Punica is a dwarf variety of pomegranate. The plant looks like a miniature tree with woody stems, glossy light green elongated leaves, and it produces plumpish teardrop shaped flower buds that are bright red. I have three plants arranged in a trough, and since taking residence in a north-facing balcony about four months ago they have been blossoming more or less continuously.
In this post, I discuss my experience in caring for my pomegranate trees and the conditions under which they thrive.
Dwarf pomegranate are flowering plants which produce red buds; these bloom into beautiful flowers that are the brightest of red and have the most delicate crepe-paper like single row petals.
I had let the soil in the Punica container get too dry a couple of times. It never reached a critical stage, i.e. the leaves of the plant barely wilted, but the buds would not blossom: they would dry and fall off at a very early stage of their development. But once moisture was restored to a level to the plant's liking, it started producing flowers again. In all, I find the Punica to be a resilient plant that is fairly easy to care for.
As mentioned above, these plants require a lot of sunlight. I have mine placed on the outer side of a north-facing balcony railing; so they get ample sunlight throughout the day especially in the summer season.
Pomegranate enjoy regular spraying, but spray only in the early morning or evening to avoid having the wet leaves get scorched.
Of all my plants, the Punica have been the most susceptible to greenfly attacks. However, regular inspection and control have prevented any damage to the plant. Read this post for a detailed discussion on how to control the bugs, and regularly insepct the soft young plant tips and bud crowns to detect the greenfly early on.
As with any plant, if you keenly observe its state and accommodate for its light and watering needs, the Punica will reward you with continual bright red blossoms that liven up any plant display.
Dwarf pomegranate are flowering plants which produce red buds; these bloom into beautiful flowers that are the brightest of red and have the most delicate crepe-paper like single row petals.
I had let the soil in the Punica container get too dry a couple of times. It never reached a critical stage, i.e. the leaves of the plant barely wilted, but the buds would not blossom: they would dry and fall off at a very early stage of their development. But once moisture was restored to a level to the plant's liking, it started producing flowers again. In all, I find the Punica to be a resilient plant that is fairly easy to care for.
As mentioned above, these plants require a lot of sunlight. I have mine placed on the outer side of a north-facing balcony railing; so they get ample sunlight throughout the day especially in the summer season.
Pomegranate enjoy regular spraying, but spray only in the early morning or evening to avoid having the wet leaves get scorched.
Of all my plants, the Punica have been the most susceptible to greenfly attacks. However, regular inspection and control have prevented any damage to the plant. Read this post for a detailed discussion on how to control the bugs, and regularly insepct the soft young plant tips and bud crowns to detect the greenfly early on.
As with any plant, if you keenly observe its state and accommodate for its light and watering needs, the Punica will reward you with continual bright red blossoms that liven up any plant display.
