Allotments 4 All

Has anyone had a go at growing persimmons? I want to try outdoors in a sheltered spot. Only info I can find is on US websites.

Here in the NE of the U.S. we can't grow persimmons even though we can reliably grow melons outside.The furthest North, on the Eastern seaboard that persimmons will crop is in West Virginia, and that is close to 1,000 km South. Even New Jersey and Pennsylvania, both major commercial producers of peaches, do not have the climate to produce persimmons. A sheltered site in the U.K. would probably not be sufficent to produce these fruit.

Thanks a lot for that reply John, it'll save me some heartache trying!

Did you try Diospyros kaki?
The following nurseries in the East all carry it and may provide more encouraging information:
Place for Plants, 01206 299224
The Romantic Garden, 01603 261488
Pantiles Plant and Garden centre, 01932 872195

Thanks for that botanical name. Just searching on the net found http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/japanese_persimmon.html
straightaway and some good info.
Jen

So, "dung burning" in London now? Warn the neighbours first?

I'm not trying to stop you growing them but I would point out the Northern limits that they cite have warmer, longer summers than either New or Old England. You might need a greenhouse to get the fruit anywhere near ripe enough to cure. Oddly they cite trees growing in Indiana, which can easily get to -30C in January and no snow cover, but also state the trees can survive down to -6C, implying no lower, as I read it.

Mmmm. I like a challenge.

There's lots of over challenges. Most have more promise of success! I'm sure the garden centres I mentioned will be more than willing to offer more pertinent advice (and sell you a tree of course).

I've looked at these John, thanks. Am afraid that this looks way too expensive for my humble means - they are asking GBP35.00 for one. Now, if the fruits in the supermarkets over here had seeds, I would try to propagate from them. Unless they are grown on some rootstock...

Hello, the oriental varieties are problematical for this country (or so I read), and some american varieties may be more successful (according to the agroforestry site) e.g. Persimmon Diospyros virginiana... American persimmon. A wide-spreading tree growing to 18 m (60 ft) high. Bears excellent edible sweet fruits which hang on the tree well into winter; readily bears in Britain; fruits have an excellent rich flavour when fully ripe (may require bletting or allowed to be frosted to remove astringency). The seeds can be used for coffee, and leaves are used to make a tea similar to sassafras tea. A good bee plant with hard wood. Likes a position in sun or part shade; dioecious and hardy to -25°C.

Details on the https://secure.agroforestry.co.uk/plants2003.html, Agroforesty site, which has a huge range of all sorts of fruit and nut trees. The above particular persimmon is available autumn 2005.... Price: £6.00 for a 20-40cm bare root plant.

Thank you, Gadfium. Lots to think about.