Is my Persimmon tree healthy (forum)

Elena starts with ...
I have bought my persimmon Jiro in August 2011 from Daleys. It had lots of young leaves and looked healthy. I have re-potted in in a bigger pot where it is now. After a couple of month I noticed my tree trunk went black near the ground and stayed like this since then. I can not recall whether it was there when it arrived. No new leaves developed since then too. I have noticed little white flies in the pot. However I am not sure what is the culprit. I am a bit concerned what is going on with this tree.
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Picture: 2

Time: 6th March 2012 7:31pm

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Original Post was last edited: 6th March 2012 7:34pm

About the Author Elena
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Above photo's aren't well focused says...
Here is another picture of the bottom of the trunk (as the photo's above are not as focused).
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Picture: 1

Time: 6th March 2012 7:42pm

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denise says...
Your tree would probably be sprouting more leaves if it was in the ground where its roots can spread out and feed the growth. Persimmons are in the ebony family so it is no surprise that they have black bark sometimes.

Time: 6th March 2012 7:45pm

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Denise says...
On further thought, the lower dark portion is probably the root,so when you plant it out you can put soil up to the top of the dark part

Time: 6th March 2012 7:48pm

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jakfruit etiquette says...
I agree, the black is ok, part of the trunk turning into the root system. Yes you potted it a bit high, but no need to go up to the grey bark. It's best to pot a little high, especially if the main root is long.

Time: 6th March 2012 9:08pm

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Elena says...
Thank you guys for your replies. Would you recommend to top the pot with more soil, say up to the pot's rim, or rather leave it as it is? What is the reason for part of the trunk turning into the root system? Is this common behavior for persimmons?

Time: 7th March 2012 6:56am

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denise says...
To be precise. Where the trunk colours meet is where the first "leaves" or cotyledon appeared. So normally with persimmon the soil level would be about 5cms under the colour change. At this stage the plant is used to the low soil level. you could plant it a bit deeper to make up for it as long as the soil has reasonable drainage.

Time: 7th March 2012 7:12am

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