Content
Persimmon Prok was bred specifically for cultivation in regions with cold climates. The culture is grafted onto a frost-resistant rootstock. The American-bred variety is disease-resistant, easy to care for, and produces a high yield. It is popular among gardeners for its taste and fruit size. The variety is suitable for growing over large areas for commercial and production purposes.
Description of persimmon variety Prok with photo
Persimmon Prok grows in the form of a compact tree 2.5–4 m high
Description of culture:
- skeletal branches and central trunk with dark gray bark, intensive shoot formation, young stems with a smooth dark brown surface, with drooping tops;
- the crown is dense, the leaves are bright green, round, alternately arranged;
- flowers are light yellow, bell-shaped, formed from leaf axils, male flowers are collected in racemes, female flowers are solitary;
- cups with five petals.
The fruits of the Prok persimmon are large and bright orange in color. They have the following characteristics:
- round shape, slightly elongated at the bottom;
- weight – 100–180 g;
- the peel is thin, uniformly colored, elastic, tolerates transportation well, does not crack;
- the pulp is dense, fibrous, juicy, light orange;
- dessert variety of persimmon, sweet taste with pronounced aroma, fruits are universal in use;
- the seeds are large, dark brown, flat.
Fruits picked at the stage of technical ripeness ripen well at room temperature
Characteristics of Prok persimmon
The Prok variety is grafted onto the frost-resistant Virginia persimmon rootstock. The crop is recommended for cultivation in the Central, Middle Zone and North Caucasus. In Russia, the optimal climatic conditions for growing Prok persimmon are the southern regions; in the Moscow region it overwinters without damage. If the fruits do not have time to fully ripen before frost, they are removed and sent for ripening.
According to the varietal characteristics, an adult tree of the Prok variety overwinters without damage at a temperature of -25–30 0C, young seedlings require shelter for the root system and crown.
Prok persimmon is classified as early-bearing, the first harvest is harvested in the third year of growth. The tree reaches optimal yield at 5–6 years. It blooms in June, the cycle lasts 10–15 days. Pollination is cross-pollination, the plant contains male and female flowers.
Both types produce fruits, but only females produce seeds if they are pollinated. For Prok persimmon, all dioecious varieties with the same fruiting period and frost resistance, for example, Rossiyanka, Mider, are suitable as pollinators.
Persimmon Prok is not afraid of returning spring frosts due to late flowering; the inflorescences fall off only when there is a lack of moisture
The Prok variety at the genetic level has high immunity to all types of fungal infections.In the cold season, if persimmon is planted in the shade and exposed to the north wind, gray rot may develop. A fungal infection affects the ovaries and fruits.
To avoid problems, properly allocate space for planting. It should be sunny and protected from the wind. In the spring, during the formation of buds, persimmons are treated with “Topsin” for preventive purposes.
For persimmon varieties Prok, scale insects pose a threat. At the first signs of damage, the tree is treated with Karbofos.
Prok is classified as a mid-late variety. The harvest ripens from mid to late October. Fruiting is stable. From a plant that has entered the full reproductive phase, you can harvest up to 80 kg of berries in the southern regions and up to 60 kg in temperate climates.
Advantages and disadvantages
Persimmon Prok is quite popular among gardeners. It is among the top 5 most purchased varieties. Valued for a number of advantages:
- stable yield;
- ease of care;
- pleasant taste, no thiamine in the composition;
- frost resistance;
- long shelf life of berries;
- transportability;
- persimmon is suitable for industrial cultivation;
- versatility in use (consumed fresh, dried, prepared desserts, juice);
- high immunity.
There are no downsides to this particular variety. Like all representatives of culture, Prok does not grow in the shade. Young trees require protection of the root system and crown from frost.
Features of growing Prok persimmon
The Prok variety is propagated by generative and vegetative means. In the first case, purchased seedlings no younger than two years old are used for planting. If the root system is open, it is treated with an antifungal agent before planting.
The place for persimmons is allocated on the south-eastern side; the area should be open during daylight hours.Prok will grow on any type of soil, but full vegetation is possible only on light soils with good aeration, enriched with nutrients. The composition is neutral or slightly alkaline.
Generative propagation is rarely used. It will take two years from the time the seeds are planted to the time they are placed in open ground.
For seedlings, seeds are taken from well-ripened or overripe fruits, each seed is placed in a separate container with a fertile substrate (sand, compost, turf soil in equal parts).
In the southern regions, planting in open ground is carried out in spring (early May) and autumn (in September)
In temperate climates, the procedure is not practiced at the end of the season, since the immature seedling will not survive the winter.
Planting and care
The pit for the Prok persimmon is prepared on the day of the work:
- The planting hole is dug to a depth of 50–60 cm.
- The bottom is covered with drainage.
- Mix compost, fertile soil layer, sand in equal proportions, add ash and nitrogen-containing fertilizer.
- Part of the mixture is poured onto the bottom of the hole and a hill is made.
- Drive in the fixing stake.
- The persimmon is placed on a cone-shaped embankment, covered with the remaining soil mixture, and compacted.
- The hole is filled to the brim, watered, and the trunk is tied to a stake.
- The grafting site is deepened by 10 cm.
After a day, the persimmons are mulched. To prevent the soil from drying out and there is no stagnation of water, water it periodically. During the planting season, the Prok variety does not require fertilizing. The following year, nitrogen-containing products are applied in the spring and fertilized with potassium during the flowering period. When the berries are formed, superphosphate is added.In autumn, feed with complex mineral fertilizer without nitrogen. Organic matter is used in liquid form from spring to early September. The frequency of the procedure is twice a month. In the fall, increase the layer of mulch and insulate the crown with any covering material.
Harvesting and storage
Harvest before the first frost. In the Central zone it is the end of October or the beginning of November. Remove from the tree along with the rigid receptacle (similar to the principle of screwing in a light bulb). The berries are placed in special boxes with insulated cells. Store at a temperature not exceeding +5 0C in a well-ventilated room. Under such conditions, persimmons do not lose their presentation and nutritional value for up to 70 days.
Conclusion
Persimmon Prok is a frost-resistant crop created for growing in areas with cold winters. A variety with stable productivity, dioecious, moisture-loving, full growth is possible only in a sunny area. Persimmon is early-bearing, produces the first harvest at the age of three, ripening is mid-late. The fruits are sweet, without an astringent taste. They are consumed fresh, made into jams, preserves, and juice.
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