Description
Chico is a mid-season jujube grown for dependable fruiting and versatile use. It’s commonly chosen by growers who want a cultivar that performs reliably and fits easily into both fresh-eating and drying harvests.
As fruit matures, Chico holds its texture well, allowing it to be harvested at the crisp stage or left to fully mature for drying. This flexibility makes it an easy variety to work with, especially for growers who prefer staggered harvests.
In the orchard, Chico is valued for consistency and steady production across a range of climates. Its balanced flavor and dependable performance make it a practical choice in mixed jujube plantings. Pick this fruit when its skin has almost completely turned brown. This tasty jujube gets its name from the Chico institute in California, where it was originally developed.
Overview
- Mid-season jujube with balanced flavor
- Firm texture that transitions well from fresh eating to drying
- Flexible harvest timing
- Self-fertile; improved yield with a second variety
- Reliable option for home orchards
Growing Details
Latin Name: Ziziphus jujuba ‘Chico’
Primary Use: Fresh eating; also suitable for drying
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Low chill
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 5
Rootstock: Grafted onto jujube rootstock
Bearing Age: Often fruits immediately; grafted trees may produce in their first season
Size at Maturity: Typically maintained at 10–15 ft tall and wide with pruning
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Ripening Time: Mid-season within jujube varieties; timing varies by region
Pollination: Self-fertile; improved yield with another jujube planted within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Generally low pressure; routine orchard hygiene recommended
Yield: Reliable producer once established
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Chico’s ability to hold texture as fruit matures makes it especially useful for growers who want flexibility between fresh eating and drying.
- Regional Insight: Performs well across many temperate regions, including areas where mid-season ripening helps spread harvest timing.
- Harvest firm fruit for fresh eating or allow fruit to fully brown for drying and storage.
- Explore more jujube varieties in our collection: Jujube Trees
