Diospyros kaki

Kaki / Kaki

Ebenaceae

Edible plant part (2)

Bark, fruits
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

None

Kaki belongs to the small trees-large shrubs in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a mid species. The growth rate is medium. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 4 to 8 meter. and a width of 4 to 8 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is dense. The Kaki is decidious. It buds in april and it loses its leaves in november.
This species forms a heart-shaped medium deep root system. This species is non spreading in the food forest. Kaki is no nitrogen fixer.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: Puddin Tain, https://www.flickr.com/photos/puddintain850/43839745860

foto: Puddin Tain, https://www.flickr.com/photos/puddintain850/43839745860

foto: Liné1, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diospyros_kaki_fruit_04_by_Line1.JPG

foto: KENPEI, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diospyros_kaki1.jpg

foto: Daderot, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diospyros_virginiana_%C3%97_kaki_%27Nikita%27s_Gift%27_-_Oregon_Garden_-_Silverton,_Oregon_-_DSC00168.jpg

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

neutral

alkaline

very alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): end of june
Flowering period (length): several weeks
Pollination vector: insects, not applicable
Plant reproductive fertility: not applicable, self sterile

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

very resistant

Harvest and Consumption

Bark

Fruits

Edible plant parts: Bark
Harvest location edible part: Above reach, high, but within reach
Harvesting period - start: End of october
Harvesting period - length: Month
Harvesting period - uniformity: High, low, medium, varies per cultivar
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand
Size edible parts: Large
Post harvest ripening: Yes
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed, varies per cultivar
Natural storability: Several months
Suitable markets: Niche
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 3
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 3
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 8

Culinary appreciation

Varieties that can be eaten directly from the tree are typically the cultivars harvested when soft. Varieties that are harvested when hard often need to ripen further.

References