Description
Empress Gee™ is a Korean jujube grown for large, crisp fruit that eats well straight off the tree and also dries beautifully when fully mature. It’s an early ripening option for growers who want substantial fruit without waiting until the end of the season.
The fruit ripens to a dark brown finish and is valued for its firm texture and sweetness. Harvested at the crisp stage, it’s well suited to fresh eating; allowed to mature fully, it becomes an excellent candidate for drying.
In Korean growing contexts, Empress Gee™ is associated with the term Wang-dae-choo, a descriptive label that translates roughly to “king” or “large” jujube. Rather than indicating a single standardized cultivar name, the term reflects the fruit’s size and fresh-eating appeal.
Overview
- Early-ripening jujube with large, dark brown fruit
- Crisp texture and sweet flavor
- Flexible harvest for fresh eating or drying
- Naturally compact tree form
- Well suited to home orchards
Growing Details
Latin Name: Ziziphus jujuba ’Empress Gee™’
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; exact requirements not well defined
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5–10
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: Early 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: Empress Gee™ is chosen for its combination of early ripening and substantial fruit, offering flexibility for both fresh eating and drying.
- Regional Insight: Performs well across many temperate regions, including areas where an early ripening window helps ensure consistent harvests.
- Harvest fruit firm for fresh eating; allow fruit to fully brown for drying and storage.
- Explore more jujube varieties in our collection: Jujube Trees
