In this video, Tricia shares her tips for growing persimmon trees.
Growing and Caring for Persimmon Trees
Persimmons are a stunning and versatile addition to any garden. With their glossy green leaves and vibrant red-orange fruit, they offer both aesthetic appeal and delicious rewards. Whether eaten fresh, dried, or pickled, persimmons are a delightful fruit that is surprisingly easy to grow.
The Beauty of Persimmons
Native to China and Japan, oriental persimmon trees are relatively pest-free and provide a fiery display of red, orange, and yellow foliage in the fall. After the leaves drop, the dramatic orange fruit remains on the bare branches, creating a striking autumnal scene.
Planting and Care
Persimmons thrive in full sun with good drainage. While they tolerate heavier soils better than most fruit trees, overwatering, especially for young trees, is a common mistake. Established trees are drought-tolerant but will yield more fruit with regular watering.
- Hardiness: Persimmons are hardy down to zone 7 and have a low chill requirement, making them suitable for many climates.
- Pollination: The persimmon varieties sold at Grow Organic are self-pollinating.
- Pruning: Train your persimmon tree to a modified central leader system. Prune in winter, focusing on thinning cuts rather than heading back branches to avoid excessive water sprouts.
Harvesting and Thinning
Persimmons come in two types:
- Non-Astringent (Fuyu): Eaten fresh off the tree like an apple.
- Astringent (Hachiya): Must be fully ripe and soft to avoid astringency.
Thin out fruiting shoots and remove weak growth to prevent the tree from overbearing. To ripen Hachiya persimmons, pick them when fully colored but firm, then allow them to ripen indoors until they feel like a bag of jello.
Enjoying Your Persimmons
Once ripe, persimmons can be frozen whole for future use. Their sweetness and versatility make them perfect for fresh eating, desserts, or preserves.
A mature tree can produce 330 to 660 pounds of fruit annually, making it a valuable and productive part of your garden. Embrace the beauty and bounty of persimmon trees and grow organic for life!
