We held our master gardener meeting yesterday and one of our members handed out jujube fruits for everyone to enjoy. I'd never eaten one before and I have to say, I am in love with this fruit!! It tastes almost exactly like an apple with the same crisp texture. It has a single seed in the center, just like a plum.

Is anyone here growing them? Are there any cultivars you'd recommend? And what's a good source? I need several of these in my orchard.

Surely at least one person around here knows something about jujubes!

I had never heard of them, but did a search to learn a bit about them. Sounds like they are winter hardy. Might have to break some new ground there Dave. Be a forerunner, and tell us all about it.

I will if I can find a source!

I thought it was some kind of candy that one got at the movie theater!?

It was a good new plant to research, and I'm glad you let us know Dave.

If I ever find one for sale somewhere I'll know what it is now and will snatch it up!

J. L. Hudson, Seedsman has Zizyphus, Jujube listed in their print catalog in 2013 and 2014 but it isn't listed in their online catalog. They will be closed for the month of September so you'll need to order quickly. You should be able to follow thier online ordering instructions and use Description: "JUJUBE', 'CHINESE DATE', 'DA-ZAO' ID: ZIZI-1 Quantity: 1 Price: $3.00

Request the print catalog which will have the germination instructions. 10 seeds for 3 bucks plus $2.50 for postage seems quite reasonable. The catalog says they are hardy to zone 5 with protection ( although I don't know how you protect a 20' - 50' tree) Claud

Note: I've ordered from them several times over the years and have always been happy with the transaction.

http://jlhudsonseeds.net/

I have known JL Hudson (not his real name!) for a long time - he's a great guy. I should have known he'd have this available. Of course, this is just the species and not one of the new improved cultivars but it's worth looking into. Thanks for the pointer!

It seems that most people grow Common Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba 'Lang') and Common Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba 'Li') but there are even other newer intros that may be even better. I want a whole orchard of them!

Its so difficult these days it seems; to find an original plant. I maybe would more go for the more common and original variety.

Thank you especially for sharing the name of the common variety. For me that would be a starting point should I buy seeds or give this interesting plant a "Go".
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I appreciated your information on the subject Claud without a final "e"

dave said:I have known JL Hudson (not his real name!) for a long time - he's a great guy. I should have known he'd have this available. Of course, this is just the species and not one of the new improved cultivars but it's worth looking into. Thanks for the pointer!

It seems that most people grow Common Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba 'Lang') and Common Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba 'Li') but there are even other newer intros that may be even better. I want a whole orchard of them!

An orchard you want, an orchard you get. Just order an ounce of the seed for $9.00 instead of the packet of 10 for $3.00 and shipping is still $2.50 for the first ounce and $.25 for each additional ounce. Claud

Dave, I thought that One Green World and Raintree Nursery carried Jujube. It's grown mostly in China, as I recall, with many, many varieties. Li and Lang are apparently the two most common in the states. If I recall correctly, these nurseries are not too far from you. It would be better to start with trees of named varieties rather then going the seed route, especially since there are improved varieties available.

http://www.raintreenursery.com...
https://www.onegreenworld.com/...

I've been tempted to try them myself and have purchased dried jujube in the past. But the trees zoning is marginal for where I live and I'm not the greatest fan of apples, preferring to grow things a bit more exotic, so I've never tried to grow them.

BTW, if you are interested in trying more small fruits, I recommend Che and Seaberry. I've been trying to establish a Che tree here for nearly tow decades and have managed to get a few fruits before the trees die. Seaberry is easy to grow, very productive and makes a great, refreshing juiced.

Around here a lot of folks grow them. The only thing I will say is DON"T plant them near the house! They are very shallow rooted, and those roots can travel a long way. I can also add don't try pulling the suckers/seedlings without gloves. They have very fine thorns...not noticable until you grab them.

@Dave

Arborgate in Tomball is where I got mine at the old place and they also sell them in San Antonio at Fannick's I think

My GF had one when I was little but the fruit was nasty.

I'm glad folks are interested in Jujubes, they are a rare treat to those who haven't experienced them yet. Just a word of caution these plants sucker like crazy and have very sharp thorns like Carol said. Sometimes the suckers shoot up 10 ft or more away from the plant. You may want to keep it in a pot or something if you don't want suckers popping up in your flower beds or anything else within range of the roots.
I will have some jujube seedlings available for trade and sale this fall. They are 2yr old seed grown plants and will be around 14-18 inches tall. They can be used as rootstocks for named cultivars or grown out as a specimen plant. If anyone is interested in any you can treemail me this fall around November.