How Do I Plant Persimmon Seeds?

If you are a persimmon lover, you may wish to grow your own trees from persimmon seeds. While it is not especially difficult to cultivate persimmon seeds, it should be noted that doing so normally takes several months, making it a process that requires patience. The first step in growing these seeds is to clean and dry them thoroughly. Then, they must be rested in a cool place such as a refrigerator for several weeks. Next, the persimmon seeds should be potted and encased in plastic until they begin to sprout, and finally planted directly in the soil outdoors.

In order to successfully sprout persimmon seeds, you must begin with seeds that are thoroughly cleaned and dried. If you are using packaged seeds, this step will likely already be taken care of. Should you opt to use seeds which you have taken directly from fresh persimmons, however, you must carefully wash away any bits of pulp that may be clinging to the seeds. After the seeds have been washed, they should be arranged on a paper towel and allowed to dry for several hours or overnight.

Temporary exposure to cold temperatures helps persimmon seeds germinate. Therefore, after the seeds have been cleaned, they must be rested in a cool place such as a refrigerator for approximately three months. To prepare the seeds for this cooling phase, fill a small plastic bag with sand, bury the seeds within the sand, and then seal the bag. Then, simply place the bag in an area of the refrigerator where it will not be easily disturbed, and allow it to rest for around 12 weeks.

After the persimmon seeds have completed the cooling phase, they may be nearly ready to sprout. Fill a small pot with potting soil, remove the seeds from the refrigerator, and push each one approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the soil’s surface. Water the soil so that it is damp but not soaked, and then seal the entire pot inside a plastic bag that has been perforated with air holes. Place the pot in a location that receives indirect sunlight and watch for sprouts poking out of the soil’s surface. If no sprouts appear after two months, the seeds may need to be returned to the refrigerator for another cooling period.

Once the persimmon seeds have sprouted, the pot can be removed from the plastic bag and placed in a location that receives direct sunlight. Allow the sprouted seeds several weeks to develop strong roots and stems. After the roots and stems have been allowed to strengthen, the persimmon seedlings should be planted directly in the soil outdoors, preferably during a period of mild weather.