How to Grow Taiwan Jujube (Green Jujube) for High Yield? Latest Cultivation Techniques and Methods Tutorial

Taiwan jujube (green jujube) is an excellent rare tropical and subtropical fruit. The fruit is rich in nutrients, crisp and sweet, and contains large amounts of vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B, carotene and more. There is a saying that “eating three jujubes a day keeps you young forever.” Because of its graceful fruit shape, it has the flavor of apple, pear and jujube, and also enjoys the reputation of “tropical little apple.” Now let us take a look at the high-yield cultivation techniques for Taiwan jujube!

Growth Characteristics of Taiwan Jujube

Taiwan jujube exhibits a habit of continuous growth throughout the year. As long as the temperature is suitable, the terminal bud grows forward and lateral branches sprout accordingly. Every 3 nodes of growth produces a rib-like alternate branch. On the branches, a lower-level branch also alternates every 3 nodes. Ultimately, a trunk, primary branches (main branches), secondary branches, and third- and fourth-level branches (the main fruiting branches) are formed in the branch hierarchy. Primary branches can grow to 2 m, producing an average of 16 secondary branches. Secondary branches can grow to 12 m, producing an average of 8 third-level branches. Third-level branches reach a length of up to 60 cm and can produce multiple fourth-level branches.

Fruiting Characteristics of Taiwan Jujube

Taiwan jujube flower buds differentiate in the same season (year), differentiate quickly, and produce a large number of flowers. Flowers and fruits are on the same branch. Flowers open during the day, beginning to open at 6-8 a.m., fully open at 8-11 a.m., and rarely open after 12 p.m. They are insect-pollinated flowers, relying on flies, bees and other insects for pollination. When planted in the first year, they can bloom in 70 days, and can bloom and bear fruit multiple times a year. From flowering to fruit maturity takes about 120 days. From April to December, flowering continues as the branches and shoots grow, but flowers opening at different times have different fruit-setting ability. From April to June, they basically only bloom without setting fruit. Flowers opening from July to August have a low fruit-setting rate, and a small number of fruits mature from November to December. Flowers opening from September to October have a high fruit-setting rate, and a large number of fruits mature from January to February. From the perspective of a single tree, the main fruit-bearing branches are the third-level branches, accounting for 90% of total fruit production, secondary branches account for 9.5%, and primary branches (main branches) account for only 0.5%.

Cultivation Conditions for Taiwan Jujube

1. Soil: Taiwan jujube is not strict about soil requirements, but slightly alkaline (pH 7.5) to acidic soil (pH above 6.0) is more suitable. Sandy loam soil is required, with deep soil layers and convenient drainage and irrigation.

2. Temperature: Taiwan jujube is a sun-loving plant and needs sufficient sunlight. The planting area requires an annual average temperature above 18°C (Yuanjiang 23.8°C), with the extreme minimum temperature not lower than 0°C. A large day-night temperature difference during the fruit expansion period helps sugar accumulation. Suitable for planting below an altitude of 1,200 m.

3. Water: Taiwan jujube has a well-developed root system and strong drought resistance. It can grow normally in areas with annual rainfall of 500 mm and relative humidity above 50%. During the flowering period, relatively high humidity is required. A relative humidity of 85% is beneficial for pollination and fertilization. During the fruit ripening period, less rain and more sunny weather are required; otherwise, it is prone to causing heavy flower drop and fruit rot.

Planting Preparation for Taiwan Jujube

1. Digging pits and applying fertilizer: Tree pits are required to be 1 m long and 1 m wide, 0.5 m deep, with one pit every 4×7 m, one plant per pit, and 16-33 plants per mu. After the pits are dug, apply 30-40 kg of decomposed farmyard manure and 0.5-1 kg of monocalcium phosphate-magnesium or calcium-magnesium phosphate fertilizer per pit. Fertilizer should be applied in 2-3 layers, backfilling one layer of soil for each layer of fertilizer. When backfilling, put the subsoil first, then the topsoil. All the soil dug out from above must be returned to the pit, forming a soil mound 20 cm high and 1 m in diameter.

2. Variety selection: Taiwan jujube must be planted with excellent varieties. Excellent varieties have 4 conditions: large fruit, fine and crisp flesh, high sweetness, and no astringency; they should have a slight acidity. The fruit skin is thin, smooth and glossy, yellow-green, with good taste and no residual peel sensation after eating. The seed is small and the flesh is thick, with high soluble solids. Strong resistance, especially resistance to pests and diseases. Moreover, Taiwan jujube is a cross-pollinated plant, so pollinating varieties must be configured. Any two varieties can serve as pollinating varieties for each other, generally at 6-8:1.

3. Planting time: Taiwan jujube can be planted in spring, summer and autumn except winter. Spring is March to May, summer is June to July, and autumn is September to October. Planting from March to April is more suitable, and a good harvest can be obtained in the same year.