How to Grow Persimmon/Japani Phal from Seed to Harvest: Check How this Guide Helps Beginners

Persimmon is a deciduous fruit tree. Growing 6 to 14 meters high, it bears bright, glowing orange fruit, and has vibrant displays of pale orange leaves in the autumn, even in warm coastal areas where a few trees reliably color. Versatile fruit can be frozen, dried, cooked, or used for wine or vinegar, but its unique flavors and texture are best appreciated when ripe.

The calyx is often attached to the fruit after harvesting, but it becomes easier to remove as it matures. They are high in glucose, have a balanced protein profile, and have various medicinal and chemical uses.

How to grow Persimmon/Japani Phal from seed to harvest

How long does it take to grow Persimmon from seed?

The Persimmon tree takes 3 to 5 years to bear fruit from seeds, and its average age is 60. However, some grafted trees will bear fruit the following year of planting.
American Persimmon flowers start blooming in May and continue to bloom until June. Since the plant is dioecious, male trees have different flowers than female trees.
Oriental Persimmon trees will bloom after five years, but they will start bearing fruit for another two years. American Persimmon trees take the most time to bear fruit, often taking ten years or more to grow fruit.
Persimmons, like most deciduous tree fruits, do not produce true to type from seeds. However, seedlings used for propagation can be grown from fresh seeds extracted from ripe fruit during autumn.

Can you grow Persimmon trees from Persimmon seeds?

Like all Japanese Persimmons, Fuyu Persimmon does not come from seeds. Therefore, the seeds you plant will not grow up to be Fuyu Persimmons. Japanese Persimmons usually produce fruit without seeds.
Asian Persimmons, unlike their American cousins, are often self-pollinated and can also produce parthenocarpy fruit from non-fertilized flowers. However, it won’t result in fruit seeds, so it can’t reproduce.

How do you start a Persimmon tree from seed?

Before planting Persimmon seeds, they undergo cold, moist stratification. Without this process, the seeds will remain inactive and resist germination.
Persimmon seeds grow best when fresh, so collect them in the autumn after the fruit softens. Only take seeds from fully ripened Persimmons that do not contain bird becks, rotten spots, or green skin. After cutting the fruit, remove some seeds and soak them in warm water for a few days to loosen any sticky flesh. Rub lightly under running water to clean the Persimmon seeds. You can start the seeds immediately or store them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use them.
Seeds should be planted at a depth of 2 inches in sterile potting soil and placed in a bright spot where the temperature is at least 21°C. Since Persimmon seeds have a growth rate of 25-35%, multiple seeds are planted for the best chance of success. You should see Persimmon seedlings in 6 to 8 weeks.

How many seed are in a Persimmon?

Persimmon fruits are usually berries consisting of 5 to 8 seeds. You can collect them early in the autumn after the fruit softens. Fruits for large trees should be collected immediately after falling from the branches and before eating small animals.
The seed can be easily removed from the fruit after opening. The flesh of any remaining fruit that adheres to the seed can be rubbed in running water. Seeds can be removed more easily if soaked in water for several days.

In case you missed it: 15 Common Persimmon Tree Problems: How to Fix Them, Solutions, and Treatment

Do you need 2 Persimmon trees to produce fruit?

Almost all varieties of Japanese Persimmons are self-fruitful, and only one tree will be needed to produce fruit.
If you choose native seedlings, you will need another tree to get a good harvest. In addition, Japanese and American Persimmons will not cross-pollinate. However, female, male, and perfect flowers can be grown on the same tree in Oriental Persimmons.
You can distinguish male trees from female ones because male flowers are small and appear in small clusters, while large female flowers appear alone. Inside the female flower, you will find pistil but also sterile stamens, which are significantly smaller than the stamen in the male flower.

Can Persimmons be grown in pots?

Persimmon trees can also be grown in containers and stored in an unheated basement or garage for the winter if they aren’t cold-hardy in your zone. These trees should be repotted with fresh soil every second or third year if grown in pots. Pot trees should be planted at the same depth as they are in the shipping pot.
Put your tree in a container that is still manageable for you, especially if you need to move the tree indoors for winter protection. You can expect to grow Persimmon trees in 7 gallons, 10 gallons, 20-gallon containers, and larger as needed.

Are Persimmon trees easy to grow?

You can easily take care of Persimmon trees. They suit a wide range of soils and are disease- and pest-free and drought-tolerant after being established.
Persimmons have a reputation for being very easy to grow, tolerating many situations. They perform well across a wide range of soil types but favor deep, well-drained loam soils with a good supply of organic matter.
You can easily maintain these trees without feeding; the growth rate of the Persimmon tree is about 12 to 24 inches annually. They can reach 30 to 50 feet with a 30-foot spread, so planning is essential where to plant your tree.

What fertilizer is suitable for Persimmons?

A basic 10-10-10 fertilizer works well for the Persimmon tree; if you want, you can choose the organic type so that fewer chemicals are added to the soil.
It has been suggested that using a balanced fertilizer of 1 to 2 cups per year is sufficient. It should be implemented in the first two years in March, June, and September.
Young Persimmon trees are susceptible to fertilizers. After a few years, if mature leaves are not dark green and shoot growth is less than one foot annually, apply balanced fertilizers in late winter or early spring.
There is not much to take care of the trees besides watering them. Water the young trees well until they are established. After this, whenever there is no special rain, for example, do not keep them in water during periods of drought. Do not fertilize the tree until it appears to be thriving.

How often do you water Persimmon trees?

Regular water is required to get the best growth and quality fruit. Water your Persimmon tree once or twice a week for 10 minutes in spring and summer. Persimmon trees will withstand short periods of drought. Persimmon roots grow slowly.
The most common cause of root rot is giving more water to the trees in the ground in a specific soil. Regularly watering the tree helps in establishing a deep root system.
Don’t over-water your newly planted Persimmon tree. Too much water is the main cause of death of Persimmon trees. Once established, Persimmon trees are quite drought-tolerant, but they will bear more fruit with regular water.

How much sun do Persimmon trees need?

When choosing a spot for your tree, try to find a well-drained area with sandy loam soil. This is best for Persimmons, but if there is good drainage, your tree should flourish. Keep your tree in full sunshine for the best growth and production rate.
Like many other fruit-bearing trees and fruit-producing plants, Persimmon trees grow best in the sun. However, partial shade can be tolerated, especially in areas where intense sunlight and heat can cause plant stress.
Asian Persimmons are native to warm temperate and subtropical climates but can tolerate some cold weather and heavy soil in terms of rootstock.

In case you missed it: Best Fertilizer for Persimmon Trees: Homemade, Organic, Natural, Liquid, Compost, How and When to Apply

Should Persimmon trees be pruned?

The ideal time to prune Persimmon is in late winter or early spring. Using a sharp pair of shears, cut the broken and diseased branches and then cut them back until you reach the tree trunk.
Persimmon fruit from new growth originates from the last few buds of the previous season’s growth. Therefore, if the ends of all the new branches produced in the previous season are cut off, it will eliminate all the fruit-bearing wood.
Pruning Persimmons should be done once a year, in late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant, to shape structures and prevent alternative bearings. You should also prune the Persimmon tree in the fruit season if the limbs crack or the branches break under the weight of the fruit.
Leave branches with about a foot of space between them to increase the amount of sunlight reaching the fruit. Trim the tree lightly each year or thus dead wood, weak branches, horizontal shoots growing from the main trunk, and any crowding, crossing the branches.

What kind of soil do Persimmons like?

Persimmon trees grow well on a wide range of soils, although they grow best on loamy, well-drained soil. Like other fruit trees, a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.5 is ideal for tree growth. Persimmon trees will withstand drought, but the size and yield of fruits decreases.
Persimmon trees can thrive in various soil types but prefer well-drained loam. They are more tolerant of clay soil than most other fruit-bearing trees. Boron and salts in the ground are toxic to Persimmon trees. They are drought resilient; however, repeated irrigation will result in larger fruit and higher yields.

Can you grow a Persimmon tree from a cutting?

Persimmons are most propagated from seeds and grafts. However, they would also reliably propagate softwood cutting if the cutting is treated with hormones and kept in moderately humid, warm conditions.
Persimmon trees can be propagated with stem cutting, producing the correct clones of the parent tree. To propagate from a stem cutting, first. You need to give deep water to the parent tree a few days before cutting.
To propagate a Persimmon and end up with the correct copy of the parent plant, you’ll need to do this by taking cuttings. Although root cutting is the most feasible, you may not have access to them. It’s challenging, but you can propagate Persimmon trees with stem cutting.

Why is my Persimmon tree dropping leaves?

Persimmons perform well in areas such as Marin with moderate winters and relatively mild summers. However, their leaves change color dramatically in the autumn, deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves.
Too much fertilization can also result in losing the leaves of your Persimmon tree. Do not fertilize more than once a year.
While too little water can result in Persimmon leaves falling, too much water can produce the same result. This is usually due to poor soil drainage rather than actual excess irrigation.
Although Persimmon trees can withstand drought for a short period, they do not grow well without frequent irrigation.

In case you missed it: Persimmon Seed Germination Period, Temperature

Are Persimmon trees slow growing?

Persimmon tree types range from small to medium size. A mature tree can grow up to 60 feet tall, but Persimmon trees grow slowly. Therefore, you can maintain your Persimmon tree at a more viable height between 12 and 20 feet.
Slow growing is usually due to poor soil drainage rather than excess irrigation. If you plant your Persimmon in the clay area, the water you give to the Persimmon tree will not pass through the soil. The Persimmon tree roots will get a lot of moisture and rot, which can cause Persimmon leaf drops.

Why don’t my Persimmons have fruit?

American Persimmon can take many years to flourish and still cannot bear fruit for ten years. American and Oriental Persimmons have alternate years of blooming and flourishing. So, you will get a large crop of small fruits, a small crop of big fruit in a year and a year continuously.

Why do Persimmon leaves turn yellow?

Persimmon leaves turning yellow is caused by an imbalance of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in the soil. As a result, yellowness starts at the margin of the leaf and spreads towards the veins.
Yellow leaves can be caused by very high soil pH. Persimmon flowers falling off or drooping fruits can be caused by insufficient sunlight, dehydration, or too much heat.

Why are my Persimmon trees dying?

Persimmon trees are drought resistant, but prolonged drought can lead to tree death. Persimmon trees require about 36 inches of water a year to survive. If you live in a drought area, you’ll need to give your Persimmon tree two to three inches of water a week.
Some early fruit drops should be expected, especially in heavy fruit years. However, if your Persimmon tree is constantly bearing fruit and its leaves are turning yellow, you can fertilize your tree more or give it more water.

How deep do you plant Persimmon trees?

For pot trees, dig the hole four times the width of the roots and 1/2 times the depth. You should plant the Persimmon plant at the same depth as it is grown in the pot. You should place the tree in the planting hole and fill it with soil. Water the tree deeply so that the water soaks up to the roots.
The roots of the common Persimmon are not a problem, but the tap roots of the Japanese Persimmon pose a problem. They are deep and invasive, which makes it difficult to transplant them.

In case you missed it: Growing Persimmons in Containers from Seed, Seedlings

Is Epsom salt good for Persimmon trees?

Epsom salt helps Persimmon fruits get bigger, sweeter, and more. It also works great for nut trees and fruit bushes.
Use half a pound for every year, up to 10 pounds per tree annually. Divide this amount between the two applications. Also, apply magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) three to four times per year as Persimmons feel the need for extra.

How do you keep Persimmon fruit from dropping?

The reason for the Persimmons falling from the tree before ripening is the result of parthenocarpy, which is a fascinating botanical phenomenon. It means the production of fruit without fertilization.
To avoid fruit drops resulting in an overdose, thinning the young fruit before the tree drops. Generally, it’s best to leave 4 to 6 inches between each fruit and break down any clusters that can form. You can use small, sharp pruners to remove or break the fruit with your fingers.

Do Persimmons grow every year?

Both American and Oriental Persimmons have an alternate year of blooming and flourishing. Therefore, you can get a large crop of small fruits, a small crop of big fruit continuously in a year and a year.
If you start with a 2-year-old pot or bare root tree, you’ll wait at least a year before the tree will establish fruit that grows to maturity. Oriental Persimmon trees will bloom after five years, but they will start bearing fruit for another two years.

How do I know when my Persimmons are ready to be picked?

You can start harvesting from September to the end of November. Some experts say the fruit will ripen completely after the first half of the season. The color of the fruit will vary from light yellow-orange to dark orange-red. When harvesting Persimmons, it’s best to use a shallow tray, especially if your fruit is too soft.

In case you missed it: 15 Common Cantaloupe/Muskmelon Plant Problems: How to Fix Them, Solutions, and Treatment

How often do Persimmon trees produce fruit?

A fully grown tree yields about 150 to 200 kilograms of fruit annually, but yield varies with cultivars and cultural practices. The production of Persimmons depends on the method of planting, soil, irrigation, age of trees, variety, and other methods of garden management.

Conclusion

Persimmon trees are relatively easy to grow. The key to growing Persimmons is to choose different types or varieties that grow well where you live. Asian Persimmons demand a mild winter season. American and hybrid Persimmons grow in relatively cold winter areas.

How to Grow Persimmon/Japani Phal from Seed to Harvest: Check How this Guide Helps Beginners

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