Ziziphus jujuba CHINESE DATE (5 seeds)

Jujube is the fruit of jujube tree, also known as the red date or Chinese date. It is a slow-growing tree belonging to the Rhamnaceae family. This small, thorny, and hardy shrub grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters. It is native to India and China. This fruit tree is rare in Europe; it is highly resistant to drought and sub-zero temperatures.

The flowers of the Chinese date are very fragrant and measure 1 to 2 cm in diameter. They are creamy yellow and appear in small clusters in the leaf axils. The flowering period begins in May and June, lasting about fifteen days.

Jujube seeds from Ziziphus jujuba are light brown, oval-shaped, rough, very hard, and about the size of an olive pit.

The fruit, the jujube, starts green and has the taste and consistency of an apple. As it matures, its color darkens to a purple-black, then the fruit shrivels to reach the consistency and flavor of a date, hence its nickname "Chinese date." The foliage is deciduous and glossy green. The leaves are leathery and oblong.

- Uses:

- Germination and Sowing of Seeds:

• The best time to sow the jujube tree begins in late May when temperatures are milder.
• Lightly scarify the seeds with a knife or sandpaper. Soak them for 12 hours in lukewarm water to break dormancy and accelerate germination.
• Prepare small pots with previously moistened horticultural seed-starting soil. Bury the seeds 2 cm deep.
• Tamp the soil manually.
• Water by spraying.
• Place the plantation in a greenhouse in a very warm spot at a temperature of at least 30°C.
• Germination will begin approximately 4 to 8 weeks after sowing.

- Soil Type / Substrate:

This shrub grows very well in a well-drained, rather light, or even rocky alkaline (calcareous) substrate rich in minerals. It does not require soil rich in organic matter.

- Exposure / Light:

The Chinese date loves bright light; therefore, it must be planted in a full sun exposure.

- Temperatures / Hardiness:

Jujube tree grows very well when temperatures exceed 25°C and tolerates heatwaves reaching 40°C very well. It is very hardy and will easily withstand -10°C. Its USDA hardiness zone is 6a–10.

- Watering / Irrigation:

It is important to irrigate the plant well at its base during planting and for the first 2 months. The frequency of watering should be twice a week. Afterward, once the plant is well established, it will no longer be necessary to water it.

- Multiplication / Propagation:

The best way to propagate it is to sow its seeds in mid-spring. It is also possible to take cuttings in sand during the winter (between November and January) by taking small shoots 15 cm in length.

- Pests / Diseases:

Its leaves are sometimes affected by fungal diseases following frequent watering of the foliage. The fruits are occasionally attacked by the Mediterranean fruit fly, which lays its eggs directly into the flesh of the fruit as it ripens.

- Maintenance:

Regularly prune dead branches and collect dry leaves that have fallen to the ground.