Eetbare tuin-edible garden Diospyros lotus - Lotus tree

• Article number: DIOLOT01

Diospyros lotus is also called lotus tree or gods pear. It is a deciduous tree that is hardy and can grow up to 6 meters high without pruning. The lotus tree grows tree / shrub-shaped.
However, the plants can also be grown well as a leivorm against a wall, for example.
The lotus tree gets a strong grooved bark and has an elongated dark green leaf up to 7 cm in size. The leaf discolored in autumn beautiful yellow.
In spring in June, the Diospyros lotus flourishes with green flowers that have a large flower bouquet. The typical cauliflower resembles that of the ordinary khaki tree.

The round fruits are called lotus fruit or persimmon and are 3-5 cm tall. At first the fruits are yellow and discolored to orange. If ripe blue black in color and taste is sweet to slightly wrangled. The fruits ripen around October / November.
In France, Switzerland and Germany, the lotus tree is grown much for the fruits. Lotus fruits are not very long-lasting.
The fruits can be eaten freshly, but also canned as jam or chutney. You can also dry the fruits.

The Diospyros lotus is happy to be in a sunny to half shaded shelter, which benefits the fruit yield. The Lotus tree does it on all soil types.
Young plants can still freeze the first year in winter and can then be better protected.
Winter hardness zone 6a (-20ºC).