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Among the many varieties, large-fruited virgin persimmon stands out for its characteristics, which make it possible to grow it not only in subtropical conditions, but also in more northern regions. With proper planting and proper tree care, even in the Moscow region, you can get a rich harvest of sweet amber fruits.
Description of virgin persimmon
Virginia persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) belongs to the Ebony family. The natural habitat of the species is the Mediterranean countries and North America.
Life expectancy of virgin persimmon is 120 years
The average height of a deciduous tree is 8 m. The bark of the trunk and branches is gray or slightly brownish. Among plants, there are both monoecious and dioecious specimens. The leaf plates of the virgin persimmon are bright green, leathery, slightly heart-shaped, with a sharp tip. Their length is 15 cm. Male flowers are collected in axils in three, female flowers are located singly. Pollination is carried out by insects or by wind. Fruits are round, up to 6 cm in diameter, weighing 50-70 g. The pulp of the berries is juicy, soft, sweet, aromatic, has the consistency of marmalade and a rich yellow color. The number of seeds may differ from one fruit to another or be absent altogether. The skin is thin, brownish, covered with a whitish waxy coating. The root system is powerful, pivotal.
Characteristics of the virgin persimmon
The variety is medium early. Flowering begins in early June, which helps to protect the ovary from recurrent frosts. The first fruits ripen at the end of September. At the age of four, the trees begin to bear fruit. The average yield of a virgin persimmon with a height of 3 m and a crown diameter of 2.5 m even in central Russia is up to 50 kg per tree.
The winter hardiness of the variety is high - seedlings and adult trees can withstand frosts down to -37 ⁰С, the root system survives when the soil freezes down to -15 ⁰С. Plants easily tolerate dry periods, do not suffer from heat, and are highly immune.
Virginia persimmon is large, has excellent varietal characteristics, but for its full guaranteed growth, development and fruiting, it is necessary to create conditions.
How to grow virgin persimmon
For gardeners, growing persimmons can be a fun but painstaking process. Seeds or ready-made seedlings are used as planting material. In the first case, it will take much more time and grafting of young virgin persimmon plants to increase yields. Finished seedlings develop faster and begin bearing fruit after two to three years.
For plants with an open root system, holes are dug with a width and depth of 70 cm
How to plant virgin persimmon seedlings
Planting is carried out in the spring, when the soil has warmed up, or in the fall, before the onset of frost. Plants are purchased in professional nurseries, selecting healthy ones with a developed crown and dormant buds. The best option is a closed root system.
For a young tree, a place is chosen on the southern side of the buildings, so that in cold weather it is protected from northern winds and drafts.For virgin persimmons, loamy or sandy loam soil enriched with organic matter and nutrients is suitable. Swampiness and groundwater occurrence above one meter are unacceptable, since most of the roots are located at a depth of 0.5 m.
To plant a virgin persimmon seedling, follow the plan:
- Dig a hole, the volume of which is two to three times the size of the container.
- Broken brick and expanded clay are laid at the bottom to create a drainage layer.
- A soil mixture is poured on top, consisting of a third of the extracted land and two-thirds of a fertile forest litter from a pine forest.
- Soak a container of virgin persimmon in water.
- The root system is carefully removed along with a lump of earth and placed in the center of the planting pit.
- Fill the voids with soil, tamp it slightly.
- Watering, mulching the trunk circle with grass and sawdust.
- Support is installed and tied up.
For persimmons, soil with a neutral reaction (pH 6-7.5) is suitable
Growing virgin persimmon from seeds
To grow a seedling, they take ripe fruits, extract seeds from them and wash them thoroughly, freeing them from pulp. They are laid out in a container filled with wet sand or moss and placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for two months for stratification, which allows to increase germination by up to 80%. It is worth preparing boxes in advance with a soil mixture consisting of peat and sand, taken in a 1: 2 ratio. In February, seeds are sealed to a depth of 2 cm and covered with a film, periodically moistening the soil. The first shoots of Virginia persimmon appear after two to three weeks. During this period, the shelter is removed, the seedlings are transferred to a well-lit place and additional lighting is created for them. A week later, they dive into separate pots or remove excess plants. At home, the virgin persimmon seedling develops quickly, filling the entire volume of the container with roots. It must be transplanted into a larger container. As the seedling develops, the side branches are pinched to obtain a spherical crown in the future. Planting in open ground is carried out in May or June, creating a slight shade of the plants from the bright sun.
A guaranteed yield of virgin persimmon can only be obtained from grafted plants. The graft is taken from healthy varietal trees in the nursery or from familiar gardeners. If inoculated at the age of one year, the first crop is obtained after five years.
Young plants are insulated for the winter until the tree reaches a height of 2 m
Features of growing virgin persimmon in the Moscow region
Despite the fact that persimmon is considered to be a southern plant, the exotic fruit is also grown in the Moscow region. There are several secrets for the successful growing of virgin persimmon in central Russia:
- For fast rooting, a seedling with a closed root system is purchased.
- Several plants, male and female, are planted on the same plot to ensure pollination.
- The landing site should be sunny, closed from northerly winds.
- When grown in a swampy area, it is worthwhile to make high-quality drainage, drain excess water and create an elevation.
- The soil should be neutral or slightly acidic.
- Each plant is left with a sufficient food area - at least eight square meters.
- In the early years, the seedlings are provided with a shelter for the winter and a system for accumulating heat.
- In winter, the bases of the trees are covered with a large layer of snow.
Gradually, the Virginia persimmon is acclimatized and in subsequent years it hibernates without additional protection.
Virginia persimmon care
Even novice gardeners can successfully grow fruit trees if properly cared for. Among the main activities are moisturizing, fertilizing, pruning and preparing for winter.
Watering and feeding
Young seedlings of virgin persimmon are watered twice a month, adult plants - once.Consideration should be given to weather conditions, rainfall or lack thereof.
At the time of planting virgin persimmon seedlings, you should not apply nitrogen fertilizers into the pit, so as not to provoke a rapid uneven growth of shoots that cannot mature before the onset of winter. Trees need full dressing from the moment they begin to bear fruit.
To accelerate the ripening of the growth, it is permissible to apply potash fertilizers at the end of summer.
Pruning, preparing for winter
During the formation of skeletal branches, you need to cut out weak, crooked or dry shoots of Virginia persimmon. The branches, rubbing against each other, growing inside the crown are removed. In early August, the growing point of persimmons, in which the wood has not yet ripened, should be pinched.
Young seedlings require shelter before the onset of frost. With the help of spandbond, agrofibre, cardboard, corn stalks and spruce branches, the trunks are closed from drying winds, rodents, frost and sunburn.
Vaccination, protection against diseases and pests
The optimal time for vaccination is from mid-April to the end of May. Use the method most suitable for specific conditions - the method of improved copulation or splitting.
One of the advantages of the Virginia persimmon is the absence of natural enemies and diseases inherent in the culture in its homeland, America. The trees must be inspected periodically in order to prevent the development of pathologies due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Weak shoots most often dry out themselves and fall off in the fall.
Harvesting and storage
The fruits of the Virginia persimmon enter the phase of technical ripeness in the second decade of September. During this period, they are removed and stored in a cool place. In room conditions, they ripen perfectly, become sweet and juicy. Part of the harvest can be left on the branches, after freezing the berries lose their astringency, acquire a pleasant taste.
The fruits are used raw, dried, added to baked goods. The pulp is suitable for making jams, preserves and marmalades. Persimmon seeds are used to make a drink that resembles coffee.
Conclusion
For those who love exotic plants, virgin persimmon is a real gift. It is not difficult to grow it in the conditions of the Moscow region - it is unpretentious, grows quickly and, with proper care, gives the first harvest in a few years. Beautiful fruits at the end of autumn are a great motive to plant several seedlings of fruit trees.
Reviews of virgin persimmon
