Jiaokou Junzao Dates

Jiaokou Junzao Dates

　　Junzao Dates

　　Primarily produced in Jiaokou County, Shanxi Province, among other areas, and are one of the local ancient varieties.

　　Fruit Characteristics:

　　The fruit is large, cylindrical or long-obovoid in shape. The average fruit weight is 22.9 grams, with a maximum of 36.1 grams, and sizes vary. The fruit shoulder is small and slightly elevated, the stem cavity is deep and moderately wide. The fruit top is flat. The fruit stem is thick and relatively long. The fruit surface is smooth, the skin is thin and dark red. The flesh is thick, white or greenish-white, with a slightly crisp texture, moderate juice content, and a slight bitterness. It contains 33% soluble solids, has a 96.3% edible rate, and is of premium quality. Suitable for drying, as well as for processing into drunken dates and candied dates. The seed weighs 0.85 grams, and 30% of larger fruits contain seeds inside. In Taigu, Shanxi, budding begins in mid-April, flowering starts in late May, coloring begins in mid-August, and the crisp ripe stage is reached in mid-September, with a fruit growth period of about 100 days.

　　Cultivation Characteristics:

　　The tree is relatively tall with strong trunk development, and the tree crown is mostly naturally round-headed. A 19-year-old tree stands 8.2 meters tall with a crown diameter of 5.3 meters. The tree vigor is strong, and branching ability is medium to strong. Branch and leaf density is moderate. The root system is well developed, with moderate suckering ability. Root suckers grow vigorously. Most trees begin to bear fruit in their third year and enter full production after 15 years. The yield is relatively high but not very stable. On average, each fruiting shoot bears 0.6 fruits. A 19-year-old tree yields an average of 34.1 kilograms per plant, with a maximum yield of 46.4 kilograms. The economic lifespan of the tree is long—trees over a hundred years old can still yield up to 240 kilograms annually. Trees two to three hundred years old can still maintain a certain level of production. Pre-harvest fruit drop is common. The tree is adaptable, with good resistance to drought, waterlogging, and salinity. Frost resistance is weak, but it has slight resistance to jujube witches’ broom disease. Pre-harvest rain can cause significant fruit cracking. Fruit diseases are relatively severe. The fruit has poor disease resistance; during the fruit growth period, spraying a 1000–1500 times dilution of 50% Fruit Disease Spirit can help control ring rot and anthracnose.