In order to successfully grow American persimmon trees and ensure fruit production, it is generally recommended to have two trees. This is because persimmon trees are typically dioecious, meaning that they have separate male and female trees. The female tree produces the fruit, while the male tree provides the pollen needed for fertilization.
Having both a male and female tree allows for cross-pollination, which increases the chances of fruit set and a bountiful harvest. Without a male tree nearby, the female tree may not produce fruit or the fruit set may be limited.
However, if you only have space for one tree, there are a few alternatives you can consider to still have the opportunity to enjoy persimmons in your garden.
1. Self-fertile varieties: Some persimmon varieties are self-fertile, meaning they have both male and female flowers on the same tree. Examples of self-fertile persimmons include ‘Fuyu’, ‘Jiro’, and ‘Ichikikei Jiro’. These trees can produce fruit on their own without the need for a separate male tree.
2. Grafted tree: Another option is to look for a grafted persimmon tree. Grafting is a technique where a branch or bud from a male tree is attached to a female tree, allowing it to produce fruit. This way, you can have both male and female flowers on the same tree, ensuring pollination and fruit set.
3. Pollination assistance: If you have neighbors or friends who have persimmon trees, you may be able to coordinate with them to help with pollination. Persimmon flowers produce abundant pollen, which can be collected and manually transferred to the female flowers using a small brush or cotton swab. This manual pollination method can increase the chances of fruit set even without a male tree in your own garden.
4. Attracting pollinators: Even if you don’t have a male persimmon tree, you can still attract pollinators to your garden to increase the likelihood of fruit set. Planting a variety of flowering plants that bloom at the same time as your persimmon tree can help attract bees and other pollinators. Bees are particularly effective at transferring pollen from male to female flowers, so having a bee-friendly garden can greatly improve fruit production.
It’s important to note that even with these alternatives, the fruit set and quality may not be as reliable as having two separate trees for pollination. However, with proper care and attention to providing suitable pollination options, you can still enjoy the beauty and taste of persimmons in your garden, even with just one tree.
