Fuyu Imoto Persimmon
PERSIMMONS
In North America there has been confusion on persimmons. Our native American Persimmon was not very edible so the market production of fruit was slow and the public showed little interest to sample.
Japan and China grew the Asian Persimmons and the Japanese sold them in Europe. By the time these Asian Persimmons arrived in California, the names were mixed, there were new crosses and also rootstock confusion.
Orange County Nursery became the early major persimmon grower for the United States nurseries. The L. E. Cooke bought from Orange County into the 1970's, as did all others. The Orange County owners made trips to Japan to bring back new selections.
California, through UC Davis and the Persimmon Association, brought in Kay Ryugo for most of a year to study all the California persimmons. The persimmon we were and still sell for Fuyu (aka Jiro) Persimmon is what he called a "California Fuyu". No need to change because all farmers know it as Fuyu Jiro.
Unfortunately the first persimmons in the U.S. markets were the American or Hachiya which need to be eaten fully ripe or it was very astringent. Still, even in 2014, people are hesitant to eat a persimmon for fear of the astringency. Persimmons are now well accepted in California, but surprisingly much of the rest of the country still only recalls the puckery experience or heard about the American or Hachiya persimmons. I am amazed at the nursery people who will still not sell a persimmon because of the "bitter" fruit. If you visit the L. E. Cooke Co in the fall, I attempt to have a visitor sample a Fuyu Persimmon. What a surprise when they want to take a box of fruit home.
We brought seven named varieties from Japan to avoid some mixed up confusion in California. Several were lost in travel and quarantine. All were already here so we did not "introduce" any except IMOTO FUYU PERSIMMON. The facts on Fuyu Imoto are basically the same as Fuyu Jiro except a little larger and about 7-10 days earlier. The Imoto selection came from commercial orchardist Mr. Mike Imoto in Lindsay, CA. We grew it for him and he allowed the company to add it to our catalog. I assume Imoto is a California Fuyu sport.
Imoto Persimmon's advantage is slightly larger and earlier fruiting.
The L. E. Cooke Co introduced Fuyu Imoto in 1985.
Bob Ludekens 1-28-2014
Fuyu Imoto Persimmon Information Page - Point of Sale Page