Jackfruit - Honey Red
Artocarpus heterophyllus 'Honey Red'
Common Names: Honey Red Jackfruit, Red Jackfruit
Local Name: Sivappu Palaa (Tamil), Lal Kathal (Hindi)
Family: Moraceae
Origin: Southeast Asia (selected cultivar with red-fleshed bulbs)
Plant Type: Perennial evergreen tree
Variety: Honey Red — distinctive red-orange fleshed bulbs with intense honey-like sweetness
Average Lifespan: 60–100+ years
🌿 Botanical Description
| Growth Habit | Large evergreen tree with broad, dense canopy |
| Plant Size | 10–18 meters tall; canopy spread 8–12 meters |
| Leaves | Alternate, elliptic to obovate, 10–25 cm, dark green, glossy, leathery |
| Flowers | Monoecious; tiny flowers on cauliflorous inflorescences on trunk and main branches |
| Flower Characteristics | Male spikes cylindrical; female spikes barrel-shaped; borne on older wood |
| Fruit | Medium to large, 8–20 kg; oblong; bulbs are deep red-orange with honey-sweet flavor and firm texture |
| Fruit Color | Green rind with blunt spines; deep red to crimson-orange bulbs inside |
| Seed Characteristics | Oval seeds (2–3 cm) within each bulb; edible when roasted or boiled |
| Root System | Deep taproot with extensive lateral root network |
☀ Growing Conditions
| Climate | Tropical to warm subtropical; humid conditions preferred |
| Temperature Range | 25–35°C ideal; frost-sensitive; tolerates brief heat up to 42°C |
| Rainfall Requirement | 1000–2500 mm annually |
| Soil Type | Deep, well-drained loamy or laterite soil rich in organic matter |
| Soil pH Preference | 6.0–7.5 |
| Sun Requirement | Full sun (8+ hours daily) |
| Spacing | 8–10 meters between trees |
| Irrigation Method | Basin or drip irrigation; consistent moisture for young trees |
| Water Requirement | Moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| Can it Grow in Pots? | Young trees only; needs ground planting for full production |
🌾 Cultivation & Care
| Fertilizer Schedule | Quarterly; increase potassium during fruiting for color development |
| Recommended Organic Fertilizers | FYM, vermicompost, neem cake, wood ash (potassium source), bone meal |
| Pesticide Frequency | 2–3 sprays during fruiting season |
| Recommended Organic Pesticides | Neem oil, Beauveria bassiana, garlic-chili spray |
| Mulching Practice | Thick organic mulch; recycle leaf litter |
| Training System | Modified central leader; keep lower branches accessible |
| Pruning Time | Post-harvest (September–October) |
| How to Prune | Remove dead and crossing branches; thin canopy for air and light |
| Common Pests | Shoot borer, fruit borer, mealybug, bark-eating caterpillar |
| Common Diseases | Rhizopus fruit rot, anthracnose, pink disease, leaf spot |
| Disease Prevention & Remedies | Good sanitation, proper spacing, copper fungicides, remove infected fruits |
🌸 Flowering & Fruiting
| Flowering Months | January–April |
| Fruiting Season | May–September |
| Days to Harvest | 100–150 days from pollination |
| Harvest Indicators | Hollow sound when tapped, strong sweet aroma, spines flatten, skin lightens |
| Average Yield per Plant | 80–150 fruits per tree per year (mature tree) |
| Pollination Type | Wind and insect pollination |
| Pollination Notes | Monoecious; wind is primary pollinator; good fruit set |
🌱 Pollination & Propagation
| Pollination Details | Wind-pollinated; male and female inflorescences on same tree |
| Propagation by Seeds | Not recommended; seedlings do not reliably produce red-fleshed fruit |
| Propagation by Cuttings | Air layering possible with moderate success |
| Propagation by Grafting | Softwood or approach grafting essential to maintain red-flesh trait |
💧 Environmental Impact & Sustainability
| Water Usage | Low to moderate once established |
| Soil Conservation Practices | Large canopy prevents erosion; leaf litter enriches soil |
| Organic Practices Used | Composting, jeevamrutha, biological pest management |
| Companion Plants | Pepper, ginger, turmeric as understory crops |
| Biodiversity Benefits | Habitat for birds and insects; shade ecosystem |
💰 Economic Importance
| Commercial Production Regions | Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, India (emerging), Indonesia |
| Market Uses | Premium fresh fruit; novelty/specialty market |
| Processing Uses | Dried fruit, chips, desserts, ice cream flavoring |
| Market Value (Approx.) | ₹150–500 per kg (premium due to rarity); grafted saplings highly valued |
🌿 Cultural Significance
| Symbolism | Red-fleshed jackfruit considered auspicious and rare in many cultures |
| Traditional Uses | Wood for furniture; seeds as food; latex as adhesive |
🍈 Nutritional Information
| Calories | 95 kcal per 100g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5 g per 100g |
| Vitamin C | 13.7 mg per 100g |
| Vitamin A | Higher than yellow varieties due to carotenoid pigments |
| Iron | 0.23 mg per 100g |
| Potassium | 448 mg per 100g |
| Antioxidants | Rich in lycopene, beta-carotene, and anthocyanins (responsible for red color) |
| Other Key Nutrients | Thiamine, riboflavin, magnesium, manganese |
🌿 Medicinal Uses
| Anxiety & Sleep | Not a primary medicinal use |
| Immune Support | Vitamin C and enhanced carotenoid content support immunity |
| Anti-inflammatory Properties | Lycopene and phenolic compounds show anti-inflammatory effects |
| Heart Health | Potassium and antioxidants support cardiovascular health |
| Digestive Health | Fiber aids digestion; seeds used in traditional digestive remedies |
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice.
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