Diospyros kaki is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 m in height. The leaves are oblong-shaped and the flowers are white. The fruit is spherical and red-brown in color. The tree is native to East Asia and is widely cultivated in China, Japan, and Korea.
Related plant:
Diospyros Virginiana
About soil condition, Diospyros kaki prefers humus-rich, well-drained soils, and can tolerate a wide range of pH levels, from 5.5 to 8.0. It is quite drought-tolerant once established, but Diospyros kaki trees will produce more fruit if they are watered regularly during the growing season.
Just like other plants, the persimmon tree needs sunlight to grow. Without enough sun, the tree will not be able to produce the fruit that we all know and love. The tree should be planted in an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight every day.
The temperature condition that is most favorable for the growth of the Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. This tree is not tolerate to cold temperature below 10 degrees Celsius. The young leaves and fruits are damaged at -5 degrees Celsius. The tree can be killed when the temperature reaches -10 degrees Celsius. The best time to plant this tree is during the late spring or early summer.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is moist, not too wet and not too dry. The leaves will start to turn yellow and drop off if the humidity is too low. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off.
Mentioning fertilizer, this family of plant need special attention while taking care of them. The fertilizer should be applied in early morning or late evening when the sun is not so harsh. Also, it is necessary to water the plant after applying fertilizer so that the chemicals do not harm the plant. The roots of diospyros kaki are quite delicate and should be handled with care.
Pruning is an important part of caring for your diospyros kaki tree. Pruning helps to promote new growth, remove dead or dying branches, and improve the overall shape and appearance of the tree. When pruning, be sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears. Make sure to prune back to a buds or branch junction, and avoid leaving stubs.
Propagation of Diospyros kaki is most commonly performed through grafting. This is because the tree does not produce true seeds. Grafting is a process in which a piece of the desired plant is joined with another plant. The plant that is used as the rootstock is typically a seedling or young tree.
Usually, the plant growth rate information refers to the tree's growth in the wild. In its natural habitat, the diospyros kaki grows quite slowly. The average rate of growth is only about 1 meter per year. However, when grown in captivity, the diospyros kaki can grow much faster. Under ideal conditions, this tree can grow up to 3 meters in a single year.
Common problems for this kind of plant are black spot, powdery mildew, rust, and scab. Black spot appears as black lesions on the leaves, while powdery mildew looks like a gray or white powdery coating on the leaves. Rust appears as orange or red lesions on the leaves, while scab looks like small, raised bumps on the leaves. All of these problems can be controlled with proper cultural practices and the use of fungicides.
Source:
Diospyros kaki Fuyu; Kaki, Japanese Persimmon, Oriental Persimmon
Diospyros kaki, Japanese persimmon | Trees of Stanford & Environs
Diospyros kaki - Purdue University
