Few people have not tried persimmon. This fruit is not only tasty, but also extremely healthy, and also a very beautiful fruit. But not everyone knows that by planting a seed in the ground and waiting a little, you can grow persimmons in room conditions. This tree looks very original and will decorate any home.

Tree in natural conditions

This long-lived fruit tree of the Ebony family is native to China. In nature, many trees grow for 500 years. WITH Latin name“Persimmon” translates as “food of the gods”, and it is also called date plum, since the dried fruit of the plant is similar in taste to dates.

Interestingly, the persimmon fruit is a berry. In most tree species they are edible. It is because of the valuable qualities of the berries that persimmons are grown in Eurasia, America, Japan and Australia. In Russia, these trees can be found in the Caucasus, Abkhazia and Krasnodar Territory.

Persimmon reaches a height of 8-12 m, it has a spreading crown with alternate oval-shaped leaves. In autumn they turn yellow and red and begin to fall off. The tree blooms in May, and by November bright orange or brown fruits with juicy and healthy pulp ripen on its branches.

Eat different types of this culture: only with male flowers, only with feminine flowers and with flowers of both sexes on the same tree. Persimmons need insects or birds to pollinate.

Persimmon from the seed

It may seem incredible, but a small persimmon seed planted in a pot will grow into a beautiful tree. If you take care of it, it will delight you with its beautiful and unusual appearance. Germination and planting take some time, but everything is not as difficult as it seems.

It is better to choose a well-lit place for the plant pot. But if the tree is constantly exposed to direct sunlight, it may suffer from burns, so it needs to be shaded on a south-facing window. This can be done by gluing a special film on the glass that protects against ultraviolet radiation.

Immediately after planting in a pot, you can’t put persimmons in bright light either. It is necessary to accustom it to light gradually, each time increasing the time the plant stays in the sun. In spring and autumn, the main light source is not enough for the tree, so it is necessary to organize additional illumination for 2 hours with a special lamp.

The temperature on the windowsill should be about +20−22 degrees. Even lowering it to +15 degrees will not harm a completely established tree if there is no draft.

On winter period the plant will have to be removed to a cooler place and provided temperature regime around +5−10 degrees.

Soil, watering and fertilizing

The plant is not picky about the composition of the soil. This can be a mixture of peat and sand, taken in equal proportions, as well as universal soil from a specialized store. The main thing is not to forget to make a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot.

The beautiful ebony tree - persimmon - is also known under other names: wild date, date plum, heart fruit. For centuries, it has delighted people with its unsurpassed fruits. The bright orange fruit is a storehouse of useful substances for the full functioning of the human body.

For people interested in how to grow persimmons from seeds at home on their windowsill, in order to properly well-groomed tree bears fruit abundantly every year, you need to follow some rules.

a brief description of

China is considered the birthplace of persimmon, but thanks to its qualities, its growing area has expanded far beyond the borders of its homeland. This vitamin tree has found its admirers throughout the East, in Europe, and is well known to residents of Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory. Before you grow persimmon from seeds at home and get a harvest of your favorite berry, you should clarify that persimmon is berry crop . Knowing all the secrets, getting a fruit-bearing tree at home will not be difficult at all.

IN open ground this majestic tree reaches eight meters in height, has a widely spreading crown with oblong leaves, languidly descending glossy surfaces to the ground. At the beginning of the growing season, their color is pale yellow, gradually turning into rich green over time. The persimmon leaf is usually ovoid in shape, 7 cm long and 4 cm wide. Closer to autumn, the color of the leaves is amazing in its palette; on one tree the leaves are pale yellow, light green, orange, rich green and purple.

The tubular flowers of this tree are hardly noticeable. They grow on last year's growths; on one tree, single cream-colored female inflorescences and pink male inflorescences are clearly visible, always arranged in threes. A very interesting tree, it can change sex every two years. Once every two years they wake up on the tree female flowers, and two years later - men's. There are bisexual specimens.

Another surprising feature: some varieties are parthenocarpic; in the absence of pollinators, the fruits have no seeds.

If persimmons, which do not require pollinators, grow with persimmon trees of a different variety, then the pollinated flowers will bear fruits that are radically different from their relatives.

Growing persimmons from seeds at home is an interesting and easy task, but the reward will be magnificent, a small miracle is a highlight home flower garden . The size of the plant to be grown is determined by the size of the pot in which it is planted. Persimmons bloom in May, and the first ripe fruits appear closer to winter. It grows slowly and, subject to simple agrotechnical measures, the first flowers will appear in 4-5 years, and after eight months the reward will be a tasty, self-grown fruit.

Landing Features

For planting, choose a fruit that is round in shape, large in size, and brightly colored. There should be no mold or rot on the leaves; the presence of this factor indicates the unsuitability of persimmon as planting material. Frozen berries are not used because they have a non-viable seed.

Preparation of material

After eating a well-ripened fruit, the seeds are collected and placed in a container with a prepared weak solution of potassium permanganate for one or maximum two days. Only those seeds that have sunk are selected for planting.

For speedy germination, stratification is carried out, processed planting material growth stimulator "Zircon", "Ekopin", "Ecosil", "Novosil", for two months at a temperature of +5C. To stimulate seed growth, it is effective to use freshly squeezed aloe juice. One teaspoon of juice is diluted in one hundred grams of water. The soaking technology is as follows: take a piece of clean gauze, folded several times, lay it out on a saucer, wrap the seeds in it and water the prepared nutrient solution. Throughout the entire germination period, the gauze is kept moist. The structure is placed in plastic bag.

The bag is tied tightly, there should be air inside it - you get a small inflated ball. The prepared package can be placed in the refrigerator at a temperature of +5 degrees, but you can do the radical opposite by placing the workpiece in a warm place with a temperature of +35 degrees. In the refrigerator, the sprouts will hatch in two months, and near the radiator, the results are visible in ten days.

At the last stage before planting, the prepared seeds are kept in a radiator room heating for seven days.

Immediately before sowing, carefully, with light movements, file down the hard protruding edges of the grain with sandpaper.

This detailed description How to germinate persimmons from seeds at home will help you guarantee excellent results.

Process technology

At the same time, you can plant the grain using a simplified version, for this you need:

Numerous reviews from happy owners of fruit-bearing trees indicate the possibility of planting according to this principle. But careful post-planting preparation shows that the treated seeds produce more vigorous shoots, and the sprout differs from others in its strength and growth energy.

A prerequisite that is recommended to be followed is properly balanced soil composition. River sand and peat are mixed, one part each, and two parts of leaf soil are added. Flower shops sell prepared soil mixture for fruit trees. All the necessary components are already present here: fertilizers, perlite, vermiculite, coconut fibers, coal, tree bark - everything necessary for the harmonious development of the plant.

The technology for planting sprouted and non-germinated seeds is no different, only when planting sprouted seeds, care is required so as not to break off the sprouts. When the first shoots appear in the pot, remove polyethylene film. When sprouts emerge, they often have a bulging brown seed shell at the tip of the sprout. It is positioned by pinching the top of the sprout very tightly; if it is not removed, the sprout will die.

With the help of little ones nail scissors, attaching minimal effort, the unnecessary element is removed. If it sits very tightly, you cannot pull it. The plant is sprayed with a spray bottle and covered plastic bag and left overnight. The next morning you can remove it without effort.

Difficulties in growing seedlings

When the first shoot appears in a flower pot, it is moved to the windowsill, because with a lack of light it will stretch into a thin thread. A seedless persimmon will grow into a beautiful tree if you follow the correct light mode. Ebony is of southern origin, so in winter artificial lighting is provided: two hours in the morning and evening for comfortable development.

A planted seedling has properties that characterize this type of plant - it produces a new leaf almost every day. Therefore, it should be taken into account that this is a fast-growing tree. It needs to be replanted as it grows into a larger pot.

It is also interesting to know how persimmon grows at home: it grows very quickly at first, and with age the growth rate slows down. The pot is selected 7-10 centimeters larger than the previous one. You can’t take a big pot initially, since the free soil will turn sour, and this will lead to the death of the seedling:

• In the first year of growth, the seedling is replanted frequently as the root system grows.
• From the second year of development, transplantation is carried out in the spring.
• In subsequent years mature plant replanted as needed. Attention is paid to the soil; over time, it becomes depleted and needs to be replaced. Transplantation is carried out every 3-4 years, but the top layer is renewed by 6-8 cm every year.

Thus, from detailed instructions you can understand how to germinate persimmon from a seed, but the subsequent process called picking is no less important. The first picking is carried out when the plant has 3-4 leaves. The seedlings are carefully removed from the ground and replanted, then covered with a glass jar to create a favorable microclimate. After two months, the persimmon reaches a height of 35-40 cm, which requires replanting. The cultivated plant loves moisture, but excessive watering leads to rotting of the root system and death of the tree.

Grow decorative tree From a seed it is quite possible, but it will not bear fruit. For this purpose a vaccination is done. It is recommended to graft with a cutting from a self-fertile tree that is already bearing fruit. You can purchase cuttings from a botanical garden, nursery, or from friends; it is important that the grafting material is obtained from a healthy tree. A seedling grafted at one year of age will produce its first fruits after 4 years.

Caring for a grown plant

Persimmon grown in an apartment requires a tropical climate for its full development. In Belarus, amateur breeders have achieved excellent growing results original wood in their apartments and shared their secrets:

Not used for feeding organic fertilizers, the best feeding option is complex fertilizers For flowering plants. The fertilizer must contain phosphorus and potassium, this is prerequisite. Feeding is carried out twice a month.

Vitamin tree

At home, persimmon grows into about a one and a half meter tree that bears useful fruits. One of the main advantages of persimmon is the presence magnesium in its pulp, he is good medicine for hypertension diseases. Vitamin PP will save you from depression and increase the body's immune resistance. Carotene - indispensable assistant cardiovascular system, it is also an antioxidant that prevents cancer. Potassium improves cerebral circulation. Glucose strengthens the heart muscle. The low acidity of the fruit improves the gastrointestinal function of the body.

It is difficult to find a fruit that dares to compete in chemical parameters with persimmon. This is a storehouse of vitamins, an indispensable assistant for restoring strength and maintaining health, truly a generous gift from nature.

If you intend to plant persimmons from seed, first make sure that the planting material is of excellent quality. This means that the fruits need to be selected that are ripe, but not overripe or frozen (as are often sold from street stalls), with intact skin. It is better to buy slightly unripe fruit and put it in a warm place to ripen.

Having enjoyed the sweet pulp of the orange fruit, a keen gardener will most likely ask the question: “How to grow persimmons from seeds?” It is clear that this heat-loving plant is accustomed to a more comfortable climate. But maybe we will still be able to grow a full-fledged tree and get fruit from it even in our latitudes? After all, some gardeners succeed!

The Virginia variety is most suitable for growing in the harsh Russian climate; it can withstand frost down to -35 degrees.

Video about growing persimmons

When the fruit ripens, becomes soft and loses its astringent taste, eat the pulp, carefully separating the seeds. Wash all seeds thoroughly under running water. To dry quickly, you can use a hairdryer by switching it to cold mode.

Some people immediately plant dried seeds in a pot with substrate. However, do not rush too much: disinfect the seeds by placing them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for a couple of days. This way you will not only protect the planting material from pathogens, but at the same time you will be able to remove non-viable seeds that float to the surface.

If you don’t want to bother with disinfecting the seeds, then at least soak them before planting in warm water for two hours - the chances of germination will significantly increase. You can add aloe juice to the water as a growth stimulant (one teaspoon of juice in half a glass of water is enough) or a special bioregulator purchased in a store.

To dry quickly, you can use a hairdryer by switching it to cold mode.

Cunning experienced gardeners: To make tender sprouts hatch faster, the seeds are lightly sanded on top and sides.

Those gardeners who are accustomed to doing everything in detail prefer to first germinate the seeds on damp gauze or cotton wool, and only then plant them in the ground. This is done simply: lay out the prepared planting material on gauze moistened with water or a growth stimulant, carefully place them in a plastic bag and tie it so that air remains inside. Place the bag in a warm place, for example, next to the battery. Periodically open the bag and check that the grains have not dried out or become moldy. In two weeks the sprouts should hatch, otherwise the seeds can be considered unviable.

If stratification is needed, then with persimmon the situation is simpler: its seeds can germinate without this procedure. However, if you are still afraid that the grains will not germinate without additional hardening, simply put the bag with gauze and seeds in the refrigerator for a month or two.

Have you decided to skip the extra hassle and immediately plant persimmons in the ground?

In two weeks the sprouts should hatch, otherwise the seeds can be considered unviable

In this case, the instructions are simple:

• take small disposable cups and make drainage holes in them,
• prepare fertile earth mixture, close to neutral,
• fill the cups with moistened loose soil almost to the top,
• Place the washed seeds, one in each cup, deepening them into the ground a couple of centimeters,
• cover the plantings with transparent glass or plastic wrap and put the cups in a warm, bright place.

The more seeds you plant, the greater the chance of success, because there is a risk that you have come across a frozen persimmon. For example, leaving 10 seeds for germination, you will get 6-8 good seedlings, and from them you can choose up to three strong plants. At least one of them will definitely turn into a fruit-bearing tree over time.

The improvised “greenhouse” must be constantly monitored, the soil must be moistened and ventilated so that mold does not form due to the accumulation of condensation. In 10-15 days, tender green shoots should already appear, then the glass or polyethylene can be removed.

The improvised “greenhouse” must be constantly monitored, the soil must be moistened and ventilated

Thin stems are not always able to get rid of the shell from which they sprouted. Remove it yourself from the tops of small plants using tweezers and scissors. Without your help, weak shoots may simply die. To make the shell easier to separate from the sprout, sprinkle it with water and put a plastic bag over the glass overnight.

The seedlings will grow very quickly, so they will need frequent transplanting into larger containers. Replant plants together with a clod of earth - their thin root system is very easy to damage. The first transplant will need to be carried out when the first two leaves appear on the sprouts; “relocate” the seedlings for the second time, as soon as they reach 35-40 cm in height.

Do not put the plant in a pot that is too large: if there is too much soil unoccupied by roots, this can cause acidification of the soil or root rot.

Are you afraid that persimmon from the seed will not grow well and will die? early stages from lack of heat? Then cover the cups with seedlings for the first time glass jars, opening periodically for ventilation and spraying with water. Gradually remove the jars for longer periods of time, hardening off the plants and acclimating them to environmental conditions.

Do not forget that this tropical culture loves warmth, light and moisture.

Video about growing persimmons at home

Therefore, for a successful result, use important tips:

• Choose a place in the apartment where the seedlings will feel most comfortable. It should be sufficiently lit, but the plants will have to be shaded from direct sunlight, otherwise burns may appear on the leaves.
• It is recommended to additionally provide artificial lighting for tender sprouts in the morning and evening for at least two hours.
• Watering should be moderate; as the soil dries, there is no need to flood the plantings. And most importantly, in flower pots There must be drainage to allow excess water to drain out when watering.
• The leaves should sometimes be sprayed with warm water.
• Transplant plants in early spring; at first, every year; after five years, it is enough to replant the tree once every two years.
• Feed young seedlings once every two months, alternating organic fertilizers and a balanced mineral complex.

Feed young seedlings once every two months, alternating organic fertilizers

• In the summer, pots with plants can be moved to the yard or balcony, and returned to the house in the fall. Persimmon will feel comfortable in winter in a cool room where the temperature is -5 degrees.

Of course, for a crop such as persimmon, seed propagation is not the best the best option. However, a caring gardener will be able to cope with such a task if he approaches the matter responsibly and takes into account the recommendations from our article.

Persimmon germinates easily, but it has a very strong seed; sometimes after germination the sprout has to be helped and the shell carefully cut off to expose the leaves. Such persimmons can begin to bear fruit in the 6th year, and if you live in the southern regions, then you can safely plant them in your garden plot. Seeds germinate in 1-2 weeks. It's practically useless to hold any more. The pot, covered with cellophane, must be periodically ventilated, adding water as the soil dries 1.5 centimeters. After the sprout appears, the cellophane can be removed. Persimmon sprout The persimmon sprout is quite long - 10-15 centimeters. There may be a seed left at the end of the sprout. Its valves are very tightly closed, and if the seed does not fall off within a couple of days, the sprout may die. Therefore, you can carefully help the sprout get rid of the seed. You can do this with a sharp knife, a needle or scissors; if the seed is very tight, you need to steam it (spray it, place it in a plastic bag and put it in a warm place overnight), after which the seed will come off much easier. Persimmon sprouts Sprouts grow very quickly, so you need to frequently transfer them to large pots. Insufficient space for the rapidly developing root system can lead to the death of the plant. With a lack of substrate, the leaves stop growing and turn yellow. Care B summer time care consists in keeping the tree, if possible, in a well-lit place, in the yard or on the balcony. To avoid leaf burn, the plant is gradually accustomed to new conditions and shaded a little in the first week. During the growing season, fertilizing is carried out 2 times a month. In the fall, in October - November, they are transferred to a room with a temperature of +3-5 degrees Celsius or a cellar. The top of the soil is covered with a layer of wet sawdust and systematically sprayed so that the soil does not dry out. In February-March, transshipment is carried out, if necessary, watered abundantly and placed in a bright place. Young seedlings form into small trees. At the level of 0.3-0.5 m, pinching is done for branching. 2-3 apical shoots are left, and when they reach 20-40 cm, they are pinched to form branches of the 2nd order, 2-3 branches are also left, etc. A rounded tree 1.5 m high is formed. The plant is early-bearing, the first flowers appear in 3-4 years. Young persimmon tree indoors or in winter garden a persimmon tree usually grows up to 1.5 meters (you can limit its growth by pruning, and the splendor of the crown by regular shaping). In summer, the persimmon tree is placed in a bright and wind-protected place outside, regularly watered and sprayed; flowering occurs in June. During the active growing season, persimmons are fed twice a month. mineral fertilizers with low nitrogen content. In winter, persimmons are kept cool (at a temperature of about 5 degrees, not higher than 10 degrees); the soil must be periodically moistened with soft water at room temperature, and the plant must be sprayed. Excessive watering is very harmful and leads to the death of the persimmon tree. Lower temperatures do not harm the fruits on the tree; on the contrary, their tannin content decreases and they are more likely to acquire an edible taste. Persimmon flower When does a persimmon planted with a seed begin to bear fruit? Grafted trees begin to bear fruit at the age of 3-4 years after grafting, seed trees at 5-7 years, and in dry room air 1-2 years later. What to feed persimmons with? Feed the same as all other plants: it is better in the form of a compost extract.

For many of our compatriots, persimmon remains an exotic fruit from the south, which can only be bought at the market or in a store. However, the most enterprising gardeners have long developed a way to grow such a plant even from an ordinary seed, without buying anything other than the fruits. Although persimmons are still a curiosity, it’s not too late to be original and enjoy delicious and healthy fruits from your own tree for free.

Features of culture

Persimmon is a very loose concept, since this name is inherent in about a thousand varieties of such a plant, which looks like a bush or small tree, can be evergreen or deciduous. Tree-like species have a voluminous crown, shaped like a ball, and their life expectancy can reach several hundred years. The picture is complemented by leaves of a characteristic oval shape and a pronounced green color.

IN natural conditions persimmons begin to bloom in May, and the fruits can be collected in late autumn - usually not earlier than the end of October. The result of the gardener's labors are familiar to everyone large fruits, distinguished by expressive orange. The outside of the persimmon fruit is covered with a thick skin; as for the pulp, it is fleshy and very juicy. In our area, persimmon is usually considered tart, but this taste indicates the immaturity of the berry - when ripe, it loses its astringent notes and becomes sweet.

If we consider the benefits and harms of such a berry, then, of course, there are more of the former. Even the abundance of sugar does not make persimmon high in calories, but, as befits a tropical fruit, it contains a lot of various vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain good health. This fruit is recommended for those who have a lack of iodine in the body; it is also good as an anti-aging agent and prevents cancer.

Unlike many other products, persimmon is allowed and even recommended for consumption by pregnant women, and it is recommended to introduce it into children's diets from the age of three.

Of course, there are no completely harmless food products, and although for healthy person There will be no harm from eating persimmon; there are diseases that are a contraindication for including this berry in the diet. Such diagnoses include diabetes and obesity, as well as pathologies of the pancreas. It is also not recommended to abuse this fruit, since it provokes constipation, and in especially severe cases, intestinal obstruction.

For our region, such a plant still remains atypical, but in general its distribution area is very extensive - it grows throughout the subtropical and tropical zones on any continent except Antarctica. For normal growth, appropriate conditions are needed, namely plenty of heat and sun, as well as regular watering. At the same time, persimmon makes virtually no demands on the soil, and if in all other respects the necessary conditions are met, the result can be up to one hundred kilograms of fruit from one plant.

How to prepare seeds?

At home, it is best to grow Caucasian varieties of persimmon, since they are a little more adapted to the conditions middle zone. However, berries are often brought from there, so there will be no problems with the choice of fruits. Each specimen contains up to ten grains, but for potential planting you need to choose a ripe persimmon, characterized by clean, blemish-free skin and soft flesh.

The fruit must be carefully disassembled, removing the grains from it. The latter must be thoroughly washed and then dried to avoid potential rotting at any stage. Dried seeds are disinfected by soaking them for 24 hours in a solution of potassium permanganate, while seeds suitable for growing will necessarily sink, and what floats can be immediately thrown away.

The germination process of persimmon is quite complicated, so stratification is indispensable. Experts recommend specially grinding off the hardest edges of the seeds before using fine-grained sandpaper, since they can prevent the plant from hatching. After this, the grains are impregnated with growth stimulants. As such, you can use both chemicals like epin and natural aloe juice.

The processed material should be wrapped in damp gauze and stored for about 6-7 weeks at a temperature of 4-5 degrees above zero - a refrigerator is best suited for such purposes.

How to plant?

Since the plant is a heat-loving plant, there can be no question of immediately planting it outside in the middle zone. Stratified seeds begin to be planted in pots approximately at the end of February or at the beginning of March. For growing persimmon seedlings, medium-sized containers are optimal.

Although the plant is supposedly unpretentious to the composition of the soil, it is most often recommended to use a sand-peat mixture. It is recommended to add vermiculite to the bottom of the pot, which will ensure proper drainage.

What’s interesting is that you need to bury the grain in the ground not only but by placing it on its edge - this way the likelihood of a sprout sprouting from the seed increases significantly. The depth should usually be equal to the length of such a grain - usually we are talking about about two centimeters.

The pot with the planted seed must be covered with film to ensure that the future tree optimal microclimate. The soil temperature should ideally be about 22 degrees Celsius, which is quite normal for a home, but room temperature You can further insure yourself by placing the pot next to the radiator.

The potential plant needs to be watered regularly even before it hatches, but it is important not to overdo it, which is why the soil is often only sprayed superficially. A pronounced greenhouse effect is formed under the film, which poses a certain danger to persimmons, therefore condensation must be removed regularly, and the soil must be allowed to ventilate occasionally.

If all conditions are met, the future tree should germinate within a month. By the time the sprout begins to rest against the covering film, the hard seed coat is usually shed, but if young plant cannot cope with this task, he needs help, otherwise problems will arise with the growth of the root system. For such a delicate operation, tweezers are usually used.

When the plant has emerged, the container with it is placed in a well-lit place, but it is advisable that the falling rays of the sun are not direct, otherwise they can dry out the shoot.

As is the case with most cultivated plants, you can contribute to more rapid development of seedlings if you use appropriate fertilizers. In the early stages, nitrogen-containing mixtures will be most appropriate, which must be applied strictly in the amount indicated on the package.

Sprouted seedlings must be actively looked after, otherwise the fact that they sprout may be the last success in persimmon cultivation. If the initial cultivation allows for planting a significant number of seeds in one pot, then later the stronger specimens must be replanted so that each one grows in a separate container. It usually takes about a week and a half for young shoots to develop, after which they can be planted.

The growing conditions for each individual, strong specimen are quite similar to those required for germination, only instead of film, for obvious reasons, a voluminous glass cap is used.

It is impossible to grow persimmon without regular watering, but this plant does not like swampy conditions. The soil in the pot must be constantly kept moist, but the accumulation of water in its thickness is unacceptable. To avoid such negative phenomena, it is recommended to use sawdust mulch. In this case, for irrigation you need to use water strictly at room temperature.

Fertilizers should be used to speed up growth. You can feed young persimmons with both purchased mineral fertilizers and homemade natural ones - for example, you can use egg broth or diluted boiled water aloe juice If speak about mineral products, then it is most important to give the tree phosphorus and potassium - these minerals are necessary for full fruiting. It is also appropriate to use special mineral complexes, produced for fertilizing flowering plants.

Regardless of the age of the plant, fertilizing is carried out only in the warm season and no more than once every two weeks, while fertilizer is always applied to pre-moistened soil.

Although persimmon loves the sun very much, at first it is completely unacceptable to expose it to the full sun. If the plant is planned to be planted one day in the country, first it should be accustomed to an abundance of light - for this, on a cloudy day, the seedlings are taken out onto the balcony, starting from several hours a day and gradually increasing the duration of such periods. If all the windows of the apartment face the sunny side, seedlings can be placed on the windowsill only if the window is shaded using a special film.

In winter, the plant needs bright light much less - diffused light is sufficient, but if the light period in this region is too short, it is worth holding two-hour sessions in the mornings and evenings artificial lighting for seedlings.

As for temperature, the seedlings are the most capricious, requiring temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius, but an adult plant turns out to be hardier - 15 degrees is enough for it to function normally. At the same time, drafts are deadly for persimmons.

IN winter time the vital activity of the plant freezes, due to which it does not die even at 5 degrees of heat, but it is desirable that the temperature does not fall below this level. For this purpose, the surface of the soil around the trunk is usually sprinkled with sawdust.

The formation of a persimmon crown must begin quite early - already when it reaches a height of half a meter. Pinching is a mandatory procedure, since the crown must be branched and voluminous, and newly formed shoots, in turn, are also pinched when they reach 20-40 cm in length. Thanks to this procedure, persimmons can bloom in the third year, otherwise you will have to wait longer.

A one and a half meter tree is pruned in such a way that its crown takes on a spherical shape - this way all branches receive a sufficient amount of light and heat. It is necessary to thin out the crown regularly, otherwise the branches will grow too thick and begin to interfere with each other.

Without grafting, persimmons may never begin to bear fruit. The most simple circuit it is done quite simply - a ring of bark is cut off at the base of a healthy shoot, which is then grafted onto the same place, but reverse side. The cut is isolated with a thick layer of food-grade waterproof film to protect the wound from loss of moisture and bacteria. Thanks to this procedure, shoot growth slows down, in contrast to which all forces are directed to the formation of the fruit.

A tree grown from seed begins to bear fruit in about its seventh year of life, but grafting a cutting from a tree that is already bearing fruit can speed up the harvest.

If your region has a relatively favorable climate, you can try to transplant the plant into open ground in May. To do this, dig a hole measuring half a meter by half a meter or a little more in a place protected from drafts.

If you are planning an entire persimmon plantation, you must maintain a distance between plants of at least a meter, and preferably two.

In most of Russia, planting persimmons in open ground still looks inappropriate, so it is recommended to cultivate the plant as a potted crop. At the same time, it is recommended to take the plant out into the fresh air in the summer, and in some cases you can even plant the tree in the ground along with a pot in order to take it back into the house for the winter.

Moreover, even during the process of home growth, persimmons will have to be replanted several times. The fact is that root system The plant is quite branched, but “packing” the roots into a tighter frame usually does not harm growth. In the first years of life, persimmons are transplanted into a new container annually, increasing its diameter by a few centimeters, but plants older than five years are already transplanted only once every two years.

Diseases and pests

When grown at home in a pot, persimmons rarely get sick from anything, but in open ground they can encounter various troubles. The most common problems are gray and root rot, powdery mildew and black spot, as well as bacterial canker and scab.

At home, all these problems are unlikely, provided proper care, since the typical environment for the development of these diseases is, first of all, excessive humidity, which would probably be monitored more carefully on the windowsill. In open ground, specific weather conditions can lead to excess moisture, and the spread of pathogens of these diseases is carried out with the help of birds and insects, which garden conditions have full access to persimmons.

In fact, the cause of infection can even be strong winds and close proximity to a diseased tree. Fungal diseases are also a common response to failure to thin the crown and overuse of nitrogen fertilizers.

It is best to deal with the described ailments preventive measures, which include regular pruning, ventilation, properly calculated lighting and watering. You can also spray the plant with 1% Bordeaux mixture or any other preparation containing copper - this procedure must be carried out before and after flowering.

If the plant does become ill, persimmon treatment must be carried out using drugs divided into two main groups. “Topaz” and “Chorus” are used if the tree has not yet bloomed, but if flowers have already appeared on it, “Aktofit” or “Impact”, “Fitosporin”, “Bikol” or “Topsin” will cope with the task better. At the same time, those branches whose damage to the disease is too obvious are usually not attempted to be saved - they must be burned to avoid further spread of the infection.

If we talk about pests, the most typical uninvited guests are scale insects and spider mite, which will get to the persimmon even in an apartment. You can even solve the problem with improvised means - to do this, the leaves are rinsed with a soapy solution, and the next day the whole plant is washed in the shower, having first covered the soil with a waterproof film. This procedure brings results if you perform it weekly for a month. From chemicals“Aktara” is considered highly productive, the treatment of which gives a positive result lasting two months.

There is no way to speed up the first flowering, and there is no particular point in this, but the appearance of the first harvest can be accelerated thanks to grafting, the procedure of which was described above. Fruits will appear even earlier if you graft onto a young tree a twig of an older plant that has already produced fruits before.

It should be understood that you should not rush into this too much, because in the first years of its life the persimmon grows and develops. Fruiting takes a lot of energy from the plant, therefore an excessively early start of useful activity of the tree will result in too small growth and small, not always delicious fruits

, and this situation may never improve.

Traditionally, the persimmon harvest occurs in November, but everything depends on the climatic and weather conditions in the region where the persistent gardener lives, as well as on the specific conditions in his apartment. It should be noted that in some cases, even in an apartment, persimmons will not bear fruit normally, because most of the species grown in our country go into a kind of hibernation during the winter.

You can try to partially solve the problem using artificial lighting and heating, but if there is a suspicion that due to unsuitable conditions you will have to feast on unripe fruits, it is often better to completely abandon the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bgrowing persimmons for fruit production.