Diospyros virginiana

Diospyros virginiana rootstock – American persimmon is a reference rootstock for kaki, Diospyros kaki, especially suited to cold regions.

Native to North America, it is valued for its very good cold hardiness, natural vigour and strong rooting. It is particularly suitable for deep, loose and well-drained soils.

This rootstock has strong to very strong vigour, with a deep taproot system that gives good anchorage. Once established, it also offers good resistance to dry conditions.

Diospyros virginiana is generally compatible with most common kaki varieties, including both astringent and non-astringent types. Fruiting is usually slower than on Diospyros lotus.

Its cold resistance is excellent, around -25 °C, making it a good choice for cold or continental climates and for durable orchard planting.

It has medium tolerance to limestone and should be planted in soil that does not remain waterlogged, as sensitivity to root asphyxia can be medium to high.

Compared with Diospyros lotus, Diospyros virginiana is more vigorous, hardier and more deeply rooted, but usually gives a slower start to fruit production.

It is also used in breeding work for interspecific hybrids between Diospyros kaki and Diospyros virginiana.

Plants are supplied as seedling rootstocks, usually one or two years old, always in pot or root ball, with winter dispatch.