From Fairchild
Tropical Botanic Garden
by Noris Ledesma, Curator of Tropical fruit
Curator's Choice
Jackfruit
Noris Ledesma, curator of tropical fruit, has carefully selected
jackfruit cultivars well-suited to South Florida conditions. These
cultivars represent a new generation of jackfruit with superior
horticultural traits.Grafted trees and new superior hybrids from the
Jackfruit Breeding Program at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden are
available for sale. These hybrids come from carefully selected parents
with superior flavors. Our new generations of jackfruits are ready to
speak for the Fairchild brand. Each variety is unique and worthy of
appreciation on its own merits. Don’t miss it!
‘Fairchild
First’
is
one of the jackfruit varieties developed using breeding approaches at
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The tree is upright and of medium
vigor and can easily be maintained at a height of 3 m or less with
production of 60 kg (132 lb) per year. The fruit are small and smooth
in comparison with other cultivars because the spines flatten and open
as the fruit matures. Fruit average 1.0 kg or less, with 39% edible
fruit percentage. During some 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 and can be maintained at a height of 3.5 m with annual pruning.
Fruiting is heavy and consistent, averaging 90 kg (200 lb) or more per
year. The fruit are large, with an average size of 8 kg (18 lb). The
color is a light green to yellow. The flesh is a light yellow and is
firm, with a mild, sweet flavor. The flavor is appealing to those that
prefer a milder jackfruit flavor.
Jackfruit
‘Black
Gold’
was
selected in Queensland, Australia. The tree is vigorous, with a dense
and highly manageable canopy. With annual pruning the tree is easily
maintained at a height and spread of 2 to 2.5 m (6.5 to 8.1 ft), with
consistent, heavy production of 55 to 90 kg (120 to 200 lb) per tree.
The fruit are medium-sized, averaging 6.7 kg (14.7 lb), with an edible
flesh percentage of 35%. 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. The deep orange flesh is soft, with a
strong, sweet flavor and aroma. The flesh is easily removed from the
fruit compared with other cultivars.
Prepared jackfruit
‘Dang Rasimi’
originated
in Thailand. The tree is open, spreading and fast growing. It must be
pruned annually to maintain a height and spread of 3 to 3.5 m (9.7 to
11.4 ft). The trees are highly productive, yielding 75 to 125 kg (165
to 275 lb) per tree, while maintaining vigorous growth. The fruit are
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 are medium to large,
averaging 8 kg (17.6 lb), with 32% edible flesh percentage. The flesh
is deep orange and firm. It has a mild, sweet flavor and a sweet,
pleasant aroma. ‘Dang Rasimi’ is one of the most
vigorous
jackfruit cultivars, and must be annually pruned to maintain size.
Dr. Richard Campbell
‘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 2 to 2.5 m
(6.5 to 8.1 ft). The fruit are small, green and rounded, with sharp,
fleshy spines on the skin. The spines flatten to a smooth,
golden-yellow upon maturity. The fruit weigh 3.2 kg (7 lb), with an
excellent edible flesh percentage of 41%. 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 can be
maintained at 60 to 80 kg (132 to 176 lb) per tree per year.
Jackfruit
‘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 2 to 2.5 m (6.5 to 8.1 m). Trees of this size can produce 42
to 60 kg (92 to 132 lb) per year. The fruit are large and irregular in
shape with prominent, blunt spines. The weight is 12 kg (26 lb), with
an edible flesh percentage of 36%. The flesh is deep yellow and firm
with thick walls. The flavor is sweet and rich with a strong, earthy
aroma. ‘J-31' will often produce off-season fruit during the
fall
and winter.
Noris Ledesma, Curator of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
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