Variety Characteristics and Cultivation Management Points of Persimmon Trees

The persimmon tree is a deciduous tree of the genus Diospyros in the family Ebenaceae, native to China, with a long history of cultivation, and is one of the common fruit trees in our country. The tree is tall, with broad, thick leaves that turn yellow and red after autumn, giving it ornamental value as well. Its fruit, the familiar persimmon, is orange-yellow or orange-red when ripe, with sweet, luscious flesh that is much loved by people.

There are many varieties of persimmon trees, usually divided into two major categories, non-astringent and astringent, based on the de-astringency characteristics of the fruit. Astringent persimmons are the main type traditionally cultivated in our country and must undergo artificial de-astringency after harvest before they can be eaten; common local varieties include Mopan persimmon and Huojing persimmon. Non-astringent persimmons lose their astringency naturally on the tree and can be eaten immediately after picking; the representative varieties are mostly introduced types, such as Fuyu and Jiro.

Persimmon trees are highly adaptable, fond of sunlight, drought-tolerant and fairly cold-tolerant, and not demanding about soil, though they grow better on plots with deep soil layers and good drainage. In terms of management, attention should be paid to shaping and pruning to keep the canopy well ventilated and exposed to light, and during the fruiting period the supply of fertilizer and water should be strengthened to maintain stable fruit quality and yield.

Besides being eaten fresh, persimmon fruit can also be processed into various products such as dried persimmons and persimmon wine, and the persimmon frost that forms on the surface of dried persimmons also has certain uses. Persimmon trees have a long lifespan and can be harvested for many years once they enter the full fruiting period, making them suitable for cultivation in courtyards, on hillsides and other locations, bringing economic returns as well as greening and beautifying the environment.