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help identifying persimmon rootstock #767072

Asked August 12, 2021, 1:13 PM EDT

I purchased a Fuyu persimmon. The graft failed and fell off. I contacted the nursery and was told they weren't certain of the rootstock but it could be an American persimmon variety. I let the plant grow and it now shows signs of fruit. Is this Diospyros virginiana? Will these eventually be edible fruits if let to fall before eating? Are there suggestions for transplanting?

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi! Is this something I should just give up on? Thanks!

The Question Asker Replied August 19, 2021, 6:35 PM EDT
According to UCANR three common rootstocks for persimmon are Diospyros lotus, D. kaki (Fuyu), and D. virginiana : http://fruitandnuteducation.ucdavis.edu/fruitnutproduction/Persimmon/Persimmon_Scion_Rooststock_Selection/

It is hard to tell right now just from vegetative characters. I believe you can rule out D. lotus, as the fruit are born close to the branch on a shorter peduncle and are berry-like in that species. Because your stems and leaves are pubescent (see especially pic 2), I believe it is D. virginiana. There is a variety that is very pubescent called D. virginiana var. pubescens, as I see the "fuzz" on the leaves on your images, not just young leaves. D. kaki has glossy leaves, but can have pubescence on the stems or not. When the fruit mature, it will be easy to confirm this by fruit size, fruit shape, and seed size. American persimmon is just as edible and delicious as the larger Asian Fuyu persimmon. So yes I would let them ripen and then reassess.

Some good species descriptions here:

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/diospyros-virginiana-c-100/

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/diospyros-kaki/

An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 19, 2021, 8:17 PM EDT

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