Jujube Red Chinese Date (Ziziphus Jujuba) | 10 fresh seeds | Same Day Dispatch

Ziziphus Jujuba, is native to Southern Asia but has become popular around the world. These small round fruits with a seed-containing pit grow on large flowering shrubs or trees (Ziziphus jujuba). When ripe, they’re dark red or purple and may appear slightly wrinkled. Due to their sweet taste and chewy texture, they’re often dried and used in candies and desserts in parts of Asia where they commonly grow. In alternative medicine, they’re widely utilized to improve sleep and decrease anxiety. Personally I think the fruits taste delicious - sweet but with a citrus tang. Given their vitamin content, I think they have the potential to be the "next superfruit" if supermarkets can find reliable sources.

The plants can be grown just about all over the UK as it is hardy down to -15 to -20c. However it needs full sun in a sheltered south facing aspect and needs well drained soil, ideally sandy. If your soil is not suitable, the plant can be grown as a container specimen for a sunny patio.

1) Under a warm tap, rub off the flesh until you are left with the hard stone which resembles a large olive pit.

2) Scarify the seeds. Using a metal nail file or similar, rub off a little off the hard outer casing. Alternatively, carefully snick off a small part of the end of the stone.

3) Soak for in warm water for 24 hours. 

4) Sow 2cm individually spaced 10cm apart in pots/trays of good quality compost (ideally 50% compost and vermiculite or horticultural sand.

6) Cover with plastic dome or film but ensure air holes to reduce rot risk

7) Place in warm place (20-25c) but out of direct sunlight

8) Ensure compost does not dry up

7) Seeds usually germinate in 3-4 weeks depending on conditions

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There are plenty of variations on the above - check out some of the videos on the web.