Ripening Pomegranates
The following thread was started by Andrew on November 16, 2009 at 0:03 am PST
Well, my Eversweet produced three small fruit this year for the first time, in the Portland area; the outside did not turn red, but the seeds inside were red and somewhat sweet. It didn't bloom untill July's heat, so maybe if I get earlier blooming, the fruit will get fully ripe. Up the street from my house a guy has a bush which routinely bears fruit which ripen in October; bright red, sweet and juicy. He does not know what the variety is, but got it at a local nursery, so I'm guessing it is maybe the Russian variety "Favorite" sold by One Green World nursery. Of course, Portland and the Williamette Valley have more heat than the rest of the westside PNW, so ripening in other areas may be more problematical.
The above followup was added by Jim in Vancouver Wa. on November 16, 2009 at 6:22 am PST.
That's awesome! In every picture that I've ever seen of an 'Eversweet', the skin is sort of a pale orange so maybe it did fully ripen? However, the seeds in these same pictures are always light colored as well. That's interesting.
I never realized that 'Favorite' was the trade names for one of the Russian cultivars. What color flowers does your neighbor's bush have? I've heard of very hardy Russian pomegranates called Salavatsky and Kazake. I wonder if Wonderful is the same or very similar to one of these?
I've also read that Entekhabi Saveh from the mountains of Iran may be even more hardy. Cold hardiness is one thing but I wonder how well these Russian and Iranian pomegranates would ripen in the PNW.
I'll probably have to use all of the usual tricks to get that bit of extra heat that you guys have in the Williamette Valley like putting my pomegranates up against a south facing wall. I also have a greenhouse to finish ripening them if need be.
The above followup was added by Andrew on November 16, 2009 at 11:28 am PST.
The one I ate was pure green outside, I ate it because the skin split during late October rains. Two more are hanging still on the completely defoliated bush; their skins have changed to a light yellow, one with a red blush on the solward side. I probably won't pick em untill a killing frost threatens.
'Favorite' is what One Green World calls it, I've seen it called something else at some other nursery, neither of which I remember!
Those other hardier pomegranates sound interesting, however, So far, all my pomegranates have survived everything thrown at em in the last three years, including a low of 12F, without any signs of damage, leading me to think they may be even tougher than advertised. I have to be careful, I want to try everything, but have to limit my plant cravings so the yard doesn't become overwhelmed as the one's I've got get larger.
The above followup was added by Jim in Vancouver Wa. on November 16, 2009 at 5:20 pm PST.
I grew it from seed. It hasn't fruited or flowered yet. Most people to whom I've spoken have stated that they couldn't get it to ripen. Mine, like Jim's, have never had problems with cold, including last winter. They are in a raised bed.
I did talk to one guy at the Home Orchard Society who gets his wonderful to ripen every year. He is from Iran, I think, and had a high value on pomegranates, and so used all his tricks on those.
I would be interested in Eversweeet or other early ripening types. Keep the reports coming. Great news!
John S
PDX OR
The above followup was added by John S on November 17, 2009 at 7:21 pm PST.