Not many pollinators can bear a good crop…this is one of the best and is called Universal. It is polygamomonoecious, that means it bears male, female and bisexual flowers. Fruits from pistillate flowers can be as large as wild persimmon, but usually are smaller. They are round and flat. Fruits from bisexual flowers are very small and have elongated shape. Fruits rarely form small seeds. They ripen very early and are very sweet and delicious.
Universal flowers over an extended period of one month and thus can pollinate american, hybrid and kaki persimmon. It can be used for breeding new hybrids as it readily crosses with kaki. Few years ago I made a chance cross with Hana Fuyu and the resulting plant is vigorous and hardy, not resembling any of the parents so I am eagerly awaiting the fruits as it looks to be a female.
Hardiness of Universal is on par with 90 chromosome american persimmon.
36 Likes