By Mike Donahue
Moapa Valley Progress
Anyone interested in increasing the quality and quantity of their pomegranate trees is encouraged to attend a free pruning workshop Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) office, 1897 N. Moapa Valley Blvd.
The hands-on workshop will be led by Bob Morris, UNCE horticulture specialist out of Las Vegas whose primary focus is fruit trees, berries and grapes, according to Carol Bishop, UNCE educator in the Logandale office.
“During the workshop, participants will prune the pomegranate trees behind the UNCE office that were planted in 1968,” Bishop said. “The demonstration class is hands-on so we would like participants to bring their own pruners, loppers, saws and other implements.”
Morris is the resident expert on all fruit bearing trees and shrubs at the UNCE orchard in Las Vegas and will be available Saturday to advise workshop attendees on all varieties of fruit trees in addition to pomegranates.
“He can help with suggestions about what trees grow best in our soil and climate and how best to manage and take care of them,” Bishop said. “There’ll be literature and handouts for those who attend.”
Those interested in attending the free workshop must reserve a spot by calling Denise Stoesser, the current UNCE horticulturist in Logandale, at 702-397-2604, ext. 4.
There are over 150 different cultivars of pomegranates in America’s official pomegranate collection at Davis, CA, several of which are growing in Moapa Valley. The trees are well adapted to the hot, dry Southwestern climate. They grow well in a variety of soils.
It is pretty much hands free once established and can tolerate mild to medium drought conditions, but to get the best yield, the trees or shrubs should be pruned yearly.
