North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Robert Bruns" <r.fred.bruns@gmail.com>]

Like Jerry, I live in Zone 5b, and with one exception none of my Kakis has lasted more than a couple of winters.  The exception is Yamagaki, which has survived six winters now.  The name means "mountain persimmon", so it may come from a colder environment than other kakis.  It lost most of its new growth the first winter, but in subsequent winters it has had only mild tip damage.  Every autumn there seems to be a race whether the new growth will harden off before it gets damaged by a hard freeze.  The last several autumns have stayed mild for a long time, so my tree may have been lucky the last few years.

 

Yamagaki was listed by Edible Landscaping as a pollinator that also bears fruit.  Mine hasn't flowered yet, so I can't comment on the fruit quality.  Edible Landscaping no longer lists it in the catalog, but I would bet they still keep the tree as a pollinator.

 

Fred Bruns

Central Indiana

On Sun, May 4, 2008 at 2:38 PM, Richard Moyer <ramoyer@gmail.com> wrote:

Bass,

Pomona had 1-2 articles recently on kaki culture in Maryland.  I think by Bill Preston.  He spoke at a recent NAFEX annual meeting. 

Bill's credentials with this fruit are highlighted here:

http://www.americanfarm.com/TopStory10.23.07b.html

Jim Shanks, Emeritus at U of MD, wrote an extension publication summarizing decades of observations on this fruit, Preston volunteered (carried?) this project for years.  This publication is still available through Mike Newell, at the Wye Research and Extension Center.  Contact him at 410-827-7388.  They've had most commercial success with kakis in Eastern Maryland, but they also evaluated trees in Western Maryland.  The survivors at the site in Western Maryland may be best for you in PA, as they made it through several winters with subzero temps.  The cultivars and the minimum temps they survived (while fully dormant) are in the publication.  Judging from my previous conversations with him, Preston would be glad to advise you.

 

Also, Mike McConkey in Afton, VA (www.ediblelandscaping.com) has extensive experience cropping kakis, as do some of his customers. Mike can comment on cultivars best for your area; Q&A such as this are often archived at his website above.  Mike notes that hard spring freezes, such as Easter 2007, can take out kakis that survive minus 10 while fully dormant in their native Asia.

 

Please contact me offlist if you have trouble finding the above info or sources.

 

Richard Moyer

NE TN/SW VA

 

 

 

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