Chocolate persimmon Korolek: description of the variety, where and how it grows, when it ripens

Korolek persimmon is one of the most common varieties growing in the subtropics of the Russian Federation. The plant was brought from China to Europe back in the nineteenth century, but it was not appreciated for a long time due to the astringency of the fruit. Everything changed after they began to be eaten at their full ripening stage.

Description of the persimmon variety Korolek with photo

Korolek persimmon is often called chocolate or “black apple”. Externally, the tree looks like a cherry and can reach a height of twelve meters. Its leaves are oblong, dark green, lighter on the back. Flowering of Korolek persimmon begins in May. Single bright scarlet buds bloom on the branches. In the phase of full ripeness, the ovaries reach the size of an average apple, their shades range from bright orange to brown. If the berries are unripe, they are tart, with an astringent taste and a slight bitterness. In October, the pulp acquires a creamy structure, a chocolate hue, and becomes sweet.

The shape of the fruit can be round, flattened, slightly elongated, heart-shaped

Frost resistance of Korolek persimmon

Korolek is an oriental type of persimmon. When grown in cold regions, plantings must be covered, since the frost resistance of the plant is low - the trees can withstand temperatures as low as -18 ⁰C.

A bountiful harvest greatly weakens the plants and reduces their winter hardiness. To increase it, special measures should be taken - pruning and fertilizing trees in a timely manner, and young seedlings should be carefully covered in preparation for winter.

Where does Korolek persimmon grow in Russia?

The ancient Greeks called persimmon “food of the gods.” It is grown in Japan, Australia, USA, China, Philippines and Israel. Although the Kinglet is unpretentious in care, it requires a mild climate for full growth and ripening of fruits. In the Russian Federation, the variety is distributed in the Caucasus, Crimea, Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, and Volgograd Region.

When does the Korolek persimmon ripen?

The persimmon season begins after the first frost. In October, when the leaves completely fall from the trees, the fruits ripen. Korolek reaches its ideal taste in November and December. The fruits cease to be viscous and acquire a sweet taste and juiciness.

You can distinguish the most delicious ones by translucent brown pulp, dark spots or stripes on the peel.

Important! If the spots on the Wren fruits are too large and soft, it means they are already spoiling.

In place of the buds in July, rapidly growing ovaries are formed

Composition and benefits of Korolek persimmon

Persimmon is considered a valuable and nutritious product for the human body. This is due to its rich chemical composition, which includes:

  1. Vitamin A – improves vision, strengthens the immune system.
  2. Vitamin C – helps restore tissue and remove radicals.
  3. Vitamin E – has a positive effect on the reproductive system.
  4. Vitamin K – helps strengthen bones and blood clotting.
  5. Vitamin B6 – has a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
  6. Thiamine – essential for muscle and bone growth.
  7. Potassium – helps supply oxygen to the brain, support memory and clarity of thinking.
  8. Copper – ensures normal metabolic processes.
  9. Manganese – promotes the transmission of impulses between cells.

Regular consumption of persimmon has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems. In folk medicine, Korolek persimmon has found wide application. An infusion of the peel is used to treat allergies, the pulp is applied to burns and insect bites, a decoction of the leaves can cleanse wounds of pus, and the juice of the fruit is used for scurvy.

Persimmon fruits are recommended to be eaten for edema, obesity, anemia and vitamin deficiency

Growing Korolek persimmon

You can grow a persimmon tree on your site yourself or by purchasing a ready-made seedling. In the first case, the Korolek variety seed is removed from the fruit, washed and placed in the refrigerator for two months, wrapped in a damp cloth. Before planting, they are treated with a growth stimulator (Epin) and buried 2 cm in a container filled with loose, moist soil (loam or sandy loam). Cover the top with film or glass until shoots appear, removing only for watering or ventilation. After the sprout appears, the shelter is removed and the small seedling is transferred to a place with diffused light.

Important! The process can be greatly simplified if you purchase a ready-made Korolek persimmon plant.

The seedling is grown for two years in a container, after which it is planted in open ground.

Landing

The optimal time for planting persimmons is spring or autumn. In the second case, survival rate is better, but all work must be completed two months before the onset of frost. Choose a healthy seedling, without signs of disease or damage, that is two years old.

It is believed that the lifespan of a persimmon can reach five hundred years, so choosing a place for a tree must be approached responsibly. Persimmon Wren is a tall plant and it is necessary to leave enough space for each, since the feeding area of ​​an adult tree is at least 64 square meters. The best area for it is near a wall or high fence, well lit by the sun, protected from drafts and strong winds. Drained loam is suitable as soil for persimmons. To perform a proper landing, follow the following algorithm:

  1. A hole with a volume of 50-60 liters is dug at the selected location two weeks before planting.
  2. At the bottom, a drainage layer is created from broken bricks, pebbles, and expanded clay.
  3. Humus is poured on top in the form of a mound.
  4. The day before planting, soak the root system of the seedling in a solution of a growth stimulator.
  5. Place it in the center of the planting hole and straighten the roots.
  6. Cover with soil and humus without compacting the soil.
  7. Place a peg nearby and tie the seedling.
  8. Water generously (20 liters of water).
  9. Mulch the soil around the trunk.
Important! The root collar should be buried 5-7 cm.

It should be remembered that Korolek persimmon does not like swampy soils, as they contribute to root rot and plant death. If the site is located in low-lying areas, you need to create an elevation before planting. Heavily fertilized soils are not good for fruit trees.This circumstance can cause excessively rapid growth and inharmonious development of the crown. The further condition of the seedlings depends on the quality of their care.

The first fruits may appear on young trees two years after planting

Rules of care

Persimmon Korolek is an unpretentious plant and does not require labor-intensive care, but responds to care very quickly. Attention should be paid to soil moisture, fertilizing, pruning plants, and protecting them from diseases and pests.

Watering, fertilizing

The wren loves frequent watering in the hot summer, but if it is over-watered, the persimmon can greatly increase its growth, elongate, and bear small, watery fruits. A day after watering, the tree trunk circles must be loosened and mulched with peat, compost or well-rotted manure.

The first feeding is carried out only eight years after planting the Korolek persimmon. Phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied to help plants prepare well for winter, survive frosts, form flower buds, and produce a rich and high-quality harvest. The Kinglet is fed three times a season - at the very beginning of spring, before flowering and in the phase of fruit formation. In addition to applying fertilizers to the soil, you can carry out foliar feeding using potassium iodide.

The tree does not grow well in drafts, in the shade and on the cold side of the site

Preparing for winter

To preserve young Korolek seedlings, it is necessary to ensure their protection from low temperatures. They use cardboard boxes, lutrasil and spruce spruce branches. An additional layer of mulch 20 cm thick will help insulate the persimmon root system.

Trimming

The first shaping haircut is carried out immediately after planting. For this purpose, the central conductor is shortened to 80 cm, which stimulates the growth of skeletal branches.A year later, the trunk is shortened to 1.5 m, the side shoots are lightly trimmed, and damaged branches that grow inside the crown and thicken it are removed.

Disease and pest control

If fruit trees are regularly cared for, they do not get sick. In the absence of proper care, the Korolek persimmon is attacked by mites, caterpillars, foliage, buds and fruits are affected by scab and gray rot. To combat pests and diseases, fungicides and insecticides are used, carrying out at least two treatments per season.

Important! For prevention purposes, it is necessary to regularly carefully inspect trees, care for them, and keep the garden clean.

A distinctive feature of the Korolek persimmon is its chocolate color, sweetness and lack of astringent taste.

Conclusion

Korolek persimmon is one of the most popular varieties among gardeners. This is due to the unpretentiousness of the trees, the excellent taste of the fruits and the ability to grow in different climatic zones.

Reviews of Korolek persimmon

Isakov Ivan, 59 years old, Stavropol
I grew a Korolek persimmon from a purchased seedling. The first two winters it covered well, but the weather was warm and the tree overwintered well. I watered it regularly in the summer - in hot weather at least twice a week. Three years later, I harvested my first harvest - the fruits are large, sweet, and not sticky at all. They ripen late, in November, but the results are amazing.
Krasnova Irina, 48 years old, Volzhsky
I really like persimmon. When we bought the dacha, I immediately planted two Korolek trees. It grows beautifully, requires almost no care, and in the fall the sight is mesmerizing - branches without foliage, but filled with orange fruits, and their taste is beyond praise.

Comments
  1. The tree is 5 years old. In years 3 and 4 it produced relatively large fruits, up to 80 pieces. Knitted. They passed it through the freezer for food. At the same time, the husband removed the excess ovary. This year I removed up to 130 cherry-sized pieces. The mass of fruits is not large, the size of a chicken egg and is absolutely not sticky. A real king with chocolate pulp.

    10/29/2023 at 11:10
    Hope
  2. Does persimmon wren need a pollinator?

    02/25/2023 at 01:02
    Yuri
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