Diospyros kaki (Persimmon)

Botanical name

Diospyros kaki

Other names

Persimmon, Oriental persimmon, Japanese persimmon, Kaki, Chinese persimmon

Genus

Diospyros Diospyros

Species

D. kaki - D. kaki is a spreading, borderline hardy, deciduous tree with oval, glossy, dark green leaves turning yellow, orange, red, and purple in autumn. Small, bell-shaped, pale yellow flowers in summer are followed by conical to spherical, yellow to orange fruit on female plants.

Native to

China, Japan, Korea

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Habit

Rounded to broadly spreading

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Colour

Flower

Pale-yellow in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in Summer; Yellow, Red, Purple, Orange in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

The trunks of young trees should be protected from sunburn and rodent damage.

Specific pests

Deer , Glasshouse whitefly , Mealybugs , Scale insects , Squirrels , Thrips

Diseases

Waterlogging can also cause root rot.

Specific diseases

Foot and root rot

General care

Pruning

Once established, pruning group 1. Cut back to about 1 m at the time of planting. Then prune to develop a strong framework while the tree is young. Otherwise the heavy fruit may cause breakage. Regular removal of some new growth each year will improve the

Propagation methods

Hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Diospyros kaki (Persimmon) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 7m after 20-50 Years.

Suggested uses

Add to salads, Cake decoration, Conservatory, Containers, Flavouring food and drinks, Indoor, Mediterranean

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, well-drained loam in full sun with shelter from cold wind and late frosts. Needs winter protection in cold areas. Fruit will be larger and of higher quality with regular watering. Alternatively, grow under glass in loam-based compost in full light. Water freely & feed monthly in growth.

Soil type

Loamy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Diospyros kaki (Persimmon)

Common pest name

Stubby-root nematode

Scientific pest name

Trichodorus cedarus

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous nematode pest from Asia; occasionally intercepted by the UK. Causes direct feeding damage on plant roots and has the potential to vector viruses.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Diospyros kaki (Persimmon)

Common pest name

Citrus nematode; Nematode; citrus; Nematode; citrus root; Root nematode

Scientific pest name

Tylenchulus semipenetrans

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Nematode pest affecting mainly crops in the Mediterranean which has been intercepted in the UK. Unlikely to pose a significant plant health threat; but UK vineyards may wish to take into account when sourcing supplies.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/