Help, My Persimmon Tree is Not Bearing Fruit!
Before attacking the reason behind a persimmon tree that isn’t bearing fruit, it’s a wise idea to know a little about the proper planting of the tree. First of all, persimmons are only rarely self-pollinating, as each tree bears only male or female flowers. The exceptions are some of the oriental varieties, which are capable of producing fruit from each gender. Depending upon the varietal, you may need to plant two or more trees. Next, persimmon trees are sensitive to cold; temperatures that dip below 10 degrees F. (-17 C.) can damage the tree and any tender buds. They grow best in USDA growing zones 7 to 10 and will go dormant in the winter months. Persimmons also don’t do well in ultra-sweltering hot, desert-like conditions. Plant the tree in an area with good drainage, as standing water has an adverse effect on fruit production. Plant the trees 20 feet (6 m.) apart or so; the trees will attain heights of between 20 to 30 feet (6-9 m.). Persimmons like mildly acidic soil of around 6.5 to 7.5 pH. Cut the tree down to about 3 feet (1 m.) at planting and continue to prune for the first few years to maintain a vase shape. Use a 10-10-10 or 16-16-16 fertilizer in February or March. Keep the trees watered, especially during spring into the fall. Keep in mind that healthy trees grow up to a foot (31 cm.) a year but can take up to seven to ten years to produce fruit, so be patient.
Persimmon Tree Has No Flowers
If your persimmon tree has no flowers, don’t despair. When the tree blooms for the first time and when it flowers each season varies depending upon the variety, whether it was grown from seed or grafted and local weather conditions. Oriental persimmons bloom after five years but do not bear fruit until after seven years. Grafted trees bloom within two to three years. American persimmon may take several years to blossom and still not fruit for up to ten years. Both American and Oriental persimmons have alternate year blooming and fruiting. This means that you will get a large crop of small fruit one year and in the successive year, a small crop of larger fruit. Both varieties bloom in the late spring but the actual timing is dependent upon the weather which may also account for non-blooming persimmon trees. Occasionally a lack of phosphorus may be responsible for non-blooming. This can be remedied by adding some bone meal to the soil around your tree.
Reasons for No Fruit on a Persimmon Tree
So, to recap, a persimmon tree that isn’t blooming could be due to a number of factors. Does it need a pollinating buddy? Perhaps you need to plant a tree of the opposite sex. Does the plant have adequate irrigation and nutrition? Overwatering will also affect blossom set. What type of tree is it? Different varieties bloom and fruit at different times and some take longer to mature and fruit than others. Also, has the tree been damaged at the grafting point? Sometimes it takes many years for the tree to recover from damage of any kind, if at all. If this is the final answer and you want a fruiting plant, it might be a good idea to dig it out and replant. Or replant in a different area and enjoy the beautiful foliage and shape of the persimmon as a specimen and shade tree.
