Jackfruit

Jackfruit are a small to medium tree that outperform in terms of fruit size. Individual fruits can reach more than 30cm in diameter and weight in at 20kg and over. The botanical name is Artocarpus heterophyllus and it produces the largest fruit of any tree.

For a fruit that is seen to have so many good qualities it is a pity that it does not store well, this makes it difficult in some commercial situations.

Grow Jackfruit Trees

The tree itself is variable in growth habit, reaching between 5m and nearly 20m, so a little space in the tropical orchard is need for growing the tree successfully.

Evergreen and with attractive foliage Jackfruit trees produce masses of flowers and the tree itself has a fast growth rate. However fruit can take up to 8 months to mature after fruit set.

Best fruiting results from cross pollination so 2 or more trees are generally planted although they are self fertile.

It is the grafted trees that are grown for the fruit, and they will take around 4 years to bear good sized fruit.

How to Eat Jackfuit

This is a versatile fruit that can be eaten cooked when green or eaten fresh when ripe. It can also be frozen or dried. Like with many fruits check for allergies before eating.

The seeds can be roasted and eaten as well, they are said to taste a little like chestnuts and are added to curries. Before eating Jackfruit seeds consult with your doctor as when combined with some medications they can be poisonous.

Care

Best grown in sub tropical climates, a humus rich moist soil and a position in part shade will produce good growing conditions. Although plants will grow in dry soils they will not fruit well.

Pruning is required after the first two years. It is best to try to keep the trees small, at around 3 metres in height with a 4 – 5 metre spread. Selective pruning can help maintain a manageable size.

Young trees need to have excess fruit removed as the fruit is very heavy and large numbers of fruit can cause the young limbs to sheer. In older established trees, limiting the number of fruits will help give larger fruits which is generally more desirable.

Artocarpus hterophyllus or Jackfruit is very popular in many Asian cuisines.

Jackfruit Trees are available for sale from the following nurseries

TREE GROWERS NURSERY - Phone 0490206035 
Lot 522 Pavans Access Grassy Head NSW 2441
Fruit trees specialising in Avocados, Custard apples, Persimmons, Jackfruit,Black Sapote and Pomegranates. Online sales and Wholesale.
www.treegrowers.com.au