Persimmon grafting
🌱 Best Time to Graft Persimmon in Los Angeles
👍 Primary Window (Recommended)
Late winter to early spring — just before the buds begin to break dormancy.
• This is when the tree is waking up, bark begins to slip, and the rootstock’s sap starts flowing — ideal for cambium joining.
In Los Angeles, this typically corresponds to: ✅ Late February through April (spring warming, no frost risk).
Because LA has mild winters, you can begin grafting earlier in this window than in colder climates.
📌 Why: Dormancy plus warming improves callus formation and union success — grafts heal faster and growth starts soon after.
🪴 Alternative Approaches (Experienced Grafters)
Some growers in mild climates (like LA) report grafting a bit later — like late April to May — when the rootstock has leafy emergence yields higher success.
Bark grafting: slightly later (when bark slips easily).
Whip & tongue / wedge grafting: earlier in spring.
Bud grafting (chip/T-bud): sometimes done later when active growth begins.
👉 For beginners, the classic late winter-early spring timing is easiest and most reliable.
✂️ Best Grafting Methods for Persimmons
1. Whip & Tongue Graft
Best if rootstock and scion are similar in diameter.
Provides excellent cambium contact and a strong union.
Great for young trees and small diameter wood.
interwovenpermaculture.com
2. Cleft or Wedge Graft
Good when rootstock is larger than scion.
Simple and widely used in nurseries.
3. Bark Graft
Useful when bark begins slipping in active growth.
Works well on larger branches or top-working existing trees.
4. Chip Bud Graft
A bud instead of a longer scion wood; often done when active growth has started.
Handy when scion wood is limited.
👉 Whip & tongue and wedge/case grafting are most common for persimmons in professional nurseries.
🔧 Step-by-Step (Professional Tips)
-Prepare Scion Wood
Cut healthy 2–4 bud wood from the desired variety while dormant (late winter).
Store in moist medium (wet sand) in refrigerator until graft time.
-Choose Rootstock
Young seedling or existing tree branch of compatible persimmon (Asian or American depending on scion).
-Match Diameters
Scion and rootstock of similar size give the best cambium contact.
-Make Clean Cuts
Use a sharp, sterilized grafting knife.
Make precise •interlocking cuts (whip & tongue), •wedge cuts, or •T-cuts for bark grafts.
-Align Cambium Layers
The cambium (green layer under bark) must touch on both scion and rootstock.
-Seal & Support
Wrap union with grafting tape or parafilm to keep moisture in and pathogens out.
Optionally paint large cuts with wax or wound sealant.
-Keep graft shaded and soil evenly moist.
Remove suckers from below the graft union so energy goes into the new scion.
🌡️ Climate Tips for Los Angeles
No heavy frost means you can graft earlier than in colder zones.
Avoid hottest summer months (heat stress reduces success).
📌 Summary
When to Graft in LA
Late Winter → Early Spring (Feb-Apr)
Why This Timing
Dormant rootstock + beginning sap flow helps union.
Preferred Methods
Whip & tongue, wedge/cleft, bark (when bark slips)
Key for Success
Good cambium contact, wrapped seal, clean tools
Growing Conditions for Fuyu in LA
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6–8+ hours daily)
🌱 Soil
Well-drained soil
Can tolerate clay if drainage is improved
💧 Water
Moderate water
Deep watering, not too frequent
Once established, fairly drought tolerant
❄️ Cold
Handles down to ~15°F
LA winters are no problem
🌳 Pollination
✅ Self-fertile
One tree is enough to produce fruit
✂️ Best Rootstock for LA
Most nursery Fuyu trees are grafted onto:
Diospyros lotus (Asian persimmon rootstock)
or
Diospyros virginiana (American persimmon rootstock)
Both work well in Southern California.
⏰ When Does Fuyu Fruit in LA?
Flowers: April–May
Fruit grows: Summer
Harvest: October–November
You can eat them:
Firm like an apple ✅
Or slightly softened if you prefer
✂️ Grafting Reminder (For Fuyu in LA)
If you plan to graft Fuyu:
📅 Best time: Late February – March
🪵 Best method:
Whip & tongue (young wood)
Cleft graft (top-working older tree)
BEST WAY TO GRAFT FUYU PERSIMMON (HOME & NURSERY METHOD)
🏆 Recommended Method
👉 CLEFT (WEDGE) GRAFT
This is the most reliable and easiest method for persimmon, especially if:
Your rootstock branch is thicker than the scion
You want high success rate
You are not a professional grafter
Most nurseries use this method for persimmon.
⏰ BEST TIME (VERY IMPORTANT)
Late February to March in Los Angeles
✔ Rootstock: just waking up
✔ Scion wood: still dormant
✔ Weather: warm days, cool nights
❌ Don’t graft in summer heat
❌ Don’t graft when scion is already leafing out
🪵 STEP 1: COLLECT SCION (FROM FRIEND’S TREE)
When:
Late winter (Feb)
Early morning is best
How:
Choose 1-year-old wood
Thickness: pencil size
Length: 6–8 inches
Must have 2–4 healthy buds
✂️ Cut clean with sharp pruners
Storage (if not grafting same day):
Wrap in slightly damp paper towel
Put in zip-lock bag
Store in refrigerator (NOT freezer)
🌳 STEP 2: PREPARE ROOTSTOCK
Use persimmon seedling or branch
Diameter: ½–1 inch is perfect
Cut branch straight across
✂️ STEP 3: MAKE THE CLEFT GRAFT
1️⃣ Split the rootstock
Use grafting knife
Split down the center 1–1.5 inches
2️⃣ Prepare the scion
Cut the bottom into a sharp wedge
Two flat sides
Buds pointing up
3️⃣ Insert scion
Insert scion into split
IMPORTANT:
Align cambium layers (green layer under bark)
👉 Even one side aligned is enough
If rootstock is thick → insert two scions, one on each side
🔒 STEP 4: SEAL & WRAP
This step decides success or failure.
Wrap tightly with:
Grafting tape or
Parafilm or
Electrical tape (temporary)
Seal all exposed cuts with:
Grafting wax or
Tree seal or
Melted candle wax (old-school but works)
❌ Do NOT leave exposed wood
🌿 STEP 5: AFTERCARE (CRITICAL)
First 4–6 weeks:
Keep soil slightly moist
Protect from strong sun & wind
Remove all shoots below graft
Success signs:
Buds swell in 2–4 weeks
Leaves appear shortly after
If both scions grow → later keep the stronger one
🚫 COMMON MISTAKES (AVOID THESE)
❌ Grafting in hot weather
❌ Using old or dry scion wood
❌ Poor cambium alignment
❌ Not sealing the graft
❌ Letting rootstock shoots grow
🌟 SUCCESS RATE
With this method in LA:
70–90% success for beginners
Higher if weather is mild
🧠 PRO TIP (From Nurseries)
Morning grafting is best
Cloudy day is perfect
Disinfect knife with alcohol between cuts
✅ SIMPLE SUMMARY
✔ Use cleft (wedge) graft
✔ Graft late Feb–March
✔ Use 1-year wood from fruiting tree
✔ Seal well
✔ Remove rootstock shoots
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