Dwarf Pomegranate make excellent flowering bonsai

The Dwarf Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) is a very popular bonsai tree.  It both flowers and produces fruit that makes a delightful display.  It also develops a rather gnarled and twisting trunk naturally which is a very desirable characteristic and makes it among one of the bonsai enthusiasts most favored fruiting species. 

The leaves, flowers and fruit of this dwarf are quite delicate looking and have a very appealing appearance.  Depending on the amount of warmth and light they are exposed to, they may bloom anywhere from May to December.  The bright yellow-orange of their trumpet shaped flowers contrast in a spectacular manner with the dark green foliage.  If they produce fruit, it is about the size and shape of a golf ball and has a pinkish cast which is also quite stunning.

These trees are perfect candidates for smaller displays and can be grown in almost any style.  Wiring should be done carefully due to the brittle nature of the pomegranate's branches.  Although from an arid region, as a bonsai they prefer a lot of water so container choice is important and they do much better in deeper pots.  Since they are a Mediterranean specie (dating back 2,500 years) frost can be fatal.  They do best in direct sunlight conditions, protected from the wind.  If placed in a shady area they tend to produce more flowering shoots but will become quite 'leggy'. 

Propagation is fairly easy.  Cuttings from thick branches will root if kept moist at all times and it will not take long for these to mature.  They also start well from seed germinating in only 2-3 weeks.  Pomegranate do not mind being slightly root bound as long as the soil drains well, so repotting is not as critical as is with other bonsai specimen.  Sand mixed with peat and loam in a 1:1 ratio works quite well as a soil.  An all purpose general fertilizer is all that is required to maintain a healthy dwarf pomegranate.