First persimmon ready for harvest

[Smart Red]

Here's my very first home-grown persimmons. The tree was planted about 10 years ago, but had some damage after the first few years that took the tree down in size. I think the fruit was growing on the MEADER persimmon tree I ordered and not on a root stock but I can't be sure.

In any event, here is the first fruit of my labors -- the sum total of this year's harvest. I have no need to ask how to can, process, jell, or seek recipes for the fruit. Like Steve, I just set, let 'age', and eat.

This does answer the question of whether persimmons can grow in the mid-west.

Persimmons were an un-known fruit (to me) until my travels to the PNW when I had my first taste. I love 'em! That's why I had to try growing them myself. This one is well softened and ready to eat.

 

[thistlebloom]

That's good news for northern persimmon lovers Red. If you can grow one, Steve ought to be able to also.
I wonder why your tree doesn't set a lot of fruit at it's age? Do they bloom early and get frost damage to the blooms maybe?

 

[journey11]

I saw your post on Mary's thread. After ten years in waiting, I definitely wouldn't want to be the bearer of bad news, so I hope yours is a tame variety! Have you eaten it yet? It looks ripe. If it was mostly seeds, then that would be a clue that it could be from the wild rootstock. I looked up Meader online on Stark Bros' site and they described it as a large fruit, but I haven't found a good pic to illustrate what they mean by large. Next year it will hopefully bear well for you since it's just getting started.