QUESTION: In fall of 2014 I planted my 3/4" stock Jiro Persimmon into the ground.  This spring it leafed out nicely, however, the leaf color is yellowish, rather than a deep healthy green.  Any suggestions on fertilizing?  Also, what kind of watering schedule is best for my tree. I bought it from Evergreen Nursery in San Leandro.  Thanks,

Lillian

ANSWER:

Normal Spring New Foliage on Fuyu (Jiro) Persimmon

Lillian,

Thank you for your question and thank you for supporting one of our fine retail nurseries. One of the reasons I like persimmons so much (besides the wonderful fruit) are the extra features they bring to the yard.  Some of them, exhibit an attractive spring foliage such as your Fuyu (Jiro).  Others have a pronounced orange fall color.  All have a clean, generally pest free appearance all summer long.  The yellow spring foliage on the Fuyu (Jiro) is normal.  These are photos of some of the trees in our orchard showing the colorful new spring foliage:

So to answer your questions and ease your fears, yellow is normal in the spring - enjoy it.  It should turn darker green in a few weeks.

Fuyu (Jiro) Spring Foliage

The California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG.org) has this page that helps answer your other questions on fertilizing (I would wait a nother month or two first) and watering: Persimmon Care - CFRG.org

More photos of all the other persimmons we grow and any special spring or fall colors can be found here: Persimmon Photos

Ron Ludekens 5-8-2015