Jujube's my new obsession

I'm at about 300 fig varieties and counting. I'm sure I'll add a few more along the way. However after picking up the Massandra Jujube from Restoring Eden and a couple of grafted ones through the forum. I have a new appreciation for this fruit.

They have a crunch like and apple and when they dry it tastes a little like a date. The sweetness is by builds after every chew.

So far I only have the following:

Li,


Lang,


Massandra - So Far this variety is the earliest and very productive.


And a couple of unknowns but I think it's time to get a few more. I need to dump a couple of apple and asian pear trees to make space but it should be worth it.

Here's a list of known varieties. I may just be adding a few more from this list in the years to come.

Autumn Beauty
Abbeyville
Black Sea
Coco
Chico
Contorted
GA-866
Honey Jar
Mango Dong Zho
Shanxi Li
Sihong
So
Sugar Cane
Ta Jan
Tsao
Tigertooth
Sherwood
Sui Men
Winter Delight

Growing Jujube's in Seattle

Jujubes:

Jujube's are a delicious apple/date like fruit. It's also known as the Chinese Date or Korean date. They store well and are a great snack. 

The taste can be compared to a crunchy apple but interestingly enough the more you chew the sweeter it tastes. 

I have a Li and Lang jujube planted in ground without any protection in Seattle. The video below is the progress from flower (June) to ripe fruit (October). Enjoy! 

Jujubes Ripening in Late Sept. + Smith Fig and Surprise Squash

My 2nd yr old tree grown outdoor with no protection here in Seattle. Is putting out some great fruit.  Probably about 15 or so, which is fine for me and my family of 3. =) If you are not familiar with this fruit, it's also called the chinese date. The longer you leave it on the plant the sweeter it becomes. I also notice that when you eat it fresh the longer you chew it the sweeter it becomes.

I'm sure it will hit it's stride by yr 3. I would love to share more of this fruit with family and friends. Parts of me wants to put this in ground. It's single trunk appearance does not take up a lot of real estate but I've read that it can push suckers out far away from the main plant. Which can be a mess if it decides to reach under your house and pipes.

I also pulled a couple of smith figs today with an unexpected Volunteer Squash.  Part of the fun of gardening are the surprises that come along with growing your own food.

Jujube Update 8/13/15

Here'a quick update on my Li and lang Jujubes. It's the mddle of August and the fruit finally look like fruits. Last year was the first year I grew these and they gave me about 5 little ones.

This year, I can finally share some and not sneak them off the tree before they make it in the house. =)