While you consider yard orchards, apples, peaches, or blueberries may come to thoughts. However do you know you’ll be able to efficiently develop pomegranate bushes outside in zones 8 and above? With the appropriate care and endurance, you’ll be able to get pleasure from homegrown variations of those distinctive, juicy fruits.

Nevertheless, pomegranate bushes don’t at all times bear fruit. They may produce flowers that drop earlier than setting fruit, or they might not flower in any respect. Both manner, coping with an absence of pomergranates will be irritating.

It’s useful to look at some frequent the explanation why your pomegranate tree isn’t producing. After studying by the checklist, you’ll be able to decide if any of the explanations apply to your state of affairs. To get you began, I’ll introduce seven potential causes for an absence of fruit and supply options to assist repair the issue.

Tree Is Too Younger

Since pomegranate bushes develop as woody perennials, they don’t produce flowers of their first yr of development. As a substitute, they spend their vitality rising a strong root system and forming lush foliage. After just a few years of improvement, the vegetation can start exerting vitality on flower and fruit manufacturing.

In case your tree is younger and appears wholesome regardless of an absence of pomergranates, it’s possible too immature to flower. Most pomegranate bushes will start producing free within the second or third yr after planting. Quite a few elements impression when a tree begins flowering;  the tree’s measurement at planting, the local weather, daylight, and water provide all impression when flowers type.

You must also bear in mind that bushes will produce a small quantity of flowers and fruit of their first yr of manufacturing. When you solely spot a handful of flowers, don’t fret! The bushes will produce extra flowers and fruit as they mature. Nevertheless, in case your plant isn’t producing by yr 5, there’s possible one other trigger accountable.

Not Sufficient Gentle

Pomegranate bushes thrive in full solar. They will tolerate just a few hours of morning or afternoon shade however require not less than eight hours of direct gentle to stay wholesome. An absence of sunshine can result in stunted development, elevated susceptibility to illness, leggy vegetation, and/or an absence of flowers.

In case your plant continues to be younger and also you’ve realized you planted it in an space that’s too shady, you’ll be able to dig up the plant and transfer it to a extra appropriate location. The very best time to transplant is the late winter or early spring—you need to purpose for the time simply earlier than bud break happens.

This time is right for 2 causes. First, the tree will likely be much less vulnerable to emphasize for those who dig it up whereas it’s dormant, and the spring heat will encourage the tree to settle into its new house.

When searching for an appropriate location, research the sunshine at completely different instances of the yr. Because the solar’s angle modifications all year long, an space could obtain solely an hour of shade in the summertime however six hours within the winter. The very best location is usually an open space freed from obstructions or the south-facing facet of a house or constructing.

Not Sufficient Water

Though pomegranates are recognized for his or her drought tolerance, they nonetheless require common irrigation to thrive. An ample moisture provide is very vital within the first few years of a tree’s development and through the months of fruit improvement.

Since pomegranates produce flowers within the spring and ripe fruits within the fall, you need to pay particular consideration to summer time irrigation. Sizzling, dry climate can shortly trigger drought stress, which may result in flower drop or inhibit pomergranate improvement.

When pomegranates lack water, they shut their stomata (leaf pores) to preserve moisture. The closed pores hold water within the vegetation, however the vegetation additionally expertise hassle cooling themselves.

Researchers have discovered that pomegranate bushes exhibit decreased vegetative development and fruit yields when water availability falls under the perfect stage. When you underwater the bushes for a number of years, the consequences can compound and result in weak bushes with poor canopies.

So, how typically must you water your vegetation to maintain them wholesome? Consultants on the College of Florida advocate irrigating deeply about as soon as per week when situations are dry. It’s vital to maintain your irrigation schedule as constant as potential all through the rising season. A sudden improve in water after a dry spell can lead fruits to separate open.

You may water the bushes by hand with a watering can or hose. Nevertheless, putting in drip irrigation in your bushes could make it simpler to water. You can even set the drip system on a timer to make sure your plant receives a constant provide of water.

Too A lot Water

Like all vegetation, pomegranate bushes want water to thrive. Nevertheless, an excessive amount of water could cause simply as a lot stress as not sufficient. This stress can result in issues with flower manufacturing, fruit set, and maturation, all of which may result in an absence of pomegranates.

So, how a lot water is an excessive amount of? rule of thumb is to water your vegetation deeply not less than as soon as per week through the first rising season. If it rains sufficiently, you’ll be able to skip your weekly watering. You can even lower irrigation within the late fall by early spring; throughout this time, you solely have to water if the soil is dry.

Together with noting how typically you water, you must also take a look at the soil and drainage. Pomegranates can develop in soil excessive in clay and sand, in addition to something in between. Nevertheless, the bushes require enough soil drainage to stay wholesome. When you discover that water is forming puddles, you need to work to enhance the drainage.

Sadly, bettering soil drainage is tough after your pomegranate is within the floor. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to alter the soil earlier than planting. Aerating the bottom with a digging fork or broadfork will enhance drainage. You can even combine in compost to lift the extent of soil natural matter and enhance compacted soils.

Poor Pollination

In case your pomegranate plant produces loads of flowers however no fruit, it could possibly be an indication of improper pollination. Pomegranate flowers are sometimes self-pollinated, which implies the feminine components of a flower obtain pollen from the identical flower. Nevertheless, cross-pollination additionally typically happens in pomegranates. One of these pollination happens when pollinators like hummingbirds or bees switch pollen from one flower to a different.

Though cross-pollination isn’t mandatory, it does improve yield. Due to this fact, an absence of pollinators can result in restricted pomergranate manufacturing.

One approach to improve cross-pollination is to convey extra pollinators to your backyard. Offering a water supply, rising numerous flowering vegetation, and avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides will all encourage pollinators to go to your backyard. Planting native vegetation may even present habitat and meals for helpful pollinators like butterflies and bees.

When you’re determined, you’ll be able to hand pollinate your pomegranate flowers. This includes utilizing a small paintbrush to switch the pollen from one flower’s stamens to a different’s stigma. Whereas this may occasionally sound difficult, it merely includes gently swirling the paintbrush in the course of one open flower after which finishing the identical course of on one other flower.

Improper Pruning

Normally, pomegranates don’t require heavy pruning. Eradicating useless and crossing branches is all of the vegetation want to stay wholesome. Nevertheless, you may as well prune your pomegranate to encourage it to develop as a trailing shrub or upright tree.

It doesn’t matter what kind of pruning you undertake, keep away from eradicating an excessive amount of wooden without delay. Not solely will aggressive pruning stress the plant, however it may well additionally take away fruiting wooden.

Pomegranates type flowers and fruit on second-year wooden, so eradicating an excessive amount of woody development can take away all second-year wooden. When you do that, you’ll find yourself with no flowers and fruit!

You’re Rising a Flowering Pomegranate

When you’re fascinated about including a pomegranate to your backyard, try to be conscious there are two foremost sorts: fruiting and flowering. Whereas each sorts will produce giant, lovely flowers, the flowering varieties won’t produce fruits. Due to this fact, don’t simply seize a pomegranate plant from a nursery and anticipate it to fruit.