Q. Our persimmon tree has its first crop of fruit, but we don’t know when it should be harvested. How can we tell when the fruit is ready to pick?
A. The persimmon tree does double-duty in the garden. It bears reliable crops of tasty fruit late in the year when most other deciduous fruit trees have been picked clean, and its leaves turn brilliant hues for stunning fall color.
If your persimmon tree is the native American persimmon, Diospyros virginiana, the fruit may be allowed to ripen while still on the tree, or it may be picked when it is well‑colored but firm and allowed to soften indoors. With this type of persimmon, you want to be sure the fruit is fully ripe; I can assure you that biting into an astringent under-ripe persimmon is a memorable, startling experience.
However, if your tree is the Oriental persimmon, Diospyros kaki, the fruit is meant to be eaten while firm. This persimmon is non‑astringent and may be harvested when its color changes from green to reddish yellow. Regardless of the type of persimmon grown, be sure to cut the fruit from the tree to prevent damage because the fruit is very firmly attached to the tree.
Q. Last year my azaleas bloomed very well, but this year there were very few flowers. They receive good care all year and were nicely pruned and shaped during the winter pruning season. What is the problem?
A. Your azaleas were pruned at the wrong time of year. Azaleas usually require very little pruning, but when it is necessary, pruning should be done soon after the blooming period has ended in late spring. You can continue to do some simple shaping by pinching tip growth through July, but no later. This is because azalea shrubs start developing their flower buds in late summer, prior to the spring flowering season. You don’t want to risk removing any of the flower buds that will ultimately grow into the colorful blossoms of spring.
