What Is the Difference Between Black Date and Red Date? A Detailed Guide to Growing Techniques

Black date, also known as wild persimmon or soft date, is a common type of date in northern China. It is well loved for its delicious sweetness and high nutritional value, and is currently an ideal health product for middle-aged and elderly people. So what is the difference between black date and red date? What are the growing techniques?

I. Introduction to Black Date:

1. Where does black date come from?

Black date comes from Liaoning, Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guangdong, Guangxi and other places, mostly from northern China.

2. How is black date processed?

Black date is made by first boiling fresh dates in cottonseed oil and pine rock water, and then smoking and roasting them over fire. It is a dried product of fresh dates, and generally tastes sweet.

II. What Is the Difference Between Black Date and Red Date?

Difference 1, different families and genera: black date is a plant of the order Ericales, family Ebenaceae, genus Diospyros, belonging to the persimmon category; red date is a plant of the order Rhamnales, family Rhamnaceae, genus Ziziphus, belonging to the date category.

Difference 2, different appearance: the black date tree is 5 to 10 m tall, with dark brown bark, elliptical to oblong leaves, pale yellow or pale red flowers, and spherical fruits that are blue-black when ripe with a layer of white wax on the surface. It generally flowers in May and bears fruit from October to November; the red date tree is more than 10 m tall, with brown or grayish-brown bark, elliptical leaves, yellow-green flowers, and oblong or long ovate fruits that are red when ripe and gradually turn red-purple, with flat elliptical seeds inside.

Difference 3, different origins: black date is mostly produced in Liaoning, Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guangdong, Guangxi and other places, mostly in northern China; red date is produced in Jilin, Liaoning, Xinjiang, Gansu, Anhui, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Hebei, Henan, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan and other places, and is mostly planted in mountainous areas and hills at an altitude of 1700 m.

Difference 4, different nutritional value and effects: black date is rich in pectin, dietary fiber, organic acids, vitamin B, vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus, iron and other elements, and can effectively nourish the spleen and stomach, beautify the skin, and promote diuresis and detoxification; red date is rich in protein, organic acids, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, amino acids and others, and can effectively nourish the blood and replenish qi and blood.

Difference 5, different scope of use: black date is cold in nature, so people with weak spleen and stomach should not eat too much, but it is suitable for people with indigestion, constipation or food stagnation; red date can be eaten by almost everyone, especially the elderly and pregnant women, who eat it to strengthen the body and regulate qi and blood, and it is very suitable for people recovering from a serious illness.

III. What Are the Growing Techniques for Black Date?

1. Site selection and land preparation: what kind of land is suitable for planting?

Black date is suitable for growing in a semi-shaded, semi-cool environment with fertile soil, moderate pH and sufficient water, so when choosing a site, it is enough to choose semi-shaded, semi-cool loam for planting. After choosing the site, deep plow the soil and apply sufficient base fertilizer, then level it for later planting.

2. Sowing and seedling raising: how to sow?

(1) Seed selection: clean off the remaining pulp and impurities on the seeds, then select plump and robust-looking seeds for planting.

(2) Sowing methods: black date can be propagated by seed sowing and grafting, of which seed sowing is the most common method in daily life.

(3) Sowing time: sowing from November to December is best.

(4) Sowing method: mix the cleaned seeds evenly with wet sand, then store them for a period of time to let them germinate freely. In November, take the seeds out and scatter them evenly over the soil, then spread a thin layer of soil and water them lightly.

3. Transplanting: when is the best time to transplant?

(1) Transplanting time: when the seedlings grow to about 20 cm.

(2) Transplanting method: dig a hole 10 cm deep and 8 cm wide at a spacing of 1.5 m between plants and 2 m between rows, then transplant the seedlings into the hole, and finally cover with soil and firm it down.

4. Field management techniques: how to manage?

(1) Water requirements: during the seedling stage, keep the orchard humidity at about 50%, and water lightly one week after emergence so the seedlings can quickly adapt to the environment.

(2) Fertilizer requirements: during the seedling stage, appropriately add some fertilizer, and also apply more fertilizer during the flowering and fruiting stages. At other times, determine the amount of fertilizer based on soil fertility.

(3) Pruning and shaping: after planting, when the seedlings grow to about 50 cm, prune them. Generally, pruning about 6 times a year during the young tree stage is best, to ensure air circulation in the orchard and promote flowering and fruiting.

(4) Keep the orchard clean at all times: every spring and after fruit picking, promptly clear away weeds, stray branches and other debris in the orchard to reduce the occurrence of diseases.

The above is a detailed introduction to the differences between black date and red date and their growing techniques. We hope it is helpful to everyone.