From seed to fruit in 1.5 years

[greenfig]

Here is my seedling that was germinated in February 2019.
Isn’t it crazy? I hope at least one fruit ripens to compare to the mother tree fruits.
It is so vigorous!

[Eykca]

How significant is the tap root in the vigor of the plant? I've heard the existence of a tap root used as one key advantage of growing from seed but I assume all the stuff I buy from nurseries and what not is grown from cutting to ensure species.

[alanmercieca]

Here is my seedling that was germinated in February 2019.
Isn’t it crazy? I hope at least one fruit ripens to compare to the mother tree fruits.
It is so vigorous!

I have two different seedlings, the seeds came from Los Angeles, the original plant of both appears to be a wild pomegranate variety, by seed they grow nearly identical to the parent tree, their skin is dark purple, almost black, they fruit from seed very fast as well, the seed shells are very fragile. Sometimes they flower the same year that the seeds are germinated and then fruit the following year.

[greenfig]

Here is my seedling that was germinated in February 2019.
Isn’t it crazy? I hope at least one fruit ripens to compare to the mother tree fruits.
It is so vigorous!

I have two different seedlings, the seeds came from Los Angeles, the original plant of both appears to be a wild pomegranate variety, by seed they grow nearly identical to the parent tree, their skin is dark purple, almost black, they fruit from seed very fast as well, the seed shells are very fragile. Sometimes they flower the same year that the seeds are germinated and then fruit the following year.

That is incredible! Do you know the location of those pom trees in LA?

[greenfig]

How significant is the tap root in the vigor of the plant? I've heard the existence of a tap root used as one key advantage of growing from seed but I assume all the stuff I buy from nurseries and what not is grown from cutting to ensure species.

I haven’t inspected the tap root, I will next time I uppot.
I am sure the nurseries propagate their trees from cuttings, that is the only way to claim a true to variety pom plant as far as I know

[alanmercieca]

How significant is the tap root in the vigor of the plant? I've heard the existence of a tap root used as one key advantage of growing from seed but I assume all the stuff I buy from nurseries and what not is grown from cutting to ensure species.

I think that depends where the plant is planted, pomegranate bushes with tap roots have been used in Malta to get nitrogen from deep in the ground, the more nitrogen the faster they grow, and the tap root can help a pomegranate plant grow better in a place with drought and very little rain since the roots go so deep. Then again in a climate that the ground is soupy deep that could harm the plant I'd think. I myself only have 1 pomegranate bush with a taproot and it's in a pot. I find that cloned pomegranate bushes grow both down and outwards, yet nowhere near as down as the taproot ones do.

[alanmercieca]

That is incredible! Do you know the location of those pom trees in LA?

I just PMed you a response.

[greenfig]

An update from October 20, 2020. The tree kept 7 fruits. They are not large but what you expect from this young seedling.
The fruit looks like from the mother tree (at least outside). Those are late season poms, I will compare what's inside around Christmas.

[pombazaar]

2021 update?

[greenfig]

The fruit was very acidic so I got rid of the tree.
But it was fun to try to grow it. Definitely the most vigorous I’ve had