Pests Is one of the major problems every plant root tend to face. Pomegranate however isn’t an exception. Pomegranate roots are also prone to pest and disease attack. However, knowing how to deal with pests of pomegranate roots gives you an advantage and paves way for you in growing a healthy pomegranate plant.
What are the suitable growing conditions of pomegranate roots?
Select a spot with good soil drainage and at least six hours of full, direct sunlight per day for your plants. Given that these plants like slightly acidic to neutral conditions, I advise checking the soil before planting. A pH range of 5.5 to 7.0 is ideal. Pomegranates can grow in practically any soil, including acidic or poor-quality soil. Also avoid over watering pomegranate roots. In contrast to most fruit-bearers, pomegranates are indigenous to dry, arid environments and don’t perform well with a lot of water.
If a plant root has too much water, the roots of a plant may rot if the soil is very wet, and the plant may not be able to obtain enough oxygen from the soil. Root rot is a plant disease that can be brought on the plant by excessive watering, or poor drainage of the soil where pomegranate roots has been planted. Basically, pomegranate trees that are cultivated in fertile soil with plenty of organic matter typically give more fruit of higher quality than those that are produced in unfavorable conditions.
Rooting cuttings and suckers of pomegranate roots?
Cuttings and suckers are ways one can propagate pomegranate trees. We will be taking a look at the both of them starting from cuttings and how they can be rooted.
- Cuttings: If done at the appropriate moment, rooting is a simple process. However, despite your best efforts, some cuttings might not take root. Consider starting with a few more to account for any mistakes. If possible, cut dormant branches for rooting when the plant is not actively growing, which occurs in late winter. The plant’s natural development cycle will then promote roots and leaf growth in the late winter and early spring period1.
The following are steps you can now take to root pomegranate from cuttings:
- Dry branches are less likely to take root, so keep the cuttings damp until planting by wrapping them in a wet paper towel.
- Fill the planting pot or the planting area with soil, ideally sandy loam. The rooting media should have sufficient drainage and be porous and loose in texture.
- Do not over wet the mixture; just mist it with water until it feels slightly damp.
- Insert the branches (your cuttings) into the rooting media few inches deep.
- Put the pots or tray in a warm place for the best and maximum result
- Until the cuttings start to form leaf buds, it is not necessary to expose them to sunlight; however, you should plan to mist the potting soil at least once a day to keep it moist, as drying out will prevent roots.
Now we have seen rootings from cuttings, let us move on to rooting suckers of pomegranate root.
- Suckers: Pomegranate trees and shrubs can produce suckers from their roots that can be used for rooting.
The following are steps you take to root pomegranate from suckers:
- Using a pair of sharp pruning shears, suckers can also be removed, but make sure to do so above the collar, which is the point at which the branch starts to get wider where it’s joined to the tree.
- Place your suckers into the planting soil. The soil requirement for rooting in tree is same as rooting from cuttings, so you can just go through it.
Often times, cuttings or suckers may take one to two months to take root, but you’ll know when they have when you see the development of leaf buds. Examples of plants that can be rooted by suckers include: Red raspberry, forsythia, and lilac.
Air layering of pomegranate roots?
The months of May and June are used for air layering. In this procedure, a 45–60 cm long, mature shoot that is between one and two years old, robust, strong, and pencil-thin is chosen. The chosen shoot has a piece of bark totally peeled from just below a bud. On top of this area, rooting hormones are used. To stop moisture from escaping, damp sphagnum moss is piled around this area and secured with polyethylene sheet. Such hormone administration encourages early roots. In the months of July and August, the polythene wrap allows visibility of the light brown roots. The rooted shoot gradually separates from the parent plant over the course of a week by receiving 2-3 repeated cuts. Before putting them in pots, the polythene layer is removed.
Air layering of pomegranate root has its advantages which includes:
- Plants can be efficiently and simply propagated via air layering.
- With the air layering technique, you can propagate plants by encouraging root development on the plant you want to clone.
How to identify pomegranate roots pests?
Pomegranate root pest can be identified by the harm and damage they cause to the plant roots. When you examine your soil, it is quiet easy to detect pomegranate root pest. They are usually small, and finding their way through the soil and eventually to the root of your plants. Whenever you see insects around your soil, or your plant, this could just be an indication of the presence of a pomegranate root pest. Some these pests include:
- Aphids
- Mealybug
- Pomegranate butterfly
- fruit fly
- Citrus mite2.
Some of the common symptoms that shows the presence of these pest in your roots includes:
- Weakness of plant roots
- Withering of plants
- Yellow coloration of leaves
- Stunted plant growth
- Appearance of holes in plants
- Slow maturation of fruits
- For plants that has borne fruit, fruits are likely to experience damage.
How to control pomegranate roots pests?
Knowing how to control these pests is very essential as this will reduce the stress in growing pomegranate. Pests can be frustrating and annoying when seen plant because of the damage they can cause. However below are some ways we can control pomegranate root pest:
- Application of insecticides and fungicides
- To avoid spread of diseases cause by this plant, it is good to cut down or burn damaged plants.
- Avoid over watering, as poor drainage system also attract pests to plants.
Since different pest can affect your root, getting specialized fertilizers for specific pest is also advisable.
How to prevent pomegranate roots pests
The following are ways to prevent pomegranate root pests:
- Encourage natural enemies and keep weeds and agricultural detritus out of the field.
- Prune your pomegranate trees well.
- Avoid overcrowding of plant roots.
- Apply fertilizers at least twice a year.
How deep do pomegranate roots grow?
Pomegranate roots typically extend deep into the first two to three feet of soil. Pomegranate roots are also short and non-invasive. In pots and containers, pomegranates can be planted and grown. Growing pomegranates in pots has a number of benefits, including less maintenance and increased wind resistance for plants and containers.
What is the natural color of pomegranate roots?
The natural color of pomegranate root is white. When the roots is brown or black, it shows the presence of an attack either by pest or diseases.
What is the significance of pomegranate roots?
The root of a pomegranate plays a lot of importance and significance in the growing of the fruits. Some of them include:
- Water Absorption: The pomegranate roots helps the plant to take up water from the soil
- Taking in of Minerals: it helps the plant to take in minerals needed for growth and development of the plant.
- Prevents and reduces soil erosion: Roots gives stamina to plants and help plants to withstand environmental hazards like soil erosion.
- Storage: The root of a pomegranate is a store house of the plant.
Where is the best place to plant a pomegranate tree?
Find a spot with sandy loam soil that is well-drained when deciding where to put your tree. However, as long as there is sufficient drainage, your tree should grow. This is the best for pomegranates. Pomegranate strives in a place where there at least six hours of sunlight. Some other plants that requires a much sunlight to grow includes:
- Russian sage
- Lavender
- Serdum
- Verbena
- astar
- bee balm 3
Citations used in this article:
- https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/pomegranates/guidelines.shtml#:~:text=Procedure%20to%20root%20pomegranate%20cuttings,the%20bottom%20of%20each%20cutting%22.
- https://www.agrifarming.in/pomegranate-pests-diseases-and-control-methods
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fgen/full-sun-plants
