Pomegranate tree vs. ignorant caretaker

[drylake]

We live in California's "high desert" -- alkaline, clay & volcanic rock, summer 100+, winter nights freezing. Pomegranate on property is five ft tall w/ 1 trunk-stalk dead, tiny leaves & little flowers & then small fruit (burnt on top & yellow elsewhere, then split, with white/pink sour seeds). 1) Do we prune? When & how much? 2) Do we feed? What & when? 3) There are 2 or 3 pomeganates at each juncture; do I remove all but one or leave whatever is there? With cold nights now, do I strip remaining fruit or leave it to fall? 4) We've regularly watered; continue same schedule for winter? 5) If I don't kill it, how do I eliminate the burning -- shade screen? -- Thanks -- I've looked lots of places, but can't find "real" help!

[Newt]

Hi Drylake,

Here's some sites that should be helpful.

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plan..._granatum.html
http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/pomegranate.htm
http://www.paghat.com/pomegranate.html
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/...120515398.html

It would be helpful for you to determine which variety you have, dwarf or not. It sounds like your tree is getting ready to go dormant, ,hence the yellowing leaves. The small fruit could be because it is a bush type. You should be able to id it from the sites I've offered. Oh, and here's one for pruning fruit trees.

http://agebb.missouri.edu/mac/librar...p?linknum=1914

Hope this helps,
Newt