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Early ripening Fuyu type. Ripens before Ichi and Maekawa Jiro. Usually sold in stores as Fuyu, though it is this early ripening selection. Excellent flavor having high sugars. Vigorous and very productive with a spreading shape. The most important commercial variety in the US. Usually starts fruiting early in its second or third leaf. Hangs well on the tree past its mature picking date. Height 10' to 12'. Space 12' circle. Zone 6-9.

Oriental persimmon (Diospyros kaki) can be grown in north Florida. The most important impediment is a disease called Botryospharia idea which causes cankers on the limbs and trunk. There is a high demand especially for non-astringent cultivars. A persimmon planting consisting of non astringent cultivars Fuyu, Gwang Yang, Ichi ki kei Jiro, Jiro, Matsumoto Wase Fuyu and Tam Kam was established on 8 March 2002 at the VFREC-Quincy,FL. Each cultivar was replicated 5 times. Fruit number, fruit weight and soluble solids were determined 19 October 2006 when trees were in the sixth leaf. A pollenizer tree was not included in this planting and thus fruit were parthenocarpic (fruit did not contain seeds). Yi9eld was calculated by multiplying fruit number times fruit weight. Yield ranged from 8.2 to 18.4 and was highest for Matsumoto Wase Fuyu and Tam Kam and lowest for Ichi ki kei Jiro. Fruit number per tree ranged from 87 (Gwang Yang) to 162 (Matsumoto Wase Fuyu). Fruit weight was highest for Gwang Yang and lowest for Fuyu. Soluble solids was highest for Matsumoto Wase Fuyu; however all cultivars produced sweet fruit. Matsumoto Wase Fuyu was the cultivar that performed best in respect to yield, fruit number and soluble solids. This trial will continue and yield and fruit quality data will be collected for the next several years Pete Andersen This info is from the University of Florida Newsletter Volume 9, Issue 2.

Plant Characteristics
Pest Resistance	Excellent
Disease Resistance	Very Good
Drought Tolerance	Very Good
Heat Tolerance	Excellent
Humidity Tolerance	Excellent
Sun Tolerance	Excellent
Wet Soil Tolerance	Fair
Shade Tolerance	Fair
No Spray	Very Good
Salt Tolerance	Fair
Fun for Kids	Excellent
Deer Resistance	Fair
Thorns	No
Plant Type	Tree
Soil Type	Adaptable
Edible Type	Fruit
Self Fertile	Yes
this information is accurate to the best of our knowledge, comments/opinions are always welcome

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Temperature Ranges
We strive to have the hardiest oriental persimmons. Because of their beauty, ease of care, and delicious fruits it has been our desire to promote the best varieties for the eastern and southern United States.

We have had reports fo some varieties of oriental persimmons surviving -16*F for short durations. Our trees have survived -9*F in 1993. This was a one night low. American persimmons can survive extended cold as low as -20*F. they are a better choice for northern gardeners and landscapers.

We graft our oriental persimmons on to native american rootstock. We feel this gives more hardiness to our varieties and makes them more adaptable to our region.

In our area it's still a good idea to choose a protected sunny place for placement of the tree. Situating an oriental persimmon south of a home or wall will produce a wind break, and the fruit ripening time will be earlier because of the warmer micro climate.

Fruits ripen in the fall. There ate two types of oriental persimmons: astringent till ripe and never astringent. Never astringent persimmons are usually eaten when still hard like an apple. They are sweet and crisp and very pleasant. Astringent till ripe have disagreeable tannins when unripe. When ripe they are very soft and smooth with a melting sweet flavor, a true treat.The first few years, Oriental persimmons are beautiful trees. Their leaves are dark green, large and reminiscent of magnolia leaves. They have excellent ornamental value. They're not fussy about soil types and can be planted readily from our pot to your soil. Water well the first season but do not water log soil. Keep grass away for competition for nutrients and moisture may result in poor performance. Sometimes newly set persimmons will not grow alot the first year, it this happens it usually "takes off" the next season. If some roots are visible after the pot is removed be sure to gingerly plant them in your soil.Oriental persimmons generally come into fruiting early, 2-3 years after planting. Our larger 3 gallon plants can fruit the following year. A small plant may not hold all the fruit it has set, so some fruit drop is normal. If fruit drop seems to be a problem be sure there is enough potassium in your soil. Usually a fertilizer of 5-10-10 is sufficient.

Insects
In midsummer there is a small insect that looks like a large gnat (psylid) at 1/8" long, that will suck on newly emerging leaves. Their cycle is approximately 1 month. I've never seen them set back an outdoor tree and in the fall their damage is not really noticeable. If they are alarming they can be controlled with sprays. Since they ar soft bodied a soap spray can be effective.

There is a dogwood borer that will damage the lower (near the ground line) trunk of a tree. It is a clear winged moth that can lay eggs in late June. It is not a sure thing that the female moth will lay eggs on every persimmon tree, but it is good information to remember if you see borer damage. The damage would show near the grass line where the larvae chews into and under the bark. A sawdust like "frass" is visible. The trunk can be sprayed as a preventive measure in June, or a collar of tobacco can be placed around the tree. With a wire one can follow the borer damage and "do in" the rascal at the end of the tunnel. WE have seen no damage in our orchard.

Spacing
Since persimmons are such pretty yard trees a few placement ideas may be helpful. Dwarf varieties such as Smith's Best, Sheng, Ichi Ki Kei' Jiro, can be planted 10 - 12' away from each other. Others about 15'. Plant at least 12' away from the house too. Unless your planting an espalier or you need warmth from the house for far north planting. Consult our catalog for variety, descriptions and prices. We are available to assist with any other questions you might have. Please call if there is a certain variety you with to acquire, we may have it, or may be able to locate it for you.

Ripening times
American Persimmons;
September: Yates, Weber and Meader
October: Yates Weber, Meader Rosseyanka, Ruby
November: Ruby, Rosseyanka, Meader

Oriental Persimmons;
September: Izu, Miss Kim, Sheng, Wase Fuyu
October: Gwang Yang, Hana Fuyu, TamKam, Wase Fuyu, Ichi Ki Kei Jiro, Izu, Makawa Jiro, Sheng, Miss Kim, Smith's Best, Sung Hui
November: Great Wall, Hychia, Hira Tanenashi, Kungsun Bansi, Miss Kim, Saijo, San Pedro, Smiths Best, Sun Hui, TamKam, Gwang Yang, Hana Fuyu, Makawa Jiro, Ichi Ki Kei Jiro
December: Hana Gosho, Tecumseh

Michael's Breakfast Smoothie
One of my best breakfast smoothies I know. Thick, orange, and smooth. Delicious chilled.
2 persimmons about 3" diameter (should be Asian persimmons, but can be Native that are completely soft ripe) use 6 native persimmons since size matters. The Asian persimmons can be hard when ripe like the Fuyu's or soft when ripe. Remove calayx (leafy bloom end) and check for seeds by halving the fruit. Probably they are seedless. Cut up in pieces to blend and put in blender. Add about 1 cup of fresh or store bought orange juice. Add honey to taste, usually about 1 tablespoon for me. Blend till smooth and serve in a clear glass since it's so orange and pretty. Delicious too!

Ozark Persimmon Pudding from "Persimmons for Everyone" by E N M Griffith.
2 cups flour
1.5 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
.5 teaspoon soda
.5 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
.5 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
2 cups persimmon pulp
3 eggs, beaten
1.75 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted

Sift dry ingredients together. Mix persimmon pulp, eggs, milk and butter. Combine the two mixtures, stirring well. Pour into a shallow, greased dish to the depth of about two inches. Bake at 300*F. for about one hour. When cold cut in squares and serve plain or with whipped cream. Margarine may be substituted for the butter and one of the prepared whips may be substituted for the whipped cream.