From what I’ve read and what I’ve observed, chempedak (Artocarpus integer) has a high mortality rate when grown from seed. I suspect that they die due to the stem growing faster than what the roots can support and the nutrients in the seed running out before the root system can compensate. Some people have had more success when grafting it onto jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) or chempejack (Artocarpus integer × heterophyllus) rootstock, but those grafts often don’t take. Has anyone discovered any ways to more reliably keep the seedlings alive?

  • livligkinkajou@slrpnk.net
    1·
    9 days ago

    They don’t really like cold weather, and as you mentioned, they are quite finicky early on

    If you haven’t tried it yet, see if you can:

    • Get your hands on fresh seeds
    • When washing them, discard any that do not sink. Those floaters rarely grow
    • Use fine burnt paddy husk for potting seedlings if available, or try a sandy loam soil (40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay)
    • Ensure good drainage
    • Yet they still like high humidity, so regular watering is good (2x a day), but too much and your root will rot
    • First 2 months, keep it in 50% sunshade, after that, it thrives under direct sunlight

    I’m closer to the equator, so you might need to adjust if you are in a different latitude