Pomegranate 'Chocolate'
Punica granatum
Pomegranate 'Chocolate' is a local Cypriot variety of pomegranate (Punica granatum): a deciduous shrub or small tree with edible fruit, flowering mainly in spring and summer. It tolerates drought, but for a good crop it needs a sunny position and adequate, steady watering.
Attributes
Data: Royal Horticultural Society, Missouri Botanical Garden
Care guide
In Cyprus
'Chocolate' is a local Cypriot pomegranate variety: a 1995 paper by an Agricultural Research Institute researcher lists it, with 'Sotirkatica' and 'Ftanoflia', as one of Cyprus's three local varieties. Pomegranate is deciduous and very heat tolerant, and fruits best in a sunny, open spot with good air circulation. It tolerates drought, but good cropping needs adequate, steady watering; without water in prolonged drought the crop is lost. It prefers deep, well-drained soil but also grows in sandy or clay ground. Cold hardiness varies between varieties, so whether it suits a frost-prone site depends on the local microclimate.
Uses in gardens and projects
Pomegranate 'Chocolate' suits family gardens and small orchards for its edible fruit, and works as an ornamental in courtyards and Mediterranean gardens thanks to its flowers. It can be left as a multi-stemmed shrub or trained as a small single-trunk tree. Planted in a row it makes an informal hedge; in a large container its moisture needs checking regularly.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Pomegranate 'Chocolate'?
- A local Cypriot variety of pomegranate (Punica granatum), listed in a 1995 Agricultural Research Institute paper as one of the island's three local varieties.
- When does it flower?
- Mainly in spring and summer. Most flowers appear early in spring, though it can keep flowering later.
- Does a pomegranate need a lot of water?
- It tolerates drought, but good fruiting needs adequate, steady watering. Heavy watering in autumn can contribute to fruit splitting.
- What soil pH does it need?
- According to the University of Georgia, pomegranate grows best at about pH 5.5–7.2 and tolerates moderately acid to slightly alkaline soils, with good drainage.
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Sources
- Profile Wikipedia (EN) — Punica granatum
- Facts Royal Horticultural Society, Missouri Botanical Garden