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Other Names: Jaka, Jakfruit, Langka
Related To:
[Moraceae] Marang, Pedalai, Chempedak
Main Uses:
Fruit.
Growth Rate:
Fast.
Mature Height/Spread:
Seedling grown trees may reach 70 feet. Grafted varieties often dwarfed and are considerably smaller. Smaller also in marginal climates.
Flowering/Pollination:
Cauliflorous. Hand pollination ensures a higher quality/quantity of fruits.
Tolerance:
Not tolerant of salt. Has some drought tolerance and can thrive in semi-dry climates. Prefers regular watering.
Soil/Nutrition:
Deep, fertile soils. Superior drainage is very important and quite beneficial to the health of this species. Also appreciates compost and mulching.
Light:
Light shade to full sun. Younger trees require protection from daylong sun exposure, which may burn/dry them. Generally prefers a sunny spot with a little shade.
Wind:
Requires shelter from cold and strong winds.
Temperature:
Tree grows fast in warm, humid environments. Tree is not hardy below freezing until well established, near or at fruiting age. Once established, tree can withstand short drops to around 30F but will begin to freeze gradually at this temperature. Tree fares well in areas where any duration of cold is short lived.
Dangers:
None.
Diseases Prone:
Mealybugs (mostly on seedlings and container trees).
Bearing Age:
Bears while still a young tree, 3-4 years from seedling. Grafted trees may bear a bit sooner, although it may be a good idea to let a grafted tree grow to a good size before allowing it to fruit.
Fruit:
Gigantic fruits ripen by turning yellow to brown, with a very pronounced fruity odor, offensive to some. Fruits are sometimes harvested under-ripe, at which point the flesh is crunchier and not as richly flavored. It is also sometimes harvested underripe and used as a vegetable.
History/Origin:
Jackfruit are native to India and Malaysia, where the gigantic rainforest trees have been cultivated for thousands of years.
Species Observations:
Jackfruit is probably the largest edible fruit produced by any tree. Gigantic fruits are round to oblong, sometimes lumpy and oddly shaped, with pale green skin with many hundred blunt spines. Fruits are cauliflorous, being borne off trunk and large branches. Individual fruit can weigh up to 80 pounds, though are typically smaller. Each fruit contains many large kernel segments, separated into compartments by latex-like filaments called "rags." The sweet, aromatic kernels are usually eaten fresh. Most larger segments contain a single seed. The fruit segments or "pegs" can be white, yellow or orange, which are the most common colors; however, there are some red-fleshed jackfruit cultivars. Cultivars used for canning tend to have crunchy, rather than soft kernels.
Dwarf types: "Cheena," "Cochin," "Golden Nugget" "Ziman Pink" "Singapore"
Large Fruit Types: "Black Gold," "Mia 1," "Mia 2" "NS1" "Lemon Crunch"
Red Flesh Types: "Borneo Red" "Ziman Pink"
Seedling trees are often a better choice for trial growing in marginal climates, however smaller fruited cultivars such as "gold nugget" display more cold tolerance than the species' standard. There are some fruiting trees successfully grown outdoors as far north as Tampa, FL in protected locations. Always shelter from northern winds in marginal climates. Plant many seedlings and let nature weed out the weakest ones. The bigger the tree, the greater the cold-tolerance, so pushing the tree to grow quickly is of particular benefit, and always include micronutirents when aiming for cold tolerance. Pay special attention to maintaining the soil's potassium content, which will help the plant achieve its maximum tolerance.
Jackfruits are a very practical fruit to grow, and they are rather fast growing, fruiting in only a few years. In tropical climates with adequate moisture and soil, these trees will easily produce an abundance of nutritious food.
Propogation:
Easily propagated by fresh seeds, which germinate very rapidly if soaked in water for a day prior to planting. Though it is difficult, young wood can be layered, or cuttings taken. Warmth and humidity are a must for either rooting process. Trees may also be grafted, a practice which is becoming more common as methods are refined for this species.
Container Culture:
Jackfruit can be grown in a container for a few years but will eventually need to be planted outside to thrive. Grafted trees are smaller and will last a little longer in a container. Be very careful with the large taproot when transplanting as this species is quite sensitive to root damage.
Medicinal Uses:
Unknown.
Nutritional Information:
Unknown.
Preparation / Food:
Jackfruits are most often eaten fresh or prepared as a dessert. Used also like a vegetable when the pegs are under-ripe.
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"Tree is in fine shape and budding! Packing was exceptional. Thank you so much!"
- Satisfied Customer 1
"WOW, Plant is 10X better than expected. Great condition. Thank you very much."
- Satisfied Customer 2
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