I've never tried it with persimmon, but it *might* be worth a try if
someone is committed to trying to do 'own-root' persimmons - though,
they're so easy to graft, I can't really see the allure in doing it.
Pre-callusing.
Around the first of August, select vigorous shoots, and at the point where
the current year's growth commenced, make a stab incision all the way
through the stem with a penknife, grafting knife, etc. Insert a wooden
toothpick to hold the incision open; the wound will callus in - the callus
is meristematic material that can give rise to roots, if necessary.
Then, anytime between November and budbreak in the spring, collect
cuttings, with the callused wound near the basal end, remove the toothpick,
if possible, dip in your choice of rooting hormone, and stick in the
appropriate rooting medium.
I've had pretty good transplant survival, with 2 & 3-yr old seedlings,
grafted in the nursery bed, but as Jerry indicated earlier, it would be
even better to start a seedling in it's desired spot, and then graft to a
superior fruiting variety when it reaches suitable size - usually the
second season.