The Salavatski Pomegranate (Punica granatum) goes by many names, such as Salavatski Pomegranate, Sweet Salavatski, Russian-Turk, and Russian Red Pomegranate. But whichever name you prefer, the Salavatski Pomegranate is a cold-hardy fruit tree that will thrive in cold climates (down to -6ºF) that may be usuitable for many other Pomegranate varieties. Salavatski Pomegranates are red and green-streaked and glossy when ripe, and they contain edible crunchy seeds covered in red, juicy, sweet pulp that are prized for their flavor and rich in antioxidants.
Salavatski Pomegranate Trees can grow in the ground in USDA growing Zones 8 to 10, or in pots in Zones 4 to 10. They like rich, moist soil, full sun, and good air flow. Salavatski Pomegranate Trees grow to about 10 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide. This smaller size makes them perfect for the new small garden or an already planted edible landscape. The trees are self-pollinating, the trees bloom in spring, and their fruit ripens in late fall. The Salavatski Pomegranate Trees can grow 1 to 2 feet per year and they can be kept at a small size by annual trimming.
Give Salavatski Pomegranate Trees about 14 feet of growing room on all sides so you can easily trim limbs and harvest fruit. The best location for growing Salavatski Pomegranate Trees in the ground is a spot with rich but well-drained soil that gets at least 5 hours or more of direct sunlight each day in spring and summer months. The more sun the trees get, the more blooms and fruit they will produce.
Plant new trees by digging a hole that is twice the size of the tree’s root ball. Do not over-burry the root ball. Build a circular, 6-inch high berm to retain water about two feet out from the planted tree trunk. Water the newly planted tree right away by filling the circle bed and allowing the water to fully drain about three times immediately after planting. After planting your new Salavatski Pomegranate Tree, water once per week and do not fertilize until new foliage begins to grow.
Salavatski Pomegranate Trees in a good location and with proper water and fertilizer should start to grow crops of Pomegranates within 3 to 4 years. It is not uncommon for a new, younger tree to bloom and make a fruit or two, but full crops will usually only form on mature trees. Salavatski Pomegranates ripen in early fall. Ripe and ready to harvest Salavatski Pomegranates will be mostly red with some streaks of green on their shiny skins. Harvest by hand and wash then cut the fruit in half carefully with a sturdy knife. Once opened you can scoop out the pulp-covered seeds, called arils. The arils and the crunchy seeds inside the red jewels are what you eat. They arils can also be used to make tea or juice.
To easily remove the juicy arils, scoop out the seeds and the white or cream-colored pith. Submerge the pith and seeds in a bowl of cool water and gently separate the arils. The spongy pith will float and can then be removed. Then simply strain out the delicate, sweet arils. The arils can be refrigerated in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Salavatski Pomegranate arils are great for eating fresh, adding to cereal, using in salads, and for making into healthful juice.
Prune the tallest limbs and some of the out-stretched side branches in late winter after all fruit has been harvested. Salavatski Pomegranate Trees do well when maintained in an upright, somehwat rounded form. Be sure to remove any fallen or trimmed branches from the tree’s general area, as rotting wood can invite pests or encourage fungus that may harm otherwise healthy fruit trees.
Water when the soil around the tree base is dry down to 2 inches deep. You can also mulch Salavatski Pomegranate Trees with raked leaves, wood chips, or any shredded organic mulch. Mulch is a great way to keep weeds in check while retaining soil moisture levels. Keep the tree trunk at the base clear of stacked mulch or other material, and do not let grass grow right up to the tree base. Many home fruit tree growers become discouraged when trees do not produce high fruit yields, and very often, grass growing around the tree’s base is a main culprit of poor tree performance.
Cut the Salavatski Pomegranate in half to find many red, juicy, pulp-covered seeds known as arils. The sweet, juicy arils are removed from the pith and eaten fresh or made into juice.
Will a Salavatski Pomegranate Tree grow fruit in a pot?
Yes. A Potted Pomegranate Tree will make fruit in a container. In fact, Salavatski Pomegranate trees are small and well-suited for growing in pots.
Is it possible to grow Pomegranate Trees from seeds?
You can grow a Pomegranate Tree from seed, but it will take many years for the tree to make fruit, and you will not know the fruit quality until it does. Growing a grafted tree from a nursery is the most reliable way to get good fruit from your efforts.
Is the Salavatski Pomegranate Tree really from Russia?
Yes, the Salavatski Pomegranate Tree is a Russian variety that does well in cold climates.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Loved the tree. Will wait to see how it behaves in winter.
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