Pomegranate shrub’s beauty offers year-round appeal

The beautiful pomegranate shrub is well-suited for our valley. It is easy to grow, long-lived, withstands neglect and produces fruit to eat fresh or make into jellies and jams.

This plant offers seasonal appeal year-round: In spring, beautiful bronze leaves cover the bush, and later leaves turn a bright, glossy green. Then, large red-to-orange carnationlike flowers adorn the shrub. Throughout summer and into fall, fruits up to 3 inches in diameter glisten while filling themselves with seeds. In the fall, leaves turn bright golden-yellow to serve as a backdrop for the ripening crimson fruits that weigh down the branches, creating a weeping effect. Finally, the deciduous plant undresses itself to reveal gnarled wintry branches.

Pomegranates need only light annual pruning of established plants to encourage production of quality fruit. About all you need to do is remove any dead or damaged wood after harvest. Each year, remove some of the oldest branches and some suckering growth to rejuvenate the bush.

A frequent question is how to prevent pomegranates from splitting.

The late Ray Doty of Logandale had an acre of pomegranates, and he advised people to stop watering bushes after Sept. 15. He didn't have any splits unless it rained. He said the outer skin shrinks as the fruit matures so late waterings cause fruit to swell and split.

Q: How can I save tomato seeds?

A: First, if it is a hybrid tomato don't waste your time, as you won't get the same fruit next year. Now, select several fruit of your special variety and squeeze the pulp and seeds into a jar. Let them ferment at room temperature for four days, stirring daily. On the fifth day, pour off the pulp and any floating seeds, because they are useless. Next, wash and dry seeds on paper towels. After they are completely dry, roll them up in the paper towel and store in an airtight labeled container in a cool, place. Check the seeds often; if mold appears, discard the moldy ones.

Q: What is eating holes in my cantaloupes?

A: It sounds like you have an infestation of pillbugs or sowbugs or rolypoly bugs. You'll find them under fruit, in debris and anything else they can feed on. Your cantaloupes lying on the ground become targets for them to feast on. Place cantaloupes on a block or on mulch and the pillbugs will feast on it rather than feeding on your cantaloupes. Or, trap them by moistening cardboard or wood or placing spoiling fruit on the ground for them to congregate under and then destroy them. They are really beneficial insects attempting to turn debris into humus to improve your soil.

Q: My Japanese boxwood is totally out of hand. Can I cut it back to a manageable size?

A: Yes, especially now, said arborist Dennis Swartzell. Plants are putting on new growth and will bounce right back. Follow the pruning with a light -- and he stressed light -- application of fertilizer, because you don't want a late flush of growth if we have a severe freeze.

Q: We just noticed no greenery inside our 10-year-old arborvitaes. Is there something wrong?

A: No, it is normal. Now you see the importance of light to keep plants green. You'll also find the same situation with junipers. Spider mites hide in these areas, so hose your plants down often.

Q: How do you propagate figs?

A: Fig trees are easy to propagate. This winter, take new stem cuttings from your desired fig about 6 inches long. Stick cuttings in potting soil or in the ground with one bud exposed and placed 10 inches apart. Keep the soil moist. Cuttings root easy, grow rapidly and make good trees to plant the following winter.

Q: Our paloverde froze down and now 10 sprouts shot up. Can we restart the tree?

A: Yes you can. To get the tree to return to its natural shape, save three sprouts and remove all others. Next spring, nip tops of each sprout to start forming your new tree. With the already built-in root system, the tree will grow back fast.

Q: Our tangerine froze to the ground and now has many sprouts coming up. Can we regrow it?

A: James Truman, manager of the University of Arizona Citrus Center, said all citrus plants are grafted, meaning another kind of tree will emerge. Your chances are very slim of getting something as good as you had before. Citrus nurseries graft desired varieties on special rootstock resistant to many soil-borne diseases. Truman said you have three choices: Let one grow to see what you get, graft a desired variety onto the sprout or spend a few bucks and plant another well-known variety.

Q: We are new to Las Vegas and want to know what hardiness zone we are in?

A: According to the USDA hardiness charts, the Las Vegas Valley sits in zones 8 and 9. The USDA hardiness zone indicates the lowest temperature plants can be exposed to and survive.

We also use Sunset's Western Garden book, and it has us in zone 11. Sunset takes into account microclimates, elevation, latitude, continental air influence and the mountains.

Q: Why can't I plant common Bermudagrass? My homeowner's association will only let me plant hybrid Bermuda.

A: Common Bermudagrass is an invasive grass or weed and that is what your HOA is afraid of. Recalling the past, common Bermuda lawns were the norm and beautiful when properly managed. Improved or hybrid Bermudagrasses have very fine leaves and remain greener longer in the fall. They are not invasive and don't produce seeds. It's too late to plant your Bermuda lawn now.

Q: How do I register for the upcoming drip irrigation class?

A: Here is the procedure to follow for any upcoming classes and events offered by the Springs Preserve: Access www.Springspreserve.org to find out about the classes offered. Then call 822-7786 and leave a phone number and someone will call to register you for the desired class.

Q: I had a pruning company wanting to prune my palms. Should I let them?

A: Absolutely not. If the fronds are green, they are still producing food for the plant. Secondly, those wanting to prune your palms this time of year really don't know much about palms. And here is the reason: The growing points of palms are under the fronds' canopy. Removing them exposes the growing points to frost and a freeze like in 1990 will kill them.

FALL GARDENING CLASSES

October is the time to get your garden in shape. Master gardeners are offering free gardening classes on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 S. Maryland Parkway. You'll learn how to care for your interior plants on Wednesday and get tips on hiring a landscaper on Oct. 24. To reserve a space, call 257-5555. Only preregistered individuals will receive handouts.

Linn Mills writes a gardening column each Thursday. You can reach him at Linn@reviewjournal.com or at the Gardens at the Springs Preserve at 822-7754.