Growing Pomegranates

GROW YOUR OWN POMEGRANATES

Pomegranates like semi arid mild temperatures. They grow well in regions that have cool winters and hot summers. Unfortunately high humidity will affect the formation of fruit and freezing winters will injure the tree. Therefore growing them in NZ successfully is challenging BUT it can be done.To produce the best crops of Pomegranate plant your shrub in the sunniest warmest part of your garden. Trees grown in part shade will still produce fruit, but the crop will be lighter. The attractive foliage, flowers and fruits of the pomegranate, as well as its smallish size make it an excellent landscaping plant.

Planting and Growing Tips

• You can purchase pomegranate cuttings from your local nursery which is the recommended way of starting your pomegranate plant. 
• Choose cuttings around fifteen inches in length and plant them in standard soil after treating the cuttings with rooting hormone. 
• Mark the plants with a small stick or garden marker so they aren't mowed off or walked over.
• Water the ground thoroughly after planting to give the plant ample water to get started.
• It will take about three years before your pomegranate plants will yield fruit.Once your tree has a good trunk, you'll want to destroy any small branches that grow around the trunk of the tree.
• After your tree is very healthy and has several branches, you'll need to do some pruning.

Harvesting and Storage

• Early fall is prime time for pomegranates, October and November in the northern hemisphere, but they are usually available into early winter. 
• The whole fruit is about the size of an orange. The rind color can range from yellow-orange to deep reddish-purple. 
• Pomegranates are not a fruit that will ripen once picked, so once harvested, they will not continue to develop sugar. Yet commercial crops are harvested before they are fully mature, in order to avoid excess bruising during transport. 
• Whole fruits can be stored for a month in a cool, dry area or refrigerated up to two months. The seed pips can be frozen in an airtight bag up to one year.
• Fresh juice should be refrigerated and used within two to three days.

^{Uses Of Pomegranate}

• Pomegranate is a tree. Various parts of the tree and fruit are used to make medicine.
• Pomegranate is used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels, including high blood pressure, congestive heart failure (CHF), heart attack, “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), and high cholesterol. 
• It is also used for conditions of the digestive tract, including diarrhea, dysentery, and tapeworm and other intestinal parasites.
• Some people use pomegranate for flu, swelling of the lining of the mouth (stomatitis), gum disease, erectile dysfunction (ED), diabetes and a complication called acidosis, bleeding, and HIV disease. It is also used for preventing prostate cancer, obesity, and weight loss. Some women use pomegranate to cause an abortion.
• Pomegranate fruit juice makes an excellent drink which contains potassium, phosphorous and calcium as well as micro nutrients like iron, manganese, zinc and copper. The juice stimulates appetite and is used in treatment of stomach disorders. It is a good painkiller. 
• The fruit juice is beneficial for dry coughs, provides relief in urinary disorders and can be used to wash wounds and ulcers. It is well known as an excellent treatment for anemia.
• Pomegranate fruit has a high content of riboflavin, the B2 vitamin that normalizes the nervous system and is used against radiation sickness.

Sweet Yogurt Sundae with Saffron & Pomegranate Recipe

Ingredients

Plain yogurt- 4 Cups (64 tbs)  Honey- 1⁄4 Cup (4 tbs)  Grated nutmeg- 1⁄4 Teaspoon  Cardamom powder- 1⁄4 Teaspoon  Pomegranate seeds - 1⁄2 Cup  Kiwis- 2  Pistachios- 1 Teaspoon  Strands of saffron- 5

Directions

• Line a large sieve or colander with cheesecloth. Place colander over a bowl. Place yogurt in colander to drain for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator. Discard the water (or whey.) Turn the yogurt into a bowl and mix in the honey, nutmeg and cardamom.
•  Lightly toast the saffron strands in a small dry skillet over medium heat, until brittle. Let saffron cool on plate and with your fingers, finely crush the strands. Cut kiwi into small pieces and remove the seeds from the pomegranate.
• Layer yogurt, fruit and saffron in dessert cups.

Few Health benefits of Pomegranate

• The fruit is moderate in calories; 100 g provides 83 calories, slightly more than that in the apples. It contains no cholesterol or saturated fats.
• It is rich source of soluble and insoluble dietary fibers, providing about 4 g per 100 g (about 12% of RDA), which aid in smooth digestive and bowel movements. 
• The fruit is suggested by nutritionists in the diet for weight reduction and cholesterol controlling programs. Regular inclusion of fruits in the diets boosts immunity, improves circulation, and offers protection from cancers.
• Punicalagin is a polyphenolic anti-oxidant compound found abundantly in the pomegranate juice. Studies suggest that punicalagin and tannin's are effective in reducing heart-disease risk factors by scavenging harmful free radicals from the body.
• The fruit is an also good source of antioxidant vitamin-C, provides about 17% per 100 g of daily requirement. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents by boosting immunity.

Pomegranate Benefits for Skin

• Pomegranate health benefits can be availed by the intake pomegranate juice or fruit. However, to obtain it's skin care properties, it can also be applied topically on the skin. There are several cosmetic formulations that include an extract of pomegranate juice or oil.
• Benefits for Acne- Acne is mostly a result of digestive problems or hormonal imbalance. Pomegranate helps in acne prevention by destroying the root cause itself. It corrects the digestive issues and promotes healthy blood circulation. If you already have an acne outbreak, then applying pomegranate juice on the affected area might help. It heals the acne and also prevents the scar formation by regenerating tissues in the affected area.
• Anti Aging- Pomegranate juice for skin is a great remedy for skin that is damaged due to sun exposure or aging. It repairs this damage so that you get smooth and youthful skin. Pomegranate extends the life of fibroblasts, the cells that are responsible for the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin pump up the skin and render it elasticity. This in turn, keeps the skin youthful for years and minimizes the visibility of wrinkles.
• Healing Cuts and Scrapes- Pomegranate seeds contain excellent healing properties. It promotes rapid healing of the wound and also fights infection. Besides, it does not leave a scar or mark on the skin after healing.