1. Description
Common Name: Chembarathi Varikka
Other Names: Red Flesh Varikka, Rose-Hued Jackfruit
Specialty:
- Grafted variety ensures early and true-to-type fruiting
- Known for deep reddish-orange flesh with excellent sweetness and aroma
- Crunchy texture (Varikka type), low gum
- Loved for its unique color and less seed content
- High yielding and fast growing
2. How to Plant
Method: Plant the grafted sapling in open ground or large grow bags (minimum 24×24 inch)
Soil Type: Well-drained, rich loamy soil mixed with compost and sand
Planting Steps:
- Dig a pit of 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 feet
- Mix topsoil with cow dung, compost, and river sand
- Place the grafted plant, ensuring graft union is above the soil
- Fill back the soil and press gently
- Water thoroughly after planting
Spacing: Keep 6–8 feet spacing if planting multiple trees
3. Plant Size
- At Purchase: 2 to 3.5 feet tall (grafted sapling)
- Mature Size: Can grow up to 20–30 feet if not pruned
- Canopy: Wide and dense if grown in open ground
4. Fruiting Time
- First Fruiting: Within 2.5 to 3 years (grafted plants)
- Season: Summer (March to June); may bear off-season in tropical areas
- Fruit Characteristics:
- Medium to large jackfruits
- Attractive chembarathi red flesh
- Sweet, aromatic, and crunchy
- Fewer seeds and easy to clean
5. Plant Type
- Type: Grafted, perennial, evergreen fruit tree
- Propagation: Grafted for true-to-type characteristics
- Ideal for: Home gardens, farm plots, road sides, school gardens
- Pot Friendly: Not ideal for long-term potting due to size (only for early years)
6. Caring Tips
Sunlight:
- Requires full sunlight – minimum 6 hours/day
Watering:
- Water 2–3 times a week during dry months
- Ensure good drainage to avoid root rot
Fertilizer:
- Apply organic manure like cow dung or compost monthly
- Use neem cake or bone meal every 2 months
- During fruiting, apply wood ash or potash for sweeter fruit
Pruning:
- Prune after every harvest to control height and shape
- Remove dead or excess vertical branches to promote horizontal spread
Pest Control:
- Watch for mealybugs or borers – use neem oil or organic pesticides
- Apply turmeric and ash mix at the base for natural pest resistance
Other Tips:
- Keep the base weed-free
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and prevent soil cracking
