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wolfyvegan@slrpnk.net

Any tips for keeping chempedak (Artocarpus integer) seedlings alive? (slrpnk.net)

submitted 1 month ago by wolfyvegan@slrpnk.net to c/fruit@slrpnk.net

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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?

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[–] livligkinkajou@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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

[–] wolfyvegan@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 month ago

Thanks for the tips. Seed germination is not an issue, just die-off, mainly from root-rot it appears. Mostly clay soil around here, so drainage is never perfect once the trees are in the ground, though of course I amend the soil with organic material as much as I can. I heard from someone else that ash and lime (CaO) can reduce the incidence of whatever fungal rot damages the roots, so for anyone reading who also has this issue, let's all try that. Couldn't hurt.