We understand many varieties of red fruit: types of pomegranates and the differences between them
Pomegranate (lat. Púnica granátum) is a thermophilic plant, the fruits of which are the owners of many useful substances. It raises hemoglobin levels and improves health.
And it can just be a delicious addition to the diet and enrich with vitamins C, B6, B12, P, fiber or just serve as a beautiful decorative decoration. In this article we will consider various varieties of pomegranate, the features of care and differences from other varieties.
Description of species and varieties of Punica granatum
There are a huge number of pomegranate varieties, so listing them all within this article is almost impossible; Below are the most popular types of this red fruit and their main differences.
Ordinary
Pomegranate tree reaches 5 m in height. It has sprawling branches covered with small spikes and a massive trunk of light gray color. The leaves are small, on short petioles, oval elongated. The flowers are red, white or reddish shades, in diameter of 2-3 cm.
The fruits are large, spherical in shape. Their diameter can reach 20 cm. When ripe, the pomegranate changes its color from yellow to brown-red. The pulp has a tart sweet and sour taste. Seeds are in chambers. They can have a color ranging from pink to ruby. The number of seeds in 1 fruit is from 200 to 1400.
Socotransky, or Protopunica (Protopunica)
Socotran pomegranate - is the precursor of common pomegranate. Evergreen tree reaching 4.5 m in height. It grows only in Yemen - the endemic of the island of Socotra. The place of growth is limestone and rocky plateaus, 250-310 m above sea level. It differs from the ordinary one with smaller pink flowers on raised pedicels, and the fruit is smaller and has a lower sugar content.
A specific soil composition is required for growing pomegranate. Loamy humus mixtures, palm substrate with the addition of coarse quartz sand (1/4) are suitable; pH is about 6.Baby
Baby - a dwarf domesticated variety, deciduous shrub. Another name is a punic or Carthaginian apple. Homeland - the countries of the Mediterranean and Asia. It is grown mainly as an ornamental plant. A compact plant with a height of 30-50 cm. The leaves are elongated, collected in small groups, the surface of the leaf is glossy. The stem is branched light brown. Branches are strewn with small thorns.
Fruits have yellow-orange or brown-red hues. They have the same beneficial properties as ordinary pomegranate, but the fruits are smaller. Often grown only for the sake of flowers. They bloom profusely, and few fruits are tied, so for internal use it makes no sense to keep them.
Pomegranate care requires constant, abundant watering in the summer, average in the winter. In December-January, after a leaf drop, a rest of 1-2 months is necessary. Needs annual thinning and shearing.Carthage (Karfahen)
Imported from Carthage. Gained popularity due to its long flowering. Shrub no higher than 1 m in height, used as an ornamental plant. This species can be kept indoors. Many oblong leaves are pale green in color. Flowers may be yellow or white, but red is most common.
The fruits are small and, like all decorative pomegranates, are not intended for consumption. In taste, ordinary pomegranate is far superior to Carthage..
Care features: it is necessary to cut the branches, otherwise they will become thinner and the bush will become ugly.Nar Shirin
A sweet variety of pomegranate, originally from Iran, similar in quality to the Iranian Ahmar. All parts of the plant are used in folk medicine.. Very high quality dye is obtained from this pomegranate, and baskets are woven from branches. The skin of ripe fruit is pale. The grains are small, rounded in shape.
Good taste, but still slightly inferior to larger varieties, so it is often used in the domestic market.
Garnet Nar-Shirin is found in the wild, as they have recently been cultivated.Nana
Homeland - Asia Minor, Iran. This variety is also an indoor decorative shrub. Has small oblong leaves, flowers and fruits. In height reaches 1 m. Represents a small copy of a garden pomegranate. Flowers of two types: with long petals (form fruits) and with short (do not form). The fruits are sweet and sour.
In winter, it can partially or completely discard foliage, it depends on climatic conditions, likes warmth. It requires daily watering. For splendor, you can carry out frequent pruning.We offer you to watch a video about Nana grenade:
Dholka
It is the sweetest pomegranate in the world. It grows in the wild in India. The bush grows no more than 2 meters in height. It has oblong leaves, a thick fleshy peel in color resembling a black plum. The pulp of the fruit is purple-white or white, sweet.
The weight of one fruit is about 195 g. Grains can vary in color, they come in white and pale pink.
Bedana
Evergreen large shrub. Refers to the Indian variety of pomegranate. It grows in the territory from Iran to North India, including the Himalayas. New flowers appear throughout the summer. Small-sized fruits. These pomegranates grow best in areas with cool winters and hot, dry summers.
Achikanor (Achik Anor)
Achikanor - an annual, sweet and sour Asian pomegranate variety. A branchy tree of medium size. With oblong leaves characteristic of most garnets and small spines. The fruits have a thick light-carmine-colored peel, rounded, slightly narrowed at the base. The grains are large, dark cherry in color. Productivity is high and stable.
Bala Mursal
Homeland - Azerbaijan. It is considered one of the best sweet and sour pomegranate varieties. However, it is not frost resistant.
It reaches a height of 3 m, at home - 1-1.5 m. The leaves, like most pomegranates, are oblong. One pomegranate bush gives from 20 kg of crop.
Fruits are small and medium sizes, average weight - 250g, the maximum can reach 500g. Raspberry peel.
Grain shades can vary from raspberry to deep red. Contains 16% sugars and 1.3% acids.Nikitsky Early
It was bred in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, from where it got its name. A high-yielding variety that requires shelter for the winter can grow in central Ukraine.
Srednerosly bush grows up to 2m in height. Abundant pomegranate bloom observed all summer.. One of the features is that the flowers are bisexual. Large fruits with a wonderful taste. It looks like an ordinary pomegranate.
Seedless
The most popular types of pomegranate of this type are:
- American Wonderful;
- Spanish Mollar de Elche.
Breeders say that externally the seedless variety is no different from the ordinary. Its peculiarity is that the fruit has a thinner peel, so you need to be extremely careful when transporting. Due to many crosses, the color of the fruit may be red or with shades of yellow.
The grains seem more juicy due to the lack of seeds. They are also sweeter, devoid of all bitterness.
Is there a hybrid with orange?
Such a hybrid does not exist. Any breeder will say that it is impossible to cross these two species. Because citrus fruits are obtained only by crossing with their own kind, and pomegranate is not citrus.
In fact, it is a bloody orange that has nothing to do with pomegranate. Like its other relatives, it has a large amount of vitamin C and other beneficial substances. It can be used without fear, it is also often used to make cocktails.
General care rules
In indoor conditions, dwarf pomegranate grows best.:
- It is recommended to keep on the south windowsill.
- The pot needs a wide and shallow.
- The soil should be clayey and nutritious.
- It can be fed with mineral fertilizer for indoor flowers.
- If necessary, trim.
- Watering is plentiful, but rare.
When growing in open field, it is required:
- Moderate watering.
- Permanent mulch under the bush.
- Regular application of mineral fertilizers.
- Crown formation.
- Frost protection.
- Preventive spraying from diseases and pests.
Conclusion
In this article, we examined several varieties of pomegranates, examined the general rules of care, and found out the differences between these useful trees. Let the bushes and trees delight you with a plentiful harvest and beautiful flowering for as long as possible.