North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Elizabeth Hilborn <ehilborn@mebtel.net>]

Thank you. I am wondering if the seedlings are hybrids with D. 
virginiana as the leaves are not as thick and leathery as D. kaki, but 
wider than D. viginiana.

I am hoping that if they are hybrids, it will confer additional winter 
hardiness.

If they are hybrids, are there any special culture methods to follow?

Betsy

On 9/24/2016 10:40 PM, Jerry Lehman wrote:
> On 9/24/2016 3:54 PM, Elizabeth Hilborn wrote:
> > I have some seedlings started from seeds saved from D. kaki fruits. I 
> > have learned on this list that growing these trees up to maturity is 
> > sometimes problematic.
> > Does anyone have suggestions or advice to improve my chances of success?
> >
> > I was planning to overwinter in pots this year and to set out in 
> > permanent sites next spring with the intention of providing vigilant 
> > care.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Betsy Hilborn
> > Zone 7a, NC 
> Hello Betsy,
>
> You're in zone 7a which improves your chances but still not 
> guaranteed. My zone 7 chart says 0 Fahrenheit average minimum low 
> temperature. That's average which means occasionally it can get lower 
> than that and based on my experience kaki winter damage begins at 0 
> and -10 normally spells death. Can you put it on the south side of 
> your home, like only a few feet from your home. I have kept kaki 
> several years 2 feet from the south side of my house and they fruited 
> but when it got the -15 there wasn't enough protection.
>
> Jerry
> __________________