Greetings Everyone!
In 2007 my garden received 3 inches of rain, a low temperature of 24
degrees, and high temperatures of 100.
1. My persimmon tree, which is always loaded with fruit, was again
loaded and dropped many immature fruits, still leaving a big crop.
In all of the former years, the persimmons were seedless with one or
two occasionally having one seed. This year almost every one had seeds.
2. My little camellia "Night Rider" whose shoots grew only 4 inches
every year, this year did the same thing but then when the
temperature went up to 100, the plant suddenly put out a foot long
lead shoot.
3. My columnea arguta grows in the house because it is too tender
for outdoors. The leaves are beautiful, but it has never had more
than one or two flowers. I always thought it was because it didn't
get enough light, but right now I counted 27 flower buds and I am
rubbing my hands in glee as the flowers are very big and spectacular.
Happy Solstice, Cathy
Hi Sylvia,
I garden in a coastal section of Los Angeles, Palos Verdes. I
accidently planted my persimmon in a perfect place--it is in water-
retentive black adobe and receives twice a week sprinkler water. My
mother in Berkeley also had a persimmon which produced NO fruit and
little growth, which she attributed to the fact that the sloping soil
was riddled with gopher holes and any watering ran away through
them. My friend in Malibu with sandy soil watered faithfully and her
tree produced very few fruits. My tree always drops a substantial
number of tiny immature fruit but is still always heavily laden.
What was different this year was that it set many more fruit than it
ever had, and almost every one has had seeds, any number up to four.
My conclusion is that persimmons need heavy watering year round, but
I am not sure whether the seeds indicate stress, or just more energy
to make them. Maybe it LIKED the cold temperatures in winter and the
high ones in summer?
Cathy
