Hello I am relatively new to horticulture and have what are probably silly questions. I have a three year old pomegranate tree grown from seed. The seeds came from your run of the mill grocery store fruit. I did not buy the seeds. Will my tree ever fruit given proper care? Also I have Papaya, Lemon, Grapefruit and Orange trees the same question is posed for those. Information on this topic is hard to come by and ANYTHING would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Trevor
I'm a compulsive seed planter myself. Unfortunately none of my fruit seedlings have ever gotten better than 3" or so. What kind of light situation do you have going on?
Well I have no special lighting. Just a great south facing window. But I think it might be more of a combination of things that produce results. I have a small wooden greenhouse inside that I keep the plants in for several weeks once they have sprouted. Also I use a 1:1 ratio of vermipost (worm castings) to peat moss.
Hello Trevor - plenty of information about seed-grown citrus in the Citrus forum (in fact, the grapefruit question is probably the one asked most often on that forum) For information re: pomegranate: Punica granatum (and the same for Carica papaya)
Pomegranates can be propagated easily by either hardwood or softwood cuttings, root suckers, layering, budding or grafting. However, unfortunately for you, although pomegranates grow easily from seed, the resulting shrub or tree is ALWAYS - ALWAYS of inferior quality. Papayas are commonly grown from seed, and can produce fruit in the first year when grown properly. Caution: always water a papaya with WARM water during cold weather. Papaya's are among the easiest of trees to grow successfully. I won't go into citrus, although I presently grow 127 different varieties of citrus trees. As Daniel wrote in his post, you can go to the citrus forum and you will certainly find out everything you ever wanted to know concerning the culture of citrus. Actually, I grow every plant, that you have ask about, and more. Take care and the very best to you and your trees. - Millet
Howdy Trevor, Since you live in Edmonton, may I suggest that you visit the Muttart Conservatory and the Devonian Botanic Garden. They have matured specimens of most of the plants you mentioned. Peace Thean
