chinese jujube tree

[Stevetoad]

i just picked up a chinese jujube tree, i know nothing about them or what the flavor of the fruit is like. i just cant walk by a fruit tree that i havent heard of before without buying it. so can anyone give me some info please? thanks for any help!

[_Keith]

Ha, me too. I tried a Jujube here too, in Zone 9a. I think it would have been fine in normal years. Unfortunately, that was the year of our all time record drought. I will try one again.

[BigFrond]

This tree was the rave in the Vietnamese communities the last four/five years. My mom planted about six of these (2 varieties, one has bigger fruits). The fruit is like a soft, semi-dry, spongy apple. It can be bland to sweet but no tartness to it. The dried fruits are used in some deserts. I'm not too fond of the fruit. It can be a nice little tree with small leaves and semi aggressive small roots. I believe the zoo has one tree. Other that that.... ehhh...

[joe_OC]

Yes, we Vietnamese love this fruit tree. The fruit is ripe when the thin skin turns brown. If it is grown right, it will be very sweet. We use the fruit in many desserts as well as medicinal purposes. (I do not know what they are used for.) They sucker readily and you can have several small trees if you are not careful. I find the small tree to be attractive.

[Stevetoad]

Thanks for all the great info guys! is there anyway to keep the roots from becoming invasive?

[fastfeat]

Thanks for all the great info guys! is there anyway to keep the roots from becoming invasive?

Roots aren't so much invasive as they are shallow/prone to suckering. Avoid disturbing them by minimizing cultivation, hoeing around trees; use mulch.

[JungleGina]

Hmm I have the Thai Giant variety and I'm not sure what the difference is. I've heard that they are eaten dried, however, mine never seem very exciting that way. I prefer them on the green side, still green and not shriveled yet. They are crisp and juicy like a green apple. I love them because my apple trees have not performed well yet.

[_Keith]

Now I want one again. You people are why I have no money, just plants, lol.

[rprimbs]

Roger Meyer, in Valley Center and Fountain Valley, had a huge number of jujubes. If anybody is looking for a rare variety then he can probably get it for you.

I don't know if I am allowed to do this but his email is: xotcfruit@yahoo.com, His home number is 714-839-0796, and his cell is 714-548-4289 (He lists these numbers on his ad in "Fruit Gardener")