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The Red Bhagwa Pomegranate is a highly popular and commercially successful variety of pomegranate (Punica granatum), primarily cultivated in India. Here’s a detailed description of the plant and its characteristics:
🌱 Red Bhagwa Pomegranate Plant Description
🔹 General Information:
Botanical Name: Punica granatum 'Bhagwa'
Common Name: Red Bhagwa Pomegranate
Family: Lythraceae (formerly Punicaceae)
Origin: India (specifically bred and developed in Maharashtra)
Lifespan: Long-living perennial (productive for 25–30 years)
🌿 Plant Characteristics:
Type: Deciduous shrub or small tree
Height: Typically grows 8–12 feet tall, can reach up to 18 feet under optimal conditions
Canopy: Dense and rounded
Branches: May have spines when young; becomes woody with age
Leaves: Glossy, narrow, lance-shaped, arranged oppositely
🌸 Flowers:
Color: Bright orange-red
Shape: Funnel-shaped with crinkled petals
Blooming Season: Late spring to early summer; may bloom multiple times annually in tropical climates
Pollination: Self-pollinated and cross-pollinated (by bees)
🍎 Fruit Characteristics:
Size: Large (250–500 grams on average)
Color: Deep red to dark red skin (hence "Red Bhagwa")
Arils (seeds): Soft, large, juicy, deep red in color, and sweet in flavor
Taste: Very sweet with low acidity; less tangy than other varieties
Seed Hardness: Soft seeds, edible without discomfort
Shelf Life: Long (suitable for long-distance transport and export)
🌾 Agronomic Traits:
Climate Suitability: Best suited for semi-arid to arid regions; thrives in hot, dry climates
Soil Preference: Well-drained loamy or sandy-loam soils with pH 6.5–7.5
Drought Tolerance: Moderate to high (once established)
Diseases: Tolerant to bacterial blight (relatively better than other varieties)
🌍 Economic Importance:
Extensively grown in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh
Major export variety due to:
Attractive appearance
High sweetness
Excellent post-harvest shelf life
Strong rind suitable for transport
Would you like growing tips or a care guide for Red Bhagwa pomegranate plants?