Subject: Re: info. on Jujube (Zizpyhus jujuba)

From: [email-masked]
Date: Mon, 31 Oct 94 14:32:02 PDT

> From: [email-masked] (Pham Phan)
> Newsgroups: rec.gardens
> Subject: Need info. on Jujube ?
> Date: 12 Oct 1994 23:48:02 GMT
> 
> I would like to receive any information on Jujube (aka. Chinese dates).
> Can I plan it in Fremont (Bay Area) ?
> Can it bare fruit on single tree (self pollinate)?
> How much does it cost for a tree ?
> How much care does it require ?
> 
> Thank you much for your help.
> 
> Regards,             Pham Phan

Zizpyhus jujuba, Chinese Jujube, is hardy in Sunset Western hardiness Zones
7-16, 18-24 (not USDA Zones).  Sunset also goes on to say: "hardy in (Sunset
Zones) 4-6 but fruit ripens only in warmest summers.  Slow to moderate
growth rate to 20-30ft.  Branches spiny, gnarled, somewhat pendulous. Leaves
glossy, bright green, 1-2in long, with 3 prominent veins.  Clusters of small
yellowish flowers in May-June.  Shiny reddish brown datelike fruit in fall
have sweet applelike flavor; candied and dried, they resemble dates.
  Deep rooted, it takes well drained to desert conditions, tolerating
drought, saline and alkaline soils.  Grows better in good garden soil with
regular, deep watering.  Thrives in lawns.  No serious pests, but subject to
Texas Root Rot in deserts.  Prune in winter to shape, encourage weeping
habit, or reduce size.  Attractive silhouette, foliage, fruit, and
toughness make it a good decorative tree, especially for high desert.
Foliage turns a good yellow in fall.
  Fruit of seedlings are .5-1in long.  Two cultivated varieties are 'Lang'
(1.5-2in long fruit, bears young), and 'Li' (2in long fruit)."

One of my first garden maintenance jobs involved the regular pruning of a 
few of these trees planted on the east side of a home in Santa Clara (south
Bay Area).  They were quite beautiful trees, with handsome foliage and habit
but wanted to grow larger than the space would allow.  I never saw any fruit
but that might have been due to the excessive pruning.  Chiltern Seeds of
England sells seed of this and another, related Zizyphus, but perhaps you
would do best to find one of the larger fruited cultivars.  I'll try and
keep my eyes peeled for you!

           Sean A. O'Hara, 710 Jean St., Oakland, Ca. 94610-1459
               [email-masked] or [email-masked]

---

From: [email-masked] (Ben Sharvy)
Date: Wed, 2 Nov 1994 00:24:54 GMT

I have a shareware Hypercard stack (Mac database) of about 60 fruit & nut 
plants, including the jujube. I am right now going to see if I can cut & 
paste its info into this response. Hold on....

----
Harvest & Use
Fruits may be picked under-ripe, at the cost of sweetness. At one time, 
an oil was extracted from the kernel in southern India. Ideal storage 
temperature is between 40-50 degrees.
Appearance
Green glossy leaves, droopy branches, reddish brown fruit. Yellow in 
fall. Trees tend to lose their thorns with age.
Cultivation
The jujube is only partly self-fertile: cross-pollination increases 
productivity noticably. The jujube must have very hot summers to fruit. 
Will tolerate alkaline soils and much drought.
Comment
Native to Asia or the Middle East, the jujube was brought from Syria to 
Rome in the golden days of the Roman Empire.
Cultivars of Repute
Lang, Li, Chico
--
Cool...it worked. The keywords for the jujube indicate that it requires 
full sun and good-drainage and prefers hot summers and light soil, has a 
yield of about 100 lbs from a mature tree in ideal conditions, fruit 
ripens late and is storable for 2 months, has a height and spread of 
15-25 ft, and doesn't require pruning.

-- 
Live Globally, Die Locally. Witches Heal. So Do Blowjobs. Liberate the
Weirdos and You Liberate the Squares.

---

From: [email-masked] ()
Date: 2 Nov 1994 20:50:41 GMT

> > Thank you much for your help.

I am currently growing several types of subtropical and tropical fruit
trees, 
but not Jujube.  However, I do know of some sources in southern California
(San Diego County) that do sell Jujube trees.  The first is Pacific Tree
Farms (619)
422-2400.  The second is Exotica Rare Fruit Nursery (619) 724-9093.  I
belive that they both do mail order.  They have both been very helpful when
I have called and asked questions.  Another great source of information is
the California Rare Fruit Growers.  They have local chapters throughout
California.  I don't have the list with me now, but if you would like me to
look up someone to contact for your area, please e-mail me.  They publish a
magazine that comes out several times a year, and I know that I have seen
articles on the cultivation of Jujube.  I hope this is helpful!

Linda

[email-masked]
(Northern San Diego county inland; USDA zone 9, Sunset zone 21)

---

From: [email-masked] (Matt Heffron)
Date: 7 Nov 1994 16:41:12 -0800

In <[email-masked]> [email-masked] () writes:
[...]
>                                    Another great source of information is

I'm chairman of the Inland Empire Chapter of California Rare Fruit Growers
(Riverside/San Bernardino areas).  CRFG is an INTERNATIONAL organization of
people interested in growing fruits/nuts (and a veggie or two :-) that may
be uncommon in their area (e.g. Navel orange is common here, but growing in
the Swiss Alps it's RARE!)  Also, fruit growing techniques, e.g. grafting,
budding, ...  Lots of fun, meet nice folks...

For more info, email me.  I'll respond (via email) with the latest membership
info and application form.

Matt Heffron
-- 
Matt Heffron           [email-masked]
Beckman Instruments, Inc.         voice: (714) 961-3128
2500 N. Harbor Blvd. MS X-10, Fullerton, CA 92634-3100
I don't speak for Beckman Instruments (or CRFG) unless they say so.