A Detailed Guide to Persimmon Tree Grafting Time, Methods and Years to Fruit

The persimmon tree is one of the main fruit trees in our country, and its fruit is sweet and delicious. There are many varieties of persimmon cultivated in China, most of which are obtained through grafting, so when is the best time to graft a persimmon tree? What grafting methods are there? How many years until it bears fruit? According to fruit farmer Uncle Li, persimmon trees are generally grafted starting in summer, and the survival rate is relatively high.

Persimmon tree grafting methods

1. Cleft grafting

Cut the rootstock off at a suitable point, smooth the cut surface, and split the rootstock down the middle with a knife to a length of about 4-5 cm, leaving 2-3 buds. When inserting the scion into the rootstock, align the cambium layers, with the thick wedge side facing outward; the top should show white and the bottom should remain hollow. Then bind it tightly with thin plastic string. If the scion has not been wax-sealed, it can be covered with a bag.

2. Bark grafting

Carrying it out after the rootstock has sprouted can improve the survival rate. Cut the rootstock off at a suitable point, smooth the cut surface, and make a vertical cut about 2-3 cm long at a smooth spot. Cut the scion into a horseshoe shape, leaving 2-3 buds, and shave off a little of the phloem on the back of the cut surface. Gently insert the scion between the xylem and phloem of the rootstock, and bind it tightly.

3. Square bud grafting

At a suitable smooth spot on the rootstock, make one horizontal cut above and one below, each reaching the xylem, with 2-3 cm between the two cuts, then make a vertical cut along one side and gently pry open the bark. On the scion, make a horizontal cut 0.5 cm above the bud and another horizontal cut 1.5-2.5 cm below the bud, then make a vertical cut on each side of the bud and remove a bud piece the same size as the opening on the rootstock (be careful to include the bud primordium). Then gently insert it into the cut on the rootstock, align the upper end of the bud piece with the cambium of the cut, shave off the excess bark of the rootstock, and immediately bind it tightly with plastic film, leaving the petiole and the grafted bud exposed.

4. Bud grafting with wood

At a suitable smooth spot on the rootstock, make a vertical slanting cut slightly into the wood, about 2 cm long, then make a downward horizontal slanting cut from the lower end of the vertical cut, and remove the rootstock piece. Take the scion and make an upward slanting cut about 1 cm above the bud; depending on the length of the cut on the rootstock, make an upward horizontal cut 0.5 cm below the bud, cut off a bud piece with wood matching the size of the cut on the rootstock, fit it into the cut on the rootstock, align the cambium layers, and bind it so that the petiole and the grafted bud are exposed.

How many years after grafting does a persimmon tree bear fruit?

The persimmon tree has strong adaptability and features drought resistance, tolerance of poor soil, a long lifespan and easy management. Generally, it begins to bear fruit 3-5 years after grafting, enters the full fruiting period after 10 years, and has an economic lifespan of more than 100 years; even 200- to 300-year-old trees can still maintain the ability to bear fruit.