Detailed Explanation of Key Points on Jujube Tree Planting and Management Techniques

Red jujube is a common blood-nourishing delicacy in our country. It can be eaten raw, used in soups, and used as medicinal material, so many people grow it. What are the planting and management methods for jujube trees?

1. Site selection

Jujube trees are not strict about soil requirements, and all regions can make full use of wasteland and saline-alkali land for cultivation. However, it is best to choose orchard land with unpolluted air, water sources, and soil, flat and open terrain, good drainage conditions, strong soil permeability, good aeration, a relatively high groundwater level, 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. Planting varieties

There are many jujube varieties, but the trees must have good vigor, strong resistance to pests and diseases, crack-resistant fruit, good fruit shape, good fruit color, high nutrient content, and good taste.

At present, excellent varieties used for drying include Jinsifeng, Jinsimi, Wuhehong, Wuhe No. 1, Wuhe No. 3, Zanhuang Dazao, and others. Among early-maturing varieties, excellent varieties for fresh eating include Zaocuiwang, Jingwei Xianzao, Zaoshu Lizao, and others; excellent varieties for processing include Lizao, Zanhuang Dazao, and others. Late-maturing varieties are mainly used for fresh eating; high-quality varieties include Jingwei Daxuezao, Dongzao, and others. New and special varieties include Mopanzao and Hul-uzao with peculiar fruit shapes, and Tailihong and Longx-uzao with peculiar tree shapes, among others.

3. Cultivation patterns

Jujube trees can be cultivated using dwarf close-planting and intercropping patterns. Among these, dwarf close-planting cultivation is mainly suitable for varieties that bear fruit early and have small tree types, with a plant spacing and row spacing of 2 m × 3 m or 3 m × 2 m being appropriate. Intercropping cultivation is mainly suitable for varieties with medium or larger tree types that bear fruit relatively late, with row spacing of 8-10 m. Plant spacing of 3-5 m. Other crops can be interplanted between the trees in the early stage.

4. Cultivation time

Jujube trees can be cultivated in spring and autumn. During cultivation, plant 2-year-old and older root-sucker seedlings. Spring-planted trees should be watered thoroughly immediately, and the survival rate can easily reach more than 90%, while for autumn-planted trees, even if watered after planting, the survival rate is difficult to reach more than 90%. However, after autumn planting, even without watering, the survival rate can still reach more than 70%, while for spring planting, if not watered, the survival rate is clearly lower than that of autumn planting.

5. Management techniques

(1) Fertilizer and water management: according to rainfall conditions, water once each in mid-May, early June, and late June, so that the seedlings are not drought-stressed even in dry weather. After passing the seedling recovery period in late July, apply 150 grams of urea per plant in holes. In addition, after the seedlings sprout and unfold leaves, spray foliar fertilizer with 0.4% urea plus 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate every 10-15 days.

(2) Pest and disease control: in late May and early to mid-June, spray once each with a 2000-fold mixture of monocrotophos or 50% miedingjing (Apollo) plus 50% methamidophos, which can effectively control pests such as red spiders, mirid bugs, and jujube leaf mites.

(3) Inspection and replanting: after the seedlings sprout and unfold leaves, investigate seedling survival. According to dead and missing plants, carry out replanting with soil ball in autumn or before sprouting the following year. In addition, in the same year the jujube seedlings are planted, a false death phenomenon of not sprouting sometimes occurs. The branches of falsely dead plants are soft, and the bark color is green and glossy. For falsely dead seedlings, promptly water and cultivate to promote sprouting and growth as soon as possible.

(4) Flower and fruit retention: during the flowering period of jujube trees, pinch off growing tips and top the plants to reduce nutrient consumption. In addition, during the flowering period, spray 10-15 mg/kg gibberellin or Zaohuabao solution. Each time, 4-5 weeks before the fruit is fully ripe (white ripe stage), carefully spray 2-3 times with 50 mg/kg naphthalene acetic acid or 10-20 mg/kg fangluosu solution, once every 10-15 days.

Overall, jujube trees are still quite easy to grow. As long as you choose good land and good seedlings, and do a good job in water and fertilizer management, pruning, and other management work after planting, it will be fine.