Jujube

Product Description

Common Names: Jujube, Chinese Date, ***** Ziziphi Jujubae, Red Date, Da Zao Origin: The jujube originated in China where they have been cultivated for more than 4, **0 years and where there are over **0 cultivars. Adaptation: The jujube can withstand a wide range of temperatures; virtually no temperature seems to be too high in summertime. Winter dormancy allows it to withstand temperatures to about **8�C, yet it requires only a small amount of winter chill in order for it to set fruit. The plant revels in summer sun and heat, with the lack of either limiting fruit production more than winter cold. Jujube trees are not particularly suitable for container culture, but can be grown in this manner in a large container. DESCRIPTION Growth Habit: The jujube is a small, deciduous tree, growing to 9 meters tall. The naturally drooping tree is graceful, ornamental and often thorny with branches growing in a zig-zag pattern. The wood is very hard and strong. Jujube cultivars vary in size and conformation, with some being very narrow in habit and others being more widespread. One cultivar, the So, seems to be fairly dwarfing in habit. After *0 years of growth in an average site, trees can be 9meters tall with a crown diameter of up to 4.5meters. Plants send up suckers (often with intimidating spines) from their roots, and these suckers can appear many meter from the mother plant. Currently, these root suckers must be controlled by mowing or hoeing. Foliage: The small, ovate or oval leaves are **6 centimeters long and a shiny bright green. In the autumn, the leaves turn bright yellow before falling. There are usually two spines at the base of each leaf. Some spines may be hooked while others are long daggers. As the growing season commences, each node of a woody branch produces one to ten branchlets. Most of these are deciduous, falling from the plant in autumn. Flowers: The inconspicuous, 1centimeter diameter, white to greenish-yellow flowers are