Diospyros Virginiana known by different names in different areas belongs to the Ebenaceae family. The plant type is found in various locations including Southern Connecticut, Texas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and other parts of America. These species popularly belong to persimmon species and are referred to as eastern persimmon, Simmons, possum apples, American persimmon, common persimmon, possum wood, or sugar plum. These trees hold a significant place in history as Native Americans used to grow them for using their fruits and woods.
To obtain fruits from these plants, you should have both male and female plants to pollinate only then you can get fruits. And, in the case of flowers, pollination by insects and wind is important to get fragrant flowers.
Description of Diospyros Virginiana
The plant can grow the size ranging from small to medium-sized which is usually 30 ft (9.144 m) to 80 ft (24.38 m) long. Starting from roots, this tree has plump and thick roots that bear stolon. The trunk is usually short and slender supporting bending branches spread widely. On the branches, number of leaves will grow which will be oval or rounded in shape. Usually, the color of leaves vary from green to red and sometimes dark green. Also, the flowers half blossom in the month of May and June. Along with flowers, this species of plant also bear fruits.
Here is the complete guide for plant enthusiasts who love to plant Diospyros Virginiana Bonsai trees.
How long does Diospyros Virginiana take to grow?
You can expect, the tree to grow at a slow pace as every year it grows up to 24 inches (ca. 61 cm) only. Diospyros Virginiana or Persimmon is a densely growing shrub that takes around 10 to 15 years to grow properly. Before enjoying the fruits of persimmon, you need to wait 15 years. There are different male and female plants (which means they need fruiting to occur). In the initial stages, the plant grows at a fast pace but as they become mature the growth becomes slow.
In the warmer season, the plants grow faster as compared to growth in winter. Such more conditions, for the proper growth of Diospyros Virginiana, are highlighted here. For the proper growth and development of trees, the proper amount of nutrition and water is needed. Below is described the basic requirement of trees to grow effectively.
How to grow Diospyros Virginiana plants?
There are various circumstances and requirements for the growth of persimmon species. Unless and until you won’t truly satisfy the conditions for its growth, this species won’t be able to grow. Since every plant is different so the size of fruits and flowers they will bear would be different too.
Where to grow these species?
Typically, American Persimmon is found in parts of the United States along with various other areas including the South Atlantic and the Gulf States. You need to keep in mind, the environmental conditions for growing plants. These plants can bear almost all types of temperature, but the temperature should not be below -25 °F (ca. -4 °C). The frigid weather can lead to the deterioration of already grown trees. Try not to grow this species where the temperature drops to very low in some seasons.
How much sunlight is needed by the plant?
For better growth of Diospyros, you need to give them the proper amount of sunlight. Though they are sunlight lovers, they can grow in partial sunlight and partial shade. To give good growth to your plants, you should focus on giving them full sunlight.
Soil
The ideal soil for this species is loamy soil, well-drained with a PH ranging from 6 to 6.5. Though the plant can handle the worst soil condition as well. Say, for example, poor soil with low nutrition and which is rocky or sandy would also be enough for the growth of the soil. So, the soil doesn’t become a big concern for this plant. The only soil you should avoid for this Bonsai is salty soil. But, try to give it the appropriate soil type only.
Watering Needs of Diospyros Virginiana trees
Water becomes the necessity of plants when it comes to their growth and development. Too much or too little water can harm the plants, so give them the proper amount of water. While the plants are young they need a good amount of water for proper growth. You can fix on giving them an inch of water per week but as they grow up mature, you can shift the watering patterns by providing them little water. After they, become mature Diospyros can even live in drought.
What fertilizers are needed for the Diospyros Virginiana tree?
Though this species doesn’t need much attention concerning fertilizer, but if the tree is growing slow. Then, you can use all-purpose fertilizer. You can use fertilizer in early spring or summer. The ratio of NPK in fertilizer in the initial stage should be 5 – 5 – 2 and as the plant becomes mature, then change the ratio to 10 – 10 – 10.
How to plant Diospyros Virginiana?
Diospyros Virginiana is easy to grow but if growing by seeds, the germination rate becomes very low. So, here is the complete guide for planting Diospyros Virginiana from purchasing the plant to planting in the best conditions:
Step 1: Begin by purchasing your transplants to easily plant.
Step 2: You need to locate the transplant 20 ft (6.1 m) to 50 feet (15.24 m) away from the other trees.
Step 3: Once, you have selected the spot to dig the spot. The hole should be twice deep and wider than your container.
Step 4: Fill in the half-hole with appropriate soil. The right amount of soil is important to loosen the earth beneath the plant so that the roots can spread properly.
Step 5: Now, fix the transplant into the hole and pat down it with moist soil.
After planting, the tree you need to keep a regular check to avoid any sought of damage to trees.
How to Care for your Diospyros Virginiana Bonsai tree?
Diospyros Virginiana Bonsai need proper attention including regular watering and perfect moisture. You can put these plants in springtime and need accurate attention as the season changes, the need and requirement of Diospyros Virginiana also change. Here are certain tips for taking care of the plants:
Tips for growing up Diospyros Virginiana
- Provide the plant with proper lightning and water in the initial stages.
- The alkaline soil with a pH of 6 to 6.5 should be properly given to plants.
- Pruning can be beneficial for the larger harvest of plants.
- Keeping a regular check on growth of plants, specially when weather change.
Propagation of plants:
You can propagate the Diospyros Virginiana Bonsai tree with the help of cutting, starting seeds, grafting, or from suckers.
If we look into the method of cutting then you must keep following basic details in mind:
- You need to check that soil has a good amount of nutrients for plants, if not you can add sand to clay earth.
- Cut the leaves from the bottom of the plant. Also, you need to keep in mind to take cuttings or leaves from both male and female plants.
- You need to keep the cuttings outside in moist soil.
- The propagation process will be completed after around 4 weeks.
From Sucker:
If you want to propagate from suckers, so follow the procedure. The taproots will send suckers to the base of the plant, so take these suckers and throw them away from the main root.
Pruning for Diospyros Virginiana Bonsai
Diospyros Virginiana is a low-maintenance Bonsai. But it would be suggested to do light pruning in winters when the sunlight is low. You need to keep a regular check on the sucker, if you find it near your tree then remove it and throw it away. In the initial stages, you can prune the shoots of the young tree for better branching.
Pests and Disease:
There are not any serious diseases or pests you need to worry about, but once you avoid pest infestation you will prevent the disease development. You won’t find any serious disease, but yes, leaf spots can occur which is not very severe. Apart from it, there is a rare fungal disease like crown gall, this can occur when the round branches of trees formed and the spores penetrate through various wounds on the tree. Also, the bark of the tree burst because of which the disease can spread to different trees.
To avoid this infection, you need to make sure that the tree does not get much damaged. Along with that, too much moisture can also be harmful to the trees. You can avoid these conditions by keeping a regular check on the growth and development of trees and checking whether the trees are receiving perfect nutrition or not. The trees can get damaged by certain common pests including raccoons and birds, this won’t be a big issue for you.