Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a beautiful fruiting plant that is successfully grown as a bonsai by many bonsai lovers all over the world. Pomegranate is an ornamental shrub that in the wild grows up to a height of 6 to 7 meters with attractive foliage and good branching.

It is a deciduous plant since calyx and corolla of the flower fall off as soon as the flower withers. The leaves of this plant are light green, shiny, 2 to 6 cm long, narrow and grow on opposite nodes of the branches. It bears beautiful scarlet red flowers which later become delicious red, hard skinned fruit. When the fruit ripens the outer skin cuts open and inner red colored seeds are seen outside.

Punica granatum nana, the dwarf variety is ideally suited for a bonsai. It can grow to a meter in height and also has the same beautiful flowers and fruits as its wild relative.

The plant can be grown from the seeds, cuttings and also by the process of air layering. No special care is taken for propagation. It grows very well in bonsai soil too.

Pomegranate can be trained into single trunk as well as multi trunk styles of bonsai. The plant usually has multiple branches at the base. Select the main strong trunk for a single trunk bonsai and cut off the side branches. Other wise select two to three strong branches and make it a multi-trunk style bonsai, then remove the weak branches.

Pruning can be done twice in a year depending on the growth of the plant. Usually Pomegranate needs light pruning like removing of dead branches, and cutting of thin branches to keep the plant in a good shape, after every fruiting season.

The plant grows well in semi shade. Watering should be done regularly. But remember the golden rule, no more or less water. To keep the plant healthy provide the fertilizers like neem cake, bone meal alternatively and regularly in limited quantities. Spray the plant frequently with micronutrients. Repotting can be done when the plant is about to give fresh new leaves, other wise when the plant is pot bound. Root pruning should be done lightly with out disturbing the main root ball.

Pomegranate is good plant to make it in to a bonsai for beginners. Handle the plant just like a kid while repotting and making in to a beautiful bonsai.