Anatomy of pomegranate roots? Getting to know the structure of a pomegranate.

The anatomy of the pomegranate root tells us about the structure, part, component, or composition of the pomegranate root. Every part of a pomegranate is useful either for one thing or the other and the root is a major part of the plant is needed to be understood.  This article will help you to know more about the anatomy of pomegranate roots and most questions that you might likely have would be answered.

Do pomegranate trees have roots in the top 2 feet?

Yes, pomegranate trees are in the top two feet.

What are the parts of a pomegranate root?

 A pomegranate plant has three major parts, which are the endodermis, Cortex, and exodermis. A pomegranate plant is a dicot. An angiospermous plant that produces an embryo with two cotyledons is referred to as a dicot if its floral organs are typically grouped in cycles of four or five, and its leaves contain reticulate venation. We will be taking a look at each of these parts of a pomegranate root and its functions.

• Endodermis: In a pomegranate plant, the innermost layer of the cortex during development is called the endodermis1. It may be made up of numerous cell layers or just one layer of barrel-shaped cells with no intercellular gaps. The endodermis aids in controlling the flow of hormones, ions, and water into and out of the vascular system. Additionally, it might store starch, play a role in how we perceive gravity, and shield the plant from toxins getting into the vascular system.

Cortex: The cortex’s primary job is to support and carry out metabolic functions. The sort of cells present determines the cortex’s specialized function. This lesson will discuss vascular plant stem anatomy, the role of the cortex, and how it functions in vascular plants. The cortex is comprised of three cells which include:

• Parenchyma: they help in metabolism in plants
• Collenchymas: They help to provide support to plants
• Sclerenchyma: They help in securing and protecting plants.2
• Exodermis: The exodermis is a membrane with variable permeability. In pomegranate roots, the exodermis is in charge of controlling the radial movement of ions, water, and nutrients in the plants. It is the cortex’s outer layer in plants.

Some of the benefits and importance of pomegranate roots include:

• They help the plant to receive nutrients.
• They help in plant support.
• They help in the movement of plants.
• They give stamina and stability to plants.

Other plants that have these parts include:

• cactus
• peach
• potato
• corn
• shrubs
• coconut

How do you propagate pomegranates from cuttings?

Pomegranate plants are propagated via rooted cuttings, which result in a replica of the original plant. As long as the cuttings come from an active, healthy plant that is at least a year old, they can usually be taken at any time of the year. The ideal length and thickness for cuttings are 6 to 10 inches. Because it’s hard to tell the top of a pomegranate from the bottom, mark one end right away with a pen or crayon, or chop the top at an angle. Even though the majority of pomegranates are self-fertile, cross-pollination is still necessary for the greatest fruit set, so choose cuttings from at least two distinct cultivars.

Scrape the bark from the bottom 1/2 inch of each cutting before dipping it in a rooting hormone to promote roots. Plant them in a small container with a well-draining rooting medium. Ensure that at least one cutting node is completely introduced into the medium.

Place your cuttings away from direct sunshine in a warm area, ideally between 75 and 80 degrees.

Rooting ought to happen in a month or two. Transfer the plants to quart-sized nursery pots once their roots have taken hold until they are prepared to be planted outdoors in the spring when any chance of frost has passed 3

After a month or two, you can now transfer them to the nursery bed.

Can you replant pomegranate trees?

Yes, you can. Transplanting is another word for replanting. Before starting the transplant, wait until the pomegranate tree enters dormancy in late fall or early winter. There are various reasons for the replanting and transplanting of pomegranate. This includes:

• By starting the plants in hotbeds or greenhouses, transplanting them after approximately a month, and then placing them in the open land, some crops can be matured much earlier.
• When plants are moved to another place, especially to a huge field, fighting weeds, insects, and illnesses in a small area is far less expensive.
• Sometimes, plants are taken from one region to another for replanting when the previous region doesn’t meet up to the desired requirement for plant growth.  The position of the pomegranate can be changed when the exposure to sunlight in that region reduces.

Replanting or transplanting has its many benefits which include:

• Replanting helps to examine the roots of the plant, thereby helping to remove any unhealthy or soggy soil.
• Transplanting helps to increase production from the farm or garden.
• Transplanting or replanting helps to reduce overcrowding.
• Transplanting helps plants to gain access to nutrients and sunlight required for their growth and development.
• Transplanting also helps to reduce weed pressure, thereby leading to the reduction in the requirement for a broad workforce due to transplantation.

Other examples of plants that grow well with replanting or transplanting include:

• Onion
• Pepper
• Bean
• Carrot
• Tomato
• Lettuce
• Cabbage
• Watermelon
• Squash

How long does it take for a pomegranate to produce fruit?

Typically, it takes them two to three years to produce fruit. However, some factors can delay or prolong the fruit-bearing process and these factors include:

• Inadequate sunlight: For best results, Pomegranate trees require complete sunshine. Insufficient sunlight might cause fruit to ripen later and produce less overall. The planting of fruit trees should not be in areas where they will be shaded by structures or other trees.
• Overcrowding: Plants need enough space to grow effectively and when they don’t get.
• Water: Too much or too little water not only affects fruit yield but also has a debilitating effect on the plant.
• Pests and disease: Pests can destroy the roots of crops and thereby reduce the production of fruits in a pomegranate plant.

What are the growing stages of pomegranate roots?

Pomegranate root just as any other fruit has its growing stages, which include:

• Germination: The seeds of the pomegranate start germinating even if they are not buried on the surface of weakly packed soil. Pomegranates are dicotyledon plants, as opposed to monocot plants like magnolias, and as such, produce two seed leaves upon germination. The pomegranate begins to grow its initial roots, which burrow into the soil and start to absorb nutrients from sources other than the seed packet. Additional leaves grow on the plant throughout time, aiding in photosynthesis and giving it the energy it needs to expand.
• Sampling: The plant’s main stem becomes woodier and the first branches begin to form during the sapling stage. This time frame is critical for growers wanting to cultivate a tree that produces sweet-tasting fruit. Growing from seeds, pomegranate trees, like many fruit trees, contain a wide genetic variation. Many growers choose to implant a bud from a tree that already produces exquisite fruit as a consequence. But unlike other fruit trees, pomegranate plants do not react to grafting4 as well.
• Maturity: If a pomegranate tree is not malnourished, injured, or unwell, it will bloom in the late summer every year.
• Flowering and fruiting: Pomegranates have a rather long flowering season (April to June), however, later blooming blooms might not have enough time to mature into fully ripe fruit. Generally speaking, blossoming begins in the late spring and lasts through the summer, and with favorable weather conditions, fruits should appear 5 to 7 months later.

Factors that affect pomegranate growing stages include:

• Enough sunlight (six hours or more of daily sunlight).
• Good soil drainage.
• Watering (avoid over watering your plant).

Do pomegranate trees self-pollinate?

Yes, they are self-pollinating. They don’t need to cross-pollinate with another tree. Pomegranates can use pollen from male flowers or parts to fertilize female blooms on the same plant that are hermaphroditic. This process is known as self-pollination. Pomegranates do not require the pollen of another pomegranate. Self-pollination has the disadvantage of having less fruit set which can reduce the planter’s harvest.

Advantages of self-pollination in pomegranate include:

• Pollen grains are not thrown away.
• Self-pollination in pomegranate is not reliant on outside factors or pollinators.
• In self-pollination in pomegranate, plants don’t need to produce enormous, fragrant, nectar-filled blossoms to entice insects.
• Self-pollination prevents pollen grain waste.
• Lower likelihood of pollination failure.

However, some of the drawbacks of self-pollination include:

• There are fewer seeds overall.
• It is impossible to develop new plant species.

Aside from self-pollination, the cross-pollination method can work in pomegranate plants. Cross-pollinating is done in pomegranates by bees.

Advantages of cross-pollination include:

• Cross-pollination results in the development of new varieties.
• More substantial amounts of seeds are generated, and they are also more viable.
• Healthier offspring are produced.

How much water does a pomegranate tree need?

Pomegranates should receive at least one inch of water every week for the best development and output. Since pomegranate trees aren’t actively growing during the dormant season, you should be careful not to overwater. Pomegranates can withstand extremely dry air, but they require moisture in the soil to grow nice fruit. Pomegranates will typically need more water and fertilizer while growing on loose, sandy soil. Plants won’t need as much moisture while growing in thicker clay-based soils that hold more moisture. However, in a year, a pomegranate should use just about 45 – 52 inches in terms of watering and irrigation.

Are Pomegranate trees drought-tolerant?

Yes, pomegranate Is drought resistant.  Pomegranates can utilize water more effectively. Examples  of other drought-resistant trees include:

• Eastern Red cedar
• Northern Red Oak.
• Scots Pine.
• Golden red tree
• Northern Catalpa
• London Planetree
• Maidenhair tree
• Common hackberry

Advantages of drought-resistant trees include:

• They produce attractive plants that require less upkeep.
• They are more resistant to plants and disease.
• Ability to use or utilize water efficiently.

Citations used in this article:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endodermis
2. https://study.com/learn/lesson/cortex-plants-concept-function.html
3. https://www.grit.com/farm-and-garden/pomegranates-from-rooted-cuttings-zm0z20mazmgre/
4. https://www.agrifarming.in/pomegranate-grafting-method-pruning-method-training