a closed root system, carefully transferring them to their permanent place of residence.
Attention! After harvesting, the branches on which the fruits grew begin to dry out - this is a natural process. They must be removed promptly.
The appearance and color of the fruit practically does not change during growth, so it is quite difficult to understand whether it is ripe
How to tell if a pomegranate is ripe
Often, in pursuit of profit, owners remove unripe pomegranates from branches. Their appearance is attractive and deceptive: such fruits are sour, not juicy, and have low nutritional value.
There are several ways to tell when a pomegranate is ripe:
- The ripening time for pomegranates is no earlier than mid-September; if they appeared on the market earlier, it means they are not yet ripe;
- the color of the skin must correspond to the variety - burgundy or pinkish-scarlet pomegranates are usually sold;
- the surface should be dry, noticeably tight around each berry, flabbyness indicates long-term storage, and an overly juicy, smooth peel indicates that the fruit is not ripened enough;
- the presence of rot, loose and brown places, mold, cracks is unacceptable;
- when tapped, the sound is ringing - this indicates well-ripened grains;
- when the fruit is ripe, its grains become distinctly ribbed and pyramidal in shape;
- An open pomegranate should not have a rich odor; ripe grains smell almost nothing;
- when comparing several fruits of the same size, you should choose the one that is heavier: a berry that has gained juice has more weight;
- the inflorescence inside the “crown” should be dry to the touch, without green stamens, the tip itself is completely open.
Important! In overripe berries, the peel begins to crack right on the branches, so they must be removed in a timely manner.
Features of fruiting
The tree begins to bear fruit at the age of 3 . It lasts for 5-35 years. Pomegranate is a fast-growing crop. Its first fruits can be harvested in the 2nd year after planting.
The period of fruit ripening depends on the plant propagation method:
- If seeds were used for this, then the tree produces fruits already in 3-4 years of life.
- If propagation took place by cuttings, then the tree will be able to bear fruit already in the 2nd year.
This phenomenon is due to the fact that it takes less time to root and grow a plant from a ready-made lignified shoot than for a bush grown from seeds.
What determines the ripening time of pomegranate?
Pomegranates begin to bear fruit as soon as it gets hot and daylight hours increase. In its homeland, Iran, the tree blooms and bears fruit all year round, with short periods of dormancy. In Russia, the flowering season begins around April and ends in autumn.
Breeders have developed more than 500 varieties, most of which produce a superbly tasty harvest. The ripening period of fruits depends on the variety and climatic conditions, as well as the timeliness of watering and fertilizing. They can be stored for a long time and tolerate transportation well.
Important! In October, pomegranates complete the growing season, even if they are in a warm room. Therefore, in Russian conditions, one must be content with the first harvest; the rest do not ripen.
Pomegranate ripening time
Russian gardeners prefer early, mid-early and medium-term varieties - these are species that ripen in a temperate climate. Late varieties can be grown in the southern regions of the country, where the warm climate persists until October-November. It’s worth thinking about what month the pomegranate ripens:
- Early varieties ripen in mid-September - early October.
- The mid-early harvest can be harvested in mid-October.
- Mid-season pomegranate ripens at the end of October.
- Late pomegranate ripens in early November.
Typically, from the beginning of flowering to harvest, it takes from 120 to 220 days.
A comment! Due to its unique beneficial properties, pomegranates are called the king of fruits.
In the Russian climate, most varieties require shelter for the winter
How do you know when the crop can be harvested?
And although the fruits can be harvested as early as mid-October , sometimes their taste is poor at this time. To avoid such problems, you need to know some recommendations:
- The fruit grains should have an oblong shape and a ribbed surface. Unripe grains have a round shape.
- The color of the peel should be bright. There may be pink and burgundy fruits. Pallor indicates the presence of acid.
- The skin should be intact, dry and thin. If there are cracks on it, then the berry is overripe.
- There should be a ringing metallic sound when tapping. Green fruit has a dull sound.
- Ripe fruit does not emit any aroma. But unripe pomegranate smells strongly.
- When the pomegranate ripens, it becomes elastic. Softness and spots on the peel indicate the process of rotting.
- A ripe fruit only appears light in appearance; its weight directly depends on the size of the juicy grains. A heavy pomegranate is very juicy, while an unripe one is light.
- You can determine the ripeness of a fruit by its inflorescence. The flower must be dry, ripe and without any greenery.
Which pomegranate is best to buy for storage and consumption?
Buy ripe fruits of good quality for consumption. They contain enough juice to saturate the body with useful chemical elements. For storage, it is better to choose dense specimens with thin skin and the obligatory presence of a crown, but collected at the stage of technical ripeness. The culture will ripen during storage and will not differ in taste, but the conditions for long-term storage must be suitable. Each pomegranate is wrapped in paper, the crown is filled with clay solution, and high humidity is created in the room. Even if the peel is suspiciously dry, the inside will remain in good shape.
Varietal characteristics of ripening
There are about 350 varieties of pomegranate , when most of them are grown, you can harvest tasty and healthy fruits that can be stored for a long time and can be easily transported. From all the diversity, several varieties can be distinguished.
Krmyzy-Kabukh
Ripe fruits are large, 350-400 g, bright red in color and have a spherical shape. The fruits ripen in mid-October.
Gyulosha azerbaijani
Ripe fruits weigh 300-400 grams. The rind of a ripe pomegranate is pinkish-red, thin and shiny, while that of a green one is light pink. Ripen by mid-October.
Nazik-kabukh
The ripe fruit weighs 400 g and has a dark red color. The crust is thin and the grains are large. The fruits ripen in early or mid-October .
Achik-don
Ripe fruits are large, spherical in shape. The skin of the fruit is yellowish-pink, while that of the unripe fruit is light brown. The fruits ripen in early or mid-October.
Salad “Pomegranate Bracelet”
Pomegranate Bracelet Salad Photo: Shutterstock.com
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Salads, side dishes, casseroles and pies. What to cook from persimmons 1 pomegranate
3-4 potatoes
2 medium beets
400 g chicken fillet
1 white onion
1 pack of mayonnaise
Step 1. Boil potatoes and beets separately from each other and peel.
Step 2. Steam the chicken fillet.
Step 3. Cut the onion into thin rings.
Step 4. Grate warm potatoes on a coarse grater, place in a thick layer, in a ring. Grease with a thin layer of mayonnaise.
Step 5. Place chicken on top, sprinkle with scalded onions. Another layer of mayonnaise.
Step 6. Grate the warm beets and grease them with mayonnaise again.
Step 7. Sprinkle the pomegranate seeds generously over the salad.
Why don’t fruits form on the plant and what to do?
Natural causes
Lack of fruiting can occur when not all pomegranate flowers can bear fruit, as it is a cross-pollinated crop.
There are two types of flowers on the pomegranate:
- with a short pistil – does not form fruits;
- with a long pistil - fruits are set.
It is in 95% that barren flowers are observed.
Unnatural causes
Pomegranate fruiting may not occur due to the following unnatural reasons::
- Lack of heat. Pomegranate requires a warm climate.
- Lack of light. A tree or bush should only be grown in a well-lit place. In the shade it will bloom sparingly and produce little fruit.
- Bad soil. Pomegranate must be grown in loose soil with a neutral pH.
- In order for a tree to begin to bloom, it must be grafted onto another.
- There is no need to water the plant often, as this will cause it to get sick and the fruits will not appear.
How to store the harvest?
The process of storing the harvested crop should proceed as follows::
- It is necessary to sort through the grenades and remove the damaged ones. Do not wash them, but wrap each fruit with parchment.
- For storage, you can use a refrigerator, or rather a fruit drawer, which is located at the bottom. It needs to be washed with baking soda and wait for the excess liquid to drain off.
- Lay out the fruits in rows, you can put them on top of each other.
- Place a sheet of paper on top, place the box in the refrigerator, and the temperature should be 0-4 degrees.
- If all conditions are met, the crop will be stored for 2-3 months.
Growing pomegranate is a troublesome task, but the process of harvesting and storing the crop is less responsible. Only compliance with all the above conditions will allow you to collect ripe and high-quality fruits that will be stored for a long time.
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The pomegranate, or pomegranate tree (Punica), has long been considered a symbol of fertility, because under the hard red skin of this berry there are hundreds of small juicy grains with a seed inside. Yes, pomegranate is a berry. It's just very big.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate is a southern plant; it loves warmth and ripens in warm regions by mid-autumn, if not later. Today there are also frost-resistant and early-ripening varieties, but growing a pomegranate tree in the middle zone in open ground is an activity for extreme sports enthusiasts. However, there are also such people in Russia.
Depending on the type and variety, as well as the region in which it was grown, pomegranate berries can be sour or sweet.
Depending on the variety and type, pomegranate berries can be sour or sweet
Pomegranates grown in Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan (near the Talysh Mountains and Nachikhevan), and Central Asia usually have a sweet taste
Sour - Karabakh and Ganja (West Azerbaijan) pomegranates. Georgian ones can also be recognized by their sour taste and pink flesh with white, slightly pinkish grains.
Ripe pomegranate fruits
Pomegranate belongs to the Derbennikov family. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree up to 6 m high. Its branches are thin and have thorns.
Pomegranate has 2 main types of flowers: those that form an ovary (in the shape of a jug), and those that do not form fruit (in the shape of a bell). Infertiles can also be distinguished by their small size and short pistil. They fall off quickly. There are also flowers of intermediate forms. The color of the flowers is orange-red.
Blooming pomegranate
Pomegranate tolerates drought well and can withstand short-term drops in temperature to -17 ° C, but at the same time its shoots on which fruits (pomegranates) are formed suffer. Therefore, it is grown mainly in the south.
Now there is a lot of debate about the possibility of growing pomegranate in central Russia. With good shelter, it can, of course, live for more than one winter, but whether it will ever bloom in your area is a big question. Below is a photo of a pomegranate planted in the garden at the age of two from a pot. It winters in the Moscow region for more than one winter in a row, but has never bloomed.
Pomegranate in the Krasnogorsk region (Moscow region). Photo from the site forum.homecitrus.ru However, the craftsman from Shebekino V. M. Evdokimov overcame these difficulties and successfully grows pomegranates in open ground, producing fruits weighing up to 550 g.
How to choose a ripe pomegranate?
Pomegranate is a beautiful exotic fruit that is one of the most unusual and useful. However, the cost of such a product cannot be called affordable. Therefore, it is especially important for the buyer to choose exactly the pomegranate that will definitely delight him with its ripe taste. But in order to choose a really good pomegranate in a store, without falling for the tricks of unscrupulous sellers, you need to have certain experience and knowledge. In the same way as in order to peel such a fruit and get to the delicious scarlet grains.
Features of the fruit
Many people are accustomed to thinking that pomegranate is a fruit, which is why both suppliers and buyers call it that. However, if you consider the botanical characteristics of the pomegranate, it becomes obvious that it is a berry. Pomegranate grows on the branches of small trees and shrubs. It is a fairly large fruit, round in shape, with a characteristic unusual “tail”. Inside the fruit there is not pulp, like most fruits and berries, but small grains. On average, one pomegranate contains about 500 of them. They are separated from each other by a thin light skin.
This fruit is one of the most ancient. The Arabian Peninsula is considered to be its homeland. But pomegranate also grows in many countries with a tropical climate, and even in the subtropics. Specifically: in the Middle East, the Caucasus, Turkey, Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal and the like. In Russia and neighboring countries, pomegranate trees can be found in the south of Dagestan, Azerbaijan and near the Black Sea, for example, in Abkhazia.
Benefits of pomegranate
The unusual fruits of the guarantor are a real storehouse of vitamins and beneficial microelements. Like many red fruits, pomegranate has a beneficial effect on the condition of people who suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system (hypertension, anemia, and so on). But pomegranate also contains a large amount of fiber, organic acids, fructose and glucose. And also vitamins of group B, A, C, E, PP. In addition, pomegranate is an excellent antioxidant; in this regard, it is superior to apple, orange and pineapple juice, even green tea, and also helps restore the balance of hormones in the body.
Regular consumption of ripe pomegranate seeds helps cope with depression and improves mood. And also, according to nutritionists, pomegranate is a dietary product and helps burn excess fat. This means that overweight people should take a special look at this delicacy.
After ripening, one fruit contains approximately 40% of all useful substances that an adult needs to consume per day.
The best varieties
There are many different varieties of pomegranate around the world. They differ in their taste, size and external characteristics. Knowing the best one is quite difficult since each person has different taste preferences. Therefore, we will consider only some common varieties that have won the love of customers.
Galyusha
This is the most popular pomegranate variety in Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. “Galyusha” can be of 2 types: red and pink. The first version of the fruit is characterized by its large size - the weight of one pomegranate can reach 400 grams. Red “Galyusha” grains have a rich scarlet color and a pronounced sweet and sour taste. The fruits of the pink “Galyusha” are approximately 2 times smaller than the red ones. The fruit grains are not as rich in color, and their juiciness is approximately 50 percent.
Ahmar
This variety of pomegranate is the pride of Iran. The fruit tree blooms incredibly beautifully! Ripe pomegranates are medium in size and have pink-green skin. The grains are colored pink and, contrary to usual logic, the lighter the “Akhmara” grains, the sweeter they are. Another distinctive feature of this fruit was the extremely high amount of sugar in the composition. On this basis, the Akhmar fruit is superior to many other fruits.
Thuja tish white
If you previously believed that a pomegranate must be red or pink, then this was a mistake. White pomegranate grows in southern Italy, Egypt and Spain. At first glance, it seems that the fruit is simply just ripening. But in fact, white pomegranate seeds are no less tasty, sweet and healthy than the seeds of traditional varieties of this fruit.
Crimean Ak Dona
It’s not only abroad that you can enjoy ripe fruit straight from the branch. In the steppe part of the Crimean peninsula there grows an unusual tree, on which weighty oval pomegranate fruits appear. Their skin is quite thin and has a light cream color with scarlet spots. The grains have a sweet taste with a pleasant sourness.
Dholka
This type of exotic fruit grows in India. It is rightfully considered the sweetest in the whole world. The fruits are small in size and have dark skin. The grains, on the contrary, are quite light, pale pink. They are used not only as food, but also for medicinal purposes. In particular, a decoction based on this fruit helps fight dysentery. And also cope with pain from bruises and fractures, speed up tissue healing.
But there are also frost-resistant, ornamental and indoor shrubs. Many gardeners grow them in their garden for beauty, because during flowering the pomegranate is incredibly attractive. And also a variant of the ornamental plant is suitable for cultivation in Siberian regions, where the climate does not allow the crop to ripen.
Subtleties of choice
Choosing a truly ripe and tasty pomegranate on the shelves is quite difficult. After all, you cannot open it and look at it to determine the degree of maturity of its grains. However, there are still some tricks, and you need to remember them before you go shopping. When choosing a pomegranate, you should pay attention to several factors.
Appearance
If the grains of the fruit are fully ripe and filled with tasty juice, then the fruit takes on an angular, square appearance. Perfectly round fruits are almost always unripe, remember this. The degree of ripeness of the fruit depends on the richness of the color of the skin (but do not forget about the white variety of pomegranate). The petals on the top of a ripe pomegranate should be dry rather than hard and green.
The peel of a ripe pomegranate should be smooth and even, without any cracks or dents. And also it should not be too soft.
Weight and size
In terms of its dimensions, the ripe fruit looks like an orange or an apple. But depending on the variety, larger pomegranates are also found. If you can't figure out which of two fruits of approximately the same size to choose, take the heavier one. Because it will probably be more delicious.
Country of Origin
The largest suppliers of pomegranate on the world market for many years have been Egypt, India, Israel, Peru, Spain, and Turkey. But this is not the entire list of states. Before highlighting a specific country, it is necessary to clarify what kind of harvest there is this year and to clarify the selling season.
Storage rules
If you buy more than a couple of pomegranates that you intend to eat at one time, then it is important to know the rules for proper storage of the fruit. Otherwise, even the most ripe and delicious fruit will lose its beneficial properties. Let’s immediately make a reservation that sweet varieties of pomegranate have a shorter shelf life than sour ones. So, the latter will not spoil even after six months of storage in the refrigerator at a temperature of +1 C. And at a temperature of approximately +10 degrees, the fruits are stored for about 40-60 days.
In order to place fruits that ripen at home, you can use wooden or glass boxes. Place them in the basement, unglazed loggia or in the refrigerator. But you can also freeze fruit grains for a long time.
Take note of the listed tips and rules, and you will definitely be able to choose a ripe and tasty fruit!
To learn how to choose a ripe pomegranate, watch the following video.
Planting a pomegranate
An important condition for growing pomegranate is the total sum of active temperatures of at least 3000 and about +15 °C in winter. It is warmth that is the key to large and good fruits.
Young pomegranate seedlings
Pomegranate is undemanding to soil. Can grow even in damp conditions. But you still need to prepare the soil and arrange drainage so that moisture is removed and does not stagnate at the roots. Drainage can be crushed stone or expanded clay, less often gravel. The soil for pomegranate may have an alkaline reaction and a loamy structure, but in this case it needs to be properly “charged” with organic and mineral fertilizers.
Pomegranate is undemanding to soil
- The planting hole is dug in the same way as for many fruit trees (60x70 cm);
- A fertile layer of soil (about 15 cm) and humus mixed with soil (somewhere a little larger than a bucket) are poured onto the bottom;
- The roots are straightened and carefully covered with earth;
- After planting, the soil is well watered and mulched with dry weeds, straw or humus. This will help the moisture stay in the soil longer.
If you will be covering a pomegranate for the winter, it makes sense to plant the seedling at an angle of 60-45° to the south.
Pomegranate propagation
Pomegranate is propagated by cuttings (vegetative method) and seeds.
Seed propagation method
Take the seeds from a fresh, well-ripened fruit; there is no need to peel them.
Pomegranate seeds
- Distribute the seeds over the surface of the moistened soil, covering them with a layer of about 1.5 cm of soil.
- While the seeds are germinating, the soil should not be allowed to dry out.
- When the seeds germinate and reach a height of 3 cm, they are planted or replanted so that the distance between seedlings is at least 4 cm.
- When the seedlings grow so much that there are no gaps between the seedlings, they are picked again.
Propagation by cuttings
Cuttings are cut from annual woody shoots of young plants. The size of the cutting is about 25 cm. You can also use shoots for these purposes. Well-fertilized and drained areas of soil are suitable for rooting cuttings. The cuttings should be rooted in soil heated to +2 °C to a depth of about 10 cm. In this case, 1 internode should remain above the soil surface. Green branches take root in late May - early June.
Harvesting and storing pomegranates
In southern Russia (in some regions of Kuban) and Crimea, fruits begin to be harvested in October.
Harvesting pomegranates
At this time, they reach maximum maturity, the grains are full of sugars, and the peel acquires a rich red or yellow-pinkish speckled color.
When fully ripe, pomegranate fruits may crack; if you collect them for storage, you need to catch them before this moment.
Fully ripe pomegranates may crack
Pomegranate stores well and remains fresh for a long time.
Pomegranate stores well and stays fresh for a long time
Fruits cannot be stored at sub-zero temperatures, otherwise they may rot. A ventilated room with an air temperature of +2 °C will be optimal.
The most common varieties of pomegranate
There are many different varieties of this southern plant in the world. Each country loves its own variety of pomegranate, but there are also well-known varieties that are loved by many.
There are many varieties of pomegranate in the world
Pomegranate varieties are divided into those with hard seeds in juicy grains, and those with soft seeds. Hard bones are considered a sign of poor quality. It's like a wild apple tree and a good variety of grafted apple tree. Varieties with soft seeds are very capricious and require care. But the quality of their fruits is amazing.
'Guleisha pink' and 'Guleisha red'
'Gyuleysha' ('Gyulosha') is the best variety cultivated in Azerbaijan. The fruits are elongated and round in shape, with a thin skin. In 'Guleisha pink' it is pink, and in 'Guleisha red' it is carmine red with streaks (stripes) at the base of the fruit. The grains are juicy, dark purple in color.
Pomegranate fruits of the variety 'Gyuleisha (Gyulosha) pink'. Photo from the site agroxxi.ru
Both varieties have a sweet and sour taste.
'Ak Don Crimean'
An excellent variety for growing in the vicinity of Crimea. It is cultivated even in the steppe part of Crimea, but requires shelter for the winter. It is distinguished by large oval fruits. You will recognize the variety by its creamy thin skin with red spots and blush on one side (usually the southern side). And his neck is short and thick.
'Ak Don Crimean'. Photo from i.otzovik.com
The taste is sweet, with a barely noticeable sourness, the grains themselves are pink-red in color. In the middle zone, I have not met a gardener who would grow this variety of pomegranate with a bang, but if you manage to buy the fruits at the market, they leave a lot of impressions. According to gardeners, the variety is easy to grow and the fruits have excellent taste.
'Kizil-anor'
The variety is early ripening, cultivated in Uzbekistan. The advantage of this variety is its early ripening. At the beginning of October, you can already harvest, the fruits range from small to large. The skin is pink-scarlet, the grains are red, medium in size and sweet and sour in taste.
'Kizil-anor'. Photo: skydogy, img-fotki.yandex.ru
When is the pomegranate ripe?
The ripening of pomegranate fruits depends on the region of growth. The warmer the climate, the faster the grains are filled with juice, they are larger, and not only the early ovaries ripen, but also those that appeared in mid-summer. In the northern regions, the last berries are usually small, sour, and unripe.
When does pomegranate ripen in Crimea?
The fertile sunny Crimean climate is well suited to all varieties of pomegranate. There it grows in private gardens, parks, and in the open air. The ripening time for pomegranates in Crimea is October. Fruits that appear on markets before this date are imported.
The best place to buy seasonal pomegranates is at local markets
When does pomegranate ripen in Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijani pomegranates are distinguished by their rough, matte skin, which is not particularly attractive in appearance. But the taste of the fruits is simply wonderful, and they contain a large amount of substances beneficial to the body.
Pomegranates ripen in Azerbaijan from the end of October to the beginning of November. From November 26 to November 7, a massive harvest takes place in the republic, with the celebration of the annual “International Pomegranate Day”.
Attention! The fruit with light grains is less sour and has a higher sugar content.
When does pomegranate ripen in Turkey?
In this country, pomegranate has become a calling card, the highlight of the resort coast. On the trees growing near the beach areas you can see magnificent flowers and pick ripe pomegranates. The harvest begins in mid-September and continues until the first days of November. The time it takes for a pomegranate to ripen is determined by its variety and place of growth.
Important! The tree bears fruit for up to 60 years, after which it is cut down and replaced with young seedlings.
