Cuttings

Propagation using cuttings

Apical Suppliers decided to use pomegranates to do the cuttings. Pomegranates (Punica granatum) are steeped in history and have been grown for thousands of years through the Mediterranean regions of Asia, Africa and Europe.

A member of the Lythraceae family, pomegranate fruit has a smooth, leathery, red to pink skin surrounding the edible arils. These arils are the edible part of the fruit and are its seeds surrounded by sweet, juicy pulp. The seeds can also be used for planting.

We specifically chose the Seinevy pomegranate because of its characteristics. It has large, soft seeded fruit, sweet in flavor much like a watermelon. The skin is pink with dark purple arils. This is one of the most popular of the pomegranate tree types.

Why we chose pomegranates

Pomegranate trees are grown not only for their juicy, tempting fruit, but also make attractive ornamental specimens with orange-red blossoms prior to fruiting, set off upon glossy, deciduous green leaves. Pomegranates are also among the healthiest fruits on earth. They contain a range of beneficial plant compounds, unrivaled by other foods. Many studies have shown that they have incredible benefits for your body, and may lower the risk of all sorts of diseases.

Pomegranates have anti-oxidant, anti-viral and anti-tumor properties and are said to be a good source of vitamins, especially vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin E, as well as folic acid. This amazing fruit consists of three times as many antioxidants as both wine or green tea.

Wondering what pomegranates are good for? Well, you will be amazed to see that they are so useful in maintaining effective and healthy blood circulation, that several doctors suggest eating pomegranates to regain your strength after a long illness. Other health benefits include being a great cure for heart related problems, stomach disorders, cancer, dental conditions, osteoarthritis, anemia and diabetes. Pomegranates have been traditionally used for clearing up the skin and reducing inflammation. Pomegranate’s juice can also be useful for the treatment of sore throats.

Pomegranate is thus a very popular and healthy fruit to sell and to start a propagation nursery with and we believe that it is a great asset for the nursery.

Our strategy to propagate pomegranate

We first need to find a company who are willing to sell us seeds and to produce pomegranate trees to use for propagating cutting from it. We found a company in the Western Cape who said we can make up a contract with them to sell the cuttings we make from the seeds they produce to us.

We are going to plant the seeds and grow our own trees and then we’re going to make our cuttings from those trees. We are going to use a very simple and “green” technique to plant and grow these seeds:

• Fill small pots 2/3 full with potting soil.
• Poke 3 holes in each pot, leaving 1 inch (2.54 cm) between each hole and making them a depth 2 times the seeds' diameter.
• Place one seed into each hole and then cover the hoes with potting soil.
• Water the newly planted seeds until the soil surrounding them is thoroughly moist, but not soaking wet.
• Place the pots in a sunny greenhouse that maintains a temperature around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).
• Monitor the soil's moisture level on a daily bases.
• Keep the seeds damp throughout the germination process, which takes about 6 weeks.
• Remove the weaker 2 seedlings once they reach 3 inches (7.62 cm) tall.
• Nurture the pomegranate seedling in its pot until it is about 1 foot (0.3 m) tall before transplanting it during the spring or summer to a more permanent location in the greenhouse.
• Let the trees grow and keep giving it water on a daily base.
• Cuttings can be made from pomegranate when the tree is about 4-5 years old.

Here is a video on how to plant your pomegranate seeds:

The process of planting and growing the seeds till taking cuttings from the trees, is a long process, but pomegranate is easily propagated by cuttings and will show good results for our business. When the trees are mature, you can start taking cuttings from it and start with your propagation process. The method we used, is simple and it’s a “green” technique:

• Take one-year-old hardwood cuttings from the pomegranate trees during the winter.
• Clip pieces that are 10 to 20 inches long.
• Strip the leaves from the cuttings, save for the topmost buds. 
• Wrap the cuttings in wet paper towels and store them in a refrigerator until ready to plant.
• Dip one inch of the ends of the cuttings in rooting hormone, taking care to keep each hormone treatment separate to prevent the spread of disease between the cuttings.
• Choose a sunny spot with soil that is rich and well-drained, acidic loam or gravel.
• Plant the treated ends of the length of the cutting beneath the soil.
• Water the cuttings thoroughly once a week for the first few weeks, then once every three weeks when the cuttings become established.
• Prune the top of each tree when they reach two feet in height allowing four shoots to develop one foot above the ground.
• Cut away all other shoots and suckers to train the four shoots into branches.
• Fertilize pomegranate trees mainly in the first two seasons, in the spring, using three ounces of nitrogen based fertilizer.
• Add two inches of mulch around the base of the tree once each year.
• Prune all branches back by a third of their length in the first three years to encourage new, fruitful growth and a strong shape.

We kept about 40 mature trees and made all of our cuttings from those trees. The trees need space between them so that is the reason why we only kept 40 trees. We produce cuttings in mass and Ms. Humpenick can use this in her business to sell.

Here is a video on how to take cuttings from pomegranate:

Conditions for propagating pomegranates

Pomegranates grow best in sunny locations and will produce more fruit. The greenhouse will therefore be relegated to produce maximum sun to the new cuttings and the mature trees. Shade is not necessary for growing pomegranate. The soil we use is loamy, rich in organic content, loose and permeable. In the growing season, the trees and cuttings require medium to high watering. Therefore it should be watered regularly and deeply. The soil must be kept moist but not wet or waterlogged. In the winter, water should be reduced.

Fertilizing

During the growing season pomegranate tree is fertilized regularly, fertilize after every two week using half strength liquid 8-8-8 fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Pomegranate tree in pot often becomes zinc deficient, which is indicated by yellowing leaves. To overcome this, you can spray diluted zinc solution on foliage.

Treating pomegranate fruit diseases

Control of fungal issues should start before the fruit develops in early spring and continue through summer as fruits mature. Use a copper fungicide according to the directions and promote good circulation by pruning in the dormant season to open the canopy. Many of the exact causes of these diseases are not completely understood but fungicide use and proper cultivation of the plants can help the tree combat minor infestations. Good healthy trees are less likely to be bothered by minor fungal issues.

The propagation of cuttings was done by Juan Steyn - 19913869