How to Grow Jujube Trees? Detailed Explanation of Cultivation Methods and Key Technical Points

The jujube tree (Ziziphus jujuba) is a light-loving species and is distributed in many parts of our country, so every year in September, when the jujube trees ripen, we can see jujubes for sale in many places. Jujubes are crisp and delicious with high edible value, and they sell well every year. But growing them is not an easy task!

How to Grow Jujube Trees

1. Choose a good cultivation site. Jujube trees are fairly adaptable and not demanding about soil conditions, so wasteland and saline-alkali land can be fully used for cultivation in various places. However, in order to achieve higher economic benefits and produce high-quality, pollution-free products, it is best to choose a site with unpolluted air, water sources and soil, flat and open terrain, good drainage, strong soil permeability, good aeration, a relatively high groundwater table and fertile soil. When planting jujube trees in mountainous and hilly areas, choose sunny slopes with deep soil layers; shady slopes are not suitable for planting.

2. Choose a good planting variety. There are many jujube varieties. A high-quality variety must have good tree vigor, strong resistance to pests and diseases, crack-resistant fruit, good fruit shape, good fruit color, high nutrient content and good taste. Jujube growers can introduce and cultivate varieties according to their needs, or select scions of high-quality varieties for grafting and propagation.

3. Cultivation patterns: The first is dwarfed high-density cultivation, mainly suitable for varieties that bear fruit early and have a small tree form, with a spacing of 2 m × 3 m or 3 m × 2 m. The second is intercropping cultivation, mainly suitable for varieties with a medium or large tree form that bear fruit relatively late, with row spacing of 8-10 m and plant spacing of 3-5 m. Other crops can be interplanted between the trees in the early years.

Time for Planting Jujube Trees

The planting period for jujube trees can be divided into autumn planting and spring planting. Autumn planting can be carried out from after leaf fall in autumn until the soil freezes. The earlier the autumn planting, the better. If the seedlings do not need long-distance transport, they can be planted with leaves in late September, which can increase the survival rate. For spring planting the following year, planting can be appropriately delayed; if it is not large-scale planting, the survival rate is higher when planting is done just as the jujube buds begin to sprout. Theoretically, autumn planting of jujube trees should have a higher survival rate than spring planting the following year, because in autumn planting the soil moisture is good, salt return is low, and the roots become active before the aboveground parts the following year, but in practice the survival rate of late spring planting is higher, mainly because of seedling dehydration. This is because half a year passes from autumn planting to budbreak of the jujube tree the following year, and in winter the north is affected by cold low temperatures, “dry air and strong winds, causing the seedlings to lose water. In addition, the jujube tree is a warmth-loving tree species, and the soil temperature required for root activity and the start of growth is higher than that of other northern deciduous tree species. After leaf fall in autumn, the soil temperature is already lower than the soil temperature for root growth and activity, the roots no longer have the function of absorbing water, and it is difficult to replenish the water needed by the aboveground parts, causing seedling death.

Techniques for Preserving Flowers and Fruit of Jujube Trees

1. Inhibit vegetative growth, regulate the contradiction between growth and fruiting, and promote fruit set. Such measures include root pruning, pinching, bud removal, branch thinning, bark girdling, ring cutting, scoring and fertilizer and water management. Taking these measures can regulate the contradiction in nutrient distribution and transport between vegetative growth and flowering and fruiting, raise the tree's nutrient level, and allow more nutrients to be supplied to the flowers and fruit.

2. Spray water during the flowering period to increase air humidity. Air humidity during the flowering period should not be lower than 60-70%, otherwise it will have an effect. Spraying in the evening or morning works well, generally combined with foliar feeding of 0.3-0.5% urea.

3. Place bees in the jujube orchard to increase pollination agents. Some jujube varieties are self-pollinating and some are cross-pollinating. Pollination within a variety or between varieties can both lead to good fruit set, and increasing pollination agents has a good effect.

4. Spray plant hormones and trace elements, mainly gibberellin, 2,4-D, paclobutrazol, chlormequat, B9, indolebutyric acid, indoleacetic acid, acetic acid, naphthaleneacetic acid, borax, boric acid, etc.

Watering Techniques for Jujube Trees

Spring is mostly dry with little rain, and irrigation during the budbreak period works well. The amount of irrigation should be determined according to local weather, soil moisture, tree vigor, tree age, etc. Irrigation should preferably focus on the roots, prompting the jujube tree's root system to develop well, allowing smooth water flow, enhancing the quality of root tillering, promoting dense fibrous roots, rooting and strengthening the roots, and raising the root ducts' ability to transport nutrients and the frequency of metabolism.

In the early stage of jujube cultivation, the work of selecting the orchard and selecting varieties should be done well. Although jujube trees are highly adaptable, they are very afraid of wind, so when choosing a planting site we must avoid windy gaps. In the later stage of cultivation, pest and disease control should also be strengthened to avoid losses caused by pests and diseases.