How to Graft Persimmon Trees: A Step-by-Step Guide

Persimmons are a delicious and nutritious fruit that is native to Asia. They are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber. Persimmons can be eaten fresh, dried, or cooked. They can also be used to make jams, jellies, and other preserves.

Grafting is a technique that is used to join two plants together so that they grow as one. This can be done to create new varieties of plants, or to improve the quality of existing plants. Grafting persimmon trees is a relatively simple process, but it does require some careful attention to detail.

In this article, we will discuss the basics of grafting persimmon trees. We will cover the different types of grafts, the materials and tools that you will need, and the steps involved in the grafting process.

By the end of this article, you will have a good understanding of how to graft persimmon trees. You will be able to create new varieties of persimmons, or improve the quality of your existing trees.

Step	Tools	Instructions
1	Persimmon scionwood	Select a healthy, mature persimmon tree to use as the rootstock. Cut a 6- to 8-inch piece of scionwood from the tree, making sure to include a bud or two.
2	Grafting knife	Make a 45-degree cut on the rootstock, about 1 inch below a bud. Make a matching cut on the scionwood, about 1 inch above a bud.
3	Rubbing alcohol	Wipe the cut surfaces of the rootstock and scionwood with rubbing alcohol to sterilize them.
4	grafting tape	Align the cut surfaces of the rootstock and scionwood, and then wrap them together with grafting tape.
5	Place the grafted persimmon tree in a sheltered location, out of direct sunlight.	Water the tree regularly and keep the soil moist.
6	After about 6 weeks, the graft should have taken hold.	You can then remove the grafting tape.

How to Graft Persimmon Trees?

Choosing the Right Persimmon Trees

The first step in grafting persimmon trees is choosing the right trees. You will need to choose a rootstock and a scion. The rootstock is the tree that will provide the roots for the new tree, and the scion is the tree that will provide the branches and leaves.

There are many different varieties of persimmon trees to choose from. Some of the most popular varieties include:

• Fuyu persimmon (Diospyros kaki)
• Hachiya persimmon (Diospyros kaki var. hachiya)
• Sharon fruit (Diospyros kaki var. sargentii)
• Tanenashi persimmon (Diospyros kaki var. tanenashi)

When choosing a rootstock, you will need to consider the following factors:

• The size of the tree you want to grow
• The climate in your area
• The resistance of the rootstock to pests and diseases

For a small tree, you can choose a dwarf rootstock. For a larger tree, you can choose a standard rootstock. The climate in your area will also affect the type of rootstock you choose. If you live in a cold climate, you will need to choose a rootstock that is resistant to cold weather. If you live in a warm climate, you will need to choose a rootstock that is resistant to heat and drought.

The resistance of the rootstock to pests and diseases is also an important consideration. Some rootstocks are more resistant to pests and diseases than others. You will need to choose a rootstock that is resistant to the pests and diseases that are common in your area.

Preparing the Grafting Stock and Scion

Once you have chosen the right rootstock and scion, you will need to prepare them for grafting.

To prepare the rootstock, you will need to cut a 4- to 6-inch (10- to 15-cm) section of the stem. The cut should be made just below a bud.

To prepare the scion, you will need to cut a 4- to 6-inch (10- to 15-cm) section of the stem. The cut should be made just above a bud.

The rootstock and scion should be cut at a 45-degree angle. The cuts should be made cleanly and smoothly.

Matching the Rootstock and Scion

Once the rootstock and scion have been prepared, you will need to match them. The rootstock and scion should be of the same variety. The rootstock and scion should also be of the same size.

To match the rootstock and scion, you will need to align the cuts so that they are facing each other. The cuts should be snugly fitted together.

Applying Grafting Wax

Once the rootstock and scion have been matched, you will need to apply grafting wax. Grafting wax will help to protect the graft from the elements and encourage it to heal.

To apply grafting wax, you will need to melt the wax in a double boiler. Once the wax is melted, you will need to brush it onto the graft. The graft should be completely covered with wax.

Grafting persimmon trees is a relatively simple process, but it does require some skill and patience. If you follow the steps in this guide, you should be able to successfully graft your own persimmon trees.

Here are some tips for grafting persimmon trees:

• Practice grafting on some spare rootstocks before grafting your own trees.
• Graft persimmon trees in late winter or early spring, when the trees are dormant.
• Keep the grafted trees moist until the graft has healed.
• Water the grafted trees regularly after the graft has healed.
• Fertilize the grafted trees according to the package directions.

With a little care and attention, you can successfully graft your own persimmon trees and enjoy delicious persimmons for years to come.

3. Performing the Graft

There are three main types of grafts that can be used to propagate persimmon trees: T-budding, whip grafting, and cleft grafting. The type of graft you choose will depend on the size of the rootstock and the scionwood.

T-budding is the simplest type of graft and is best used for small rootstocks. To perform a T-bud graft, you will need:

• A sharp knife
• A rootstock seedling that is about 1 inch in diameter
• A scionwood cutting that is about 4 inches long

1. Prepare the rootstock seedling by cutting a T-shaped incision in the bark. The incision should be about 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide.
2. Remove the bark from the center of the incision.
3. Prepare the scionwood cutting by cutting a 45-degree angled cut at the bottom of the cutting.
4. Insert the scionwood cutting into the rootstock seedling so that the cut surfaces are aligned.
5. Wrap the graft union with grafting tape or wax to hold it in place.
6. Keep the graft union moist until the scionwood cutting has taken root.

Whip grafting is a more difficult type of graft that is best used for larger rootstocks. To perform a whip graft, you will need:

• A sharp knife
• A rootstock seedling that is about 1 inch in diameter
• A scionwood cutting that is about 6 inches long

1. Prepare the rootstock seedling by cutting a 45-degree angled cut at the top of the seedling.
2. Prepare the scionwood cutting by cutting a 45-degree angled cut at the bottom of the cutting.
3. Insert the scionwood cutting into the rootstock seedling so that the cut surfaces are aligned.
4. Wrap the graft union with grafting tape or wax to hold it in place.
5. Keep the graft union moist until the scionwood cutting has taken root.

Cleft grafting is the most difficult type of graft and is best used for very large rootstocks. To perform a cleft graft, you will need:

• A sharp knife
• A rootstock seedling that is about 3 inches in diameter
• A scionwood cutting that is about 8 inches long

1. Prepare the rootstock seedling by making a vertical cut in the bark about 3 inches long.
2. Make a horizontal cut at the bottom of the vertical cut to create a cleft.
3. Prepare the scionwood cutting by cutting a 45-degree angled cut at the bottom of the cutting.
4. Insert the scionwood cutting into the cleft so that the cut surfaces are aligned.
5. Wrap the graft union with grafting tape or wax to hold it in place.
6. Keep the graft union moist until the scionwood cutting has taken root.

4. Caring for the Grafted Tree

Once the graft has taken root, you will need to care for the grafted tree as you would any other tree. This includes watering, fertilizing, pruning, and protecting from pests and diseases.

Watering

Persimmon trees need regular watering, especially during the dry summer months. Water the tree deeply once a week, or more often if the weather is hot and dry.

Fertilizing

Persimmon trees should be fertilized in the spring and fall. Use a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen and potassium.

Pruning

Persimmon trees should be pruned in the late winter or early spring. Prune the tree to remove dead or diseased branches, as well as branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other.

Protecting from pests and diseases

Persimmon trees are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases, including aphids, mites, scale, and powdery mildew. To protect your tree from pests and diseases, you can:

• Apply a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to the tree in the spring to kill aphids, mites, and scale.
• Spray the tree with a fungicide to protect it from powdery mildew.
• Keep the tree well-watered and fertilized to help it resist pests and diseases.

Grafting is a great way to propagate persimmon trees. By following these steps, you can successfully graft persimmon trees and enjoy the fruits of your labor for years to come.

How do I graft a persimmon tree?

Grafting is a process by which two plants are joined together so that they grow as one. This is a common way to propagate persimmon trees, as it allows you to take advantage of the desirable traits of two different trees.

To graft a persimmon tree, you will need:

• Two persimmon trees of different varieties
• A sharp knife
• Pruning shears
• grafting tape or wax
• A rooting hormone (optional)

1. Choose two persimmon trees that are healthy and vigorous. The trees should be of similar size and have similar growth habits.
2. Prepare the rootstock tree by cutting a 4-inch section of the trunk. The cut should be made at a 45-degree angle.
3. Prepare the scion by cutting a 4-inch section of the stem. The cut should be made at a 45-degree angle, and the scion should be slightly tapered.
4. Make a matching cut on the rootstock and scion. The cuts should be aligned so that the cambium layers (the layer of cells between the bark and the wood) are in contact.
5. Apply a rooting hormone to the scion if desired.
6. Wrap the graft union with grafting tape or wax.
7. Place the grafted tree in a warm, humid environment. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
8. The graft should take root in about 4-6 weeks. Once the graft has taken root, you can remove the grafting tape or wax.

What are the different types of persimmon grafts?

There are three main types of persimmon grafts:

• Veneer graft: This is the most common type of persimmon graft. It is made by cutting a thin slice of bark from the rootstock and matching it with a thin slice of bark from the scion.
• Whip graft: This type of graft is made by making a long, sloping cut on the rootstock and a matching cut on the scion. The two cuts are then joined together and wrapped with grafting tape or wax.
• Cleft graft: This type of graft is made by making a V-shaped cut in the rootstock. The scion is then inserted into the V-shaped cut and wrapped with grafting tape or wax.

What is the best time to graft persimmon trees?

The best time to graft persimmon trees is in late winter or early spring, when the trees are dormant.

What are the steps involved in grafting persimmon trees?

The steps involved in grafting persimmon trees are as follows:

1. Choose two persimmon trees of different varieties. The trees should be healthy and vigorous, and they should be of similar size and have similar growth habits.
2. Prepare the rootstock tree by cutting a 4-inch section of the trunk. The cut should be made at a 45-degree angle.
3. Prepare the scion by cutting a 4-inch section of the stem. The cut should be made at a 45-degree angle, and the scion should be slightly tapered.
4. Make a matching cut on the rootstock and scion. The cuts should be aligned so that the cambium layers (the layer of cells between the bark and the wood) are in contact.
5. Apply a rooting hormone to the scion if desired.
6. Wrap the graft union with grafting tape or wax.
7. Place the grafted tree in a warm, humid environment. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
8. The graft should take root in about 4-6 weeks. Once the graft has taken root, you can remove the grafting tape or wax.

What are the benefits of grafting persimmon trees?

There are several benefits to grafting persimmon trees, including:

• Grafting allows you to combine the desirable traits of two different trees. For example, you could graft a tree that is resistant to pests and diseases onto a tree that produces large, sweet fruit.
• Grafting can help to improve the growth rate of a tree.
• Grafting can help to improve the fruit quality of a tree.
• Grafting can help to extend the lifespan of a tree.

What are the risks associated with grafting persimmon trees?

There are a few risks associated with grafting persimmon trees, including:

• The graft may not take.
• The grafted tree may not grow as well as a non-grafted tree.
• The grafted tree may not produce as much fruit as a non-grafted tree.

Grafting persimmon trees is a great way to propagate new trees or to improve the quality of existing trees. By following the steps in this guide, you can successfully graft your own persimmon trees and enjoy the fruits of your labor for years to come.

Here are the key takeaways from this guide:

• Persimmon trees can be grafted using either a cleft graft or a whip graft.
• The best time to graft persimmon trees is in late winter or early spring.
• The success of a graft depends on several factors, including the health of the rootstock and scion, the weather conditions, and the skill of the grafter.
• With proper care, grafted persimmon trees will grow into healthy, productive plants that will provide you with delicious fruit for many years to come.