Fruit tree - Ask Extension
In zone 7. Silver Spring, Md, MoCo would it be alright to plant a pomegranate tree?
Knowledgebase
Fruit tree #835619
Asked June 14, 2023, 1:33 PM EDT
In zone 7. Silver Spring, Md, MoCo would it be alright to plant a pomegranate tree?
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
It may be risky, as we've only heard of some being successfully grown in southern Maryland and in D.C., where the hardiness zone is slightly milder. Some Pomegranate cultivars are more cold-tolerant than others, though we're still on the edge of their winter tolerance overall. We don't have local cultivation for this fruit due to its scarcity here, but other Extension web resources might contain helpful information. They are more of a large shrub than a tree in our climate, and plants might need to be sourced via mail-order as few area nurseries would carry them. (They will also be young and, as with many fruits, would need to establish and then mature a few years after planting before beginning to produce a harvest.)
Miri
Miri
Thank you much! I had two plums but Behnke's sold me one that never bore any fruits in 8 years so I eventually had it dug up. Would I have to replace another plum or would I be ok with one, unfortunately I cannot remember the name? Thank you!
Zilla
Hello Zilla,
That may depend on what variety remains and if it's self-pollinating or not. (Many plums are not, though if a neighbor nearby is growing a compatible variety, you might not need a second tree.) Unfortunately without knowing the variety name it may be difficult to select a different cultivar that is cross-pollination compatible with the one you still have, though in some sense the odds are good in that you'd only have to potentially avoid a few varieties, mainly a duplicate of the variety you're already growing.
Miri
That may depend on what variety remains and if it's self-pollinating or not. (Many plums are not, though if a neighbor nearby is growing a compatible variety, you might not need a second tree.) Unfortunately without knowing the variety name it may be difficult to select a different cultivar that is cross-pollination compatible with the one you still have, though in some sense the odds are good in that you'd only have to potentially avoid a few varieties, mainly a duplicate of the variety you're already growing.
Miri
I do remember the color on the card was a red plum. Maybe I should get the bluish color plum to pollinate. Anyway thanks so much for your assistance.
Respectfully,
Zilla
You're welcome.
