{"product_id":"persimmon-asian-chocolate-bare-root","title":"Persimmon (Asian), Chocolate, Bare Root","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChocolate Persimmon (\u003cem\u003eDiospyros kaki ‘Tsurunoko’\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChocolate is a pollination-variant Asian persimmon grown for rich flavor and cinnamon-brown flesh in pollinated fruit. It can also supply pollen for Coffee Cake, making the pair useful in a planned persimmon planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePollination changes the inside of the fruit\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003ePollinated, seeded fruit develops the characteristic brown flesh and a sweet, spicy flavor. Unpollinated fruit may stay pale inside and remain astringent until fully soft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCheck ripeness rather than relying on the name\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe name describes flesh color, not a chocolate flavor guarantee. If a fruit remains pale or puckery, let it soften fully before eating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eA useful pollen-bearing cultivar\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eChocolate can bear both male and female flowers and is used as a pollen source for Coffee Cake. That makes it different from female-only fruiting cultivars that cannot supply orchard pollen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination Partners\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eChocolate can set fruit without another tree, but pollination influences seed formation, flesh color, and when the fruit loses astringency. It bears pollen-producing flowers and is the recommended partner for \u003ca href=\"\/products\/persimmon-asian-coffee-cake-bare-root\"\u003eCoffee Cake\u003c\/a\u003e; do not assume Coffee Cake reliably supplies pollen back to Chocolate. Cross-pollination depends on overlapping bloom, not matching harvest months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRootstock and Mature Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlan for approximately 15–25 feet at maturity, depending on site and pruning. The offered variant identifies the rootstock; keep the graft union above soil level and remove rootstock suckers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light partial shade; full sun is best for fruiting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e medium to medium-dry, well-drained soil; avoid standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature height:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 15–25 feet; see rootstock and pruning guidance above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late spring; small cream to white flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orange-red skin; pollinated fruit develops cinnamon-brown, rich, sweet flesh; pale fruit may remain astringent until soft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh eating at the appropriate ripe stage, drying, and desserts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRipening:\u003c\/strong\u003e October–November\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChill hours:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 200 hours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Self-fruitful; pollination affects flesh color and astringency. Supplies pollen for Coffee Cake.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA hardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zones 7–10.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGeneral Persimmon Orchard Guidance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eA good start\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose well-drained soil and enough room for the mature tree. Water consistently while roots establish, mulch with space around the trunk, and keep vigorous grass and other competitors away from the young root zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eFertility and fruit-tree guilds\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse a soil test to guide lime and fertilizer rather than feeding heavily by default. Our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tree-planting-kit\"\u003eTree Planting Kit fertilizer blend\u003c\/a\u003e is an optional planting supplement; keep concentrated fertilizer away from bare roots and avoid excess nitrogen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInterested in permaculture and stacking functions around your fruit trees? Explore our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/resources\/transform-your-garden-build-a-fruit-tree-guild-that-practically-grows-itself\"\u003efruit-tree guild guide\u003c\/a\u003e for ideas on combining plants for flowers, ground cover, and mulch while giving your tree room to grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003ePractical pest and disease care\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater young trees consistently and avoid overfeeding; vigorous growth or heavy crops can encourage fruit drop. Prune lightly for structure, remove damaged fruit, and monitor for scale, leaf spots, and browsing. Protect young trunks and support heavily loaded branches as needed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rusty Mangrum","offers":[{"title":"Bare Root \/ 2-3 ft. \/ Standard Rootstock","offer_id":49843433472259,"sku":"TFT-11117","price":44.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1128\/8067\/files\/Persimmon-Asian-Chocolate-Bare-Root-For-Sale.png?v=1792229212","url":"https:\/\/tfcnursery.com\/products\/persimmon-asian-chocolate-bare-root","provider":"The Farm Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}