Plant Persimmon Tree & Maintain

Kaki trees can also survive and bear fruit in our temperate latitudes. We will show you how to properly plant and care for your persimmon tree.

Kaki (Diospyros kaki) brings variety and a touch of the exotic into your garden. It is true that persimmon trees are traditionally cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions; But if you pay attention to a few tips on cultivation and care, you can soon be harvesting your own persimmons. In our article we tell you everything about the origin, variety recommendations, planting and care of persimmon trees and give tips on harvesting the delicious persimmons.

Persimmon Tree: Origin & Characteristics

The persimmon tree belongs to the genus of ebony trees (Diospyros) and thus to the ebony family (Ebenaceae). The genus name Diospyros means something like the divine fruit or food of the gods. Other names for persimmons are date plum, Chinese plum, god plum, honey apple or persimmon apple. However, the persimmon is not remotely related to the plum (Prunus domestica).

Kakis have been cultivated in China for over 2000 years and are therefore one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Because persimmons have a very soft pulp and are therefore only transportable to a limited extent, the first persimmon trees were not planted in southern Europe until the 18th century. Today the main growing regions for kakis are still in China but also in Spain, Italy and Israel.

Under ideal conditions, the kaki tree can grow up to ten meters high. From afar, its growth form reminds of an apple tree. The bark is brown and coarsely scaly. The alternate leaves are larger and coarser than apple tree leaves and have a smooth, glossy surface. They are usually ovoid, rarely heart-shaped. In autumn they turn a beautiful orange to red. The tree starts flowering from late spring to early summer. There are both monoecious and dioecious persimmon trees. The female flowers usually appear solitary and are fourfold and yellow. The male flowers are smaller and usually found in clusters of four to five.

From thefemale flowers develop five to eight centimeter large, spherical berries, which are reminiscent of tomatoes in shape. The fruits have a smooth, shiny skin and turn bright orange when ripe. The soft pulp can contain up to eight seeds. Still unripe, kakis contain a lot of tannin and are therefore strongly astringent. This means that everything in the mouth contracts when eaten and the fruit tastes very tart. As the fruit matures, the flesh becomes softer and the skin becomes almost transparent. Then the taste of the fruit is reminiscent of a mixture of pear (Pyrus) and apricot (Prunus armeniaca), and it is deliciously sweet.

Buy a persimmon tree: you need to pay attention to this

When buying, you should consider a few points so that you can enjoy your tree for as long as possible. First of all, the choice of variety is very important, because it not only determines the nature of the fruit that you will later harvest, but also the location requirements of the tree. Frost-tolerant varieties are necessary for outdoor cultivation, while potted plants can also move to a warm place in winter. Another important point is the age and size of the tree. The larger the tree, the more expensive it is of course. But larger trees can be transplanted into the field faster, and in addition they bear fruit earlier.

You should pay attention to this when buying a persimmon tree:

• Selection
• Age and size of the tree
• Vital Growth
• Good he alth
• No rotten roots

Kaki trees can be bought from nurseries and garden centers. Or you can look around the internet for a suitable tree for yourself. You can find a large selection of persimmon varieties at Pflanzenpezl or at the Schreiber tree and vine nursery.

Popular and good tasting persimmon varieties

Kaki is not just persimmon, because after its arrival in Europe, persimmons continued to be cultivated. Today, a distinction is made between kaki, persimmon and sharon. Persimmons are the original fruit that must first fully ripen before the fruit becomes soft and edible. Persimmons come from Spain and have the advantage that they are no longer astringent and taste good even when hard. The same goes for the Sharon fruit from Israel.

You can read more about the distinction between kaki, sharon and persimmon here.

There are around 500 different types of kaki worldwide, most of which can be found in Asia. But kakis are also good for usthrive when frost-tolerant cultivars are selected. Here we present some promising persimmon varieties for cultivation in temperate climates.

Recommended persimmon varieties for temperate climates:

• ˈAromaˈ: This variety produces soft, orange fruits that taste sweet and juicy.
• ˈCioccolatinoˈ: This variety produces large, yellow fruits with a great aroma.
• ˈEarly Fuyuˈ: Early-ripening variety that is ideal for temperate climates. The fruits are sweet with firm flesh.

• ˈJiroˈ: The fruits of this variety are very large and the skin is yellowish. When ripe, the persimmons are firm and not astringent.
• ˈKuro Gakiˈ: This variety is very special because it bears small, pointed fruits with a blue skin. The flesh is orange and sweet.
• ˈMeaderˈ: The fruits of this American variety are small and flat.
• ˈNikita's giftˈ: This persimmon variety is well adapted to our climate. It also boasts a particularly sweet, intense taste.
• ˈPrairie Dawnˈ: This variety is a new breed and is characterized by its hardy and particularly sweet fruits. These are small though.
• ˈRojo Brillanteˈ: This classic persimmon variety from Spain can also be grown here. The fruits captivate with their sweet taste.
• ˈRosseyankaˈ: This new breed from Russia produces large, sweet fruits that have almost no seeds.
• ˈTipoˈ: This variety is particularly popular in Italy. The fruits are particularly large and soft.
• ˈVainigliaˈ: This new variety is characterized by its vanilla scent.

Planting a persimmon tree: Instructions in 4 steps

Planting the persimmon tree is usually very simple. If you follow the 4 steps we have outlined, you shouldn't go wrong.

1. Choosing the right time to plant persimmon trees

The persimmon tree cannot survive the winter outside for the first three to four years. Therefore, until it is old enough, it is cultivated in pots. If the tree is old and big enough, it can be planted in the garden in spring. Then it has the entire growing season to establish itself. There should also be no more frost when you plant it.

2. Choosing a suitable location for the persimmon tree

The persimmon tree is a warmth-loving plant and therefore prefers a sunny and bright placelocation to be planted. House walls on the south side, for example, are ideal. It is also important that the location is as sheltered from the wind as possible. The persimmon tree does not make particularly high demands on the soil. It should be as loose and permeable as possible. Sandy-loamy soils with a high content of humus and nutrients are ideal. The tree feels most comfortable with a neutral pH value.

At a glance: Where should you plant a persimmon tree?

• Particularly sunny
• Sheltered
• Loose, well-drained soil
• Rich in humus and nutrients
• pH neutral soil
• Planting distance to other trees: 4 meters

3. Dig a sufficiently large hole for the persimmon tree

The planting hole for your persimmons should have twice the diameter and twice the depth of the plant container. The tree should only be planted there as deep as it was in the container. To give the tree the best possible start, loosen the soil well before planting and remove all stones. Now enrich the soil with organic material such as compost or a slow-release organic fertilizer. Our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer is ideal for basic fertilization of your persimmon tree.

4. Fill the hole with soil and water the kaki tree well

Once the tree has been placed in its planting hole, fill the hole with the excavation and water the sapling copiously.

Step-by-step instructions: planting a persimmon tree

• Loosen soil
• Amend the soil with compost or a slow release organic fertilizer
• Dig planting hole
• Planting hole should be twice as big and deep as plant container
• Only put the tree as deep in the hole as it was in the container
• Fill the hole with soil
• Water well

You will learn how to properly care for your persimmon tree after planting later in this article.

Propagating persimmon trees: grow them yourself from seeds

If you want to propagate your persimmon tree yourself, you can do it from seeds. However, fruits bought from the supermarket are not suitable for propagation. If you don't have a persimmon tree yet and would like to grow one from seeds, you should order seeds from specialist retailers. Seeds from self-harvested fruit must first be stratified before sowing, i.e. thegerm inhibition lifted. To do this, the cleaned seeds are placed in a bag with moist sand in the refrigerator for three months.

The seeds are then ready for planting. Prepare a container with potting soil for this. The seeds are now placed on the substrate and only slightly covered with soil and moistened. To create a good climate for germination, pull a plastic film over the planter or place it in a homemade mini greenhouse. In a light and warm place, at 20 to 22 degrees, the seeds should germinate within two to four weeks. Of course, they have to be moistened regularly for this. A spray bottle is best for this. After the first leaves have formed on the seedlings, they can then be separated and transplanted into larger pots. It can take ten to twelve years for homegrown persimmon trees to bear fruit.

Summary: How to propagate a persimmon tree?

• Buy seed from a specialist shop or take it from your own tree
• Stratify Own Seeds
• Fill the planter with potting soil
• Place the seeds on the substrate and cover lightly with soil
• Wet
• Plastic wrap over jar or place in mini greenhouse
• Light and germinate at 20 - 22 °C
• Moisturize regularly
• Germination period: 4 weeks
• Repot after the first leaves have formed

Care for Persimmon Tree

In order for your persimmon tree to grow and thrive, you should take good care of it. We'll tell you everything about watering, fertilizing, cutting and overwintering your persimmons.

Watering and fertilizing persimmon tree

Kaki's water requirements are not very high. In the pot, the plant is of course dependent on regular watering. However, you should definitely avoid waterlogging. Outside in the garden, your tree should only be watered during a real dry spell, as too much water can affect fruit formation. You should also be careful with fertilizers, because over-fertilization can have a negative effect on frost tolerance. In the first month after planting, you should not fertilize at all. After that, you can fertilize from May to the end of July. Potassium-rich fertilization is important for fruit formation. Our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer with organic long-term effect provides all the important nutrients for your persimmon tree and releases them gently and slowly to the tree. So isYour persimmons are well supplied with fertilizer.

Overview: How is the persimmon tree properly watered and fertilized?

• Water the pot regularly, but avoid waterlogging
• Water only once a month during the winter in the pot
• Water in the garden only during dry periods
• No fertilization in the first month after planting out
• Potassium-rich fertilization from May to the end of July

Persimmon pruning: when and how to do it

Persimmon trees do not require regular pruning. If you still reach for the pruning shears from time to time, he won't take offense, however, because persimmon trees are very tolerant of pruning. The best time for pruning is in winter, from late February to early March. Young trees can be steered in the right direction for growth with a topiary. A popular growth form, for example, is a central shoot with three to four strong side shoots. In order not to let the tree grow too tall, you can also shorten long annual shoots by half.

Pruning of persimmon trees at a glance:

• Kakis are very tolerant of pruning
• Pruning end of February - beginning of March
• Pruning on young trees
• Occasionally shorten long annual shoots by half

Winter persimmon tree

Young persimmon trees must be overwintered indoors, the same applies to potted plants. The winter quarters should preferably be dark and not warmer than five degrees. In winter, the tree then sheds its leaves and requires almost no attention. If no more frost is to be expected in spring, the tree can move back outside. Persimmon trees outside in the garden should be protected from frost by a thick layer of mulch in the root area. Leaves or bark mulch are suitable for this, which is also covered with brushwood. Trees that are still young can also be protected with fleece or jute bags around the shoots. The antifreeze is then removed again in the spring.

Overview: how to overwinter persimmon trees properly

• In the bucket, dark, at max. 5 °C
• Water little, do not fertilize
• Mulch thickly in the open root area
• Protect shoots with fleece or jute

Harvesting and storing persimmons

Autumn is finally the time to harvest and enjoy the delicious, sweet fruits.

When are persimmons ripe?

Kakis are ready for harvest from October. By then, the tree has usually shed its leaves. However, leave the fruit as long aspossible to mature on the tree. You should harvest them at the latest when the first frost is to be expected. It depends on the variety whether the persimmons are soft or hard when they are fully ripe. Persimmons must be very soft so that they no longer taste bitter and astringent. Sharon and Persimmon can be eaten with hard flesh.

How to store persimmons?

Kakis can be stored for up to two weeks in a cool place, such as the refrigerator or cellar. If the fruits are not yet fully ripe on the tree, they can ripen later. This works together with other fruit such as apples or pears in a foil bag at 15 °C. The fruit should ripen within two weeks. Or you can put the fruit in the freezer for 24 hours.

The persimmon tree is just one of many exotic fruit trees. In our special article we introduce you to another 10 unknown types of fruit.