Diospyros chinensis Blume

Diospyros kaki is a multi-stemmed or sometimes single-stemmed deciduous tree up to 6(-18) m tall and typically round-topped, fairly open, erect or semi-erect, sometimes crooked or willowy; seldom with a spread of more than 4.5-6 m. Branches somewhat brittle and can be damaged in high winds. Leaves alternate, entire, ovate-elliptic, oblong-ovate, or obovate, 7.5-25 cm long, 5-10 cm wide, leathery, glossy on the upper surface, brown-silky beneath; bluish-green, turning in the fall to rich yellow, orange or red; petioles 2 cm long, brown-hairy. Flowers inconspicuous surrounded by a green calyx tube, borne in leaf axils of new growth from one-year old wood. Female flowers solitary, cream-colored; male flowers pink-tinged, borne in threes. Commonly, 1-5 flowers per twig emerge as the new growth extends. Fruit round, conical, oblate, or nearly square, capped by the persistent calyx, skin thin, smooth, glossy, yellow, orange, red or brownish-red; flesh yellow, orange, or dark-brown, juicy, gelatinous, seedless or containing 4-8 seeds. Generally, the flesh is bitter and astringent until fully ripe, when it becomes soft, sweet and pleasant, but dark-fleshed types may be non-astringent, crisp, sweet and edible even before full ripening. Seed flat, oblong, brown, 2 cm long. From the Greek diospyros, composed of dios (divine), and pyros (grain), from the edible fruit of some species. The specific epithet is derived from the Japanese word for plant, kaki-no-ki.

D. kaki trees flower in March; are usually either male or female, but some trees have both male and female flowers. On male plants, occasional perfect (bisexual) flowers occur, producing an atypical fruit. A tree's sexual expression can vary from one year to the other. Many cultivars are parthenocarpic, although some climates require pollination for adequate production. When plants are pollinated, they will produce fruits with seeds and may be larger and have a different flavor and texture than do their seedless counterparts. Many cultivars begin to bear 3-4 years after planting out; others after 5-6 years. Shedding of many blossoms, immature and nearly mature fruits is characteristic of the Japanese persimmon as well as the tendency toward alternate bearing. Harvesting takes place in fall and early winter. Late ripening cultivars may be picked after hard frosts or light-snowfall.

D. kaki can withstand a wide range of s as long as the soil is not overly salty, but does best in deep, well drained loam. A pH range of 6.5 to 7.5 is preferred.

D. kaki needs a subtropical to mild-temperate climate. It may not fruit in tropical lowlands. In Brazil, the tree is considered suitable for all zones favourable to Citrus, but those zones with the coldest winters induce the highest yields. The atmosphere may range from semi-arid to one of high humidity.

The tree is cultivated from Manchuria southward to Kwangtung in China. It has been grown for a long time in north Vietnam, in the mountains of Indonesia above 1 000 m and in the Philippines. Seeds first reached the United States in 1856. It was introduced into Queensland, Australia, about 1885. Persimmons have been cultivated on the Mediterranean coast of France, Italy, and other European countries, and in southern Russia and Algeria for more than a century. The first trees were introduced to Palestine in 1912. In parts of Central America, Japanese persimmons have been planted from sea level to 1 524 m. The tree was first grown in Brazil by Japanese immigrants. At present, the largest orchards are mainly in the States of Sao Paulo, Parana and Rio Grande do Sul. Israel and Italy have developed commercial plantings, and cultivar trials began in 1976 with a view to establishing persimmon growing for export in southeastern Queensland.

Propagation is by seed, root suckers or grafting onto wild rootstocks. Seeds for the production of rootstocks need no pretreatment. They are planted in seedbeds or directly in the nursery 20-30 cm apart and 0.9-1.06 m between the rows. After a season of growth, they may be whip-grafted close to the surface of the soil, using freshly cut scions or scions from dormant trees kept moist in sphagnum moss. Cleft grafting is preferred on larger stock and for top-working old trees. In India, cleft-grafting on stem has been 88.9% successful, low germination rates of planted seeds has been traced to dry rot caused by Penicillium sp. It can be controlled by pretreatment with an appropriate fungicide.

The soil should be well prepared–deeply plowed and enriched with organic matter. Trees should be set out at spacing ranging from 4.5 x l.5 m to 6 x 6 m, depending on the habit of the cultivar. In Japan, 1 000 plants/ha may be planted at the outset, and thinned down to 200 trees/ha in 10-15 years. Good results have been obtained with a fertilizer mixture of 4-6% N, 8-10% P and 3-6% K at the rate of 0.45 kg/tree per year of age. Over-fertilization or excessive amounts of nitrogen fertilizer causes shedding of fruits. Young trees are pruned back to 0.7-0.9 m when planted and later the new shoots are thinned with a view to forming a well-shaped tree. Annual pruning during the first 4-5 winters is desirable in some cultivars. If a tree tends to overbear and shows signs of decline, it should be drastically cut back to give it a fresh start. After flowering, the trees should be irrigated every 3 weeks on light soil, every month on heavier soil, until time for harvest. The annual yield of a young tree ranges from 22.6-40.8 kg; of a full-grown tree, 150-250 kg.

In Brazil, premature fall is partly linked to heavy infestation by the mite, Aceria diospyri. Retithrips syriacus feeds on and blemishes the leaves and fruit skin. The greenhouse thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis) blemishes fruits in Queensland. San José scale is combated by a dormant application of Bordeaux in diesel emulsion in India. In Florida, white peach scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona, has required control and a twig girdler, Onsideres cingulatus, has been troublesome. A flat-headed borer drills into bark and wood causing oozing of gum and decline in vigor. Mealy bugs distort young shoots and kill all new growth unless controlled. Fruit flies attack fruits especially in dry years. Tree-ripe persimmons are sought by all kinds of birds and small mammals.

Stratification is recommended for all persimmon seeds.

Ornamental: It is a handsome ornamental with drooping leaves and branches that give it a languid, rather tropical appearance. Boundary or barrier or support: Trees can be planted as a hedge or as a screen if pruned heavily.

Food: Fully ripe fruits are usually eaten out-of-hand. The flesh may be added to salads, blended with ice cream mix or yoghurt, used in pastries, puddings, mousse, or made into jam or marmalade. Ripe fruits can be frozen whole or pulped. Drying is commonly practiced. Roasted seeds have served as a coffee substitute. Tea can also be made from fresh or dried leaves. Kaki is high in vitamin and a moderate source of ascorbic acid. Timber: Wood fairly hard and heavy, black with streaks of orange-yellow, salmon, brown or grey; close-grained; takes a smooth finish and is prized in Japan for fancy inlays, though it has an unpleasant odor. Tannin or dyestuff: Tannin from unripe fruits has been employed in brewing sake, also in dyeing and as a wood preservative. Alcohol: Fruit may be converted into molasses, cider, beer and wine. Poison: Juice of small, inedible wild fruits, crushed whole, calyx, seeds and all, is diluted with water and painted on paper or cloth as an insect- and moisture-repellent. Medicine: A decoction of the calyx and fruit stem is sometimes taken to relieve hiccups, coughs and labored respiration.