Key points of pomegranate pruning technology

1. Winter pruning

Winter is the dormant period for the pomegranate tree, when it stops growing and pruning will not cause harm. First, prune the large branches and keep only three main branches. The distance between them should be kept at about 80-100 cm to leave some space for growth. Prune the branches again, and thin out the upper and outer parts of the crown. The branches inside the chamber can be slightly denser, but they cannot cross or overlap. The fruiting branches with flower buds should be retained. If there are too many, some thin branches can be thinned out. In addition, 3-5 nutrient branches should be left on each fruiting branch.

2. Spring pruning

Pomegranate trees begin to sprout in spring, and pruning should be done before flowering, usually in April or May. At this time, pruning is mainly to adjust the ratio of fruiting branches to nutrient branches, controlling it between 1:5 and 1:15. If there are too many fruit branches, the nutrient supply will be insufficient, resulting in the fruit not growing large. In addition, buds and flowers should be thinned out in time. Cut off the bell-shaped and tubular flowers, leaving only the gourd-shaped flowers.

3. Summer pruning

Pomegranate trees begin to bear fruit in summer, and pruning is generally done in June and July. It is necessary to cut off the smaller fruits so that the nutrients can be concentrated. Diseased and insect-infested fruits should also be cut off to prevent the spread of diseases and pests. In addition, appropriate branch thinning is required, and dense and overgrown branches should be cut off to ensure internal ventilation and light transmission. If the main branches grow too close, you need to pull them appropriately to keep the distance between them at about 80-100 cm.

Autumn pruning

Autumn is the fruit growth stage of pomegranate trees, and pruning should be carried out from August to October. Cut off the overly dense branches to allow the fruits to see the light and promote the growth of flower buds. At the same time, the roots should be pruned to promote the growth of new roots, which can also improve the plant's resistance to cold and help it survive the winter.