Japanese persimmon ‘Fuyu’ is a deciduous tree reaching heights and widths of around 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters). Its bark is notably distinctive, with a pattern of deep fissures or furrows forming rectangles or squares. This species is recognized for producing non-astringent fruit popular in markets, yet the description focuses purely on its identifying physical features.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
A highly popular non-astringent variety, Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’ (Japanese Persimmon) is a deciduous tree with a spreading crown clothed in glossy, dark green, oval leaves. They turn yellow, orange or reddish-purple in the fall, creating a glorious display. Pale yellow, bell-shaped flowers appear after the leaves emerge in the spring and mostly go unnoticed. They are followed by a profusion of edible, large, flat, deep orange persimmon fruits, the size of a medium-sized tomato. Fuyu sets fruit without the need for pollination.
The tree is a sight to behold when the leaves have fallen, displaying the bright fruits throughout the canopy. They attract wildlife and may persist on the tree for weeks, resembling Christmas ornaments. The fruit is seedless, mild flavored, sweet and can be eaten in its firm state like an apple or allowed to ripen to soft, mushy texture. Valued for its fruit and attraction to wildlife, Japanese Persimmon is an excellent fruit tree for ornamental use and makes an excellent specimen.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Japanese persimmon ‘Fuyu’ thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least 6 hours of direct exposure daily to maximize growth and fruit production. While preferring full sun, it exhibits a good tolerance to partial sun conditions, adapting well with a slight decrease in fruit size and sweetness. Optimal light supports robust photosynthesis, essential for the accumulation of sugars in the fruit. Positioned outdoors, japanese persimmon ‘Fuyu’ should be planted in areas unobstructed by taller structures or trees to ensure sufficient sunlight. In less than ideal light, japanese persimmon ‘Fuyu”s leaves may adjust angles or orientations to capture more light, mitigating some adverse effects.
Temperature
Japanese persimmon ‘Fuyu’ shows impressive resilience to temperature fluctuations, tolerating cold down to -10℃ (14℉) and heat up to 41℃ (106℉). This temperature tolerance means that japanese persimmon ‘Fuyu’ can thrive in diverse environmental conditions but may require protective measures such as mulching or shading during extreme weather. Under cold stress, symptoms like leaf drop and blackened tips could appear, while overheating may cause wilting or fruit sunscald. Countermeasures include insulating roots with mulch during frost and providing shade or ample water in intense heat, ensuring japanese persimmon ‘Fuyu’ remains healthy despite temperature extremes.
Watering
Watering is key at 4 different points throughout the year: pre-germination, the new branch growth period, the fruit expansion period, and before the soil freezes. You will also need to irrigate the soil during dry spells. Don’t forget to pay attention to drainage during the rainy season; this is important to prevent waterlogging and to keep the moisture content of the soil relatively stable.
Soil
For optimal growth, ensure good soil aeration and drainage for japanese persimmon ‘Fuyu’. Use a mix combining garden soil, compost, and sand in equal parts. If sand is unavailable, perlite can be a substitute. Avoid water-logging by adding coarse stones or gravel at the base of the pot. Enhance growth by incorporating a balanced fertilizer monthly during the growing season.
Fertilizing
Base fertilizer: Mainly based on decomposed organic fertilizer and supplemented with a chemical fertilizer. For best results, mix with an appropriate amount of a phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. The amount of base fertilizer applied should account for more than 80% of the total fertilization for the whole year.
Topdressing: A nitrogen fertilizer should be applied when new branches are growing on young trees, and a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied during the fruit swelling period. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are mainly applied during the fruit coloring period. If conditions permit, some soil should be collected for composition analysis, so that the fertilizer ratio provided to the plant can be prepared according to the soil report.
Foliar feeding: When new shoots appear, spray them 3-4 times during their growing period. You can also combine this with pest and disease control measures. Spray a 300-fold dilution of urea during the early growth stage of the fruit, and a 300-500-fold dilution of monopotassium phosphate or others at the later stage.
Planting Instructions
Early spring is the ideal planting time for japanese persimmon ‘Fuyu’. In the fall, collect mature fruits that are pure, well-developed, and have no pests and diseases. Remove their flesh and impurities, and then wash and dry the seeds. The following spring, store the seeds in a dry environment or in sand (stratification) before planting. Once the seeds are completely dry, place them in wooden boxes or cloth bags, and store in a cool, ventilated and dry environment. Seeds that are stored in sand should be kept at temperatures of 3 to 9 ℃ for 60-90 days.
Sowing should be carried out when the temperature of the soil reaches 8 to 10 ℃. Before sowing, seeds that have been stored in a dry environment should be soaked in warm water (about 65 ℃) for 5 minutes, and stirred thoroughly. Then, the seeds should be soaked in clean water until they have fully swollen. Seeds that have been stored in sand can be sown directly. Row spacing should be 30 cm, with a depth of 2 to 3 cm. After covering with soil, flatten the soil slightly and layer on a mulch.
Transplant seedlings after they have grown 5 leaves. The length, width, and depth of the planting holes should not be less than 80 cm. Thoroughly mix the soil with an organic fertilizer, and then apply this to each hole. Then, fill a portion of the hole with soil and plant the seedlings after irrigating. When transplanting, ensure that the root system is fully stretched, and the seedlings are upright. After transplanting, compact the soil slightly, water it, and then seal and cover the holes with a plastic film. The roots of the seedlings should be level with the ground.
Pruning
Japanese persimmon ‘Fuyu’ features attractive, large, orange fruit and is best pruned in early spring before new growth begins. Use thinning cuts to remove crossing branches and maintain an open center for better airflow. Heading cuts help shape young trees, while selective pruning of suckers and water sprouts boosts productivity. Beneficially, pruning reduces disease risk and improves fruit quality. These techniques ensure the plant’s vigorous growth and aesthetic appeal, aligning with expert horticultural practices.
Propagation
Grafting period and method: Branch or bud grafting should be carried out when the rootstock germinates in the spring. Management of grafted seedlings: Remove newly sprouted buds immediately after grafting. Grafted seedlings should be regularly watered during their rapid growth period (usually late spring) when the soil is dry and a nitrogen fertilizer along with a phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied at the same time. Towards the end of the summer control the supply of fertilizer and water. Carry out a foliar application of a phosphorus and potassium fertilizer 2-3 times in fall to prevent seedlings from spindling. In areas prone to frost damage remove the top buds of new shoots.
Transplanting
Transplanting japanese persimmon ‘Fuyu’ in mid to late spring ensures optimal adaptation due to milder temperatures. Choose a sunny, well-drained location to promote vigorous growth.
III. Harvesting and Storage
Once the fruit is at the most suitable level of maturity or reaches the inherent color and hardness of its variety, it can be harvested. Begin picking from the outer crown, before moving on to the inner crown. Always start with the lower layer before the upper layer. Cut the entire fruit stem when harvesting, and try to keep the fruit intact.