Pit preparation for pomegranate helps you to know the basic things to do or carry out before planting your pomegranate and this article will enlighten you more on the steps on how to carry out your pit preparation.
Pit preparation for pomegranate planting
Climate and soil type are taken into account while determining the pit preparation and the planting distance in growing pomegranate. On marginal and very light soils, a spacing of 4-5 m is advised.
60 X 60 X 60 cm-sized pits are dug (at a spacing of 5 cm in a square system) and left exposed to the sun for a fortnight. As a precaution against termites, the bottom and sides of the pits are dusted with carbaryl dust. Topsoil is used to fill the pits, along with 1 kg of superphosphate and 20 kg of farmyard manure. Watering is done after the pit has been filled to help the dirt settle. After that, stakes and cuttings are planted.
Irrigation in pomegranate planting
Just like every other plant, pomegranates require water to grow. The best way to irrigate your pomegranate is by using the precision irrigation method. Precision irrigation uses an irrigation scheduling method to enhance root development while minimizing overall water, nutrient, and chemical waste. However, irrigation is dependent on climate and the availability of water supply.
To irrigate a pomegranate, do the following:
- Create a dirt ring to surround the pomegranate tree.
- Water should be poured into the ring around the tree.
- Instead of every three days, water the tree every four days.
- For two weeks, increase the plant’s watering frequency to once every five days1
The benefit of irrigation to plants includes:
- In arid locations and during times of below-average rainfall, irrigation aids in the growth of crops, the upkeep of landscapes, and the revegetation of disturbed soils.
- In addition to protecting crops from the effects of frost, irrigation can also be used to control weed growth in grain fields and avoid soil consolidation2.
Fertilizer management in pomegranate planting
To produce pomegranate, there must be the presence of potassium and nitrogen in the soil and they prefer acidic soil. A balanced fertilizer containing nitrogen will be good for pomegranate, nitrogen makes photosynthesis faster in the soil but avoids having too much nitrogen in the soil. Potassium is another nutrient needed in the soil as it enhances the growth of the plant physically. In using fertilizer in pomegranate, try to get fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and ammonium. A balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer will be good for pomegranate planting. Make three applications of fertilizers in planting pomegranate, one in early spring, another in late spring, and the last in the fall seasons. Organic fertilizers can also be used for pomegranate about 2 – 3 times a year. Fertilizers that are acidic in soil should also be used for pomegranate.
Some of the benefits of fertilizers include:
- Fertilizers assist the soil in becoming more fertile, which fosters growth.
- Pomegranate production can be carried out successfully on a commercial scale thanks to the constancy of nutrients in fertilizers.
- Pomegranate harvest yields rise as a result of quick and effective production, which also lowers production costs by increasing pomegranate availability and affordability.
The optimum temperature for pomegranate planting
The optimum temperature for pomegranate planting is 30 to 38 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the pomegranate plant can complete photosynthesis. The majority of plant functions, such as photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration, germination, and blooming, are influenced by temperature. Up to a point, photosynthesis, transpiration, and respiration all increase with rising temperature.
Where is the best place to plant pomegranates?
The best place to plant pomegranate will be one that meets these requirements:
Sunlight: Although pomegranate trees can thrive in the shade, it’s best to plant them in areas with lots of warmth and sunlight. For a robust and healthy crop, your tree needs at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Water: To grow and produce at their best, pomegranates require at least one inch of water per week. When the weather is dry, water is crucial. During dry seasons, if the fruit isn’t adequately irrigated, it could ripen too rapidly. Pomegranates typically have bushy growth and root suckers. Before planting your seedlings, you should wait until the last of the bitter cold has passed. The area needs to be thoroughly watered before planting. You should keep watering liberally all during the first growing season. It is best to grow pomegranates in an area that doesn’t experience much amount of rainfall. Sunlight is a greater requirement for pomegranate growth than water.
Soil type: Pomegranates can grow in most soil types, except for saline or very calcareous alkaline soils. Pomegranates can tolerate mildly alkaline soil up to a pH of 7.5 but prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5). When dwarf pomegranates are planted indoors, it is a fantastic idea because they will be much simpler to care for at home because of their smaller size. Also, the soil used for pomegranate planting should be well drained.
How to transplant pomegranate
- Create a hole that is twice as wide and precisely as deep as the pomegranate tree’s anticipated root ball.
- To ensure that the tree is planted in its new site with the same orientation as in the previous one, mark the north side of the tree.
- Dig a trench around the previously marked diameter that is about some inches wide.
- While relocating pomegranates that are in containers, you need to be cautious when selecting the place. Ensure that the soil is both fertile and well-drained. The best soil for pomegranates is sandy loam because of how dry it is. A cloudy, chilly day with high humidity is ideal for preventing the exposed tree from drying up during the transplanting process. Dig the shovel into the surrounding soil.
- To dislodge roots, work the spade’s blade under the pomegranate tree. Use garden loppers to trim the big roots of pomegranate.
- After all, roots have been cut off, tilt the tree to one side and place a burlap bag or a piece of canvas under the root ball, allowing the cloth to bunch up underneath the tree. Turn the tree over so it is sitting on the slack fabric you generated by bunching it, then lean it to the other side.
- Take an accurate measurement of the root ball’s real depth and correct the hole as necessary in its new location. Make sure the hole is deep enough because moving the tree from the new location is easier than adding soil underneath it.
Some of the major reasons why we transplant pomegranate is:
fighting weeds, insects, and diseases in a small area is much less expensive when the plants are moved to another location, especially to a large field. Also, when the previous region doesn’t provide the ideal conditions for the plant’s growth, plants are occasionally moved from one place to another for replanting.
The best time to transplant pomegranate
Before starting the transplant, the pomegranate tree enters dormancy in late fall or early winter. Some of the benefits of transplanting are:
- By minimizing the time the plant spends on the ground, transplanting reduces weed pressure.
- Reduction in the requirement for a broad workforce in growing plants.
- A plant’s roots are responsible for finding water and nutrients. The roots will have used up all the nutrients in the soil after a while of living in the same soil. Transplanting creates an opportunity for the plant to get enough water from a new soil.
How do you plant a pomegranate tree?
- Pick a decent or adequate variety of pomegranate plant.
- To enable the tree and its roots to grow freely, the soil around it has to be loose.
- Pick a well-drained, somewhat acidic soil for your garden. The best soil for growing pomegranates is sandy loam. They can also thrive in different types of soil.
- Choose a species that is appropriate for your area (certain species do well in chilly climates), and for pots, pick dwarf variations.
- After you have dug the ground up, plant your trees. Leave at least 15-20 feet between each tree you plan to plant, especially if you expect to pick the fruit.
