The homeland of persimmon is China. This type of fruit is widely cultivated, especially in Japan. Persimmon is known as the "Japanese apple" and is loved by the people in summer and winter.

It is cultivated in countries located in the temperate climate zone. Countries that produce the most persimmons in the world; Mainly Japan and China, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Philippines, Korea and USA. These countries are followed by Algeria, Iran, South America and Spain.

Although it is not known when it was brought to Turkey, persimmon has been grown in our country for a long time. Persimmon, which is a subtropical climate fruit, is mostly grown in the Mediterranean Region in our country. Since this type of fruit sheds its leaves in winter, it can be grown in cooler regions, especially in the Black Sea, Aegean and Marmara regions.

Astringent varieties of persimmon are grown in our country, and these fruits are not well known in some regions, and it is not known enough that they should be eaten when soft. It is not wanted when it is seen that it is bad. Therefore, persimmon cultivation has not become widespread compared to other fruit species. As this fruit is recognized by consumers, it is loved and sought after. There is a high demand for varieties that are eaten hard and that are not astringent.

Persimmon fruits are especially rich in vitamin A and carbohydrates. Astringent varieties can be eaten with cream, if desired, when softened. Non-astringent varieties can be chopped into small pieces and used in fruit salads.

Persimmon fruits can be consumed both fresh and dried. While the fruits are hard, the small ones are divided into two and the large ones divided into four, and they are stringed and dried in the sun. In addition, drying is carried out in the drying cabinets.

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The trunk of the persimmon tree is gray. Depending on the strength and age of the rootstock variety used, the trunk is 12-35 cm in diameter, and its length is 5-6 m on average, but it can reach up to 12 m.

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The root system of the persimmon tree varies according to the rootstock used. The rootstock of edible cultivars (Diospyros kaki) is taprooted, with a small amount of fringe roots. The roots of this rootstock are not resistant to excessively moist soils. Another rootstock, Diospyros lotus rootstock, is fringe rooted, gives plenty of capillary roots, does not form bottom shoots.

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The trunk of the persimmon tree is gray in color. Depending on the strength and age of the rootstock variety used, the trunk is 12-35 cm in diameter, and its length is 5-6 m on average, but it can reach up to 12 m.

Persimmon trees come in upright, semi-erect or splayed form. Branches develop moderately or strongly according to the cultivars. The shoots that emerge in the spring are angular, hairy and light green in color. Later these branches turn gray-brown. The branches turn gray as they age. In the second and third years of planting, many voracious branches are seen. Gluttonous branches grow strongly and upright, do not branch. From the third year, voracious branches are reduced, and many short fruit branches are formed. In the resting period the buds are prominent and dark brown. Some cultivars (fuyu) are heavily branched, while some cultivars (hachiya) are sparsely branched.

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The leaves are attached to the branch in two rows, alternately. The leaf margins are straight and the tips are pointed. The petiole is short-thick and light green in color and inverted. Leaf shape varies as ellipse, long ellipse, broad ellipse and oval.  The leaves are thick, the midrib is very prominent. Side veins are not opposite and are 12-15 pieces. Veins are prominent on both sides of the leaf. The width of the leaves varies between 5.5-9 cm, and the length varies between 9-16 cm. The petiole is 1-1.5 cm long.  The upper surface of the leaves is smooth, the lower surface is hairy. They are bright, light green in color when they are just emerging in the spring. It then takes on a bright dark green color. In autumn, it turns into pale green-yellow-orange-red colors and gains a decorative appearance. Because of these features, it can be used in parks as a beautiful ornamental tree.

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The fruits of persimmon varieties vary considerably in shape and size. The weight of local varieties varies between 87-209 g, width 53-78 mm, length 54-67 mm. Cultivated varieties have larger fruits than these.

Fruit shape in persimmon varieties; It can be very flattened, flattened, rounded, short conical, conical and long from the poles. Sepals on fruit; small, medium or large.

The skin of the fruit is usually flat and covered with a waxy substance. At harvest time, the color of the fruit peel changes as yellow, orange-yellow, orange, orange-red, orange. Shell colors of cultivars at physiological maturity; It can be orange, dark-orange, red.

Fruit flesh color changes as yellow, orange-yellow, orange, orange-red, brown, orange-brown at harvest time.

Persimmon fruits are divided into two according to the astringency and non-astringency of the fruit flavor. Astringency and absence of astringency indicate the condition of the fruits at harvest. Non-astringent varieties can be eaten while hard right after harvest, while astringent varieties become edible after softening (when their astringency disappears).

Most of the varieties have seeds when they are pollinated, and the more seeds formed in the fruit, the darker the fruit flesh color. Some varieties do not change the color of the fruit flesh when pollinated. The flesh of these varieties is always light (orange) in color.

Brownishness in the fruit flesh of persimmons is generally an undesirable feature. For this reason, if sufficient products are obtained from the varieties without pollination, pollinator varieties should not be used. Thus, the desired seedless and orange fleshy fruits can be obtained.

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Pollination is required for most persimmon varieties. In order to get enough product from these varieties, pollinator varieties must be used. When these varieties are not pollinated, they either do not hold fruit or shed their fruit in different stages, starting from the small fruit to before death. Varieties with regular male flowers should be used as pollinators. Pollination is provided by insects.

Most of the pollinator cultivars do not have good fruit quality and do not have market value. In order to ensure full pollination, the flowering periods of the main variety and the pollinator variety should coincide. A pollinator should be planted on 8-10 trees.  

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Persimmon is a fruit of a subtropical climate. However, it has also adapted to warm temperate climatic conditions. Since the tree sheds its leaves in winter, it is more resistant to low temperatures than other subtropical fruit types. In general, it can withstand down to -12 ° C, there are also varieties that can withstand up to -18 ° C.

The winter rest needs of most persimmon cultivars are 200-400 hours below 7.2 °C. Burning wood eye on the Mediterranean coastline, in the first half of March; Flowering occurs at the end of April.

Persimmons are not affected by early spring frosts because they bloom late. Varieties need a long time interval of 140-160 days to mature their fruits. Varieties that can be eaten when firm (not astringent) require more warmth than others to ripen their fruit.

Persimmons require high temperatures and the best quality fruits are obtained from humid regions. Good crops can be obtained by irrigation in regions where air humidity is low. However, sunburn can be seen on the fruits in these regions, precautions should be taken.

Persimmon trees are generally not damaged by winds. However, in places where there is a lot of wind, in autumn, at the time of fruit maturity, the fruits are damaged by leaves and branches and cause a decrease in quality. The branches of the persimmon tree are very brittle. Therefore, strong winds can cause fruit-laden branches to break. In order to prevent this situation, the branches must be supported by the stems.

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The amount of fertilizer to be given to persimmons should be determined according to the leaf and soil analysis methods. Well-burned farm manure should be given in the autumn with the calculation of 3-4 tons per decare every three years and should be mixed with the soil by plowing. Persimmons need more nitrogen. According to the results of the analysis, one third of the fertilizer that should be given can be given in early spring, and the remaining part in April-May and June. Nitrogen fertilizer given in excessive amounts causes flowers and castings.

After the nitrogen fertilizer is applied to the crown projection of the tree, the soil should be hoeed to ensure that the fertilizer is buried in the soil or irrigation should be done immediately. Phosphorus fertilizers can be given in November-December. This fertilizer has an effect on flowering, fruit set and root development. Potassium fertilizers have an effect on fruit quality. The leaf tips and edges of the trees with excessive potassium deficiency turn yellow and dry. Excessive fruit drop is seen. Potash and phosphorus fertilizers are applied together in November-December. These fertilizers are given to the pits opened at the crown projection of the tree and they are covered with soil, or they are applied to 5-6 pits opened at the crown projection and covered.
 

Magnesium deficiency is common in soils poor in organic matter. In soils with excess potassium, magnesium intake decreases and deficiency occurs. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency appear in the summer months when the tree is laden with fruit. Deficiency symptoms are in the form of yellowing between the veins of the lower leaves on the fruiting branches, the yellowing parts in the advanced stage become dark and these leaves are shed prematurely.
 

Manganese deficiency occurs if the manganese content of the soil is low or if the soil is too calcareous. Deficiency symptoms appear as black dots on the lower leaves of new shoots in early May. In advanced cases, it is also seen on the upper leaves of the shoot. Manganese deficiency causes leaf and fruit drop. In its deficiency, foliar fertilizer is recommended immediately after fruit set.
 

Symptoms of iron deficiency are in the form of yellowing between the veins of young leaves. Leaf veins remain green. Iron deficiency is seen in very calcareous soils. In soils with very high PH, the PH of the soil can be reduced to some extent by applying 40-50 kg of powdered sulfur per decare. In addition, ferrous sulfate or other ferrous preparations can be used. Foliar fertilizers should be applied early in the morning or in the evening.

Shape pruning is done in the first three years after planting. Different peak-branched (modified leader) system can be applied in the crowning of the sapling. If desired, palmette shape can also be given. The main thing in the system with different climax branches is to ensure the development of 3-5 main branches, which are distributed on the trunk at regular intervals.
 

The main branches of the saplings that have been pruned in winter are selected in May-June. Unwanted sprouts from the forked sprouts are broken. The distance between the selected branches should be at least 10 cm. The angle between the trunk and the branches should be 45-60 degrees. It is important that the selected branches are scattered in different directions of the tree in terms of the balance of the tree. Bending should be done on the branches that we want to weaken.
 

In the winter months, the previously tied branches are thawed, the angles are checked. Fork and gluttonous branches are cleaned. Very weak branches are cut and discarded. The main branches are cut from 40-45 cm according to their strength, over an eye that looks outward.
 

In the second year, green pruning is applied in the summer. On each major branch, auxiliary branches are selected. In order for the main and auxiliary branches to develop strongly, other branches are bent and unwanted sprouts are crushed. The same procedures continue in the third year. After crown formation, no further processing is required. Toping should be done on branches that grow very strongly. Very weak twigs; tangled, sick and injured branches are cut and discarded in winter. In order to prevent the lower branches from bending and breaking with the fruit load, apex should be made or these branches should be supported with stems.

Harvesting persimmon fruits at the appropriate time is important. The fruits should be collected when they are hard, when they get their full size and the green color of the fruit shell disappears and turns into orange or dark orange color specific to the variety. In varieties with astringent taste, the fruits can stay on the tree for a long time until they become soft, that is, they are positive for eating. However, in this case, precautions should be taken against insect and bird damage.
 

Harvest should be done at least twice, fruits that have not taken their color well should not be collected. During the harvest, the fruits are not plucked from the branch. The branches may break because they are too brittle, or the sepals of the fruit will remain on the tree, causing the fruit to rot before it matures. In order to avoid these undesirable situations, the fruiting branch is held with the left hand and the fruit is carefully plucked from the branch with the other hand. If the fruit stalk is long, it should be harvested by cutting the stalk over the sepals. Harvested fruits should be put into collection containers slowly and care should be taken not to damage them. Fruits should be carefully transported to the place to be packed.

Persimmon cultivars differ in their starting years. Fuyu variety starts yielding from the second year of planting, and hachiya variety from the fourth year. The yield amount of the trees varies according to the varieties and maintenance conditions, but the average is 40-60 kg.