Pomegranate (Punica granatum) RUSSIAN #26

An original Russian variety of pomegranate found in southern Russia in the middle of the 20th century. It got its name because it was the 26th plant in the pomegranate orchard row. Over time, it turned out to be much more frost-resistant than other varieties in the same orchard. In addition to good resistance to frost, it is also resistant to heat and moisture. Growers and retailers may be offering other Russian pomegranate varieties, however, if they are not labeled "Russian 26", they are most likely not original.

Vigour: moderate, grows to a height of 3 - 3.5 meters. Forms an upright, compact, naturally rounded deciduous shrub. It can be grown as a shrub or an attractive small tree after removing the lower branches. Lives to old age, even several centuries. In wine-growing regions, we recommend planting the pomegranate tree in open ground. Can also be grown as a container plant in a large pot.
Site requirements: the ideal site for pomegranates is a sheltered sunny spot in the garden or patio. It requires permeable, well-drained soil and only moderate irrigation. The recommended planting distance is 4 meters.
Blossom: late, bright orange flowers bloom gradually from mid-May to the end of June. The variety is self-pollinating.
Fruits: large, grapefruit size, round. Skin orange with a bright red glow, seeds small, hard.
Juice: dark red, amazingly sweet. The seeds of this variety are the sweetest of all pomegranates.
Harvest season: depending on the location and climatic conditions, the fruits ripen gradually from September to late October. They can be stored for 3 - 4 months.
Yield: very high. A mature tree can produce up to 40 kg of fruit under optimal conditions. Yield onset in the 3rd - 4th year after planting.
Disease resistance: pomegranate shrubs are one of the easier fruits to work with since they are not usually affected by pests or diseases. Suitable for organic or no-spray culture.
Frost resistance: it can withstand frosts down to -23°C without damage. We recommend providing winter protection to young plants, for example an 8 - 10 cm layer of mulch, which will help protect the roots during winter.
Usage: juicy pomegranate seeds are consumed fresh, used to press the juice as well as to make the wine called Grenada. Pomegranate concentrate is used as an ingredient in salad dressings. Boiling pomegranate juice with sugar creates grenadine syrup, which is used as an ingredient in cocktails. In terms of taste, the pomegranate combines sweetness and acidity in an exotic way. That's why pomegranate seeds are ideal for refining desserts, meat and vegetarian dishes.

Pomegranates are not grafted onto a rootstock, but are grown on their own roots, so if the above-ground part of the plant is damaged during the winter, the roots remain undamaged and in the spring the pomegranate sprouts new shoots.