Care of the tree Ziziphus jujuba or Chinese date |
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The genus Ziziphus, family Rhamnaceae, comprises 40 species of trees and shrubs native to subtropical and temperate regions on all continents. Some species are: Ziziphus jujuba, Ziziphus lotus, Ziziphus joazeiro, Ziziphus spinachristi, Ziziphus mucronata. Common names: Chinese date, Red date, Jujube. This species is native to Asia. They are trees or shrubs with cracked bark and thorny branches that reach 8 meters (26.24 feet) in height. They have lustrous leaves of alternate arrangement, finely serrated edge and oval shape. The flowers are yellow but small; they have no decorative interest. They bloom in spring. The fruits, similar to brown olives, are edible and contain a lot of vitamin C. They are used as isolated specimens or in groups (3 meters/9.84 feet between specimens) in private gardens and in public parks. Ziziphus jujuba needs full sun exposure and sheltered from the wind. They resist occasional frosts. They prefer a very well-drained soil that contains organic matter. Water regularly, waiting for the substrate to dry. They resist drought quite well. Fertilize with organic matter in early spring to promote fruit production. Prune in late winter to keep it compact and remove dry branches. In autumn they can lose the branches that have produced fruit. They are very slow-growing plants, quite long-lived and resistant to pests and diseases. They are propagated in winter from suckers at the base, by seeds sown in spring or by cuttings in summer. |
Images of the tree Ziziphus jujuba or Chinese date |
 Ziziphus jujuba  Ziziphus jujuba  Ziziphus jujuba |