How Kaki is propagated
How Kaki is propagated
Persimmon, also called kaki (Diospyros kaki L.f., 1782) is a fruit tree belonging to the Ebenaceae family.
Persimmons are very long-lived trees and can become centuries-old, but with slow growth. They bear badly hot-humid climates, especially if with poorly drained soil.
In the forms bred for the fruit, only female flowers are found as the stamens are aborted.
As regards the cultivars of productive interest, reference is made to the classification according to the astringency of the fruits for which there are 4 groups:
– Non-astringent fertilization constants (CFNA): edible until harvest; sayings sweet khaki, Jiro, Fuyu Gosho;
– Constants at fertilization Astringents (CFA): they must post-mature; Hachiya, Yokono;
– Non-astringent variables at fertilization (VFNA): these also require ammovement; sayings like kaki, Nishimura, Vainiglia;
– Variables at fertilization Astringents (VFA): edible only in the part around the semen; Hiratanenashi.
The persimmon is propagated by scion grafting as cuttings are not used due to the low rhizogenic activity and therefore low percentage of rooting of the same.
Thus, to propagate the Kaki cultivars, grafting is used, although in any case, sowing is carried out to obtain seedbeds to be used as rootstocks.
For propagation by seed these are extracted from the fruits and must be stored in the sand, before burying them in the winter.
We recommend a substrate prepared with a 2: 1 peat-sand mixture and a layer of expanded clay or very coarse gravel at the bottom of the seedbeds or jars, to obtain a good drainage of excess water.
Once the sowing has been carried out it will be necessary to wait a year to carry out the transplant and after two it will be possible to use the plants for grafts.
Finally the rootstocks.
Basically there are three rootstocks:
– Diospyrus lotus, the most used in Italy but not related to sweets;
– Diospyrus kaki, which is similar to all cv and resistant to drought and adversity, however it is not very resistant to cold;
– Diospyrus virginiana, disforme and sucker.