Izu: flavour and growing
Compact, relatively early, edible when firm.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
- Position
- A warm, sunny, sheltered garden; assess fruit ripening and winter survival as separate requirements.
- Pollination
- Fruit set differs by cultivar and type. Choose a verified fruit selection and ask about the pollination needs of that exact plant.
- Harvest
- Izu/Jiro/Fuyu are non-astringent types edible while firm; let Russian Beauty and Nikita's Gift become completely soft.
What makes Izu special?
Compact, relatively early, edible when firm.
Flavour and kitchen
Soft types can resemble apricot. Astringency and the firmness at which fruit is edible vary by cultivar.
This describes the species' flavour; a separate flavour description for this variety has not yet been confirmed.Soft types can resemble apricot. Astringency and the firmness at which fruit is edible vary by cultivar.
Growing and harvesting this variety
A warm, sunny, sheltered garden; assess fruit ripening and winter survival as separate requirements.
Izu/Jiro/Fuyu are non-astringent types edible while firm; let Russian Beauty and Nikita's Gift become completely soft.
Choose your way to grow
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Een beschutte fruitplek kiezen
Kies een warme zonnige plaats met ruimte voor de volwassen kroon.
- Kies een warme zonnige plaats met ruimte voor de volwassen kroon.
- Check the exact cultivar and whether it should be eaten firm or soft.
- Water a newly planted tree during drought and limit competing growth around the trunk.
- Consider winter survival and ripening separately: a living tree does not guarantee a ripe harvest.
Choose a cultivar and space that suit this approach.
Het juiste eetmoment volgen
Lees eerst of jouw ras hard eetbaar is of zacht moet worden.
- Lees eerst of jouw ras hard eetbaar is of zacht moet worden.
- Keep sound harvested fruit separate by cultivar.
- Record changes in colour and softness.
- Taste the cultivar only at the appropriate ripeness stage; compare texture and astringency rather than treating all orange fruits alike.
Choose a cultivar and space that suit this approach.
Why grow this species in your garden?
With persimmons, the first choice is how you want to eat them: firm or completely soft. The variety must specify that characteristic, otherwise you may taste an astringent fruit at the wrong time. A warm spot and enough autumn time are part of the experiment.
Flavour and use
Soft types can resemble apricot. Astringency and the firmness at which fruit is edible vary by cultivar.
A suitable spot
A warm, sunny, sheltered garden; assess fruit ripening and winter survival as separate requirements.
Pollination and tree size
Fruit set differs by cultivar and type. Choose a verified fruit selection and ask about the pollination needs of that exact plant.
Distinguish Diospyros kaki from hybrids with D. virginiana.
Different ways to grow
Choosing a sheltered fruit spot: Choose a warm, sunny position with room for the mature crown. Check the exact cultivar and whether it should be eaten firm or soft. Water a newly planted tree during drought and limit competing growth around the trunk. Consider winter survival and ripening separately: a living tree does not guarantee a ripe harvest.
Following the right eating stage: First read whether your cultivar can be eaten firm or needs to soften. Keep sound harvested fruit separate by cultivar. Record changes in colour and softness. Taste the cultivar only at the appropriate ripeness stage; compare texture and astringency rather than treating all orange fruits alike.
Care and pruning
Maintain an easily accessible crown and remove damaged wood; choose the pruning approach for the specific tree form.
Harvesting at the right time
Izu/Jiro/Fuyu are non-astringent types edible while firm; let Russian Beauty and Nikita's Gift become completely soft.
Turn your space into a garden for experimenting
Allow space for the mature tree, not just the plant currently in the pot. The cultivar determines part of your fruit choice; the rootstock and tree form also help determine how much space the tree needs. Draw the crown, harvesting reach and support on your garden plan. Before buying, check whether a suitable pollinating partner is needed and whether one actually flowers nearby.
Where necessary, support a young tree with a suitable stake and a wide, soft tie. Do not let the tie rub or constrict the tree, and check it as the trunk and crown grow. Water must reach the root zone; a small wet patch on the surface does not tell you whether the rootball has enough moisture. Take care when planting and follow the species instructions for the correct planting depth.
Keep samples of the different cultivars separate. Record picking ripeness, eating ripeness, texture and the preparation you used. Fruit that tastes pleasant straight from the tree may behave differently in a pie or during storage. For perennial plants, your own flowering and harvest observations are more useful than a fixed countdown from the planting date.
Which flavour would you like to discover?
Izu: Compact, relatively early, edible when firm.
Jiro: Smaller tree; edible when firm.
Fuyu: Sweet, edible when firm; late ripening.
Nikita's Gift: Hybrid; eat when soft.
When and how should you prune?
Maintain an easily accessible crown and remove damaged wood; choose the pruning approach for the specific tree form.
A young plant needs shaping; an established one needs maintenance and gradual renewal. First consider which branches you want to keep. Use clean, sharp tools and avoid unnecessary large wounds. A pruning check does not mean cutting every time.
My vegetable garden shows a suitable check for confirmed pruning periods. A variety-specific period takes precedence over the general species period. Planned and finished crops receive no pruning task; no European calendar is applied without a confirmed location.
Read the evidence behind the pruning approach →What you need
Tick what you already have. The extras depend on how you grow.
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Make it your garden
Save your favourite variety or add it to My garden. Your own observations determine the growth stage; care tasks are based on the species.
Place Izu in my gardenExplore more in fruitbomenSources and image information
SeedSteps editorial team · checked on 12 October 2026. Flavour descriptions come from the listed sources; ripeness and growing conditions affect flavour. AI images illustrate described characteristics and do not prove cultivar identity.
- extension.usu.edu · persimmonextension.usu.edu · 2026-10-12
- Kwekerij De Zoetewei · Fruit kaki.phpKwekerij De Zoetewei · 2026-10-12