Content
Growing a persimmon from a stone at home is quite difficult, although possible. For this, the seeds are prepared in the refrigerator, germinated in a damp cloth and planted in the ground at the end of March. When growing, it is important to create good lighting, while the temperature can be room temperature. If all the rules are followed, fruiting will begin no earlier than six years later.
What persimmon bones look like
Persimmon seeds are oblong and brown in color of varying intensity (from light to dark)
The seeds are medium in size: 6–8 mm long, 2–3 mm wide. The casing is hard, not damaged during storage and transportation.
Is it possible to grow a persimmon from a stone
Persimmons can be grown from seeds even at home. But there are several important nuances to consider:
- You need to choose the right variety. If it is self-fertile, then the fruits will appear without pollination. Otherwise, it will be possible to grow a persimmon from a stone only through vaccination.
- Seeds are stratified in the refrigerator for 2-3 months.
- Plants need good lighting (lighting needed) and moisture.
- You will need to constantly adjust the temperature during the period of active growth, fruiting and wintering.
- For the first five years, the seedling is transplanted into a new, larger pot each year.
Persimmon fruits that have been grown from seeds at home are usually smaller. However, in taste and aroma, they are in no way inferior to specimens grown in traditional ways. If there is enough sunlight, watering and fertilizing, then homemade persimmon turns out to be even tastier.
Choosing a persimmon variety for growing at home
You can grow different varieties of persimmons in the apartment. The following varieties are suitable for this purpose: Gailey, Fuyu, Zenji Maru, Hyakume, Jiro, Hachiya.
How to plant a persimmon seed at home
You can also grow persimmons from seeds at home. For this, the bones are carefully prepared, the soil is selected. The pots are placed on the lightest window and monitored for temperature, humidity and other conditions.
Selection and germination of persimmon seeds
The seeds can be ordered from trusted suppliers or extracted from the fruit yourself. Moreover, the fruit must be ripe, without external damage. If they are green, they can be kept at room temperature for 3-5 days or next to a battery to ripen. At the same time, the fruits should not be frozen - they can only be taken during the harvest period (September and October). If the persimmon is covered with mold, dark spots, such seed should also be discarded.
Seeds are pre-checked for germination and pickled. For this, a pinkish (no more than 1%) solution of potassium permanganate is prepared and all the grains are immersed in them. Withstand 2 days. If any grains float, they are removed.
Next, the seeds must be immersed in a growth stimulant solution. To do this, you can take "Epin", "Kornevin", "Zircon".
Instead, it is permissible to use freshly squeezed aloe juice diluted with water 2 times.
After keeping in a solution that stimulates growth, the seed is wrapped in a damp cloth and sent to the refrigerator (on a shelf with vegetables) for 3 months
The fabric is periodically moistened with water. The napkin must be kept moist at all times. It is recommended to put the cloth with seeds in a plastic container with a lid, then you can practically not add water.
Planting is planned for the spring. The best time is from late March to early April. Previously, it is not worth it, since it will not be possible to germinate persimmon seeds with a lack of sunlight. 5 days before planting, a damp cloth is kept for a week next to the radiator (but not on the radiator itself). In this case, you need to look for mold on the bones. If a problem is found, then the damaged grains should be discarded, since it will not work to grow persimmons from such seed.
By the time of planting, the sprouts from the persimmon seed should already hatch. If this does not happen, it is recommended to file the side hard edges with sandpaper. This will help speed up the germination process.
To do this, file the sides of the grains with sandpaper and immerse them for a day in warm water with a solution of a growth stimulator. Then they are planted in fertile soil and grown under a film.
Soil preparation and drainage
At home, persimmon seed can only germinate in fertile and light soil. It is necessary to purchase a universal soil for seedlings or compose it yourself on the basis of the surface layer of earth, humus or compost, sand and peat in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1. Pebbles, expanded clay and other small stones are used as drainage. They are placed on the bottom of the container.
Landing rules
To get a tree with fruits, you need to plant persimmon seeds according to the following instructions:
- Thoroughly loosen and moisten the substrate from the sprayer (the water should be separated, at room temperature).
- Deepen the bones 2–2.5 cm with their edge down (put on their side) at a distance of 5 cm from each other.
- Sprinkle with loose soil without tamping it.
- Cover with foil or plastic bag, making several holes in it.
- Put in a warm place (on a lighted window).
If all requirements are met, seed persimmon sprouts (pictured) will appear in 6-8 weeks.
Seedlings make their way to the surface for a rather long time, this period can last up to two months after planting.
How to care for persimmon shoots
When growing persimmons from stone at home, you need to ensure proper tree care. The culture needs additional lighting, regular watering and fertilization. Plants will need periodic replanting, as well as pruning and crown shaping.
Lighting
Persimmon is demanding for good lighting. To grow trees with delicious fruits, the pots are placed on the windowsill of the lightest window. Choose a south or southeast direction. However, even this measure will not be enough in early spring. Therefore, it is necessary to organize illumination with a phytolamp for 2 hours in the morning and in the evening. The device is placed at a height of 30-50 cm from the top of the seedling.
But the summer sun can burn the leaves, so in a hot period they need to be shaded with thick paper.
Temperature regime
A persimmon growing from a seed in a pot requires keeping the house warm. You need to create a temperature in the range of 22-23 degrees Celsius. This can be done in any room, so it is not necessary to create special conditions. A hardened seedling that we managed to grow can withstand lower temperatures - plus 15–17 ° C.
To grow a hardened tree, in the spring the pots are periodically taken out to the loggia for airing, and in the summer they are left there for the entire season. At the end of autumn, containers are transferred to a cool room with a temperature of no more than 10 degrees Celsius. Some varieties are distinguished by good winter hardiness, therefore they can withstand a decrease to -10 ° C.
You should not be afraid of this, because in natural conditions persimmon gives fruit in September and October, when it gets cooler outside.
In summer, seedling pots can be kept outside
Watering and moisture
The soil is watered with warm, settled water from a sprayer. This should be done regularly, avoiding drying out. Stagnation of moisture is also undesirable. It is enough to spray 2-3 times a week. The film is kept closed for the first 1.5 months. But it needs to be cleaned 3 times a week for airing.
As soon as the sprouts appear, the film is still held, but opened for a long time. Then it is closed again, after which it is gradually removed. When two sheets appear, it can be removed completely.
The grown seedlings are watered regularly, at least twice a week. Then watering is reduced to 2-3 procedures per month. Care must be taken to ensure that the soil does not dry out. But stagnation of moisture is also unacceptable. Due to the accumulation of water, roots can die.
Therefore, in the heat, seedlings are sprayed several times a day. An open container of water is placed next to it.
Fertilizers
It is possible to grow trees with edible fruits with the obligatory introduction of top dressing. Fertilizers are added at least 3 times per season:
- In April, give urea or ammonium nitrate. Use the minimum amount of material so as not to cause excessive green mass growth.
- During fruit setting (from 6 years of age), superphosphate is added.
- After harvesting the fruits - potassium sulfate or potassium salt.
Transfer
During the first five years of life, seedlings are recommended to be replanted annually, as they grow very quickly. For the procedure, choose a wider and higher pot (4–5 cm) than the previous one. Expanded clay is poured to the bottom.
The seedling is placed so that the roots take up 2/3 of the volume. After 5 years, persimmons are transplanted once every 2-3 years. To grow a healthy tree, it is transferred to a new pot using the transfer method, while preserving the earthen coma. The procedure is planned for the end of March.
Young plants are transplanted annually, choosing a container of the appropriate volume
Pruning and shaping the crown
If it was possible to grow a persimmon from a stone, and the seedling has reached a height of 30-50 cm, then they begin to form the crown. To do this, pinch the top and allow lateral shoots to grow. When they reach a length of 30–40 cm, they are also pinched.
In the future, the crown is formed in the form of a ball. It is necessary to make sure that all branches grow relatively evenly. Then the crown is only periodically thinned out, removing the shoots growing inward. This is enough to grow a healthy and attractive tree.
Does persimmon bear fruit from a stone
Propagation of persimmons with a bone can be done at home. For this, optimal indoor conditions must be maintained consistently. If all the rules are followed, then fruiting will begin from the seventh year of life. However, the tree can be grafted - then the first crop will appear in the third or fourth year.
It should be noted that fruits are not formed in all cases:
- If the variety is self-fertile, then the flowers do not need pollinators. This means that the persimmon will form on its own.
- If the variety needs pollinators, it will definitely be necessary to vaccinate: otherwise, there will be no fruiting. And although persimmons can be grown from seeds, they will remain only an ornamental tree.
Conclusion
It is possible to grow a persimmon from a stone at home, but the process is quite laborious. Indoors, you need to periodically change the temperature, simulating the warm season, autumn or winter. It will be necessary to maintain a high level of humidity in the air, to conduct moderate watering. If the variety is not self-fertile, it must be vaccinated.
