Female and male flowers are produced on separate plants, except for the American Persimmon. One species of Diospyros, D. kaki, can generate fruit without pollination, although the fruits are not as large as they could otherwise be. At the end of World War II after the atomic bomb exploded over the southern Japanese city of Nagasaki, much of the city was demolished. Legend has it, that a lone Japanese Persimmon (aka Kaki) that was growing near the epicenter of the explosion survived the blast. The "Nagasaki Kaki", as it is known, has come to symbolize the end of the Second World War: the end of destruction and beginning of renewal.
Diospyros sp. is native to the tropics and it sometimes extends into temperate climates (even as far North as Connecticut). The fruit is edible and Diospyros sp. timber is sometimes valued.
| Plant Types: | Fruit, Perennial, Tree |
| Light: | Full Sun |
| Height: | 30 feet |
| Width: | 22 feet |
| Zones: | 7a to 10b |
| Bloom Color: | White |
| Bloom Seasons: | Early spring, Mid spring, Late spring |
| Special Features: | Attracts birds, Edible, North American native |
| Shape: | Oval, Pyramidal |
| Fertilizer: | Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food |
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American persimmon needs pollination from another tree. Japanese persimmon is self-fertile.
When ripe, sow seeds in containers in an open frame.
Trees bear fruit after about 3-10 years. Fruits ripen in late September into October. Beware of American persimmons plants which all bear astringent fruit. Astringent fruits are only edible once they are soft-ripe.
30-60 foot deciduous tree with 6 inch oval leaves. Fruit drop is messy with D. texana and a population of males is usually preferred as an ornamental. D. virginiana and D. kaki on the other hand are grown as landscape fruit trees. Diospyros sp. does best in full sun with shelter from the cold. Where not hardy, grow Diospyros sp. in a cool greenhouse with a minimum temperature of 35ºF (2ºC). During the day, set temperatures between 41-50ºF (5-1º0C), and at night, keep the temperature at 36ºF (2ºC).
Urn shaped flowers in early spring. In fall edible fruits from 2-4 inches across. Abundance of fruit depends on species and pollination.
D. texana is well suited to rocky, dry, alkaline soils, but not high-rainfall, high-humidity areas. Little water is needed once established. D. virginiana and D. kaki are not fussy about soil and need regular to moderate water. However, good drainage is a must!
Implement a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during growth.
Remove crossing shoots, annually, in late winter or early spring to maintain a healthy framework.
Leaf rollers, mealybugs, and scale insects. Other problems include wood rot, fruit rot, wilt, powdery mildew, anthracnose, blight, and fungal spots, all of which are quite common.