Diospyros kaki

A medium-sized, round-topped, deciduous small tree or large shrub growing to 12m by 7m.

Oval, leathery leaves that are glossy on the upper surface and brown-silky beneath. Leaves start out bluish-green and turn rich yellow-orange or red in autumn. Small inconspicuous flowers bloom in spring, followed by large round fruit with glossy, bright orange skin in autumn.

Best grown in moist, well-draining soil in full sun. Does well in any moderately fertile land with deep, friable subsoil. A sandy loam with clay subsoil promotes good growth. While the young trees need plentiful watering, good drainage is essential. Too little fertiliser will result in a slow-growing tree that loses its leaves early. On the other hand, over-fertilising will cause fruit drop and too much leafy growth.

The tree has good drought tolerance, but this will result in less fruit the following year.

Always choose healthy, named varieties. Seed grown from unnamed varieties can take up to a decade to fruit and when they do, the fruit quality is often poor.

Trees may be planted at any time throughout the year, provided they are watered during dry periods. Planting success is often improved on clay soils by adding extra topsoil and forming raised beds. Incorporate coarse sand, bark and compost or other organic materials to improve soil structure. Plant after autumn rains when the soil is moist and warm. Before planting, ensure that the root ball is saturated and remove planter pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots or branches and plant at the same level as in the container.

Tall plants and those in windy positions require staking to stabilize the root ball until established. Position the stakes in the hole before planting and place the plant between them. Long term slow-release fertilisers may be added at this stage. As soil is placed in the prepared hole, tread firmly to bring soil in close contact with the root ball. Use wide ties that hold securely without chafing. Tie firmly but allow room for the trunk to increase in girth without constriction. This allows the plant to move a little in the wind, encouraging development of a strong root system. Water thoroughly, making sure that moisture penetrates to the depth of the root ball.

The root ball sometimes dries out despite the surrounding soil being moist. If this occurs, directly water down the plant stem to saturate the root ball. The first summer and autumn after planting is critical for young plants; water thoroughly during dry periods. Mulching helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Organic materials, such as sawdust and bark, contribute to soil structure as they decompose. Make sure to keep mulching material away from plant stems.

Check stakes and ties regularly for chafing and constriction. Remove as soon as plants are strong enough to withstand winds without damage. In spring, apply a light dressing (50g/m2) of general-purpose fertiliser. Sprinkle evenly and work into the top 2 to 3cm of the soil, taking care to not damage surface roots.

Most people don't prune their persimmons but pruning helps with fruit size and quality and helps keep the tree compact. Persimmon bear fruit on the tips of the branches, so when pruning is carried out, whole branches should be removed rather than trimming them all back. Be careful not to remove too many branches in one year, as the tree will respond with vigorous leafy growth which is not required.

Heavy fruit can also be thinned. Thinning improves the size, colour and taste of the rest of the fruit and reduces the weight on the branches. This also helps biannual cropping (a large crop one year and a poor one the next).

Birds and possoms love the fruit!

Normally pest and disease-free, but mealybugs can affect fruit leaves and branches. Birds love the fruit so bird netting may also be needed in autumn.

Orchard

Native to Japan, China, Myanmar, the Himalayas and Khasi Hills of northern India. In China, it is found wild at altitudes up to 1830-2500m and it is cultivated from Manchuria to Kwangtung. In the early 14th Century, Marco Polo recorded the Chinese trade in persimmons. Korea has long-established ceremonies that feature the persimmon. The tree has been grown for a long time in North Vietnam, in the mountains of Indonesia and in the Philippines. It was introduced to Queensland, Australia in about 1885.

For more than a century, It has been cultivated on the Mediterranean coast of France, Italy, southern Russia and Algeria.