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Among the many varieties, large-fruited virgin persimmon stands out for its characteristics, which allow it to be grown 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 Eben family. The natural habitat of the species is the Mediterranean countries and North America.
The life expectancy of the virgin persimmon is 120 years
The average height of a deciduous tree is 8 m. The bark of the trunk and branches has a gray or slightly brownish tint. Plants include 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 by three, female flowers are located singly. Pollination is carried out by insects or wind. The fruits are rounded, up to 6 cm in diameter, weighing 50-70 g. The pulp of the berries is juicy, soft, sweet, fragrant, has the consistency of marmalade and is rich yellow in color. The number of seeds may vary from fruit to fruit or may be completely absent. The skin is thin, brownish, covered with a whitish wax coating. The root system is powerful, pivotal.
Characteristics of virgin persimmon
The variety belongs to medium early. Flowering begins in early June, which helps protect the ovaries from recurrent frosts. The first fruits ripen at the end of September. At the age of four years, the trees begin to bear fruit. The average yield of Virginia persimmon with a height of 3 m and a crown diameter of 2,5 m, even in the conditions of central Our Country, is up to 50 kg per tree.
The winter hardiness of the variety is high – seedlings and mature trees 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 have high immunity.
Persimmon virginskaya large, has excellent varietal characteristics, but for its full-fledged 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 seedlings are used as planting material. In the first case, much more time and grafting of young virgin persimmon plants will be required to increase yields. Ready seedlings develop faster and bear fruit after two to three years.
For plants with an open root system, dig holes 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 south side of the buildings, so that in cold weather it is protected from northern winds and drafts. Loamy or sandy loamy soil enriched with organic matter and nutrients is suitable for virgin persimmons. Waterlogging and groundwater occurrence above one meter is unacceptable, since most of the roots are located at a depth of up to 0,5 m.
To plant a seedling of virgin persimmon, act according to the plan:
- They dig a hole, the volume of which exceeds the size of the container by two to three times.
- Broken bricks, expanded clay are laid at the bottom to create a drainage layer.
- The soil mixture is poured on top, consisting of a third of the extracted earth and two-thirds of the fertile forest floor from the pine forest.
- Soak a container of virgin persimmons in water.
- The root system is carefully removed along with a clod of earth and placed in the center of the planting pit.
- Fill voids with soil, lightly tamp it.
- Water, mulch the near-trunk circle with grass and sawdust.
- Install the support and tie it up.
Soil with a neutral reaction is suitable for persimmons (6-7,5 pH)
Growing virgin persimmons from seeds
To grow a seedling, they take ripened 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 increasing germination up to 80%. In advance, it is worth preparing boxes with a soil mixture consisting of peat and sand, taken in a ratio of 1: 2. In February, seeds are planted to a depth of 2 cm and covered with a film, periodically moistening the soil. The first shoots of virgin persimmons appear after two to three weeks. During this period, the shelter is removed, the seedlings are transferred to a well-lit place and additional illumination is created for them. A week later, dive into separate pots or remove excess plants. At home, the seedling of the virgin persimmon develops quickly, fills the entire volume of the container with roots. It needs to be transplanted into a larger container. As the seedling develops, the side branches are pinched to obtain a spherical crown in the future. Landing in open ground is carried out in May or June, creating a slight shading for 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 a nursery or from familiar gardeners. If vaccinated at the age of one year, the first harvest 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, an exotic fruit is also grown in the conditions of the Moscow region. There are several secrets for the successful growing season of virgin persimmon in central Our Country:
- For quick rooting, a seedling with a closed root system is purchased.
- Several plants are planted in one area – male and female, to ensure pollination.
- The landing site should be sunny, closed from the north winds.
- When growing in a swampy area, it is worth making high-quality drainage, removing excess water and creating an elevation.
- The soil should be neutral or slightly acidic.
- Each plant is left with a sufficient feeding area – at least eight square meters.
- In the first years, seedlings are provided with 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 virgin persimmon acclimatizes and winters in subsequent years without additional protection.
Caring for virgin persimmon
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 top dressing
Young seedlings of virgin persimmon are watered twice a month, adult plants – once. Weather conditions, precipitation or lack thereof should be taken into account.
At the time of planting virgin persimmon seedlings, nitrogen fertilizers should not be applied to the pit, so as not to provoke a rapid uneven growth of shoots that cannot ripen before the onset of winter. Trees need full-fledged top dressing from the moment they begin to bear fruit.
To accelerate the maturation of growth, it is permissible to apply potash fertilizers at the end of summer.
Pruning, preparation for winter
During the period of formation of skeletal branches, it is necessary to cut out weak, crooked or dry shoots of virgin persimmon. Remove branches that rub against each other, growing inside the crown. In early August, the growth point of persimmon, in which the wood has not yet matured, should be pinched.
Young seedlings require shelter before the onset of frost. With the help of spandbond, agrofibre, cardboard, corn stalks and spruce branches, trunks are closed from withering 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 that is most suitable for specific conditions – the method of improved copulation or splitting.
One of the advantages of the virgin persimmon is the absence of natural enemies and diseases inherent in the culture in its homeland, in America. Periodically, trees must be inspected to prevent the development of pathologies due to adverse weather conditions.
Weak shoots most often dry out and fall off in the fall.
Harvesting and storage
The fruits of virgin 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 frost, the berries lose their astringency and acquire a pleasant taste.
The fruits are used raw, dried, added to baking. The pulp is suitable for making jams, preserves and preserves. Persimmon seeds are used to prepare 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 rapidly 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 a few seedlings of fruit trees.
Reviews of virgin persimmon
