Why Are My Persimmon Leaves Curling?

Drought stress

Drought is the most common cause of leaf curl on persimmon in UK cultivation, particularly in container-grown trees. Established garden persimmons have a deep taproot and are remarkably drought-tolerant; they are grown without irrigation in very dry Mediterranean climates. Container-grown persimmons, however, have a restricted root volume and can dry out quickly in hot weather, causing the large leaves to curl upward and inward along their length and eventually yellow and drop. Young, recently transplanted garden trees are also more susceptible to drought stress than established specimens.

What to do

• Water container-grown persimmons generously in spring and summer, allowing the compost to become only slightly dry between waterings. Apply a deep bark mulch around garden-grown trees to retain soil moisture. Young transplanted trees need watering during their first two or three summers until they establish. Established garden persimmons rarely need watering except in exceptional droughts.

Scale insects

San Jose scale (Diaspidiotus perniciosus) and soft scale species affect persimmon in UK gardens, particularly on trees trained against warm walls (where the sheltered microclimate favours scale populations). San Jose scale appears as small, circular, greyish discs on the bark and can also colonise fruit skin; infested wood may show reddish discolouration around the feeding sites. Soft scale appears on leaves and stems as flat, oval bumps, producing honeydew and sooty mould. Heavy scale infestations weaken the tree progressively, causing branch dieback and leaf curl and drop.

What to do

• Apply a winter tar wash or horticultural mineral oil to dormant branches in late winter to smother overwintering scale eggs and juveniles. Scrub active scale off stems with a toothbrush and insecticidal soap during the growing season. Introduce parasitoid wasps (Aphytis melinus for hard scale, Metaphycus helvolus for soft scale) in a heated greenhouse setting. Improve air circulation around wall-trained trees by pruning congested growth.

Red spider mite

Red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) can affect persimmon in warm, dry summers or on container-grown trees in dry indoor conditions. It produces pale, bronze or yellow stippling on the upper leaf surface and fine webbing on the undersides; infested leaves lose their healthy, glossy appearance, yellow, and curl downward. Spider mite is more of a problem on container persimmons kept indoors than on garden trees, where natural predators and rainfall help keep populations in check.

What to do

• Mist the foliage regularly in hot, dry conditions. Introduce Phytoseiulus persimilis predatory mites as soon as spider mite is detected. Treat with insecticidal soap for faster knockdown if the infestation is severe. Move container trees outdoors in summer where fresh air, occasional rain, and natural predators reduce mite pressure significantly.

Cercospora leaf spot

Cercospora leaf spot (Mycosphaerella nawae in persimmon) causes small, angular, brown to grey spots on the upper surface of persimmon leaves, bounded by the leaf veins. As the disease progresses, the spots merge; the surrounding leaf tissue yellows, and the leaf curls and drops prematurely. Severe infections can cause significant early defoliation, reducing fruit quality and next year's cropping potential. Cercospora is favoured by warm, wet summers and is most problematic in the south of England in wetter years.

What to do

• Collect and destroy fallen leaves in autumn to remove overwintering spores. Improve air circulation around the tree by pruning congested branches. Apply a copper-based fungicide spray at bud break and repeat at 14-day intervals during wet conditions. Avoid overhead watering.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my persimmon leaves curling?

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) leaves curl most commonly in the UK because of drought stress, scale insect infestation, red spider mite, or Cercospora leaf spot disease. Drought stress causes the large, glossy leaves to curl upward and inward along their length; container-grown persimmons are significantly more susceptible than established garden trees. Scale insects cluster on the bark, branches, and leaf undersides, extracting sap and producing honeydew that supports sooty mould, causing the leaves to yellow and curl. Red spider mite affects persimmon in warm, dry conditions, producing pale stippling and fine webbing. Cercospora leaf spot causes angular, brown to grey spots; affected tissue dies and the leaf curls and drops.

Can I grow persimmon in the UK?

Yes, Asian persimmon (Diospyros kaki) can be grown in the UK, particularly in sheltered gardens in the south and west of England. Modern cultivars are reasonably frost-hardy (to about -15°C for established trees), though late spring frosts can damage new growth and flower buds. Persimmon is deciduous, losing its leaves in winter and producing an extraordinary autumn display of large, orange-red fruits on bare branches. Fruit production is possible in warm years with a sheltered position. Non-astringent persimmons (such as 'Fuyu') that can be eaten firm ripen earlier and are generally better suited to UK conditions than astringent types requiring full softening.

Why are my persimmon fruit dropping?

Persimmon fruit dropping before ripening in the UK is most commonly caused by drought stress, pollination failure, low summer temperatures, or physiological June drop. Drought stress is the most common cause; the large fruits have a high water demand and water stress during early fruit development triggers fruit shed. June drop is a natural process where the tree self-thins its crop; some fruit drop in summer is normal. Low summer temperatures can trigger early drop if the fruit cannot reach maturity before the first frosts. Plant two different cultivars to improve pollination and fruit set.

When does persimmon fruit ripen in the UK?

Persimmon fruit in the UK ripens from October to November in a good year. Non-astringent cultivars such as 'Fuyu' ripen earliest (October in a warm year in southern England) and can be eaten firm. Astringent cultivars such as 'Hachiya' ripen in October to November and must be completely soft before they are palatable; if not fully ripe before the first frosts, they can be harvested and ripened indoors. In the north of England and Scotland, persimmon fruit is unlikely to ripen outdoors in most years; greenhouse growing extends the season. Fruit left on the tree after leaf fall is a striking ornamental feature and a traditional sight in Japanese gardens.