Backyard Farming the Natural Way

After having tasted pomegranate for the first time and reading all the wonderful health claims, I decided to buy a plant and give it a try. I have heard that many varieties are not particularly fruitful in the humid south, but I bought this “Russian” variety which the nursery swore was a good producer here in Florida.
Anyhow, I bought this little one gallon ‘whip’ for about $7, fertilized it well, and within a few weeks. it had much growth and these flowers pictured here.  A couple of weeks have elapsed since I took this pic, and though the flowers look like they are going to set fruit, most have fallen off.  What is surprising, however, is that it did set a few small fruit, but they later fell of the tree. Pomegranate are supposed to be self fertile (though a companion plant is supposed to help with pollination).

These are lovely flowers produced by this bush, and it is probably dropping fruit because the plant is not mature enough yet – and because I don’t have a companion pollinator. Can’t wait till next year, and I will probably get a ‘wonderful’ or other variety to help with pollination. Let me know if any of you guys are having success with growing pomegranates (and getting fruit)  in the humid, hot southeast.

For anyone who has eaten pomegranate, the fruit is kind of messy and a bit of work is involved to get to ‘goodies’, but I find the taste grows on me (and they are great in salads). Also, there is much information available lately relating to the many health benefits. Considering that my area is northeast Fl has becoming increasingly drought prone every year, pomegranates may end up being an ideal plant after all.