Pomegranate

I germinated a couple of pomegranate seeds a few weeks ago. They are both about 10" tall now, growing well, and looking ok.

However, I've had to put a couple of those thin wooden kebab skewers in the pots to use as stakes because the stems are extremely thin and there's no way they would be able to support themselves.

They are just growing straight up too, no signs of any forking yet. Is this normal for pomegranates? I was hoping for a small compact type habit which I could keep indoors, though I may plant them out in a sheltered spot as i've heard they are hardy.

Although further down the road I may get flowers, I am certainly not expecting any fruit. This is just a bit of an experiment. Any ideas how I can get them to "thicken" up a bit?

 

They look normal and will be ok outside after the frosts have gone, they are just growing soft because they are indoors, they need good strong sunlight and are not IMO a good house plant.

 

Ok. If I wait a bit longer and plant them both outside together, with their stakes, do you think, in time, that they will "beef" up a bit?

 

Just as a caution, they are hardy but not totally, especially when young.
I'd put them outside for summer in pots, then move to a protected spot for next winter with a mind to plant out in 12 months time.
They are deciduous in our climate so dont worry when the leaves all drop off in the autumn, just dont let the pots freeze next winter.

 

I grew some in the greenhouse many years ago. The 'breezy' part of 1987 saw off the entire contents of that greenhouse.
Tried again early 2000s. Buds formed ready to flower, I was super excited......2009 winter quenched that feeling.
Sowed some more on Monday, so expect a climactic weather event some time around 2030

 

The heat last summer allowed me to get a few fruits to set.
They never reach full size in our short growing season, but who knows what would be possible in a micro climate and perhaps trained against a south facing wall.

 

My biggest fruit, pretty puny really.