Plant Profile: Pomegranate

Pomegranate:

           

            General info: Pomegranates (Punica granatum) are native to Persia. They are popular for their strong anti-oxidant properties, and rich, tart flavor. Pomegranates are naturally dense, deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub. Usually grows to 10-12’. The branches are slender and thorny. Colorful, orange-red flowers appear in spring and summer. Pomegranates are extremely heat tolerant.

            Landscape uses: Small specimen tree; container tree

            Ornamental qualities: Showy, scarlet flowers; glossy, green leaves; brightly colored fruit

            Planting: Prefers well drained soil and good air circulation. Plant in at least 6 hours of full sun to ensure good fruit quality and color.

            Pruning: Pomegranates can be pruned into either single trunk or multi-trunk trees. Single-trunk trees should have a single trunk to about 12-18”, then split into 5-6 major branches. Multi-trunk trees have 3-6 of the strongest branches as the trunks. Remove unneeded growth and suckers regularly. Major pruning should be done in winter.

            Fertilizing/Watering: Drought tolerant once established. Supplemental irrigation is needed during periods of drought. Fertilize in spring and mid-summer.

Varieties:

            Giant Russian: Vase-shaped, large, bright fruit. Tolerates southern heat and humidity.

           

            Angel Red: Matures in September. Vivid red color. Highest juice content per fruit. Seeds are soft enough to be edible. Bears heavily.

Plant Profile: Plum

'Santa Rosa' plum in early spring

Plum:

            General info: Plums (Prunus) are native to Asia, Europe, and North America. They put on a beautiful display of blooms in the spring. Plums are an excellent source of Vitamin A & C, as well as other nutrients. They can grow to about 15-20’ tall, but can be kept under 10” with proper pruning.

            Planting: Plant in full sun and well drained soil. Early morning sun is important to help dry the leaves and reduce the chance of disease. If necessary, cut off any broken or mutilated roots, otherwise keep root pruning to a minimum. Plant the same depth as grown in the nursery. When the hole is half filled, firm the soil with your feet before filling the rest of the way. Pack the soil firmly. Do not leave a depression around the tree. Water well after planting to help eliminate air pockets.

            Landscape uses: Small specimen or shade tree

            Ornamental qualities: Fragrant white blossoms in spring; fruit

            Pruning: Plums need to be pruned into a vase shaped tree with an open center to promote good air circulation and to let sunlight in. This helps reduce the chance for disease, and makes it easier to harvest the fruit. Pruning should be done during mid-February.

First remove dead, diseased, broken, and low hanging limbs. Do not allow the tree to form a dominant central leader. Prune out any crossing braches growing back towards the center, and any vigorous, upright shoots that developed from the inside of the main branches. You can think of the tree being pruned to look like your hand with your palm facing up, cupped, and fingers spread. Pruning may also be done in the summer after fruit harvest.

            Approximately 4 weeks after bloom, thin out the plums so there is about 6” between each fruit. Removal of excess fruit is necessary to ensure proper ripening and to reduce limb breakage.

           

            Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize in spring and again in summer. Do not let fertilizer accumulate around the trunk.

Varieties:

            Methley: A southern favorite. Deep red-purplish skin. Amber with red streaked flesh. Medium to large. High quality. Mild, sweet, distinctive flavor.

            Santa Rosa: Most important commercial & home orchard variety. Large, oval shape. Purplish-red skin, purplish flesh. Firm, rich, sweet-tart flavor. Somewhat self-fertile, but does better with pollinator.

Plant Profile: Pecan

Pecan:

            General info: Pecan trees (Carya illinoensis) are a staple of the South and are found in both rural and urban environments. They are native to North America and are grown from Illinois to Florida. Pecan trees can reach 70-100 ft. in height and 40-80 ft. in width. The nuts are heart healthy and high in vitamins and minerals.

Pecan trees often bear on alternating years, and will begin producing within 5-7 years. Cross-pollination results in the best nut production.  

            Landscape uses: Shade tree.

            Ornamental qualities: Stately form when full grown.

            Planting: Plant in well drained soil and full sun. Be sure to give the tree plenty of room to grow and mature. Spacing 40-80 ft. apart is best. Crowding can cause misshaped trees and poor production. Plant the same depth as grown in the nursery. When the hole is half filled, firm the soil with your feet before filling the rest of the way. Pack the soil firmly. Do not leave a depression around the tree. Water well after planting to help eliminate air pockets.

            Pruning: Thin any dead or diseased branches as needed.

            Fertilizing/Watering: Newly planted trees need about 10-15 gal. of water per week fro the first 2 or 3 years. Regular water is important at any age to ensure a good crop production, especially during the nut filling stage (during the first 2 weeks of Sept.). Fertilize in March and again in June. Do not place fertilizer closer than 12” from the trunk.

Varieties:

            Stewart: Most widely planted of all varieties. Good quality, medium size. May take 8-10 years to produce a good crop.

            Desirable: A leading variety in the Southeast. Consistent, productive bearer. Medium to large size. Noted for good eating quality.

Plant Profile: Peach

'June Gold' starting to bloom in early spring

Peach:

            General info: Peaches (Prunus persica) are called the Queen of fruits. They are admired for their showy, fragrant blooms and tasty fruit. Peach trees are second only to apple trees in popularity.

Peaches can be divided into two categories according to their type of flesh: melting and non-melting. Melting varieties soften as they ripen, and are very juicy. Non-melting varieties stay firm even while ripening. They can also be divided according to how the flesh separates from the pit. Freestone peaches separate easily from the pit, while clingstone peaches “cling” to the pit.

            Landscape uses: Small specimen tree; mixed border.

            Ornamental qualities: Showy pink blossoms in spring; long, arching leaves all summer long.

            Planting: Plant in full sun and well drained soil. Early morning sun is important to help dry the leaves and reduce the chance of disease. If necessary, cut off any broken or mutilated roots, otherwise keep root pruning to a minimum. Plant the same depth as grown in the nursery. When the hole is half filled, firm the soil with your feet before filling the rest of the way. Pack the soil firmly. Do not leave a depression around the tree. Water well after planting to help eliminate air pockets.

           

            Pruning: Peaches need to be pruned into a vase shaped tree with an open center to promote good air circulation and to let sunlight in. This helps reduce the chance for disease, and makes it easier to harvest the fruit. Pruning should be done during mid-February.

First remove dead, diseased, broken, and low hanging limbs. Do not allow the tree to form a dominant central leader. Prune out any crossing braches growing back towards the center, and any vigorous, upright shoots that developed from the inside of the main branches. You can think of the tree being pruned to look like your hand with your palm facing up, cupped, and fingers spread. Pruning may also be done in the summer after fruit harvest.

            Approximately 4 weeks after bloom, thin out the peaches so there is about 6” between each fruit. Removal of excess fruit is necessary to ensure proper ripening and to reduce limb breakage.

           

            Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize in spring and again in summer. Do not let fertilizer accumulate around the trunk.

Varieties:

            Tropic Snow: White flesh, semi-freestone. Extremely sweet flavor. Melting flesh. Self-fertile.

           

            Florida King: Yellow flesh, semi-freestone. Beautiful red blush over a yellow base color. Melting flesh. Self-fertile.

           

            Florida Crest: Excellent flavor. Red colored skin. Yellow flesh, semi-cling.  Melting flesh. Self-fertile.

            June Gold: Heavy producer. Delicious, yellow flesh. Clingstone. Self-fertile.

            Suwanee: Beautiful, large freestone. Sweet, mild flavor. Self-fertile.

           

            Harvester: Firm, highly colored with yellow flesh. Excellent quality. Freestone. Self-fertile.