David and Jeanette Wilson have owned and operated Rossmount Nursery and Orchards since purchasing the 14 Ha block of land in 1972. They have been supplying fruit trees to South East Queensland since 1977. Both David and Jeanette were instrumental in the formation of the Rare Fruits Council of Australia, Gympie Branch and both are involved in the Australian Persimmon Industry and Sunshine Coast Subtropical Fruit Growers.

In 1995, the Nursery began to specialise in wholesale persimmons, which have been sold to orchardists in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria South Australia and Tasmania. They are presently carrying good levels of grafted stock available for immediate sale and rootstock for oncoming spring orders.

In 1996, they were involved in the First International Symposium on Persimmon Growing in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In 2000, Jeanette became Secretary of the Australian Persimmon Association, and in October 2000 were major sponsors of the Second International Symposium of Persimmon Growing at Novotel Twin Waters.
 

The South-East Queensland region and northern New South Wales has been recognised in the past as always producing at the end of the season i.e. tropical fruits- Lychees, Mangoes etc.

The Persimmon, by nature is a temperate fruit, traditionally grown in a cooler climate that requires leaf drop and dormancy to ensure its survival through the winter months. These regions provide a climate that allows Persimmons to maintain their natural deciduous transition during winter but pushes fruit set forward due to a significantly warmer spring and summer. The result is an early crop commencing with harvest in Feb/Mar/April, which translates into an important market advantage.

We have operated in the Cooloola district since 1972 and have been seriously involved in the rare, exotic and more widely known fruit trees since 1978. Twenty years of research has resulted in our commitment to the Persimmon Industry. Our decision after working with all those fruits on our farm at Rossmount this is that the Persimmon is the fruit that we have chosen to grow commercially.
 

Historically the problem encountered by orchardists in this area has been the establishment of commercially unviable orchards (too few trees) often with poor variety selection. It is as convenient to look after 1000 trees as it is 100. With our management team in place, we can provide the site planning, establishment and management for the 1000 trees - this can be followed through to the Packhouse. 1000 established persimmon trees will give you a very acceptable retirement income in 7 years time. It will allow use of your property and home as your business, because you qualify as a Primary Producer - with minimum requirement of a little over a hectare of suitable orchard land and reliable water. It is an opportunity to making a commitment to ensuring your future.

The trees require sound management and this is available to you within the establishment contract (X) We recommend mounding, trellising, irrigating at establishment and netting optional during site development or at Year 3.

Tannin, the active ingredient in Persimmon oil, has been used for various purposes:
 

International Market - Internationally persimmons are a major horticultural crop with large plantings in Japan, China and Korea. Known as the "Apple of the Orient", Japan produces 300,000 tonnes per year which is 7% of the total fruit tonnage and dominates trade in the northern hemisphere.

Australian Domestic History - Persimmons have been grown in Australia for many years although local demand has been limited and familiarity with the fruit in Australia has been with the astringent varieties most often found in backyards. The Italians and Greeks are familiar with the astringent type of persimmon which can only be eaten after the fruit has softened. However, it is the non-astringent varieties of persimmon that have the greatest market potential, and are of the most international interest.

Persimmons in Focus - The donating varieties (sometimes known as Kaki or Fuji fruit) more recently introduced can be eaten when firm and crisp, and can be grown in the Atherton Tablelands in the North, in south-east Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, cropping then moves offshore to New Zealand.

Northern hemisphere producers primarily sell on domestic markets. As there is only limited supply of persimmon in the southern hemisphere, great potential exists to supply these markets out of season. Australian persimmons and their products are presently exported to Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan.

Development of a market for Australian persimmons in Europe would depend on whether we can produce sufficient fruit to sustain regular shipments in refrigerated containers during the season. Persimmons can be stored at 0 degrees celsius for 2-3 months.

The Australian Persimmon Export Company was created after five years of workshops and meetings where the growers defined the aims and objectives for the infant industry. Putting together a quality assurance program aimed at fulfilling the needs of Asian consumers and looking at the industry from an Australian perspective rather than individual orchardists. This group is unique, providing a forum for small growers and large growers to involve themselves in determining the export dynamics of the Australian Persimmon Industry.

In July 1996, the First International Persimmon Symposium on persimmons was held in Chiang Mail Thailand, with representatives from Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, South Africa, Italy and Israel. It was an excellent opportunity to exchange technical information and form important international business contacts. The second International Symposium had 100 delegates and was held in Novotel, Twin Waters in Queensland in September 2000.

    Persimmons: site design and orchard management