Every Time I try Jujube Seeds...

[Deleted]

At least one is infested with small, beige worms. Dark coloured heads. Still at night, very active during the warm part of the day.

Still again, after fivespice was sprinkled over the peat pellets.

A better-draining growing medium, or aerated water, is well advised.

[Deleted]

FYI --
images.google is showing me fungus gnats.

My Chinese fivespice (can't read the brand) puts them to sleep, on contact.

I was excited to see one of the jujube pit shells split open, but the inside was rotten.

I have been told not to use so much water on these seeds, and couldn't agree more.

Pellets can get soggy once daily, so long as they have time to dry out, a little.

Next attempt will use loose potting soil in well-draining seed trays.

[MikeH]

Which jujube are you trying to grow - Ziziphus jujuba or Ziziphus mauritiana?

[Deleted]

Jujuba.

I understand that these pits are agricultural waste, in India, where they are produced in bulk.

I understand that specific cultivars do not reproduce true to seed. So, seedlings are most commonly used as root stock.

But, other fruits, which I have grown from seed, are perfectly adequate. They do no represent any particular variety of which I am aware, but I may just graft favorite branches to come up with my own variety.

My efforts are for my own personal enjoyment, experimentation, and a small degree of food security.

So, having named varieties is not vital.

[MikeH]

Germination isn't great. In 2011, I started seed from Trade Winds Fruit and got 2 to germinate. Growth was very slow. I decided to overwinter one against the foundation of the house and the other inside in a sunny-ish window. The one outside did not make it and the one inside shed most of its leaves. When I moved it outside and re-potted it, I noticed that its roots were circling and would have probably choked the plant had I not straightened them out a bit. I think that you have to be very careful not to let them get the least bit pot bound. Despite the re-potting, it sat for weeks with no sign of life thought its stem was still green. Then last week, new leaves appeared.



In 2012, I order again from Trade Winds and also from Richters. The seed count in the Richters package was far greater than that in the Trade Winds package. Once again germination was poor for both suppliers but I managed to get 2 Tradewinds and 3 Richters seeds to germinate although 2 of the Richters plants subsequently died. The remaining three are growing although slowly.



I'll probably keep them all inside this winter.

It's a plant that needs to be babied quite a bit it seems and patience. If I can get them to a size where I think they can withstand our winter, I'll probably see if I can find some Li scionwood to graft on to them. Li is apparently the earliest ripening of the cultivars.

[Deleted]

I expect to baby my nicest specimens of exotics, indoors, and take scions.

When I have even more plant material than I can pass around to friends and wellwishers, I will do exactly like you said -- try it in different areas of the property, to see where it fares best.

I suppose I learn things, which work best for my specific environment -- much more arid looking than your photo.