Content
- 1 Planting and caring for unabi in the regions
- 2 Variety selection
- 3 Planting dates (in the Moscow region and in the middle zone)
- 4 Site selection and soil preparation
- 5 Landing rules
- 6 Features of growing jujube in the Moscow region
- 7 Rules for growing jujube in central Russia
- 8 Preparing the crop for winter
- 9 Conclusion
The experience of growing jujube in the Moscow region is very important for gardeners who prefer to plant plants that are both exotic and useful on their site. To understand what plant we are talking about, you should list all the names. Jujube is known as unabi, jujube, chulon, ilanjida, Chinese date, jojoba.
At least one of them is known to every lover of fruit crops in the subtropical region. Jujube belongs to the buckthorn family. The value of the plant is considered to be the fruits, although unabi is also very decorative. The middle regions are characterized by the cultivation of low-growing, picturesque species of jujube, the height of which does not exceed 2-3 m.
Planting and caring for unabi in the regions
Previously, it was believed that the Chinese date was not able to survive in central Russia, much less bear fruit. Currently, winter-hardy varieties have been bred, which gardeners grow in areas with a continental climate.
Before planting Chinese dates in their region, a gardener needs to know information about the crop.Because you will have to take into account not only the climatic conditions of the region, but also the growing season of the variety. Types of jujube are divided into groups according to ripening time:
- Early ripening. Similar varieties of jujube ripen in the fall - late September or early October.
- Mid-season. Such unabi are characterized by later ripening - the second half of October.
- Late ripening. Jujube fruits are ready for tasting from the end of October until the first snows in December.
Based on this, late and sometimes mid-season varieties of jujube should not be planted in the Moscow region and the middle zone. In this case, the plant will not have time to produce nutritious fruits due to the rapid onset of cold weather.
The algorithm for planting shrubs does not differ significantly between regions. Only date care points differ, depending on weather conditions.
The temperate continental climate dictates its conditions for growing dates. For the regions of the central zone and the Moscow region, shrub varieties of jujube or those grafted onto tall trunks are suitable. The ripening period of unabi takes 2-4 weeks; with cross-pollination, flowering lasts for up to 2 months.
Variety selection
Despite the fact that more than 400 varieties of unabi are known, not all are suitable for gardeners in cool areas. Early frost-resistant species are considered the optimal varieties of jujube for the middle zone and Moscow region. They manage to bear fruit before the onset of frost. Among the most famous are Vakhshsky, Candy, Mori Ger, Khurman, Sinit, Chinese 60, Lang, Ta-Yan-Zao. The most frost-resistant large-fruited ones are Burnim, Ulduz, Sochinsky 1, Ordubadi, Zogal, Kitaysky-93. These types of Chinese dates can withstand temperatures down to -29 °C.
If you plant medium-fruited or small-fruited ones, they will finish the growing season even earlier. Small-fruited jujubes are the most productive and hardy. It is best to grow dates from seeds yourself.
Planting dates (in the Moscow region and in the middle zone)
The dependence of unabi on heat is well known. After all, the homeland of the Chinese date is the subtropics. Therefore, spring planting of jujube is recommended for gardeners in the Moscow region and central regions of Russia. If the plant is planted in the fall, then the rapid onset of cold weather does not allow it to take root. At best, the jujube seedling will freeze; at worst, it will not survive the harsh winter.
Planting of unabi begins in March, a more precise date is determined by the weather conditions of the current year.
Site selection and soil preparation
When choosing a location, take into account the preferences of the shrub. Jujube almost does not grow in the shade, so you won’t be able to wait for the harvest. Even if flowers are present, fruits are not set. Culture loves good lighting. Therefore, for jujube, choose the sunniest part of the site.
Another requirement is the absence of drafts and cold wind. The southwestern and southern slopes are considered suitable places. You can place unabi near buildings on flat areas. The main thing is not to plant Chinese dates in lowlands.
The roots of the plant are powerful, so you should choose a place where there is no close groundwater.
In order for the fruiting and growth of the shrub to be good, you need to provide it with high-quality soil. Jujube prefers loamy, moderately moist soil. It should be fertile, but an excess of nutritional components is not allowed. The crop will react with powerful growth of leaves, but will not produce fruit.If you plant a date on dry and poor soil, the harvest will be just as poor. On acidic soils, add lime (300 g/sq. m), and add sand (10 kg/m) to clay soils.
The pit for jujube is prepared in advance. You need to dig a cube with sides of 1 m. Then add manure (3-4 buckets) and complex mineral components (200 g).
The pits are located at a distance of 3-4 m from each other. Single planting of jujube is advisable only for decorative purposes. The plant is self-sterile and requires cross-pollination to bear fruit. Therefore, to obtain a date harvest, you will have to plant several varieties of unabi.
Landing rules
A step-by-step description of the process looks like this:
- Lay a 5-10 cm drainage layer of crushed stone, expanded clay or broken brick.
- Fill the jujube pit with fertile soil to 2/3 of the volume.
- Form a mound.
- Place a jujube seedling on it and straighten the roots. If the seedling is purchased from the ZKS, then it is transferred along with the earthen lump.
- Sprinkle with soil, shaking the unabi and compacting the soil. This must be done so that voids do not form between the roots.
- The unabi grafting site is raised 5 cm above the ground surface.
- An irrigation ditch is formed.
- Pour 20 liters of water onto one Chinese date.
- Mulch the jujube tree trunk with a layer of straw or hay 10 cm thick.
In the first year, the plant forms a root system, and the vegetative part grows weakly. More information about planting Chinese dates:
Features of growing jujube in the Moscow region
The main focus when planting is on location. If you plant unabi in a windy place in the Moscow region, the bush will suffer from broken shoots and an additional decrease in temperature from the wind.
In the fall, it is recommended to sow green manure, then place date seedlings in a checkerboard pattern to improve the illumination of the crown.
To ensure cross-pollination of jujube, several varieties should be planted. For example, through one tree.
Young unabi need watering. The first year, date seedlings need 20 liters of water 5-7 times during the season. Mature dates extract water well through their roots and do not need frequent watering. On the contrary, when it rains heavily, the jujube root system is covered with plastic wrap. Otherwise, waterlogging will lead to cracking of the fruit. But if there is no rain for a long time, then you need to water the dates 4-5 times a season. When the dates ripen, watering is stopped.
Loosening and mulching of unabi is done after watering.
For the first 3 years, jujube has enough nutrients added during planting. When the bush is 4-5 years old, you need to annually add 18 g of nitrogen in the spring, 10 g of potassium and 12 g of phosphorus in the fall. Then, from the 6th year, double the dose of elements. Foliar spraying of the unabi crown with the preparation “Vympel” (20 ml/10 l) is carried out 2-3 times per season with an interval of 3-4 weeks. This improves the taste of the date.
Slightly branching unabi varieties need pruning to give the crown volume. Heavily branching trees are thinned out, especially in the inner part of the crown, to improve lighting. Unabi is pruned in May to see new shoots and any damage. Adult unabi can be pruned in March.
Rules for growing jujube in central Russia
Planting and caring for unabi in the middle zone are not very different from the Moscow region. Dates tolerate the climate of the middle zone quite well if all measures are carried out correctly:
- Watering is needed 3-4 times during the season before the formation of ovaries.Then the plant does not need excess moisture. The frequency of watering is increased for young seedlings up to 5-6 times. After moisture has been absorbed, the soil needs to be loosened and mulched. It is not recommended to dig up the tree trunk area of the unabi.
- It is enough to fertilize twice a season. You can use organics and mineral complexes. In the spring, unabi need nitrogen components, and in the fall, phosphorus and potassium. This will allow the plant to overwinter well.
- The formation of the crown is performed without a central shoot. It is cut down to 80 cm in the first year of jujube life. Branches of the second order are formed from the 3rd year; they are shortened by 2-3 buds. Leave 2-4 of the most developed branches, cut out the rest. In addition to this scheme, be sure to thin out the unabi crown and remove dry or broken shoots.
All activities are adjusted depending on the weather.
Preparing the crop for winter
The southern plant must be prepared for the cold season. To do this, young seedlings are placed in a small greenhouse without a roof in the spring, stretching a transparent film over the supports. In autumn, the plant is hilled up to 1/3 of its height, the upper shoots are wrapped with covering material. Mature Chinese dates are grown only in areas where the temperature drop reaches -35 °C. To do this, unabi roots are earthed up and the plant is wrapped in non-woven material. The regenerating abilities of jujube are quite high. The shrub quickly recovers even when the shoots freeze.
Conclusion
Gardeners publish their experience of growing jujube in the Moscow region on forums or articles. Information like this is very useful to read before planting your Chinese date. In this case, the plant will take root well and bear fruit for many years.
Good afternoon
When cuttings, jujube begins to bear fruit 3-4 years after the procedure.
When planted with seeds, fruiting occurs no earlier than at 3-4 years of age. Most often in the third year after planting. But it is worth noting that during seed propagation, the varietal characteristics of the original plant are not preserved.
Not a single word about the age at which fruiting begins when propagated by cuttings and seeds!