Persimmons: cultivation

The persimmons They are one of the most loved fruit trees by all: they are beautiful at any time of the year, easy to maintain, they give an interesting shade when they reach adulthood, and as if that were not enough they can live both in temperate climates with very mild frosts (such as the Mediterranean) as in those areas where winters are quite harsh.

When you are looking for a tree that has it all, these are one of the most interesting, without a doubt. I can tell you this as someone who has one and I am delighted with it  … Well, it also has a very high ornamental value. Learn to grow it  .

Origin and characteristics

Persimmon, whose scientific name is Khaki Diospyros, is a deciduous tree from Asia, specifically from South Korea, Japan, China, Burma and Nepal. It is popularly known as kaki, palosanto, lodoñero, caquilero. It can reach a maximum height of 30 meters, with a 3-4 meter wide crown. Its trunk is straight, being able to branch from low height. The leaves are lanceolate, elliptical, ovate or ovate and measure 5-18 by 2,5-9cm.

It is a dioecious plant, which means that there are female and other male specimens and that, therefore, to bear fruit there needs to be a tree of a different genus nearby. It blooms in summer, and depending on the region in which they do it, they will receive a name as the case may be. And it is that generally, its fruits which are edible berries Up to 5cm in diameter, in some cultures they are called "Zeus Food", alluding to the rich flavor they have.

Persimmons are bright orange, globular in shape, although there are also several types of persimmon, classified according to their content. An important fact about this tree is the time that takes time to bear fruit and it is that it takes from 4 to 7 years approximately.

Persimmon varieties

The varieties are classified into astringent, which are those that do not ripen on the tree and are not consumed directly, and the non-astringent:

• Astringents:
  • Skinny
  • RED
  • Hashiya
  • Tanenashi
  • kushiyama
  • Bright red
  • Etc
• No astringent:
  • fuyu
  • Jiro
  • Izu
  • Etc

Why don't I put Persimon, Sharon or Sharoni? For the simple reason that they are trademarks. The first for the Denomination of Origin Kaki Ribera del Xúquer (Valencia, Spain), which is a Bright Red variety subjected to a process during which the astringency was eliminated; the latter are the same, and they are a registered trademark in Israel where persimmons of the Triumph variety are also stripped of their astringency.

How to remove astringency from persimmon?

If you like astringent kakis a lot, you will have to do the following:

1. Fill a pot a finger with alcohol (vodka is used a lot, but any will do).
2. Add the persimmons and cover the pot.
3. Leave it like that for three days if you want them to be hard but without the astringency, or some more time if you like them soft.

What are their cares?

If you want to have a copy, I recommend you provide the following care:

Location

It is a tree that It must be outside, in full sun. It also does not hurt if it is in partial shade, but it is important that it receives direct sunlight the more hours the better (minimum 5).

Earth

• Garden: from experience I will tell you that persimmon grows well in clay soils, although if the soil also has good drainage, it will be appreciated because it does not like waterlogging too much.
• Flower pot: put a first layer of arlite or volcanic clay for drainage, and then fill with universal growing medium.

Irrigation

The frequency of watering will change a lot throughout the year: in summer you will have to water very often, while the rest of the seasons it will not be necessary to do so much. That is why it is convenient to be aware of the variations in the climate of the area, and in case of doubt check the humidity of the earth by doing for example:

• Use a digital moisture meter, which will tell you instantly how wet the portion of soil that has come into contact with the meter is.
• Introduce a thin wooden stick. If it comes out with a lot of adhering soil when you extract it, you don't have to water it.
• Weigh the pot once watered. Wet soil weighs more than dry soil, so this difference in weight can serve as a guide.

Although if you have many doubts, do not worry. You should know that, more or less, It is advisable to water 3-4 times a week in summer and every 4-5 days the rest. 

Subscriber

The rosewood is a tree that grows during a good part of the year, except in winter when the fruits fall. This means that it is convenient to pay it regularly so that you do not lack anything and can grow well. The question is, with what? Well, being a plant whose fruits are edible, the ideal is to use organic fertilizers, such as guano, compost or others.

If it is planted in the garden, it is necessary to put a layer of about 5cm around it and mix it a little with the soil, and if on the contrary it is in a pot, it is necessary to use liquid fertilizers following the instructions specified on the container.

Pruning

Late winter, when the fruits have fallen. Dry, diseased or weak branches should be removed, and those that are growing too much must be trimmed.

Multiplication

By seeds in autumn (They need to be cold to germinate). They are planted in forest seedling trays with universal growing medium, and nature is allowed to take its course. They will germinate well in spring.

Harvest

You can harvest persimmons from mid / late fall to late / early spring, depending on the variety.

Pests

It is sensitive to:

• Fruit fly - See file
• San Jose louse
• Persimmon Sesia
• Elongated mealybug
• Birds

Insects are well eliminated with diatomaceous earth (on sale here) or potassium soap; Regarding the birds, I recommend putting up a scarecrow that you bought or made from CD cases  .

Diseases

Overwatering is a very serious problem, as it weakens the tree, causing fungi to be attracted to it. Thus, persimmon can have anthracnose or gray rotBotrytis). They are treated with copper-based fungicides.

Planting time

In spring, before the leaves sprout. If the climate is warm-temperate, it can be done in autumn if the tree is still young and does not bear fruit.

Rusticity

Resists up to -12ºC. It does not live in climates without frost, as a minimum it should drop to -1ºC, and notice the passing of the seasons.

What uses does persimmon have?

Ornamental

It is a tree of great beauty. During autumn, in climates with moderate frosts, he dresses in his best clothes, changing the green color of the leaves for a very striking red; and in spring and summer it provides us with a pleasant shade.

It is also worked as bonsai, although it is not very frequent since it has large leaves and it is difficult to make them smaller.

Edible

The fruit is edible, and it is usually eaten as a dessert, although it is delicious at any time of the day. It is also used to make ice cream, liqueurs, juices, etc.

Persimmon it is a tree worth looking at 2 times, because its characteristics are quite interesting. Its large size is in principle one of its main virtues, although something very curious that we must comment on is that this fruit represents something very important like the sexuality of a woman, a very particular characteristic of this tree, as well as its fruits, considered a delight denoted as divine.

In short, a very interesting plant.