To propagate pomegranates, take hardwood cuttings (10 inches long, from year-old wood) in late winter, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and plant them in full sun, well-draining soil, ensuring the top node remains above the soil.
Here’s a more detailed guide:
1. Timing and Cuttings:
- Time: Take cuttings in late winter (November through January).
- Wood: Use one-year-old wood, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter.
- Length: Cuttings should be around 6-10 inches long.
- Node: Ensure the cutting has a leaf node (where new roots will emerge).
2. Preparing the Cuttings:
- Sterilize: Use clean, sharp pruning shears.
- Cut: Make a diagonal cut just below a leaf node.
- Rooting Hormone: Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone.
3. Planting and Care:
- Soil: Use well-draining, loamy soil in a sunny location.
- Planting: Insert the lower end of the cutting into the soil, ensuring the top node remains above the soil.
- Spacing: If propagating multiple trees, plant them at least 3 feet apart for shrubs or 18 feet apart for trees.
- Moisture: Maintain high humidity and keep the rooting medium moist.
- Greenhouse: You can allow the roots to develop in a greenhouse before planting.
- Direct Planting: Alternatively, you can plant the cuttings directly in their permanent location.
4. Other Propagation Methods:
- Suckers: Pomegranates sucker profusely from the base, and you can transplant these suckers.
- Air Layering: Air layering parent plants is also an effective method.
- Micropropagation: While research is ongoing, micropropagation could be a beneficial approach to mass produce cultivars.
- Grafting: Grafting is also a method used in some nurseries and orchards.
5. Growing from Seed:
- Not Recommended: Growing from seed is not recommended for commercial production, as the resulting tree may not resemble the parent tree.
- Seed Germination: If you choose to grow from seed, soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours to enhance germination.
- Planting: Plant seeds at a depth of about 1/4 inch and cover lightly with soil.
- Warm Area: Place your starts in a warm area that is kept around 70°F.