Popular new fruit

Press, 1 November 1985, Page 8

Popular new fruit

Many crops have received close attention in recent years to find out their potential for grower diversification in New Zealand.

Persimmons are among the range of fruit on which attention has been focused, and already they have become a commercially viable proposition. The fruit’s greatest popularity is in Japan and South America at present, with the European market catching up. However despite the apparent sudden awareness of the persimmon it has not been altogether unknown here as can be verified by its presence in some of the older gardens, even here, around Christchurch. .

The genus includes more than 200 species, many of which produce edible fruit. Some species, commonly known as ebony trees, provide excellent wood for furniture making. The fruit is a berry with a smooth skin ranging in colour from reddish to orange, intensity of colour increasing with ripeness. It makes a very attractive sight as it hangs on the sparsely foliaged branches in late autumn. ,

Many of the older varieties unfortunately are also notable for their astringency unless they are

eaten when really ripe, when they will have developed an over-all softness.

Selectivity has now made available far less astringent varieties, and thus this has helped to promote their virtues here.

Native of China and Japan, where it is one of the most popular fruits available, the persimmon, Diospyros kaki, is deciduous and reasonably hardy. Best results have so far

been obtained in areas subject to only light frosts, where warmth, adequate moisture, and reasonably

good soil prevail. Grafted, named varieties are now obtainable and many, such as Fuyu and Tanenashi, are self-fruitful.

Fruit is borne on the early formed current season’s growth, but only light annual pruning is generally recommended, following the formation of a good frame work.