Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
Persimmon is a deciduous tree with large glossy leaves that turn orange in autumn and bright orange fruit that hangs on after leaf fall. It is grown in the hills of Himachal, Uttarakhand and Kashmir.
Photo: KENPEI · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun
Watering
Moderate
Water regularly in summer while fruit grows; dry spells cause fruit drop.
Soil
Deep, well-drained loam; pH 6.0–7.0.
Temperature and humidity
-10–35 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed lightly with compost in late winter; heavy feeding causes fruit drop.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by grafting
Prune in winter to keep an open shape and remove weak shoots.
Ripe fruit is safe. The seeds can cause intestinal blockage in dogs. Unripe astringent varieties are unpleasant until soft.
Top Cultivation Tips
Non-astringent types can be eaten crisp.
Ripen astringent types until jelly-soft.
Fruit forms without pollination in most varieties.
Autumn leaf colour is a bonus.
Common problems
Fruit flies
Flies that lay eggs inside ripening fruit; the maggots rot the fruit from within.
How to treat it →DiseaseLeaf spot
Fungal or bacterial infections that cause brown, black or purple spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo, leading to early leaf drop.
How to treat it →PestScale insects
Immobile, shell-covered insects that cling to stems and leaves, draining sap and weakening trees and houseplants.
How to treat it →
