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Pomegranate trees #878580

Asked July 24, 2024, 1:10 PM EDT

Hello, I have four pomegranate trees in my urban yard in Apex. They were planted 3 years ago in the fall. They look healthy with good growth over the past 2 years. Three of the four have multiple fruits, with the Wonderful variety having about 20. The others - Salavatsk Russain varieties - have several. Multiple fruits on all trees have turned black on the under surface. I fertilized early spring and have watered twice a week in the heat of summer, but not when it has rained. Any thoughts? Thank you

Wake County North Carolina

Expert Response

I gather that the trees all look healthy. 

There are a couple of rots that affect pomegranate fruits: Alternaria and Aspergillus.  See https://plantclinic.tamu.edu/calendar2019/pom/ and https://ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/pomegranate/alternaria-fruit-rot-black-heart/#gsc.tab=0.  These may be difficult to control.  See the links provided for some cultural control suggestions.  NCSU has an article about a fungicide that is approved for use on pomegranate, https://www.ir4project.org/news/new-tool-identified-in-fight-against-fungal-disease-on-pomegranates/.  This fungicide, Merivon, is approved for use in NC.  But application must be early in the year.  This may be part of the solution to your problem.

About your watering: it is important to water deeply.  I recommend that you put a can out under your sprinkler and see that you are providing a good inch of water each time.  Normally 1x/week is considered sufficient, but excessive heat will require more frequent watering.

Louise RomanowEntomologistMaster Gardener VolunteerExtension MG Program, Wake County Replied July 27, 2024, 5:52 PM EDT


Thank you for the information. The trees and leaves look very healthy. It is just some of the fruits are turning black on the bottom. Would rots cause that in the presence of healthy leaves? 

On Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 05:52:19 PM EDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied July 27, 2024, 9:07 PM EDT

Yes.  Some rots are only on fruits.  

Louise RomanowEntomologistMaster Gardener VolunteerExtension MG Program, Wake County Replied July 27, 2024, 9:15 PM EDT

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