The persimmon tree is a member of the ebony family and is native to Asia. The easy-care plant grows in tropical regions. It is becoming increasingly popular as a useful and ornamental plant in our latitudes.
What should you consider when caring for a persimmon tree?
When caring for a persimmon tree, you should make sure that it is kept dry and that it is fertilized sparingly from May to August. Pruning is possible in winter or autumn, while young trees should be overwintered in pots for the first few years.
The persimmon tree, which comes from China and Japan, is robust, easy to care for and extremely resistant to diseases and pests. To harvest fruit, the persimmon tree needs a long and sunny summer and preferably a mild winter, as is the case in wine-growing regions in this country. As a container plant, the persimmon tree can also thrive in colder areas.
How much water do persimmons need?
The persimmons prefer it dry rather than moist. The outdoor plants should only be watered if there is no rain for a particularly long time in midsummer. The potted plants need regular watering, but care should be taken to ensure that no waterlogging occurs. In winter, the potted persimmons should only be watered enough to prevent them from drying out.
How are persimmons fertilized?
Kakis are fertilized sparingly from May to August with organic (compost, horn shavings (€32.00 on Amazon)) or mineral fertilizer for fruit trees (containing nitrogen and potassium). Over-fertilization can cause the persimmon trees to lose frost resistance.
Do persimmon trees have to be cut back?
The persimmon plants can be cut back at the end of winter as well as in autumn. Since persimmon trees are similar in growth to domestic apple trees, all common pruning measures can be carried out on them if necessary:
- Plant cutting,
- Education cut,
- Fruit woodcut and
- Rejuvenation cut.
Are persimmons susceptible to disease?
There are no known diseases with the persimmon plants available in Germany. The trees are also not affected by pests.
How are persimmons overwintered?
Depending on the variety, persimmon plants have different frost resistance. It is recommended to keep the young persimmon plants in the pot for the first few years and, if necessary, only plant them out when they are older and larger. After the leaves fall, the potted plants are overwintered frost-free and dark. During the winter break you should not fertilize and only water enough to prevent the plant from drying out completely.
Tips & Tricks
Exotic plants such as pomegranate, dragon fruit and kiwi are becoming increasingly popular in this country, whether because of their flowers or their fruits. The selection of robust and winter-hardy varieties allows for a suitable culture in almost every region.