Jackfruit is not uncommon in Nigeria, but it still feels like one of those fruits that makes people stop and look twice. The fruits are large, weighing more than 30kg in some cases, and the tree can be impressively productive when grown in the right conditions.
I learnt about jackfruit from a friend who has an orchard. Her first encounter with the tree was in 1992, when her father planted one in their garden in Nsukka.
It is known botanically as Artocarpus heterophyllus, and is called “sycamore” or “fig” in the eastern parts of Nigeria.
In this article, I share what I learnt from the grower about cultivating jackfruit in Nigeria, from planting and pruning to harvesting and eating.
How to Grow Jackfruit from Seed
Jackfruit grows easily from seed. She says the important thing is not to let the seeds dry out. Once the seeds are removed from the fruit, they should be planted as soon as possible.
Germination is usually reliable and can happen within two to three weeks. Seedlings grow very fast and should not be left in small pots for more than a month, to avoid cramping the roots. Once established, seedlings should be planted in the ground where they have enough room to grow.
While jackfruit does not come true to seed 100 percent (that is, the fruit may not be the same as the parent fruit), she says it is usually reasonably close. So you can plant seeds from a fruit you have enjoyed.
Jackfruit is also grafted to produce clones of the mother plant.
Jackfruit Tree Care: Soil, Water and Space
If you are thinking of growing jackfruit in your garden, the first thing to consider is the available space.
This is not a fruit tree for a pot. Jackfruit needs to be planted in the ground, with enough room for both its roots and canopy. It also needs good soil and steady moisture, although it does not like swampy conditions.
In good conditions, a jackfruit tree can reach two to three metres within a year. If left alone, it tends to grow straight up and may reach 10 metres before it starts widening properly. For a home garden or orchard, pruning is important, otherwise the fruits will be too high to harvest safely.
The grower pruned her tree down to about two metres and allowed it to spread. The canopy now spreads about 10 metres wide.
One of the encouraging things about jackfruit is that it is mostly disease-free, at least from the grower’s experience. It is also self-pollinating, which means you do not need more than one tree to get fruit.
Harvesting Jackfruit: How to Know When It Is Ready
Jackfruit matures within three years. It is nonseasonal, and so the trees can bear fruit at any time of the year. One tree can produce 80 or more fruits a year, depending on its age and growing conditions.
The large, oblong fruits, which can range from 20cm to 80cm long, are borne on the trunk and strongest branches of the tree. This gives the tree an unusual appearance, especially when compared with fruits like mangoes, citrus, black sapote, and guavas, which are commonly borne at the tips of branches.
The rind of jackfruit is green, with hexagonal bumps that feel slightly prickly when the fruit is immature. As the fruit matures and ripens, the bumps flatten out and the rind dents slightly when pressed. Depending on the cultivar, the colour may also change from green to olive green.
The best indicator that jackfruit is ready to harvest is the smell. A ripe fruit gives off a strong, sweet fragrance.
For home use, the grower suggests waiting for the fruit to ripen on the tree. The tree continues to hold the fruit, so there is no need to rush if you want to enjoy it at its sweetest.
For commercial purposes, however, jackfruit can be harvested just before it ripens, so it does not get damaged while being transported.
Harvest jackfruit by cutting the peduncle with a sharp knife. Jackfruit produces latex, which could irritate the skin. Avoid direct contact with it by allowing the latex to bleed out before taking the fruit inside.
How to Eat Jackfruit
When cut open, the latex drips from the fruit. But the riper the fruit, the less latex it has, which makes it easier to handle and eat.
The part of ripe jackfruit that is usually eaten is the fleshy aril around the seed. The arils vary in colour from white or cream to deep yellow or orange, depending on the variety. Up to 100 arils can be found in one fruit. They are very sweet and can be eaten fresh, straight from the fruit.
The seeds are edible when boiled or roasted, and taste like potatoes. Unripe jackfruit is also used in savoury recipes as a meat substitute due to its chicken-like texture and ability to absorb flavours.
Other ways to enjoy jackfruit include puréeing the arils to make jams and smoothies. I often mix jackfruit with tart fruits in a smoothie because I find it too sweet on its own. Ten arils puréed with some water can make up to one litre of smoothie.
Nutritional Benefits of Jackfruit
Beyond its sweetness, jackfruit is also valued for its nutritional benefits. The ripe fruit is rich in carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds known as phytochemicals.
The seeds are also rich in carbohydrates and protein, adding another layer of value to the fruit.
So, when you grow jackfruit, you are growing a rich source of nutrients with numerous health benefits.
Should You Grow Jackfruit?
If you have the space, jackfruit is absolutely worth considering. It grows fast, fruits reliably, and can produce generously once mature.
It is not a small-space fruit tree, but for anyone with enough land, it is a rewarding tropical fruit tree that offers food, shade and a real sense of abundance.
Thanks for reading!
