Overwintering Persimmon Seeds and Acorns

[tlh2865]

Howdy all, Ive got some persimmon seeds I want to plant in the spring, but Im not sure what do with them until then. I intend to pot them this spring, I just don't know where to store them, whether to remove all of the fruit from them etc.
Same thing goes with acorns, do they need to be stored in some specific way?
Thank you for your time.

 

[dogdoc]

I don't collect my persimmons from the actual fruit. I have so many trees I just go along and collect the seeds from the coyote scat on the trails of my place. But yes, you want to get all the fruit pulp off the seed. If you don't the seeds will mold. Clean seeds really well and then dry. I just store my persimmon seeds in the fridge. After I clean them well and dry them I put them in a ziploc baggie then give one quick mist from a water spray bottle then put in the fridge. I have never had any problem with mold. I do the same thing with my acorns. The persimmons need about 60 days of cold stratification. Since you collected directly from fruit then they will need a mechanical scarification also. Rubbing each seed on some sandpaper will do the trick---this will just improve the germination. The seeds collected from scat have already been scarified from the acid in the animals belly.

good luck
todd

 

[Fish]

Ive done the same with persimmons. Playing with poo. But it works well.
I store persimmon and oaks in slightly moistened potting mix in the fridge. Has never let me down.
Ive also stored with a spritz of water only like Doc said and no problems.

 

[Goldentriangle]

Doc, do you scarify the seeds before you put them in the fridge for the winter or is this something you do right before planting?


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[Heart shot]

When is the best time to collect acorns? While still in the tree or after they have fallen?

 

[catscratch]

When is the best time to collect acorns? While still in the tree or after they have fallen?

I "like" to get them from the tree. The longer they are on the ground the more chance it seems that they dry out or get worms.

 

[mattpatt]

On a persimmon seed there is a shiny membrane that encases the seed. Be sure and peel that off. The seed should be a dull brownish color when ready for storage in the fridge.

 

[T-Max]

I have seen that red oak acorns need 30-90 days cold stratification. If I collect acorns now and store them in the fridge does that mean they will sprout a root radicle in 30-90 days? And if they do, what are the consequences of not planting them right away (since I would like to direct seed in the spring?)

 

[dogdoc]

I have seen that red oak acorns need 30-90 days cold stratification. If I collect acorns now and store them in the fridge does that mean they will sprout a root radicle in 30-90 days? And if they do, what are the consequences of not planting them right away (since I would like to direct seed in the spring?)

I doubt they will germinate. I have some reds left over from last year so they have been in the fridge for a year and about a 1/4 of them have very small radicles.

 

[T-Max]

I doubt they will germinate. I have some reds left over from last year so they have been in the fridge for a year and about a 1/4 of them have very small radicles.

That sounds promising. My apologies tlh2865 for hijacking the thread...

 

[Benja]

On a persimmon seed there is a shiny membrane that encases the seed. Be sure and peel that off. The seed should be a dull brownish color when ready for storage in the fridge.

Mattpatt,

How do you recommend removing this shiny membrane from each persimmon seed? And what do I risk by leaving it on the seed?

 

[dogdoc]

Mattpatt,

How do you recommend removing this shiny membrane from each persimmon seed? And what do I risk by leaving it on the seed?

I soak the seeds then dry them with a paper towel or old dish towel. When I am drying them the membrane will usually Come right off. If you dont you have a higher chance with mold issues during the cold stratification period.

 

[Redneck]

I just cleaned 200 persimmon seeds, I picked the persimmons off the tree, squeezed all the seeds from the fruit, let the seeds set on a paper plate for a day so the pulp would dry then you can scrape your finger nail across the seed and the membrain will peel off. I then soaked the seeds in water to wash off any thing left on them and dried them with a towel. I put mine in a damp paper towel wrapped in a ziplock bag and stick in the fridge. I will scarify the seeds right before planting.

 

[Benja]

While in Virginia last weekend I found two healthy old persimmon trees and harvested a bunch of the ripe fruits I found below them. I dumped them into a bucket and hosed them down very strongly, dumping the pulp and scum off the top, repeating this five (or more) times. Finally, I filled the bucket with water and left it soaking in the shade under my porch for a few days.

Pre-yesterday I gave the bucket another five (or so) rounds of high pressure spraying, dumping the pulp off the top. After this, some persimmons were still nearly whole, so I reached into the bucket and smashed them in my hand. This process removed nearly all the pulp and floater seeds. I cleaned the remaining pulp off all the seeds by hand, rinsed them clean and then dried them on a paper towel overnight.

So, what next? The seeds are very smooth, shiny and healthy looking. Should I remove that shiny layer? So far I removed the pulpy fruit flesh and the stringy pulp pocket that hold the seeds. I scratched the shiny seeds with fingernails and knife to reveal a dull surface below. I don't have pictures of the scratched and unscratched seeds, but I'll try to post one to quickly describe what I took so many English words to say.

 

[dogdoc]

Doc, do you scarify the seeds before you put them in the fridge for the winter or is this something you do right before planting?


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Mine are already scarified. I don't collect fresh fruit. I collect them all from critter scat. Passing through the critters GI track does the job.

 

[dogdoc]

While in Virginia last weekend I found two healthy old persimmon trees and harvested a bunch of the ripe fruits I found below them. I dumped them into a bucket and hosed them down very strongly, dumping the pulp and scum off the top, repeating this five (or more) times. Finally, I filled the bucket with water and left it soaking in the shade under my porch for a few days.

Pre-yesterday I gave the bucket another five (or so) rounds of high pressure spraying, dumping the pulp off the top. After this, some persimmons were still nearly whole, so I reached into the bucket and smashed them in my hand. This process removed nearly all the pulp and floater seeds. I cleaned the remaining pulp off all the seeds by hand, rinsed them clean and then dried them on a paper towel overnight.

So, what next? The seeds are very smooth, shiny and healthy looking. Should I remove that shiny layer? So far I removed the pulpy fruit flesh and the stringy pulp pocket that hold the seeds. I scratched the shiny seeds with fingernails and knife to reveal a dull surface below. I don't have pictures of the scratched and unscratched seeds, but I'll try to post one to quickly describe what I took so many English words to say.

Yes, you want to remove the shiny membrane.

You can manually scarify the seeds prior to planting with sandpaper.

 

[Benja]

I appreciate all this input. In the picture below, I scratched the shiny skin off these two seeds on the right. Does that look about right?

 

[TreeDaddy]

ok

What are the tricks/methods to get them to germinate?

bill

 

[catscratch]

I appreciate all this input. In the picture below, I scratched the shiny skin off these two seeds on the right. Does that look about right?View attachment 3883

I've scratched the seed coat on persimmon on the edge on one side with good luck. I think what did should be fine but looks like a lot of work. You might try just doing one edge on some of them, I think it lets water in...

 

[dogdoc]

ok

What are the tricks/methods to get them to germinate?

bill

No tricks. Cold stratification and then scarify (if not collected from scat). If you need to scarify then just scrape the side with a knife or sandpaper. Then just plant. Try to plant 1" deep (which will help the seedling pop out of the seed). Takes a good 2 to 3 weeks to germinated.