How to Make Pomegranate Plant Cuttings

Pomegranate benefits are great, providing decorative trees for landscaping, colorful pomegranate flowers, and succulent pomegranate fruit.

These deciduous small trees are easy to propagate by seed or cuttings. The desired method is to create cuttings right from the pomegranate tree, rather than from seed.

Pomegranates started from seed may not grow true to the same variety as the mother plant. Cross pollination can undo years of careful plant breading, and produce a weaker or a less desirable variety of pomegranate plant.

Plants started from seed, will also take longer to produce fruit, than a pomegranate plant started by a cutting. It's easy to make pomegranate plant cuttings, lets get started with step one.

Instructions

1. Take pomegranate cuttings in the dormant season-

   The best time of year to take cuttings from a pomegranate tree is when the tree isn't trying to grow new leaves or fruit. The tree enters a dormant period during the winter months, November into January is ultimately the best time of year to get good results from pomegranate cuttings.

2. Choose the right Pomegranate branch-

   When preparing to make that first cut, find branches that are a year old. To decipher if the branch is old enough, look at the sides of the branch, try to locate buds growing on the branch. If there are no buds, the branch is too young. Choose a branch that has buds about 2" apart, and make a cut at the base of the branch. Check to make sure inside the branch has a nice green ring,this indicates an alive and healthy pomegranate tree branch. If there isn't a green ring, and the stem is all white on the inside, the twig is dead. Dispose of all dead twigs. Cut desired amount of branches and bring them inside.

3. Start the cuttings -

   Each Pomegranate tree branch now needs to be cut into a manageable size for planting. The pomegranates can be cut to any length, as long as each stick has a bud. To decide how long to keep the cuttings, keep in mind that the length of cutting will also need an equal length when planted. A 8" long pomegranate cutting will need a 8" deep hole. Make the cut so there is a bud close to the top of the cutting.

4. Plant the Pomegranate branches-

   Dip the bottom end of the branch (the bottom end is the one without a bud ) into a rooting hormone. You can buy this product in a store, or you can attempt to make it yourself (see link in resources). If the temperatures stay above freezing, the pomegranates can be planted outside. Tie the sticks together into a bundle, and plant them in a well drained, sunny location. Dig a hole 3" deeper then the length of the sticks. Bury the bundle in, root side up. The bottom will get most of the heat from the sun, encouraging root growth, and keeping it from sprouting leaves, before its ready. Keep the pomegranates buried until spring, and all dangers of frost have pasted. When the weather is right, dig them up carefully and plant them root down, with ½ in the dirt,and the other half out.

5. Inside planting-

   If the weather is cold and the ground is frozen, the cuttings can be started indoors. After applying the root hormone, plant the sticks in a hole, with just the top bud half showing. Keep the soil moist, keeping the cuttings in full sun. Plant out when the danger of frost has passed.

Tips & Warnings

• This method of taking cuttings can work most hardwood trees

Resources

• Make your own rooting hormone