Why pomegranates split open

It experiences little to no serious pest or disease problems. Hummingbirds frequent the exotic blossoms on pomegranate trees, which grow in U. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through Pomegranate trees are usually deciduous, but sometimes leaves may linger on the branches. The deep-green, narrow leaves are oblong- to lance-shaped, leathery and glossy, growing to 4 inches long on short stems.

From late May to fall, white and vibrant hues of scarlet, orange and yellow crepe-like blossoms burst into bloom singly or in clusters of up to five on the branch tips. The trumpet-shaped flowers grow to 2 inches wide. Pomegranate fruit will split open after the first rain if left on the tree too long after ripening in early fall.

Ripe fruit emits a metallic sound when tapped, indicating that it is ready for picking. Do not place spoiled fruits that show signs of disease on your compost pile , or near other plants where they may contribute to further spread. Their distinctive form and flavor, coupled with their tremendous nutritional value, make it well worth the effort required to grow them.

Is this your first year as a pomegranate cultivator, or are you a seasoned veteran? Have you experienced fruit cracking or splitting?

And if you still have more questions about growing fruiting pomegranates , you might like read these guides next:. Kelly Spicer became a single parent at a young age, and learned very quickly how scary food insecurity can be. As a result, she began self-teaching to learn how to grow food, which led to a passion for providing for others in need. Currently, Kelly is coordinating a plan to produce a tropical homestead in south Florida that will provide homegrown food to families in need, and teach them to grow their own.

She is working her way toward certification as a master gardener, and building a lifelong love of nature with her kids. Even Tough Plants Have Their Weaknesses Despite this rather common issue, growing pomegranates can be incredibly rewarding and fun. Facebook Twitter Pinterest 8. About Kelly Spicer Kelly Spicer became a single parent at a young age, and learned very quickly how scary food insecurity can be.

More Posts Notify of. Inline Feedbacks. Pomegranates will last for about 1 to 2 months in the fridge when properly stored. Should you prune pomegranate tree? The best time for structural pomegranate tree pruning is late winter before the buds break but after risk of frost has past. You can prune out suckers and other awkward branches as they appear throughout the growing season.

If the tree is developed and maintained properly, it should only require light annual pruning. Are pomegranate good for you? Pomegranates are one of the healthiest foods on the planet, packed with nutrients and powerful plant compounds. They have wide-ranging benefits and may help reduce your risk of various serious illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

Are pomegranates Keto? First I found out that pomegranate is one of the few fruits you can have on a keto diet. It is super low-carb but packed with nutrients and that's exactly what we are after. This means low-carb, perfect for a keto diet. Why are my pomegranates sour? Depending on the variety and degree of ripeness, the seeds of the pomegranate can vary in taste from only a little sour similar to ripe cherries to fairly sharp similar to uncooked cranberries.

They can be enjoyed straight by simply eating the seeds, in any of a number of pomegranate-derived goods, or as a juice. Is vinegar in Windex? Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Why do my pomegranates keep splitting every year? I have read some articles that they need even watering, with drip irrigation. Also too much nitrogen can cause the fruit to split.

Does anyone have experience on this problem? Fruit split on pomegranates late in the season is a common problem. Some varieties are more prone to this than others, and many varieties will split open once over ripe, which is part of the natural process of a tree spreading its seeds.

Pomegranates growing in arid regions which receive sudden exposure to plenty of rain at the ripening stage also tend to split open more frequently.

Some growers recommend supplementing the soil with boron, but the commonest reasons they split are 1 fungal infection and 2 incorrect watering. Fungal infection sometimes shows itself on the tree with spots on leaves and some leaf loss, but it tends to affect the fruits primarily, causing fruit split. By far the biggest cause though, and one you can certainly do something about, is number 2, poor watering regime.

You say your grandfather waters with half a bucket of water every two weeks, which certainly doesn't sound like enough water often enough during a two week period, particularly while fruits are growing. Pomegranates will split if you water irregularly, and will get fungal infection if the roots are kept too wet. Drip irrigation will keep the soil damp, supply the fruits with sufficient water as they start to swell, yet prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged.

You can try something else though; once the tree has flowered and fruit has set, when they're small, increase watering to every other day with half a bucket of water, and as temperatures climb and the fruits get larger, every day.