Diospyros kaki ‘Rojo Brillante’ is an outstanding, deciduous persimmon cultivar originating from Spain, renowned for being the main variety used for the “Sharon Fruit” (though technically ‘Triumph’ is the Sharon variety). It is a vigorous, upright tree that is extremely popular in commercial and home orchards for its very large, squarish, bright reddish-orange fruit. What makes ‘Rojo Brillante’ exceptional is that the fruit is naturally non-astringent when fully ripened on the tree, meaning it can be eaten firm like an apple without the tongue-numbing effect common to many other astringent persimmon types. It is an excellent late-season fruit, harvested well into autumn, and is prized for its sweet flavour, excellent quality, and long storage life.
Care Tips
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Position: Requires a position in full sun to ensure the fruit ripens fully and develops maximum sugar content.
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Climate: Best suited to Cool to Warm Temperate climates. It requires a significant period of winter chill to properly set fruit. It is highly frost-hardy once dormant.
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Soil: Plant in deep, fertile, well-drained soil. It tolerates a range of soil types but dislikes heavy, waterlogged clay.
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Watering: Water regularly during the first few years to establish the tree. Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant but benefits from deep, consistent watering during the summer months when the fruit is swelling.
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Pollination: The ‘Rojo Brillante’ cultivar is parthenocarpic, meaning it sets fruit without needing pollination, resulting in seedless fruit. If cross-pollinated, the fruit may have seeds, which can slightly affect the texture.
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Pruning: Prune in winter while dormant. Establish a strong framework in the early years. Lightly prune annually to thin out overcrowded wood and maintain an open canopy, ensuring good light penetration for ripening fruit.
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Harvest: Fruit ripens late in the season, typically late autumn (May in Australia). Pick the fruit when it has developed its deep orange-red colour and is still firm, then allow it to soften slightly indoors for the best flavour.
