
How long does it take for a breadfruit tree to fruit?
It may take a few years to get your tree to fruit, but in the meantime, your tree will sprout up quickly and start to give you the exotic atmosphere you're looking for. Once you do start getting fruit, you can expect 20-50 fruits per year and in some cases, even more. If you don't live in the south, you can still grow a Breadfruit Tree.
What does a breadfruit tree look like?
The breadfruit tree attains a height of about 85 feet (26 m.) and has large, thick, deeply notched leaves. The entire tree yields a milky juice called latex when cut, which is useful for a number of things, most notably, boat caulking. The trees have both male and female flowers growing on the same tree (monoecious).
What is the average yield of breadfruit?
Breadfruit is one of the highest-yielding food plants, with a single tree producing up to 200 or more grapefruit-sized fruits per season, requiring limited care. In the South Pacific, the trees yield 50 to 150 fruits per year, usually round, oval or oblong weighing 0.25–6 kg. ... Breadfruit is an equatorial lowland species.
What temperature does a breadfruit tree need to grow?
The average air temperatures need to be between 60-100°F during the growing season. Anything under 40°F will damage or kill your breadfruit tree. You can plant in containers in cooler areas and move outside in the summer, although they can be heavy because you need a big pot.
How long does it take for breadfruit to grow?
How to grow breadfruit from a root?
What is Breadfruit?
Why does my breadfruit tree look like it has been burned?
What is the best soil for breadfruit?
Why prune breadfruit?
How many breadfruit varieties are there?
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Is breadfruit easy to grow?
Once established, breadfruit trees require very little care. If you're ambitious, you can definitely try growing breadfruit from seed, but keep in mind the fruit won't develop true to type. If you're interested in planting breadfruit seeds, read on for more information on breadfruit seed propagation.
Does breadfruit need a lot of water?
Trees need lots of water, high humidity and deep, well-drained soil. 2. Plant young breadfruit trees in holes 40 cm deep and 0.9 m wide, 7.5-12 m apart in plantations, about 80 trees per hectare.
How many fruits does a breadfruit tree produce?
A single tree, producing just 100 fruit per year, will provide about 100 kg (220 lbs) or more of food. The nutritious fruit is an energy-rich food, high in complex carbohydrates and rich in dietary fiber, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, thiamin, and niacin.
Is breadfruit hard to grow?
By the time breadfruit is ripe and sweet right through, the outside is covered with off-putting fungus. Careful cultivation could prevent this, but in India no one bothers. In general, the plant is hard to grow because it rarely produces seeds.
Where does breadfruit grow best?
Breadfruit has a wide range of adaptability to ecological conditions. It grows best in equatorial lowlands below 600-650 m but is found at elevations up to 1550 m.
How do you keep a breadfruit tree small?
Trimming breadfruit trees annually encourages new growth and maintains the desired size and shape. Pruning a breadfruit tree should be done every year, beginning after the trees are two or three years old. The ideal time for pruning a breadfruit is after completion of harvest, but before vigorous new growth begins.
Can you eat breadfruit raw?
Raw, unripened breadfruit is inedible and must be cooked before consuming. Once breadfruit is moderately to fully ripe, it can be consumed raw. With it's potato-like flavor and texture, breadfruit goes into a vast array of dishes.
Can you grow breadfruit in a container?
Breadfruit trees can thrive in containers for many years. Provided you can give it plenty of sunshine and the heat it craves, you can grow the plant but fruiting may be compromised. It is an attractive specimen and one which would add sultry ambiance to your home interior.
Is breadfruit good for kidney?
Breadfruit contains high amounts of potassium. Studies suggest that this is harmful to people with kidney diseases.
How long can a breadfruit tree live?
This crop is maintained ex situ as clonal trees in field genebanks. Trees can live 80 years or more. Breadfruit is adapted to a wide range of ecological conditions. Altitude: grows best in equatorial lowlands below 600–650 m but is found at elevations up to 1550 m.
How tall does a breadfruit tree get?
Trees can reach heights of 21 m (70 ft) or more at maturity, more commonly around 12–15 m (40–50 ft). The trunk may be large as 2 m (6.6 ft) in diameter, occasionally growing to a height of 4 m or more (13 ft) before branching. A white milky latex is present in all parts of the tree.
Are breadfruit trees self pollinating?
The trees are self-fertile, ensuring a harvest even if you only have one tree. Cooked breadfruit has a taste similar to potatoes or bread.
How do you take care of breadfruit?
How to Care for a Breadfruit TreeInsert a garden stake in the soil, just beside the plant's stem. ... Keep the tree in full sun. ... Mist potted plants daily with water using a spray bottle. ... Remove dead or damaged limbs whenever you see them.More items...
Do breadfruit trees need full sun?
Mature trees prefer full sun. Breadfruit grown from seed will fruit in 5 to 10 years. Seedless varieties must be vegetatively propagated and this method is also preferred for seeded types as the trees are clones of the mother plant.
Can you grow breadfruit in a container?
Breadfruit trees can thrive in containers for many years. Provided you can give it plenty of sunshine and the heat it craves, you can grow the plant but fruiting may be compromised. It is an attractive specimen and one which would add sultry ambiance to your home interior.
Why is my breadfruit tree turning yellow?
Discolored Breadfruit Leaves Soft rot is a fungal disease that causes wilting and yellowing of breadfruit leaves. It is especially common after long rainstorms when the soil is starved of oxygen. The water-borne spores are spread by rain splash, often occurring during windy, wet weather.
Breadfruit Care - How To Grow And Harvest Breadfruit - DIYs.com
High in carbohydrates and vitamin C, breadfruit has been an excellent food source in the tropical regions when wheat and corn were scarce. If you’re gluten intolerant and wheat and oats are off the menu, you can safely consume the gluten-free breadfruit flour.
How tall is a breadfruit tree?
The breadfruit tree attains a height of about 85 feet (26 m.) and has large, thick, deeply notched leaves. The entire tree yields a milky juice called latex when cut, which is useful for a number of things, most notably, boat caulking. The trees have both male and female flowers growing on the same tree (monoecious).
Where are breadfruit trees grown?
Aboard the Bounty were thousands of breadfruit trees bound for the islands of the West Indies. The fruit is grown in South Florida in the United States or imported from the West Indies, particularly Jamaica, from June through October, sometimes year around, and is found in local specialty markets. The breadfruit tree attains a height ...
What is a Breadfruit?
Breadfruit ( Artocarpus altilis) is native to the Malayan Archipelago and gained some recognition due to its affiliation with Captain Bligh’s famed ship, the Bounty, in 1788. Aboard the Bounty were thousands of breadfruit trees bound for the islands of the West Indies. The fruit is grown in South Florida in the United States or imported from the West Indies, particularly Jamaica, from June through October, sometimes year around, and is found in local specialty markets.
How many grapefruits can a tree produce?
A single tree can produce up to 200 or even more grapefruit sized fruits per season. Productivity varies according to wet or drier cultivation areas. The fruit is rich in potassium and is used very much akin to a potato – it can be boiled, steamed, baked, or fried.
How big is a sage tree?
Male blooms emerge first, followed by female blooms that are pollinated a few days later. The resulting fruit is round to oval, 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm.) long and about 8 inches (20 cm.) across.
Do breadfruit trees grow in tropical climates?
Image by bennyartist. Although we don’t grow them here, too chilly, breadfruit tree care and cultivation is widely practiced in many tropical cultures. It is a major carbohydrate source, a staple throughout much of the tropics, but what is a breadfruit and where does breadfruit grow?
Is breadfruit a vegetable?
Breadfruit is mostly utilized as a vegetable and, when cooked, has a musky, fruity flavor and, yet, extremely mild, lending itself well to bold dishes such as curries. Ripe breadfruit may have a texture like ripe avocado or be as runny as ripe brie cheese.
What is the role of breadfruit trees?
In addition to using fruits as a source of food, breadfruit trees have played a major role in the health and sustenance of many cultures. Here are some of the most common benefits of the breadfruit tree throughout history and to this day.
What to use on breadfruit tree to get rid of bugs?
Use neem oil for large infestations to get rid of this insect. The only disease that you have to worry about for your breadfruit tree is sooty mold. It’s the result of the above pests depositing honeydew on the branches and leaves which is fertile ground for the spores of sooty mold.
What is a maohi tree?
Maohi: A small tree that you can grow in a DIY greenhouse in your backyard. The flesh is a little hard and requires more cooking time than other cultivars.
How many fruits do a sage tree bear?
The flowers need fruit bats to pollinate although some cultivars are self-pollinating. After pollination, the fruits develop. Each tree bears about 200 fruits on average every year. The fruit can be round, oval, or oblong and weighs between a half-pound to 13 pounds depending on the variety.
How tall do a sage tree get?
Nowadays the tree thrives in over 90 countries around the world as long as the weather is right. The mature tree reaches about 85 feet tall on average. Each tree produces both male and female flowers. The flowers need fruit bats to pollinate although some cultivars are self-pollinating.
How to get a root shoot from a tree?
Similar to root cuttings. However, here you’ll need to injure the main root of the tree to trigger a root shoot. When the shoot is about one foot long , cut it from the main root and plant it in peat moss. Keep it moist until it sprouts.
Can breadfruit be used as a substitute for gum?
Since it’s waterproof, you can use it to caulk your roof. It’s also quite tasty and is a good sugar-free substitute for chewing gum.
How tall do breadfruit trees grow?
Breadfruit trees grow to a height of 26 m (85 ft). The large and thick leaves are deeply cut into pinnate lobes. All parts of the tree yield latex, which is useful for boat caulking. The trees are monoecious, with male and female flowers growing on the same tree.
What is the name of the tree that grows breadfruit?
Sitodium altile Parkinson ex F.A.Zorn. Breadfruit ( Artocarpus altilis) is a species of flowering tree in the mulberry and jackfruit ( Artocarpus heterophyllus) family ( Moraceae) believed to be a domesticated descendant of Artocarpus camansi originating in New Guinea, the Maluku Islands, ...
How many pounds of breadfruit can be grown in a year?
One breadfruit tree can produce 200 kilograms (450 lb) each season. Because breadfruit trees usually produce large crops at certain times of the year, preservation of harvested fruit is an issue. One traditional preservation technique is to bury peeled and washed fruits in a leaf-lined pit where they ferment over several weeks and produce a sour, sticky paste. So stored, the product may endure a year or more, and some pits are reported to have produced edible contents more than 20 years later. Fermented breadfruit mash goes by many names such as mahr, ma, masi, furo, and bwiru, among others.
What type of soil does breadfruit grow in?
Breadfruit is able to grow in coral sands and saline soils.
How many grapefruits do breadfruit trees produce?
Breadfruit is one of the highest-yielding food plants, with a single tree producing up to 200 or more grapefruit-sized fruits per season, requiring limited care. In the South Pacific, the trees yield 50 to 150 fruits per year, usually round, oval or oblong weighing 0.25–6 kg.
Where did breadfruit originate?
According to DNA fingerprinting studies, the wild seeded ancestor of breadfruit is the breadnut ( Artocarpus camansi) which is native to New Guinea, the Maluku Island s, and the Philippines. It was one of the canoe plants spread by Austronesian voyagers around 3,000 years ago into Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia, where it was not native.
What is the temperature range of breadfruit?
The breadfruit is ultra-tropical, requiring a temperature range of 16–38 °C (61–100 °F) and an annual rainfall of 2,000–2,500 mm (80–100 in).
How tall are breadfruit trees?
In the wild in their native Southeast Asia, breadfruit trees can reach 85 feet (26 m.) in height. That’s simply not going to happen in a container. And since breadfruit trees take many years to reach maturity and begin to bear fruit, there’s a good chance you won’t ever reach the harvest stage.
How tall should a fig tree be?
And while your tree isn’t going to reach its full 85 feet (26 m.) in height, it should grow well in a pot. And you never know, you just might get some fruit.
Can breadfruit grow outdoors?
Image by yogesh_more. Breadfruit is a staple food in many tropical countries, where it grows as a native tree. Since it is used to very warm climates, it can’t grow outdoors in zones where temperatures fall below freezing. If you live in a temperate zone and still want to try your hand at breadfruit cultivation, ...
Do breadfruit trees need water?
Breadfruit trees are native to the tropics, and they need lots of moisture. Opt for a glazed or plastic container that retains water better, and water very regularly. Never let the pot stand in water in its saucer, however, as this can drown the plant. Potted breadfruit trees need lots of light and warm weather.
How tall is a breadfruit tree?
Unlike anything you've ever seen before, this tree will help your yard stand out from the rest. Growing to heights of 40-80 feet, with a width of 20', your Breadfruit tree will look unlike anything else growing in your neighborhood. Large green to yellow fruit, growing to the size of a football hang from thick, sturdy branches adorned with lush green foliage. You'll never get tired of looking out at your yard and watching this incredible plant grow.
How many fruits can you get from a breadfruit tree?
Once you do start getting fruit, you can expect 20-50 fruits per year and in some cases, even more. If you don't live in the south, you can still grow a Breadfruit Tree. By planting your Breadfruit Tree in a container, you'll get a smaller tree, but one that will survive even in cold climates.
What is a tropical fruit tree?
A Unique Tropical Fruit Tree Full of Nutrition. A staple in Oceanic cultures, but a rarity in the US, the Breadfruit Tree will make an incredible addition to your yard. You may have never heard of this exotic fruit, but it's been providing important nutrition to Oceanic cultures for centuries. If you've ever visited Hawaii, you've probably seen ...
How long does breadfruit last in the fridge?
The fruit can also be picked before it is fully ripened and then left to ripen in the refrigerator for a week. Picked fruit will last for up to 10 days in the fridge, but it does not freeze well.
How long does it take for a tropical tree to grow?
Growing fast, you'll have a big tropical tree in very little time. It may take a few years to get your tree to fruit, but in the meantime, your tree will sprout up quickly and start to give you the exotic atmosphere you're looking for.
Can breadfruit trees be grown indoors?
The Breadfruit Tree really doesn' t like to be in temperatures less than 60 degrees, so you'll need to bring your plant indoors once temperature drop. Eat the fruit that nourishes Oceanic cultures. Breadfruit are extremely nutritious fruit.
Is breadfruit growing in popularity?
The Breadfruit is growing in popularity in the US. As exotic foods grow in demand, the Breadfruit is gaining momentum. Be the first in your neighborhood to plant an exotic Breadfruit. Order your unique tree today.
How long does it take for breadfruit to grow?
When the breadfruits are about two feet tall, transplant outside to where you are planting them permanently. Breadfruit trees grown this way take up to seven years to fruit. That’s why I plant trees bought from a nursery, but it’s fun to create your own plant from seeds and root suckers.
How to grow breadfruit from a root?
Breadfruits grow better from a root sucker, not from a cutting of the tree. Often a root sucker will grow from an exposed root or through the soil. To get one , gently dig around the cutting to expose the root. Then, cut off the shoot, making sure it’s at least nine inches long and has at least a few leaves.
What is Breadfruit?
Breadfruit ( Artocarpus altilis) can be found growing worldwide, used for food, medicine, boat building, and to prevent erosion of hillsides. All parts of the tree are used, and they are an important part of the ecosystem, wherever they grow.
Why does my breadfruit tree look like it has been burned?
Spores land on the sticky honeydew and reproduce and before you know it, your breadfruit tree looks like it has been burned all over. Breadfruit won’t die from sooty mold, but they will suffer from the pests that cause the problem. That’s why the best remedy for sooty mold is to rid the breadfruit of the pests.
What is the best soil for breadfruit?
One of the great things about breadfruit is it can thrive in a variety of soils, but they prefer soil that is fertile, deep, and drains well. Soil with a bit of sand is ideal. It needs a pH of 6.0 to 7.4. Breadfruits grow big.
Why prune breadfruit?
Because breadfruit grows so big, it’s wise to prune regularly to maintain a manageable size.
How many breadfruit varieties are there?
Varieties of Breadfruit. There are hundreds of breadfruit varieties, and many look completely different from the standard green orb often seen in photos. Some are perfect for home growing, so we’ll cover those varieties.

Overview
Description
Breadfruit trees grow to a height of 26 metres (85 feet). The large and thick leaves are deeply cut into pinnate lobes. All parts of the tree yield latex, which is useful for boat caulking.
The trees are monoecious, with male and female flowers growing on the same tree. The male flowers emerge first, followed shortly afterward by the female flowers. The latter grow into capitula, which are capable of pollination just three days later. Pollination occurs mainly by fruit bats, but …
Taxonomy
According to DNA fingerprinting studies, the wild seeded ancestor of breadfruit is the breadnut (Artocarpus camansi) which is native to New Guinea, the Maluku Islands, and the Philippines. It was one of the canoe plants spread by Austronesian voyagers around 3,000 years ago into Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia, where it was not native.
A. camansi was domesticated and selectively bred in Polynesia, giving rise to the mostly seedles…
Distribution and habitat
Breadfruit is an equatorial lowland species. It has been spread from its Pacific source to many tropical regions.
In 1769, Joseph Banks was stationed in Tahiti as part of the Endeavour expedition commanded by Captain James Cook. The late-18th-century quest for cheap, high-energy food sources for slaves in British colonies prompted colonial administrators and plantation owners to call for breadfruit to …
Uses
Breadfruit is a staple food in many tropical regions. Most breadfruit varieties produce fruit throughout the year. Both ripe and unripe fruit have culinary uses; unripe breadfruit is cooked before consumption. Before being eaten, the fruit are roasted, baked, fried or boiled. When cooked, the taste of moderately ripe breadfruit is described as potato-like, or similar to freshly baked bread.
In culture
On Puluwat in the Caroline Islands, in the context of sacred yitang lore, breadfruit (poi) is a figure of speech for knowledge. This lore is organized into five categories: war, magic, meetings, navigation, and breadfruit.
According to an etiological Hawaiian myth, the breadfruit originated from the sacrifice of the war god Kū. After deciding to live secretly among mortals as a farmer, Kū married and had children. …
See also
• Breadnut (Artocarpus camansi)
• Cempedak (Artocarpus integer)
• Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
• Treculia – known as African breadfruit
External links
• Breadfruit Institute