How to Graft Chinese Persimmon (Diospyros cathayensis)? A Detailed Guide to Propagation Methods

For experienced gardeners, propagating flowers and plants is second nature. The propagation methods for most ornamental plants are simply cuttings, sowing, layering, grafting, and so on, and the propagation methods for Chinese persimmon (Diospyros cathayensis) are all very simple as well, with sowing being the most commonly used. However, one thing that sets Chinese persimmon apart is that it is dioecious, so many people have also tried grafting as a propagation method.

How to Graft Chinese Persimmon

1. Grafting time

Early May is the best time to graft Chinese persimmon.

2. Grafting technique

A Chinese persimmon stump generally needs to retain 3-5 vigorously growing branches. Cut off the branches that will not be used for grafting from the base, and the retained branches need to be appropriately shortened by a significant amount, keeping about 5 cm at the base.

Then use a sharp cleft grafting knife to make a vertical split straight down the center of the cross-section, with a cut depth of about 2 cm; be careful not to go too deep. After that, from a female plant that has reached fruiting age, cut a thick, sturdy branch; the thickness can roughly match the rootstock branch being grafted, and one with a terminal bud, about 5 cm in length and with 4-5 axillary buds, is even better, as this gives a higher success rate.

Next, use a sterilized blade to shave off the cortex on both sides of the base of the scion, with the cut surface about 2 cm long, basically matching the depth of the rootstock split, shaving just until the xylem is slightly exposed. Then insert the wedge-shaped base end of the prepared scion into the split of the rootstock so that the cambium on at least one side aligns, and only then use a tying band to bind the joint between the rootstock and scion.

Finally, put on a plastic bag, covering the entire scion (including the rootstock-scion joint), and then tie the plastic bag tightly. As long as you pay a little attention to later management and care, the grafting can be considered basically successful.

Propagation Methods for Chinese Persimmon

1. Propagation by sowing

Generally in March or April, pick the ripe Chinese persimmon fruits, take out the seeds inside, rinse them clean with clear water, and then dry them. Soak the seeds in hot water at 30°C-50°C, take them out after two days, and place them in a container that can drain water, then cover with a wet gauze. After that, water them about 3 times a day, with the suitable water temperature at around 25°C; after the seeds split open and sprout, sow them on a seedbed or in a container.

For the soil, it is best to choose loose, well-aerated peat soil or nutrient soil, and just be careful to keep the soil moist. After the seedlings emerge, an appropriate amount of low-concentration liquid fertilizer can be applied to promote healthy growth of the young seedlings. It should be noted that Chinese persimmon is a cross-pollinated plant, so plants propagated by sowing will show considerable segregation and variation, and therefore before transplanting, the young seedlings still need to be selected to achieve better results.

2. Propagation by cuttings

Both new branches of the current year and old branches can be selected for propagation by cuttings. The key to propagation by cuttings lies in the timing, and choosing mid-April each year is most suitable. Ensuring the moisture conditions of the cutting bed and the freshness of the cuttings are equally important; if conditions permit, the cutting bed can be placed in full sun, with misting of the cutting bed during the day and stopped at night. If conditions do not allow, the cutting bed can be placed in a bright, spacious, well-ventilated semi-shaded spot, and remember to mist 3-4 times a day, which helps ensure the survival of the cuttings. Cuttings used to make small bonsai generally bear fruit after three years.

How to Care for Chinese Persimmon

1. Temperature

Chinese persimmon tolerates low temperatures, but its activity requires high accumulated heat. April to November is the suitable growing period for Chinese persimmon, and the suitable growing temperature should be kept between 28-33°C.

2. Light

It likes ample sunlight; be careful not to leave it indoors for too long, otherwise insufficient light will cause its leaves to drop and affect fruiting.

3. Watering

Chinese persimmon likes a moist, semi-shaded growing environment. Normally the pot soil must be kept moist and must not be on the dry side. In summer high temperatures, while paying attention to shading work, increase the frequency of watering, and spray water to increase the surrounding air humidity. During the flower bud differentiation stage, water must be strictly controlled, mainly on the dry side, and water only when completely dry. Along with watering, an appropriate amount of quick-acting fertilizer can be added, but the concentration should not be too high.

4. Soil

Chinese persimmon can grow well in both acidic and alkaline soil.

5. Fertilizing

In spring, mainly use nitrogen fertilizer to promote branch growth and prepare for cultivating new fruiting branches. During the growing period, fertilize fully and apply more phosphorus fertilizer. In the later stage of branch growth, mainly apply potassium fertilizer, such as plant ash. Generally, while repotting, add fertilizers such as cake fertilizer.

Methods for Getting More Fruit on Chinese Persimmon Bonsai

1. Daily management

After planting Chinese persimmon, water it thoroughly once, place it in a shaded spot for half a month of care, and then normal management can be carried out. After new buds sprout, water with decomposed fertilizer liquid once a month, applying more fertilizer in spring and autumn, less in summer, and none in winter.

2. Fruit-bearing cultivation

Because Chinese persimmon is dioecious, during its flowering period, try as much as possible to have male plants blooming near the female plant, to facilitate natural pollination and increase the fruit-setting rate. If there is no blooming male plant nearby, artificial pollination is needed. When the female plant's flowers fall and the fruit is already attached to the flower base, spray 1:800 monopotassium phosphate twice at half-month intervals, which helps increase the fruit-setting rate. In the ninth lunar month, it is best to spray 1:600 urea water twice more, which helps make the fruit larger and more glossy.

That is all for today on the propagation methods of Chinese persimmon. We hope it is helpful to everyone. Chinese persimmon has very strong sprouting ability, so friends who are interested can give it a try. In addition, note that Chinese persimmon's branches are soft, so its branches and leaves need to be pruned frequently, which helps flowering and fruiting.