Diospyros

These deciduous, easily grown trees, commonly known as Persimmons, are valued for their hard, dark brown or black heartwood, for the edible fruits and for their beauty. Their delicious, sweet and juicy fruits should only be eaten when they are ripe; otherwise, they have an offensive, bitter flavor. The fruits ripen in the fall, usually after a light frost. They can, however, be picked and placed in a plastic bag with a ripe apple for two to four days. The ethylene gas emitted by the apple hastens the ripening process in the Persimmon fruits. D. virginiana (Common Persimmon) is native to the eastern half of the U.S. The height of this variety ranges from 35 to 60 feet. The 3- to 7-inch, oval or oblong-ovate, glossy green leaves open, in the spring, with a coppery tinge. They turn shades of red, pink or yellow in autumn. Greenish-yellow, male and female flowers are produced on separate trees; therefore, to produce fruit, both male and female trees must be planted together. The orange or yellow fruits are 1 to 2 inches long and often take on a purplish tinge when ripe in the fall. D. Kaki (Kaki Persimmon/Japanese Persimmon) is a native of Japan and China. It grows from 20 to 30 feet high with a spread to match. The oval leaves grow 4 to 7 inches long and turn bright red, orange or yellow in the fall. This variety usually produces male and female flowers on the same tree but two or more different varieties should be planted to ensure the production of fruit, because this variety is unable to self-pollinate itself. The attractive, yellow or orange fruit grows 2 to 4 inches long and usually remains on the branches after the leaves fall.

Pot Cultivation

Persimmons should be grown in full sun, in moist soil that is deep enough to accommodate the long roots of the trees. Persimmons should be planted when young (1 year old) because the long taproot can make transplanting difficult. If trees are bought balled and burlapped, they should be planted in early spring. D. virginiana can be grown as far north as the southern edge of the Great Lakes. D. Kaki should be grown in the mild climates of the U.S. It grows best in a moderately fertile, well-drained soil, though it will tolerate poor soils.

Propagation

The Common Persimmon can be increased by root cuttings, by hardwood cuttings of 2- or 3-year-old wood, and by budding or grafting on seedling rootstocks. Seeds may also be sown when they are ripe in the fall. After planting, they should be mulched with sawdust or leaves. If they are to be kept until spring for planting, they must be stratified. The Japanese Persimmons are often grown on the rootstocks of the Common Persimmon. Grafting and budding may be done in late summer.

VARIETIES

• D. virginiana (Common Persimmon) & var. (The best are...) Garrettson, Early Golden, Killen, Kansas (Others include the following:) Josephine, Hicks, Lambert, Miller and Ruby.
  
• D. Kaki (Japanese Persimmon) & var. (Recommended for home gardens:) Chocolate, Fuyu, Great Wall, Hachiya, Tamopan, Yokono (Others include the following:) Tanenashi, Costata, Triumph, Tsuru, Gailey, Godbey, Hyakume, Okame, Yeman, Yeddo, Ichi, Zingi, Taber 23, Taber 129; D. Lotus (Date Plum).