Our Fuyu Persimmon Trees are leaning. They are weighed down with so much fruit we knew we had to take action. In this video, I share with you how we staked our trees, and I didn't edit out the mistakes, so you can learn, too.
Follow along as I take on the challenge of my leaning persimmon trees and share my approach to staking them for support. To stake the trees, I utilize reclaimed materials like garden hose and string, demonstrating my resourcefulness.
Throughout the video, I guide viewers through the process of finding the right anchor spots and carefully staking the trees to provide the necessary support. I also emphasize the potential for further adjustments and invite viewers to share their suggestions and insights.
Learn more about growing Fuyu Persimmons below:
Fuyu Persimmons are loved for their sweet, mildly spicy fruits that can be enjoyed right from the tree and are easy to grow. These hardy trees are suitable for gardeners at all experience levels.
Sunlight Requirements:
Fuyu persimmons flourish in full sun, just like most fruit trees. To promote healthy growth and ensure a bountiful yield, your trees should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If it's possible to give them more, that's even better!
Watering Needs:
The amount of water your Fuyu persimmons need depends on the trees' age and the growing climate. Young trees require more frequent watering until they establish a strong root system, usually over the first couple of years. Mature trees exhibit a degree of drought tolerance and won't need watering as frequently as some other fruit trees. However, they should never be left to dry out completely. Remember, overwatering can result in root rot. Good soil drainage is critical to prevent this. Providing a deep watering session once a week is generally more beneficial than watering shallowly more often. Except immediately after fertilizing, we haven't watered the persimmon trees in our garden at all this year, relying on the landscape feature (the valley) that collects rainwater from the houses on both sides. We may change that practice with this very hot weather we have experienced.
Fertilizing Practices:
Fuyu persimmons aren't particularly needy when it comes to fertilizer. Indeed, over-fertilizing can lead to lush foliage at the expense of fruit. If you need to fertilize, opt for a general-purpose fruit tree fertilizer, applied sparingly, usually in early spring before the new growth begins. Additional fertilizer may be unnecessary if you're blessed with rich, well-composted soil. To date, we've fertilized only once per year.
Again as we continue learning, we'll re-assess. A soil test can provide valuable information about your soil's nutrient profile, allowing you to adjust your fertilizer regimen accordingly.
Pruning Needs:
While I've not done a very good job at pruning, I learned I should be pruning more. If you're new to growing them, plan to prune your Fuyu persimmons during the tree's dormant period, which usually falls in late winter or early spring. Pruning aims to create an open, vase-like structure that allows good airflow and sunlight penetration. Remove any damaged wood and any branches that cross or rub against each other. If your tree is carrying more fruit than it can support, some thinning might be necessary. For younger trees that aren't yet producing fruit, some formative pruning can help establish a solid structure early on. You may also experience fruit drop as the tree sheds any fruit it may be unable to support.
Temperature Tolerance:
Because they are of Japanese origin, I was very worried about growing them in Zone 9A in Northeast Florida. Apparently, Fuyu persimmons are adaptable to a wide range of temperatures. They can tolerate summer heat up to 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit (38-40 degrees Celsius), although if temperatures consistently go beyond this, providing some afternoon shade and additional water can be beneficial. As for cold tolerance, Fuyu persimmons can handle temperatures down to approximately 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 degrees Celsius). That being said, late frosts can damage new growth, so if frosts are common in your area, planting your tree in a spot that offers some protection, like near a south-facing wall, can be smart.
Fuyu persimmons are a great addition to any home garden with their rewarding hardiness and delectable fruit mix. Enjoy your gardening journey!
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On the first Sunday evening of each month (7PM Eastern), I go live on YouTube sharing updates and answering your questions. We have more than 80 individual fruit trees and shrubs and more than a dozen different kinds of annuals growing on this property. The slopes make for some interesting ways to garden, but we're trying to make the best of it.
Thank you for watching and reading!
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