Do pomegranate trees have lots of flowers but no fruit at all? This is a grower’s nightmare!
Pomegranates are a bit expensive in the market. Growing your own is the best idea to get the freshest fruits every year. They are pretty strong plants. But Pomegranate’s flower dropping is a big concern.
But before starting let me tell you, Pomegranates can be of two types:
- Fruiting type
- Ornamental type
If you have the fruiting type Pomegranate but there is no fruit then there are several issues behind it.
And the reasons of no fruits of Pomegranate are Lack of Pollinators, Moisture Stress, Wrong Soil, Sunlight Effect, Overfertilization, Pest Attack, and Fungal Diseases
But don’t worry. I am here with the solutions. Keep reading to find out how to make your Pomegranate tree fruit.
So, without losing your time, Let’s get you started-
7 Reasons for Pomegranate Not Fruiting-Solutions
1.Pomegranate Missing Pollinators
You need simply just one pomegranate tree to get fruit. Pomegranate bears fruit by both self-pollination and cross-pollination. But mostly the pollination is done by bees. You need lots of bees during the bloom period. If your Pomegranate tree has lots of flowers but no fruit, it means they are not many pollinators in your garden
Control Measure
Now you must be wondering what you can do to get pollinators?
To attract bees and other pollinators, plant Pollen heavy flowers like Daisies, Catmints, Heathers, etc near your Pomegranate tree. This will attract more honey bees. Add birdbaths in your garden so honey bees will come to drink water.
How To Pollinate The Pomegranate Flowers Without Bees?
You can simply hand pollinate the Pomegranate flowers. It is very easy. Your garden doesn’t have enough bees. What if you can play the role of a bee?
As you know, pomegranates have both male and female parts in the same flower. You just need a small paintbrush or a cotton swab. That’s it. Let me tell you how:
- First, locate flowers with pollen.
- Gently roll over the cotton swab over the stamen.
- Carefully collect the pollens
- Now transfer them into the female ovary
- Make sure the pollen touches all the surfaces of the middle of the flower. Since the flower is large enough. It shouldn’t be a problem
- If you have multiple pomegranate trees you can cross-pollinate them. It will increase the fruit number
- It is best to pollinate very early in the morning.
2.Moisture Stress
Lack of enough water is another reason why your pomegranate trees might be dropping flowers. When the soil dries out too quickly the pomegranate trees get stressed. The flowers start dropping. As a result, the tree bears no fruit
Control Measure
Watering is one of the most crucial factors for pomegranate fruit development. We should be very careful about it.
We also don’t want to harm the tree by overwatering it. So checking the moisture level with a moisture meter is best before watering (Our pick: Atree Soil Soil Tester Kits with Moisture, Light, and PH Test for Garden). Apply 2 inches of organic mulch around the root to help with the soil moisture.
3.Pomegranate in Wrong Soil
Pomegranates produce the best fruits in fertile and loamy soil that is rich in nutrients. If the soil is too sandy or rocky then the fruiting will not be very good.
Pomegranates require well-drained soil for proper maintenance. Because wet soil causes problems to their roots. In these conditions, the roots cannot uptake proper water and nutrients. As a result, the flowers start dropping.
Soil pH plays a vital role in Pomegranates fruit production. The ideal pH for them is between 5.5- 7. When the soil is not within the range the pomegranate flowers start dropping.
Control Measure
If you don’t have drainage issues then it’s time to check the soil pH.
If the soil doesn’t contain a pH between 5.5-7, then you need to adjust it by adding lime or acid.
Improve the soil condition by using good mulches and compost. Make sure the soil is well-drained especially during rainy conditions.
4.Sunlight Effect
No matter if your Pomegranate tree is full of flowers, without enough sunlight the flowers will drop and the tree will be fruitless.
If your pomegranates are mostly under shade, they will not be producing much food. And the flowers will start to drop to balance the lack of food
Control Measure
Provide your Pomegranate with 6-7 hours of sunlight. However, in case of extreme heat provide them with some afternoon shade.
When the plant gets bushier, sunlight doesn’t reach them properly. During spring prune some branches off to encourage better flower growth. Prune lightly on a regular basis, but do not cut too much. It can affect the fruiting.
5.Overfertilzed Pomegranate
Overfertilization is never good when it comes to any Fruit trees. For example, if your pomegranates are getting too much Nitrogen the leaves will take up all the nutrients and the flowers will be getting less. As a result, they will drop. And there will be no fruit.
Control Measure
Feed your Pomegranate once in January with fertilizers. But normal lawn fertilizers usually contain too much nitrogen. So you need to pick a fertilizer that is high in bloom ingredients and little in nitrogen.
Apply the best slow-release shrub fertilizer to your Pomegranates. We recommend Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Citrus Granular Fertilizer
6.Pest Attack on Pomegranate
Pests are always causing problems in plants. The reason why your Pomegranate flowers are dropping can be whiteflies and mealybugs. They attack early in the spring and cause the leaves and flowers to drop. You should get rid of them as soon as you notice them otherwise all your beautiful blooms will be falling down.
Control Measure
These pest problems need to be solved right away before it’s too late. But we need to make sure the product is non-toxic to the fruits. Choose the best insecticide that is very safe for the fruit harvest. We recommend –Monterey Garden Insect Spray
You can try eco-friendly insect traps. Here are two very safe and amazing homemade solutions to your pest problems-
#Recipe 1:- Neem Oil Recipe
Ingredients:
- 5 tablespoons of neem oil
- 2 gallons of water
- 3 tablespoons of liquid dish soap
Steps:
- Add these ingredients together
- Spray on the Pomegranate trees every week.
#Recipe 2:- Horticultural Oil Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap
- 1 liter of any cooking oil (vegetable oil, soybean oil, or olive oil)
Steps:
- Mix these ingredients thoroughly
- Store this mixture in a bottle as a stock solution.
- Add 4 tablespoons of this mixture with every liter of water
- Pour it into the sprayer and spray it up to twice a week.
7.Pomegranate’s Fungal Diseases
Another reason why your pomegranate is not fruiting can be fungal diseases. If the weather is wet and humid the tree can easily get affected by mildew or root rot. Notice if the leaves are wilting and having brown or black spots.
These diseases weaken the plant and cause the flowers and leaves to drop. And reduce the fruit quality drastically.
Control Measure
Take no time when you see the spots on your leaves. Inspect properly and apply the best fungicide to your pomegranate tree. Be sure to use a fungicide that has no residual effect on fruits (our pick: Bonide Copper Fungicide)
I am giving recipes of a couple of natural and organic home remedies to solve these fungal attacks:
# Recipe 1:- Baking Soda Spray Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- Liquid soap 3 teaspoon
- 1 gallon of water
Steps:
- Mix the baking soda with water
- Then add the liquid soap.
- Spray thoroughly on both sides of the leaves two times a week.
#Recipe 2:- Vinegar Spray Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 4 liters of water
- Few drops of liquid dishwashing soap
Steps:
- Mix the ingredients nicely
- Spray it on both sides of the infected leaves twice a week until the problem is solved.
Tip: Try these homemade recipes in a small leaf first. If the leaf discolors then dilute the recipe by adding some water. Try it again on a small leaf.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
How Can I Identify Male And Female Pomegranate Flowers?
Pomegranates have two kinds of flowers in the trees. One is Hermaphrodite flowers that have both male and female parts and the other is only that has male parts.
Male flowers are tapering at the base. Hermaphrodite flowers are round at the base because of having female parts.
How Can I Increase Female Flowers In Pomegranates?
You can increase the Hermaphrodite flowers by using plant flowering hormones or seaweed extracts This will increase the number of female flowers (our pick: Grow More Seaweed Extract)
Does A Pomegranate Tree Need A Pollinator?
Pomegranates are self-pollinated but they do cross-pollination too. So, for cross-pollination, pomegranate has flowers but no fruit, then they need pollinators like bees and other beneficial insects. Cross-pollination produces better quality fruits.
How Many Years For The Pomegranate To Bear Fruit?
Pomegranate trees usually need 3-4 years to mature and bear fruit. But Pomegranates have ornamental varieties too. The ornamental ones will not bear any fruit
When Do Pomegranate Trees Bloom?
Pomegranates usually bloom in April-June. It takes around 5-6 months to ripen the fruit. So the fruits should be ready to harvest by October-November.
Why Is My Pomegranate Producing Less Fruit?
Some varieties of pomegranate decrease in fruit production after 15-20 years due to natural causes. Production of fruit declines even more after 20-25 years.
Conclusion
The best thing about pomegranates is they are very hardy plants. So, if your tree flowers but there is no fruit. Don’t need to panic. Find out what the problem is by reading this article and follow the control measures.
With just a little patience you will be enjoying the fruits soon. Feel free to ask if you have more questions.
I have tried to explain every possible reason for the Pomegranate flower dropping. Don’t forget to share this with your friends if you find my writing helpful.