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Pomegranate is called the "king of fruits" for its beneficial, medicinal properties. But in order not to purchase a low-quality product, you need to know when the pomegranate ripens and how to choose it correctly. The harvest time depends on the variety and country of growth, and the taste depends on compliance with the rules of collection and storage.
Varietal features of the ripening of pomegranate fruits
Pomegranate is a healthy berry with a thick skin. Depending on the variety, the fruits differ in taste, have a different mass and color. The juice contains many useful substances that treat anemia, colds, increase immunity and stop the growth of cancer cells. It is also rich in iron, which prevents iron deficiency anemia.
The berry has also found wide application in cosmetology. Due to the high content of vitamins and microelements, the juice is used for the preparation of creams, masks and shampoos.
There are about 350 varieties. They differ in size, color, taste and shelf life. Most popular:
- Ahmar... The sweetest and tastiest specimen from Iran. The plant reaches 4 m, in summer the crown is covered with red-orange flowers. After flowering, small fruits weighing 300 g are formed. The dense skin is pink-green in color, the seeds are pale pink. It is believed that the lighter the seed, the tastier the pomegranate. In terms of glucose content, Akhmar occupies one of the leading positions. Locals appreciate the variety not only for its useful fruits, but also for the flexible branches from which baskets are woven. Ripens in mid-October.
- Azerbaijani gulyusha... One of the best varieties grown on the territory of Azerbaijan. The tree is small, reaches 2.5-3 m. The crown is formed by flexible shoots with small thorns. Rounded pomegranates weighing up to 600 g have a thin, shiny red-pink crust. Burgundy bones are small, oblong and grooved. Sweet and sour juice contains 15% glucose, 1.3% acids. Keeping life is 3-4 months. The variety is high-yielding, the tree gives 25 kg or more. Pomegranate ripens in October 20.
- Kizil-Anora... The best variety grown in Uzbekistan. It is early ripe, small pomegranates have a rounded-flattened shape, weighing 600-800 g and a thin, shiny crust of bright red color. Small brown seeds, dark cherry juice, sweet and sour taste. Ripens in early October.
- Ak Dona Crimean... A zoned specimen bred in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. Round fruits are large, thin cream-colored rind with one-sided blush and numerous red spots located all over the surface. Ripe grains are small, the juice is sweet with a slight pleasant sourness. Pomegranate ripens in early October.
- Purple variety... Tall shrub with bright red fruits weighing 300 g. The plant is high-yielding and frost-resistant. The oblong grooved grains are juicy and very aromatic. Ripens in mid-October.
When the grenades ripen
It is difficult to say when the pomegranate ripens, it all depends on the variety and country of growth. It mostly ripens in October. But some varieties ripen in early September until the end of October.
Unscrupulous sellers harvest the tree green and it ripens in an unnatural way. Therefore, you need to know when the pomegranate ripens and how to choose the ripe one.
When pomegranate ripens in Crimea
The sunny climate of Crimea has a beneficial effect on the cultivation of pomegranate. It can be found on personal plots, in city parks and squares. The ripening time of the pomegranate on the tree falls on the beginning of October. Anything that is sold ahead of schedule is imported grenades.
When pomegranate ripens in Azerbaijan
Pomegranates begin to ripen in Azerbaijan from October 26. During this period, the country begins to celebrate "International Pomegranate Day". The mass consumption of pomegranates lasts 14 days, until November 7, as the harvest ends at this time. Despite the fact that the fruits are not very beautiful outwardly, the peel is not smooth and shiny, but the grains are very tasty, sweet and healthy.
When pomegranate ripens in Turkey
The harvest in Turkey ripens from mid-September to the end of October. It all depends on the variety and place of growth. Pomegranate is not only a tasty and healthy fruit, but also a visiting card of the Turkish coast along with other exotic fruits. It is better to buy pomegranates at the bazaar during the harvest season.
When the pomegranate begins to bear fruit after planting
Pomegranate begins to bear fruit 2 years after planting a seedling. Subject to the rules of care, pomegranates on the tree ripen for 35 years. To harvest a rich crop, you need to know the tricks of growing. Pomegranate is a fast-growing plant, fruiting branches dry out, they should be removed in a timely manner.
Flowers are bookmarked on last year's branches. The flowers are variegated, single or gathered together in 3-4 flowers. By the flowers, you can determine the yield, since they are divided into 2 groups:
- Short-petalled bell-shaped - short pistil, stigma located below the zone of anther location. Such flowers do not pollinate and crumble over time.
- Pistil-shaped long-petaled - the pistil is long, the stigma is located above the anthers, so pollination occurs safely, after flowering ovaries are formed.
The harvest time depends not only on the rules of care, but also on the method of cultivation. A pomegranate tree grown from seeds begins bearing fruit in 3-4 years. And a plant grown from a cuttings for 2 years after planting.
Growing a pomegranate tree is troublesome. But it is not enough to grow a rich harvest, you need to know the rules of collection and storage. The taste and useful properties of the berry depend on these rules.
Unripe berries can only be removed in case of bad weather. The ripe ones are removed from the branch before cracks begin to appear on the peel.
Before laying the harvest for long-term storage, the pomegranates are not washed, they are wrapped in parchment and put away in a cool room. Once every 7 days, the crop is sorted out, eliminating spoiled specimens. Subject to simple rules, the harvested crop can be stored for 2-3 months.
How to understand that the pomegranate is ripe
Very often crops arrive unripe in stores and the appearance can be deceiving. But in order not to be mistaken in the choice, ripeness and the number of seeds can be recognized by some signs:
- Ripe grains should be oblong and ribbed.
- The skin color should be burgundy or hot pink. Pallor indicates increased acidity.
- The peel is dry, without mechanical damage and signs of rot. The presence of cracks indicates overripening.
- The sound when tapped should be clear. In immature specimens, the sound is dull.
- Ripe fruits without aroma. If they give off a strong odor, then the crop is not ripe.
- The peel should be firm, if it is soft and spotty, then the fruit is overripe and starts to deteriorate.
- The ripe berry should be heavy by weight, since the severity depends on the size of the ripe grains.
- Maturity can also be determined by the inflorescence. It should be dry and free from green color.
- Pomegranate ripens from late September to early November.
Why pomegranate does not bear fruit
The pomegranate tree does not ripen and does not bear fruit for natural reasons and if the rules of care are not followed, due to poor climatic conditions.
Natural Causes - Since the pomegranate is a cross-pollinated plant, fruiting depends on the structure of the flower:
- inflorescences with a short pistil are not pollinated and fruits are not tied;
- flowers with an elongated pistil form an ovary.
Fruiting on a pomegranate tree may not occur for unnatural reasons. These include:
- Cold weather - Pomegranate ripens only in regions with warm climates.
- Lack of light, the tree must be grown in a well-lit area. In the shade, flowering will be scarce or absent altogether.
- Depleted soil, the berry ripens only on fertile, loose soil with neutral acidity.
- The pomegranate ripens and bears fruit only on the grafted tree.
- The pomegranate tree does not like frequent watering. On moistened soil, it will begin to hurt, the flowers will begin to fall off and the fruits will not be tied.
Conclusion
Pomegranate ripens within 4 months after the beginning of flowering. The term depends on the region of growth, climatic conditions and varietal characteristics. To acquire a ripe, healthy berry, you need to know the timing of collection and the signs of ripeness.
