Pomegranates in zone 7

[Paul]

Steve, I checked few days ago and found it split. Tastewise it was comparable to store bought pomegranates, edible but but too sour for my liking. The Rannii was way better. We had late frost in April that delayed the plant and also quite cold May so with “normal” weather Salavatski can ripen even in cold European zone 7A/B climate.

[SteveThorn]

That’s awesome Paul!

Is yours a regular Rannii, not a Nikitski Rannii? I planted a regular Rannii this summer and am interested to see if it’ll survive this winter.

[Paul]

Mine is Rannii (the one sold in Rolling River Nursery). I was always wondering if it’s the same as Nikitski Rannii but never found out. That one was in pot for 2 years and now already 3 winters outside with no dieback. The lowest temperature was 7.8F
Here is a picture (I think I posted it somewhere here already)

[SteveThorn]

That’s awesome to hear it’s so cold hardy and tastes good!

I found this online recently while looking up cold hardy pomegranates, and it has lots of really good information, and it lists Rannii as a separate cultivar.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://ucanr.edu/sites/Pomegranates/files/164443.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj0jv6qpo3lAhVEip4KHasWCzA4ChAWMAB6BAgGEAE&usg=AOvVaw1ZPjPhVgUG7FCqmB1C-v1M

“DPUN 112 1/25 Rannii – Good sweet flavor, mellow. Smaller fruit. Seed
slightly harder than Wonderful.”

Does that description match the Rannii you’re growing?

[Stan]

I was always wondering if it’s the same as Nikitski Rannii but never found out.

Rannii and Nikitski Rannii are two different varieties (rannii means early in Russian). Nikitski Rannii has hard seeds. Rannii has medium-hard seeds in August - early September, but seeds become medium-soft in late September - early October.

[Paul]

Thank you Stan, this is very valuable information for me. I bought the Nikitski Rannii couple of days ago as well so at least I know it’s not gonna be a double.

[Stan]

There is also Sverkhranniy variety which, if judged by the name, should ripen super-early (early August according to some sources).

[Paul]

I had that one about 5 years ago but gave it away and now I regret that decision.
Of course the friend I gave it to lost the tag so he doesn’t know which one it is now.
I bought these Russian and Ukrainian varieties this year so I am quite curious how they will perform:
Gulosha pink
Gulosha red
Gulosha burgundy
Nikitskiy early
Crimean red
Crimean Stripped
Ak-Dona