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Hi,
I bought persimmon plant from bunning few months ago.Now it is dying.Could you please advise me how can I save this plant?
Hello @Sanii
Thanks for sharing the photo of your plant, that gives us a much better idea of its condition. From what I can see, the persimmon is under significant stress, but it may still be recoverable depending on what is happening below the soil.
The most important thing to understand is that young persimmons often drop leaves when they are stressed by root problems, water imbalance, or transplant shock. In your photo, the leaves are yellowing, curling, and drying from the edges, which usually points to root stress rather than disease. The thin trunk with very little new growth also suggests the roots are not establishing properly.
The first thing to check is soil moisture and drainage. Persimmons like deep, well-drained soil and consistent moisture, but they do not tolerate waterlogged roots. If this spot stays wet after rain or watering, the roots may be suffocating and starting to rot. Push your finger or a small trowel 10 to 15 cm into the soil. If it feels soggy or smells sour, drainage is likely the main problem. If the soil is bone dry at that depth, the tree has probably been underwatered. In either case, irregular watering can cause exactly the symptoms you’re seeing.
If drainage is poor, the best chance of saving it is to gently lift the tree and replant it on a slight mound or in a raised area so excess water can move away from the roots. If the soil is dry, give it a deep soak once or twice a week rather than frequent light watering, making sure the water penetrates deeply. Avoid watering every day unless the weather is extremely hot and dry.
Mulching will help a lot. Add a thick layer of mulch such as pine bark or sugarcane mulch around the base, but keep it a few centimetres away from the trunk. This stabilises soil temperature and moisture and reduces stress on the roots. Right now, the grass is competing strongly with the young tree, so clearing a wider grass-free circle will also help.
Do not fertilise it while it is this stressed. Fertiliser can burn weak roots and make things worse. Wait until you see clear signs of recovery such as new leaf buds forming. If and when it does recover, a light application of a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring is enough.
It is also worth lightly scratching the bark near the base with your fingernail or a clean blade. If the tissue underneath is green, the tree is still alive and has a good chance. If it is brown and dry all the way through, the tree has unfortunately died back too far.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
