I spoke with Kum English today and one topic that came up was on 'Prok'. He said that 'Prok' is a seedling of the hybridization between Diospyros virginiana xkaki in a breeding program in NY - I forgot who he explained developed it. I guess then that would include the sister cultivar: 'Korp'. I think that maybe it was the work of John 'Nut' Gordon. Does anyone know some more about this, or know anything to the contrary? It's a disappointment to me since I was searching for what would be the very best-tasting yet also large true American persimmon. Then perhaps it would be the Claypool I-94A, and another great one would be Wes Rice's Osage. Morris Burton would be too small to compete. Chillis, you should contact England's Orchard & Nursery for any/all cultivars of American or hardy Asian Persimmon you would want; ask him if you can have him do a custom graft for you of I-94A or anything you want. He's EXTREMELY knowledgeable and a great guy to be sure. I knew that 'Prok' had to be a hybrid seedling, even if a hybrid crossed with a D. virginiana, subsequently. The fruit, when halved, looks just like a D. kaki. Steve Steve

Which cultivars would be best to be able to take the hot (100ð+ F), dry August heat in Dallas, TX (8a) or just south of that (8b)? http://www.exotickerostliny.cz/en/katalog-rostlin-othermenu-95/tomely-othermenu-85/68-diospyros-virginiana.html "ThereâÂÂs only one condition persimmon ideal to our climate must fulfill - it has to have 90 chromosomes and originate in northern persimmon cultivation areas that have climate similar to Central European climate and microclimates. The second variant with 60 chromosomes is completely useless here, because it lacks the frost hardiness necessary to survive in our region and has too long vegetation period which would only mean that the fruit would never be able to ripen here and the persimmon tree will only hardly survive each winter." Does this perhaps imply that 90 chromosome varieties are cold-hardier and 60 chromosome varieties can take more heat? Because I need the type that can take more heat & drought... http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/pdf/articles/1982-42-4-two-promising-fruit-plants-for-northern-landscapes.pdf "The second race (hexaploid with 90 chromosomes) is thought to represent a more recent evolutionary change. It predomi- nates in areas north and west of the southern Appalachians. This race, which may deserve a separate subspecies rank, is more vigorous, cold hardy, and drought tolerant than the first. D. kaki also has 90 chromosomes, and efforts have been made to obtain an interspecific hybrid." Or are the 90 chromosome type (or Oriental varieties) actually more drought and/or heat-tolerant? Also, a self-fertile type with a taller (vs low & spreading) habit would be nicer.. Here is a link that might be useful: Diospyros virginiana cultivars This post was edited by blakrab on Tue, Mar 25, 14 at 13:23

Thanks for your responses. I just found my tag. My persimmon is Nikita's Gift and it does say it is self pollinating. Yet, for two years in a row the fruit is formed the size of tiny grapes or chickpeas (for reference) and then fall. One year i was away in August and we had a dry spell so i thought it was lack of water. This year not the case and still they all fell. Where can i buy a male and cheap? And another question, i have my tree fenced in from the deer. If i manage to get a male, can i place it outside the fence? Since the male does not bear fruit, will the deer let itbe?

If your concerned about the fruit production just get a male tree then it's size wont matter. David