Hortiforum

General Info – Jujube, Chinese Jujube, Red Date, Chinese Date, Korean Date

Crisp, sweet fruits borne in abundance upon a hardy, adaptable tree well-suited to most of Australia, the Jujube is a vastly undervalued fruit tree for home cultivation.
Fruit
The ideal alternative to Apples in hot, arid climates, the true native range of the Jujube remains uncertain due to its widespread distribution and longstanding cultivation throughout Eurasia, where these trees are cherished for their sweet, crisp fruit. Jujube have been cultivated in China and South Asia for thousands of years.
Jujubes can be enjoyed fresh in the Autumn, with a delicious flavour akin to Apples but less tart and juicy. They are also popular and commonly available dried, where their sweetness intensifies, transforming the fruits into a chewy, sugary Date-like consistency, hence their moniker “Chinese Date.” Jujube are preserved through jams, storing in liquours (such as Baijiu) and candying, they are also commonly used in juices and teas in China and Korea. Jujube are a very nutritous fruit, rich in Vitamins C and B, high in fibre and antioxidants, while being a good source of Potassium, Phosphorus and Calcium.
Thanks to centuries of cultivation, a wide array of Jujube cultivars with significant variations in appearance are now available, including thornless, self-pollinating varieties. Jujube can take on an ovular to rounded shape, showcasing hues that span from pale green and light brown to deep red while their sizes also vary, ranging from that of a large Grape to that of a small Plum. For example, commonly available varieties include the compact form and brownish red fruits of the Chico, to the elongated, flavourful Sherwood and the massive crisp fruits of the Shanxi Li. Fruits may be targetted by birds and fruit fly and will benefit from protective netting.
Cultivation
Jujubes are cultivated across a range of climates, but flourish particularly in regions with hot, ideally dry summers, cool winters and moist soils in spring. Jujubes can be cultivated across the arid, temperate, and subtropical regions of mainland Australia. They are particularly well-suited for the semi-arid to borderline temperate inland areas of Southern Australia where the lack of rainfall can otherwise be problematic. Jujube may encounter challenges in Tasmania’s mild summers, where temperatures seldom surpass 23 degrees even in January.
Due in part to their large taproot and natural tolerance, Jujube are well-adapted to dry soils and drought prone climates, tolerating annual rainfall as low as 300mm (although additional watering during fruiting will increase yields). Additionally, Jujubes exhibit tolerance to otherwise problematic saline soils, a wide pH range from acidic to slightly alkaline, and various soil types, spanning from heavy clay to sandy loams, as long as drainage is adequate. For optimal productivity and plant health, provide a position with full sun exposure and protection from strong, buffeting winds. Jujubes are remarkable for their prolific production and rapid growth, coupled with an exceptional tolerance for typically challenging conditions, making them a true treasure among fruit trees.
Appearance
Jujubes typically range from a small tree to a large shrub, reaching heights of 5-10 metres at maturity, though they can be pruned and kept to a more manageable size. The deciduous foliage is glossy green with toothed margins, growing on thorny branches, although many modern cultivars have been developed to be thornless. In late spring and early summer, rather inconspicuous but fragrant white-yellowish flowers emerge. Jujubes can pose a challenge due to their tendency to produce suckers, which need to be removed.
With its vigorous growth and abundant fruiting, the Jujube stands as an excellent low-maintenance option for gardeners across various climates.

Plant Profile/Properties