Persimmon Diospyros kaki

Persimmons are native to Japan and China . Orange colored fruit ripens in fall and persists on the tree unless picked. There are two types of fruit astringent and non-astringent. Astringent fruit needs to be picked when hard then left out to ripen. If you try to eat it straight off of the tree it is barely palatable. This process can be speed up by freezing the fruit for a day then thawing-out and eating. Non-astringent fruit can be eaten straight off of the tree while they are still hard, but their sweetness much improves when left out a few days. Fruits of some of the selection have different characteristics when pollinated as apposed to when they are not. They are described below. What follows are descriptions of the selection we sell.

'Chocolate' - This is a non-astringent type persimmon. Medium size, acorn shape fruit has bright orange skin. When pollinated, flesh is seeded with brown streaks. When un-pollinated, flesh is seedless and dark yellow in color. Chocolate brown flesh is very juicy, and flavorful. This self-fertile selection ripens late October to November. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.

'Fuyu' ('Fuyugaki','Jiro') - This is a non-astringent type persimmon. Large size, deep orange colored fruit is about the size of a tennis ball and weighs ½ to 1 pound. Light orange flesh is sweet and mild. This is a top commercial selection that keeps very well. This self-fertile selection ripens in November. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.

'Giant Fuyu' ('Gosho') - This is a non-astringent type persimmon. Large to very large fruit has reddish orange skin that is deeper in color than 'Fuyu'. Flesh is good quality and sweeter than 'Fuyu'. Tree is somewhat smaller in size than other selections of persimmons and tends to be an alternate bearer. This self-fertile selection ripens October to November. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.

'Hachiya' - This is an astringent type persimmon. Large fruit is somewhat oval in shape with a glossy orange colored skin. Flesh is dark yellow, rich and very sweet. This tree makes a handsome ornamental specimen. This self-fertile selection ripens in November. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.

'Hiyakume' - This is a non-astringent type persimmon. Small to medium size, rounded fruit has dark orange, almost red skin. When pollinated, flesh is seeded and light brown. When un-pollinated, flesh is seedless and much lighter in color. Flesh is juicy, firm and very tasty. This self-fertile selection ripens in late October to November. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.

'Izu' - This is a non-astringent type persimmon. Medium size fruit with a deep orange color. Fine textured flesh is very soft and juicy and has be noted as having the best flavor of all the selections. This self-fertile selection ripens from late September to early October. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.

'Maru' - This is an astringent type persimmon. Small to medium sized fruit rounded near the middle has bright orange skin. Great quality flesh is dark red, juicy, sweet and rich. Stores and ships very well. This self-fertile selection ripens in late October to November. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.

'Matsumoto Wase' - This is a non-astringent type persimmon. Large size fruit is slightly rounded with a reddish orange skin. Flesh is yellow in color with a sweet taste. This self-fertile selection ripens in early October. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.

'Meakawa Jiro' - This is a non-astringent type persimmon. Medium size, rounded fruit has a deep orange color. Flesh is orange in color with good flavor. This tree is self-fertile, but were reliable production is desired a pollinator must be used. This selection ripens in late September to October. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.

'Nishimura Wase' - This is a non-astringent type persimmon. Medium size fruit is bright orange in color and slightly conical in shape. Flesh is orange in color with a very deep, sweet taste. Use 'Fuyu' as a pollinator. This selection ripens in early October. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.

'Suruga' - This is a non-astringent type persimmon. A medium size fruit that has reddish colored skin. Flesh is orange in color and very sweet. This self-fertile selection ripens in late October to early November. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.

'Tamopan' - This is an astringent type persimmon. Large to very large, acorn shaped fruit with has light orange skin. Sweet and rich flesh is light orange in color. This self-fertile selection ripens in late October to November. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.

'Tanenashi' - This is an astringent type persimmon. Medium to large size conical fruit has light red colored skin. Flesh is yellow in color and very sweet. This self-fertile selection ripens in October. Tree needs approximately 200 chill hours.