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pombazaar wrote: Wed Oct 05, 2022 1:03 pm 10/5/22 update:

I sadly noticed some dead spots at the top of the Belbek pomegranate I've been monitoring. After more careful examination I found an entry hole at the base of the calyx. After flashing a light inside I saw an earwig! I don't believe the fruit is damaged but will continue to monitor.

Interesting, I had seen an earwig once in a pomegranate flower for the pollen, yet it was a male flower and the flower fell off, I wonder if one got trapped in the flower as it was turning in to a fruit, maybe sometimes they turn the fruit in to a home/shelter. It's surprising what nature will do, have you ever seen a hornet nest inside a pomegranate fruit skin?

pombazaar wrote: Fri Oct 21, 2022 7:11 pm 11/21/22 update:

Awesome. Has your area had frost yet?

Indeed! Nature is a magnificent thing. I've never seen a hornet nest inside a pomegranate before, that has got to be super rare. Are you saying you have?

Our first frost was a week ago but was very mild. It lasted no more than 2-3 hours max. The only thing it took out were my tomatoes. Everything else was unscathed.

pombazaar wrote: Sat Oct 22, 2022 4:08 pm Indeed! Nature is a magnificent thing. I've never seen a hornet nest inside a pomegranate before, that has got to be super rare. Are you saying you have?

My cousin on the Island of Malta did

Incredible!

Update 11/4/2022:

Harvest day 11 days early!

Belbek is a success in zone 6A. This took a total of 3 years in a 20 gallon container to reach mature fruit bearing age and 6 months to ripen this season. The taste is sweet with an acidic profile, large arils, and a medium hard seed. Next year it will go in ground to see how it fares against Michigan's winter.

A good looking baby! Congrats!