Article from
VSCNews, Vegetable and Specialty Crop News
by Abbey Taylor, editor
Pomegranate Pruning Techniques
Andrew Koeser, a professor of landscape management at the
University of Florida, recently spoke at the Florida Pomegranate
Association growers meeting about pruning pomegranate trees.
Koeser
discussed a pruning timeline to follow to keep pomegranate trees
healthy and promote continuous growth. When the tree is first
established, he advised, do not complicate the transplanting process;
allow the tree to grow. In the first year, he said it is only necessary
to remove suckers and keep an eye out for diseased branches.
During
the second year, Koeser said to look for three to five branches that
are strong and growing in the right direction. These branches will
establish the canopy of the tree. Keep looking for diseased branches
and removing suckers during this time as well.
After three
years, the tree should have a fully established form. Koeser suggested
lightly pruning the tree from this point forward to ensure new growth,
and as always, watch out for diseased, dead or broken branches.
When
it comes to selecting pruning tools, Koeser said if you prune often
enough, the smaller the tool the better. This means a hand pruner would
be a sufficient tool. He also emphasized the importance of pruning
regularly. “If you keep on it every year like you should, eventually
the pruning gets pretty minimal, and you can just maintain shape with
just a little bit of effort,” he concluded.
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