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Persimmon 'Saijo'

7-Gallon

Height: 12-15 feet tall.
Spread: 10-12 feet.
Sunlight: Full sun.
Hardiness Zone: 6a.
Other Names: Diospyros kaki 'Saijo'

Description:
A highly prized Japanese persimmon variety, 'Saijo' is known for its exceptional sweetness and high-quality fruit. It produces medium-sized, elongated orange fruit with a honey-like flavor and smooth texture when fully ripe. This cold-hardy, disease-resistant variety is an excellent choice for home orchards and edible landscapes.

Edible Qualities:
Persimmon 'Saijo' is an astringent variety, meaning the fruit must fully ripen and soften before eating. Once ripe, it develops a rich, sweet flavor with a jelly-like texture.

The fruit is most often used in the following ways:
- Fresh Eating
- Drying
- Baking
- Jams & Preserves

Features & Attributes:
Persimmon 'Saijo' features lush green foliage throughout the growing season, turning shades of yellow and orange in fall. The tree produces small, delicate yellow flowers in spring, followed by an abundant fruit set in late fall. Its upright growth habit and ornamental appeal make it an excellent addition to edible landscapes.

This is a deciduous tree with an upright, slightly spreading growth habit. It is self-fertile, though planting another persimmon nearby can improve fruit production.

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Persimmon 'Saijo' is suitable for the following landscape applications:
- Small Orchards
- Home Gardens
- Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing:
Persimmon 'Saijo' will grow to be about 12-15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10-12 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3-4 feet from the ground. It grows at a moderate rate and, under ideal conditions, can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but benefits from occasional deep watering during dry spells. Minimal pruning is needed, primarily to shape the tree or remove dead or crossing branches. A layer of mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.

Additional Characteristics:
- Self-Fertile
- Highly Sweet & Flavorful Fruit
- Cold Hardy
- Attractive Fall Foliage
- High-Yielding