Re: [nafex] Pomegranates for cold places

Here in Houston, pomegranates routinely take mid-teen temperatures when they are dormant, but freeze back badly when they aren't. But we very rarely get anything below 25˚F. Ours two years ago survived with dieback a late freeze at 15˚F. If you can keep them above 20˚F, you shouldn't have a problem on that end. Also of course, they root easily from cuttings so you can always hedge your bets.

They really like hot dry weather for production. Whether you can get ripe fruit that far north with so much darkness late in the fall is another question. Lights?

Bob Randall, Ph.D.

> On Jan 23, 2023, at 8:18 PM, Devin Smith via nafex <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org> wrote:
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> Lucky mentioned rooting pomegranates. As it happens, I'm hunting around for a pomegranate or two that would be viable in my high tunnel here in VT. I'm generally of the thinking that ripening time is going to be the crucial thing, not so much hardiness. I'm not sure if I'll actually be able to winter it over in the ground or if I'll need to dig it each year. We have been duly impressed by the difference floating row cover has made though, often 5-6 degrees. Also, it's pretty remarkable how differently plants respond to cold in the high tunnel. We registered 27 or 28 degrees several times inside with no sign of frost on tender things like cucumbers, summer squash, and tomatoes. We have an indoor/outdoor thermometer with one right at ground level and the other at chest height, so temp stratification can't explain it. All of this makes me think that wrapping may be an option.
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> Those of you growing pomegranates at the margins, what is your experience like? How do you protect or overwinter them? What varieties would you suggest?
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> Thanks!
> -Devin SmithRockingham, Vermont
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