You can grow a kaki tree yourself from a seed. However, you will look in vain for seeds in the fruit you buy. These are best bought in the exotic plant trade.
The persimmon tree belongs to the ebony family. The widespread representative of the genus is Diospyros kaki, which is known for large, tasty fruits. This species is not sufficiently frost-resistant for outdoor cultivation in most areas of Germany. The summers in this country are too short and too cold to harvest ripe fruit in your own garden. Exceptions are the wine-growing areas, where persimmon trees can thrive as outdoor plants. Elsewhere it is possible to keep them in pots with frost-free overwintering.
Hardy breeds
The plants purchased ready-made are grafted trees, in which a large number of frost-resistant varieties have been bred using suitable rootstocks. The persimmon trees are
- easy-care,
- sturdy and
- not susceptible to diseases and pests.
The winter hardiness of the Diospyros virginiana corresponds more to the climatic conditions in our latitudes. The plants grafted on Diospyros Lotus as a rootstock are particularly robust and hardy.
sowing and germination
The purchased fruits do not contain seeds, as these have been bred away over time. The seeds are available in seed shops and in various online shops. If necessary, the seeds should be stratified about 8-10 weeks before sowing. To do this, wrap them in moistened kitchen paper and store them in a sealed tin in the refrigerator. Then the seeds come into the potting soil and are only lightly covered with substrate. Keep them evenly moist at room temperature, if necessary under a cover made of cling film.
The germination period is about 2-4 weeks. The seedlings should also be kept warm and bright. The substrate should remain moist, but not too wet. A spray bottle is particularly suitable for watering the seed. The seedlings are separated later and repotted after rooting.
tips and tricks
It can take 4-6 years for persimmon trees that you grow from seeds to flower and harvest for the first time.