Since we’re paying close attention to persimmon leaves, let me add a bit more to the mix. It seems that leaf shape can vary depending on the growth phase - the left and right photos show the same tree.
2025 graft #1(Dar Sofiyivky scion sourced from Darrel):
2025 graft #2 (Dar Sofiyivky scion sourced from Darrel):
2024 graft (Dar Sofiyivky):
Wow Darrel must screw up his scions all the time! 
In all seriousness I think this shows the whole leaf shape debate is much ado about nothing
@Fusion_power is a pretty amazing guy but clearly those must be 40 different persimmons hahahaha. I have found hybrids in general do much more leaf shape changing in the plant world.
Exactly! Only the actual fruit will show whether we have the real DS or not.
Absolutely, no doubt about that. He was so generous to send us DS scions, even at the cost of delaying fruiting of his own tree. I really appreciate that.
My DS last year had leaves like what @tonyOmahaz5 shows above. This year, they look like this. I did not lose the graft, but it decided to be “different” this year.
Hello!
A view from above of our Dar Sofiyivka persimmon, which we have bent down to the grape trellis this season to create shade in the yard. As you can see in the photo, the tree is trying to develop naturally, knocking out vertical shoots (fatty tumors), this season we have already cut out the first wave of such vertical branches. Mykolaiv, Ukraine.
Yes indeed he is a pretty amazing guy! He was so kind to share with other 24 people besides me a cutting from his little tree to the point that it almost didn’t have no limbs left. Who else would have done something like this? All he wanted was trying to help us getting this variety regardless of.
I personally I’m grateful to him for sharing that scion with me because regardless what variety it is it could probably be the real thing or something even better, you never know. So I’m glad that I give him a spot on my orchard and can’t wait to sample its fruits someday so thanks Darrel.
I wish my trees looked as healthy as yours, Tony!
You inspired me to check my hybrids as well. Took photos of the red ones.
These are new grafts from mid June. Most got attacked by Japanese beetles. 
No red: Kasandra, J2-02, Dr Kazas
With Red: Sosnovskaya, Dar Sofiyivky***, Chuchupacka, V. Derevyanko, Succulent, Journey
***(Tim Lane source, may not be legit D.S.)
Journey:
Succulent:
V. Derevyanko:
Chuchupacka:
***Dar Sofiyivky:
Sosnovskaya:
Natalia Derevyanko is a daughter of Vasil.
She is not so much involved in the breeding as in the marketing.
I got a couple of grafts of Dar Sofiyivky going. Only several flowers on it this spring, a couple still holding on. My source of DS is from another grower, not the same source as many on this forum.
I shared scions from my trees with a few GF members the past winter so it should be well distributed in another year or so.
The leaves on DS are glossy and tend to curl, especially when the conditions are dry.
Your’s is looking legit Stan. Too bad my graft just sitting there with out any bud push but alive though.
Tony
@SteadyStan
I’m glad you got the real deal. You’re going to be real popular come trading time.
I received a stick with four tiny buds on it of “The Imposter” in ‘23. And was glad to get it after searching so long. Buy now I have made way too many copies. Guess I placed my bets on the wrong hand.
Trying to look at the bright side:
They’re the fastest growing variety I have.
They’re female.
The last to bloom.
Maybe the fruit will be good.
Maybe the seedlings will be fast growing and become good rootstock.
Maybe I’m kidding myself but there’s no sense crying over spilled milk.
These guys are in there second leaf, estimated 16’ tall.
And fruiting like this.
I’m back to where I was at the beginning of this post. ISO
JCW
Even those your DS fruits don’t look like Stan DS but they looked great. Hopefully they tasted good, cold hardy , and early ripened then we all will the fastest growing DS#2 with no complaints. I got 3 DS#2 right now. Hopefully the real DS scion Stan traded with me will take. The graft just sitting there and still alive and not dried up.
Tony
Interesting looking leaves of Jerry Lehman original Prok at his farm x open pollinated. One of its kind.
6 foot JT-02 on second growth flushed.
Very promising Nikita #4 from Cliff x Rossy male survived -18F. Growing real fast from a seed last May. 5 foot tall now.
Prok x Jerry Lehman 400-5 cold hardy -24F
Tony
It looks like @Ruben‘s tree is also a true Dar Sofiyivky. So Cliff England has the real deal.
There are at least a couple other nurseries that have the true Dar Sofiyivky but they haven’t made it available yet and I don’t want to speak for them.
I will charmed in with Cliff here to see where he got his Dar S. from. I thought his and Dax are from the same source from Timothy Lane and the rest of Dax rare Kakis are from Christopher in Europe. @KYnuttrees
Tony
Tony
Actually, ours came from Tim and From Chris in France but all 4 of ours have the Kaki Characteristics of Kaki and NOT the Virginiana Long Narrow Leave
Farm 1-2-3 in order os Planted Scion wood June 2025.pdf (1.8 MB)
There will be some changes Made on pages 16 thru 25 but those Changes will be Minor in comparison to the Overall list as we have had to do a Crop report for the USDA and just thru the attached document together for the report
Thanks Cliff for the report. We are still puzzling how Dax got his scions from Tim and the final product ended up looking like DV long leaves with reddish young leaves and yours had more Kaki leaves. There must be an error when collecting the scions imo.
Tony
Tony, Tim Lane has stated he has Dar Sofiyivky from several different sources at least 2 of which are not correct. As an interim step, I’m going to see if I can get someone to ship known correct scions to me this winter.
