From Fairchild
Tropical Botanic Garden
by Noris Ledesma, Curator of Tropical fruit
A new generation
of jackfruit includes smaller varieties
As published in the Miami Herald
Jackfruit (Artocarpus
heterophyllus) is a tropical tree native to western India
that has been cultivated in Florida for more than a century. But now,
with superior varieties available and growing techniques updated,
it’s time to take advantage of its potential for production.
Jackfruit makes a handsome tree with fruit weighing up to 70 pounds
each. This can sound overwhelming — using a 70-pound fruit is
a challenge. But some of the new varieties offer a more manageable size
of 2 to 15 pounds.
Jackfruit development has been part of Fairchild’s Tropical
Fruit Program since 1987. Working with the Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Tropical Fruit Growers of
South Florida, we’ve focused our research on the introduction
and evaluation of cultivars from tropical Asia and the distribution of
superior cultivars for use in tropical America.
As a result, superior cultivars are now available. Modern propagation
and growing techniques have been developed.
Noris Ledesma, Curator of tropical fruit, with one of the new jackfruit
cultivated at Fairchild.
Growing
Jackfruit in South Florida
If you want to grow jackfruit at home, here’s what you need
to know.
Because of its outer appearance, jackfruit is called
“alligator fruit” in some parts of the world. The
fruit grows from the tree trunk itself, and occasionally even from the
surface roots of the tree.
What you’re looking for is fruit weighing 2 to 15 pounds,
with a uniform shape and smooth skin. The flesh should be firm and
crunchy, deep yellow or orange, with a light, non-musky flavor.
When fully ripe, the unopened jackfruit has a strong, sweet odor, and
its ripe fleshy bulbs smell of sweet pineapple and banana. Inside the
leathery exterior are starchy seeds surrounded by a sweet and aromatic
flesh, with a distinctive flavor reminiscent of bananas and
tutti-frutti.
There are many recipes for jackfruit, or you can simply eat it out of
hand, raw.
In India jackfruit is often called “the meat fruit”
because of its meaty texture when it is immature. It is common in many
regions of India for the main course of a meal to be composed only of
jackfruit. The fruit bulbs are used in soups, main dishes, desserts,
milk drinks, ice cream and fruit salads. The fresh bulbs are excellent
dried or preserved in syrup. After you invite your friends to share
your sweet jackfruit, offer a meal of green jackfruit as a contrast to
surprise them.
CULTIVATION
A graft should be used to ensure a healthy and productive tree.
Jackfruit trees are best planted when the temperatures are warm. The
planted tree should be thoroughly watered to remove air pockets. It
won’t need supplemental irrigation after the tree is
established. However, for those who tend to overwater, the jackfruit
may be your answer, as it can withstand daily drenching with no ill
effects.
Soil should be as fertile as possible and will benefit from the
addition of mulch to the soil surface. Mulch will improve water-holding
capacity, nutrient retention and availability and soil structure. Wind,
when associated with low humidity, is detrimental to the health of
young jackfruit trees. The tree is not tolerant of salt in the soil,
water or air. Fertilization is best done by three applications per year
in March, July and September of an 8-3-9 or other fruit tree
formulation.
Jackfruit trees will form a stately, dense and rounded canopy with a
minimum of input, but horticultural management is necessary to maintain
a small, healthy and productive tree. With annual pruning the tree is
easily maintained at a height and spread of six to eight feet. Pruning
should be done once per year following harvest of the major crop, or
towards the end of the growing season.
Inside the leathery exterior of the jackfruit
are starchy seeds
surrounded by a sweet, aromatic flesh
Here are some
jackfruit cultivars we have found suitable to South
Florida:
Fairchild
First is one of the jackfruit varieties developed at
Fairchild. The tree is upright and of medium vigor and can easily be
maintained at a height of 10 feet or less with production of about 132
pounds of fruit per year. The fruit is small and smooth in comparison
to other cultivars because the spines flatten and open as the fruit
matures. During certain times of the year, the entire fruit can be
eaten, including the “rag.” The flesh is firm and
mild, with little latex.
Sweet
Fairchild was selected in Florida as a seedling of
“Tabouey.” The tree is upright and vigorous in its
growth but can be maintained at a height of 12 feet with annual
pruning. Fruiting is heavy and consistent, averaging 200 pounds or more
per year. The fruit are large, at an average size of 18 pounds. The
flesh is a light yellow and is firm, with a mild, sweet flavor.
Black Gold
was selected in Queensland, Australia. This tree grows
vigorously, with a dense and highly manageable canopy. With annual
pruning the tree can be maintained at a height and spread of six to
eight feet, with consistent, heavy production of 120 to 200 pounds per
tree. The fruit are medium-sized, averaging 14 pounds. The exterior of
the fruit is dark green and has sharp, fleshy spines. The spines do not
flatten, or “open” upon maturity, making it
difficult to judge the proper harvest time and maturity. However the
deep orange flesh is soft, with a strong, sweet flavor and aroma. The
flesh is easier to remove from the fruit than it is with other
cultivars.
Dang Rasimi
originated in Thailand. The tree is open, spreading and
fast growing. Dang Rasimi is one of the most vigorous jackfruit
cultivars and must be pruned annually to maintain a height and spread
of 10-12 feet. The trees are highly productive, yielding 165 to 275
pounds of fruit per tree, while maintaining vigorous growth. The fruit
is bright green to pale yellow and uniform in shape if thinned to one
fruit per fruiting spur. The skin has sharp spines that do not flatten
or “open” with maturity. Fruit is medium to large,
averaging about 18 pounds. The flesh is deep orange and firm. It has a
mild, sweet flavor and a sweet, pleasant aroma.
The Dang Rasimi jackfruit originated in Thailand
Golden Nugget
was selected in Queensland, Australia. The tree is fast
growing, with a distinctive dark green, rounded leaf. It forms a dense,
spreading canopy, which is easily maintained at a height and spread of
six to eight feet. The fruit is small, green and rounded, with sharp,
fleshy spines on the skin. The spines flatten to a smooth,
golden-yellow upon maturity. The fruit weighs about seven pounds, with
an excellent edible flesh. The deep orange flesh is soft to medium firm
depending on fruit ripeness. The flavor is excellent and the flesh has
no fiber. Golden Nugget fruit will often split open prior to ripening
when there are heavy rains. Yields range from 130 to 175 pounds per
tree per year.
J-31
was selected in Malaysia. The tree is moderately vigorous, forming
a spreading, open canopy. The tree can be maintained at a height and
spread of six to eight feet. Trees of this size can produce 90 to 130
pounds per year. The fruit is large and irregular in shape with
prominent, blunt spines, weighing about 25 pounds, with a deep yellow
flesh. The flavor is sweet and rich with a strong, earthy aroma. J-31
will often produce off-season fruit during the fall and winter.
The jackfruit is an excellent tree for a home garden, for both form and
function. Whether your garden is large or small, you can grow your own
jackfruit.
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