My brother picking a pomegranate, from our very own pomegranate tree.

Our very own pomegranate tree

August 1, 2016

The first person narrative by Candida Khan details the journey of a pomegranate seedling brought home by her sister and nurtured into a fruit-bearing tree. This personal account explores the family’s anticipation as the tree matured, the unique orange-brown hue of the local fruit, and the sensory experience of tasting the crystalline pods for the first time.

It provides a distinct perspective on backyard farming in Trinidad and Tobago, contrasting the appearance of homegrown varieties with imported counterparts. The article offers practical insights into the timeline of growth and the emotional satisfaction derived from sustainable home cultivation.

Readers gain an understanding of the patience required for seedling care and the rewards of harvesting fresh produce within a domestic setting.

Key Takeaways

The pomegranate seedling required several weeks of consistent nurturing before reaching its full grown stage for fruit production.
Homegrown pomegranates in Trinidad and Tobago exhibit an orange-brown exterior rather than the typical bright red of imports.
Internal pomegranate fruit structures resemble sweet crystals that provide a unique sensory experience when consumed fresh or juiced.
Regular consumption of pomegranate is associated with improved heart health, lower cholesterol and better blood pressure management.
Successful pomegranate cultivation from seed involves cleaning the arils and maintaining warmth during a thirty to forty day germination.

The pomegranate tree bore fruit that looked like crystals on the inside

By Candida Khan. It was an exciting time when my sister brought home a pomegranate seedling. She nurtured it for many weeks until it was fully grown. When it started to produce a fruit, everyone got really anxious and excited to see how the pomegranate tree would turn out.

We waited patiently until it was about the size of our fist. The colour changed, but it was not bright red like the pomegranates we knew from other countries. The colour was a mixture between orange and brown.

My brother picked the fruit. My sister then dissected the pomegranate to see what was inside. It turned out really clear in colour with a small shade of red closer to the seed.

Inside, the fruit looked like crystals. I excitedly popped a few into my mouth. It tasted sweet, the crystalline pod bursting as I gently chewed on them. It was so delicious. We even made juice with it and the tree is bearing fruit up to this very day. What an interesting experience!

According to studies, pomegranate has amazing benefits. This fruit has a positive impact on heart health, reducing cholesterol and helping to control blood pressure. It’s great that I can grow this fruit in my back yard.

August 2016 www.sweettntmagazine.com

How to grow your own pomegranate tree

Here is a couple of methods to grow your very own pomegranate tree from seed. First one is just placing the seeds in soil and good old patience. The seeds should be cleaned of the fleshy aril surrounding them and should be planted in loose soil with a covering layer about a 1/2 inch (1.5 cm). Heat should be second on your pomegranate seed care list. These seeds will germinate at normal room temperature in about 30-40 days.

The second method is known as the “Baggy” method. You place the cleaned seeds in a seal-able sandwich bag on moist paper towel or coffee filter. Make sure to check on it every 2 to 3 days for germination. Of coarse the sandwich bag is sealed to keep the moisture in. Once the pomegranate seeds sprout, transfer them to a pot. Use any small container that has good drainage and plant two to three seeds per pot. You can pinch off the weaker seedlings after they are a few weeks old or transplant them to their own pot.

Now you know how to get your very own pomegranate tree.

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