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Pomegranate tree from sucker, help needed

xen2000vEqA0wJdxen2000vEqA0wJd Posts: 3
in Fruit & veg
Hi, my first post and not sure where to go with this. I pulled a "sucker" from a established pomegranate tree (a few years old), and tried planting it to see if it would root.

Now i have a very leggy main stem about 70cm, which i have to support with a cane as it will just bend. Looks like a branch is starting to form on the lower third, but not sure if i need to cut the main stem to make other branches form, or do i left it would it strengthen eventually and for branches. This is a few months old now. Sorry dont know how to rotate the image (its not growing sideways) ;).


Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,285
    It needs to get much bushier.
    To achieve that, cut the top down so that there are about 6 pairs of leaves remaining below the cut.
    You'll then see shoots coming out from the remaining leaf joints which will give you a nice bushy shrub.
    When it's a bit warmer it would be happier outside, but don't put it in full sun straight away or it'll get sun burn.
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 2,944
    There is a Dwarf variety of Pomegranate but whether yours is that or the full size which you see growing for fruit harvesting, I'd follow @Pete.8 ' advice and take out the top to enable it to bush up.
  • xen2000vEqA0wJdxen2000vEqA0wJd Posts: 3
    the tree its taken from is about 6 foot tall, has a trunk and then some branches at the top. We also have some about 2 foot tall which are like bushes. Im a complete novice, just thought itd chance it to see if it grew, now i dont know what im supposed to do now it has done :)
    Ill take a bit off the top and see how it goes from there.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,285
    It'll be fine.
    The top of your plant (or any plant) sends hormones down the stem to prevent side shoots growing.
    Cut the top off, the hormones stop and the side shoots pop out :)
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,318
    I have a pomegranate grown from a pip, had it for years, but it is never flowered. They need a long period of very hot weather to make them fruit. Mine is still in a small pot, I keep meaning to repot it. Usually, I bring it into the conservatory for the winter when it sheds its leaves, it has been outside all this winter so I am not sure yet if it has survived. 
    It grows as a wispy bush with fine leaves, mine is only about 1 1/2 ft. so I am not expecting much from it, certainly no fruit having grown it from a pip. It was just the challenge of seeing if I could grow one.
    I haven't had the heart to bin it.
  • xen2000vEqA0wJdxen2000vEqA0wJd Posts: 3
    Its my wife what is "into" fruit" trees. Shes got 2 pomegranate "bushes" which also dont flower, but seem to come to life after looking dead in winter =D.
    She also has some about 6 foot, which do flower, this is where i took the sucker from. I was surprised to see it grow so fast, would have expected a Giant and golden eggs if it grew anymore. LOL.
    Also have an "experimental" cherry tree, which seems to be still alive.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,318
    Having shamed myself by the lack of care I have given my Pomegranate I decided to check it out to see if it was still alive, and to repot it. I was very surprised to see tiny red buds showing all over the branches. I dethatched the surface soil, removed a thicket of grass and weeds, put it into a larger pot using, as a special treat, some JI 3 and terracotta crocks.
    I rewrote the label and it is now in a sheltered corner, on the patio, waiting for a watering of rain. They must be much hardier than I thought as mine has been hammered by gales, frosts, hail and continual torrential rain this winter.


    xen2000vEqA0wJd said:
    Its my wife what is "into" fruit" trees. Shes got 2 pomegranate "bushes" which also dont flower, but seem to come to life after looking dead in winter =D.
    She also has some about 6 foot, which do flower, this is where i took the sucker from. I was surprised to see it grow so fast, would have expected a Giant and golden eggs if it grew anymore. LOL.
    Also have an "experimental" cherry tree, which seems to be still alive
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