I’ve purchased a grafted ‘Garretson’ from Stark’s to set out this Spring in my cool 5A climate.
Last Summer I also grafted a scion from ‘Early Golden’ sourced from England’s Nursery. The variety was originally introduced by Emil Adelbert Riehl (1837-1925) of Alton, IL and despite the name, may be closer to mid-season than super early according to what I’ve read. The scion did take, but I’m not sure yet whether it has survived the Winter. I’m actually more excited about the ‘Garretson’ as my problem is having enough heat to ripen the fruit.
‘Garretson’ is believed to be a seedling of ‘EG’, but a clear history of the variety is hard for me to find. What little I’ve been able to find indicates that it was introduced by a Joel Vale Garretson (1833-1912) of Adams Co., PA. and distributed further by J. F. Jones Nursery. The first published mention of the variety seems to come from the end of the 19th Century. I’m hoping anyone reading this who knows more about its origin will post it here.
As far as some virtues of ‘Garretson’ :
– Prof. J.C. McDaniel (1912-1982) describes it as “one of the choicest of American persimmons hardy to Zone 5” and "matures slightly ahead of ‘EG’, with a slightly smaller but more delicately textured fruit, of a flavor that generally is rated superior to that of ‘EG’.
– Lon J. Rombough (1949-2012) wrote, "While Garretson will produce male flowers fairly often, Killen can go several years without producing any.” (I find this an interesting trait.)
– Prof. George L. Slate (1899-1976) at Geneva, NY reported it as doing well there in a climate very close to mine.