Chembarathi Varika Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

A famous Kerala jackfruit selection celebrated for its firm, non-sticky bulbous carpels that feature a striking deep reddish-pink tone resembling hibiscus (chembarathi), accompanied by a rich, honeyed sweetness and pleasant crunch.

Grafted trees adapt exceptionally well to container culture and compact home orchards, maintaining a manageable dwarf structure and yielding fruit in just 2 to 3 years compared to 8+ years for seedling trees!

Description

Chembarathi Varika Jackfruit / Red Varika (Artocarpus heterophyllus ‘Chembarathi’) grows best in 6–8 hours of sunlight and thrives in warm, humid tropical climates. It produces jackfruits with firm, reddish-orange bulbs and a sweet flavour. Water regularly during the early growth stage and dry periods, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. It prefers deep, fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Choose a spacious planting location, as the tree develops a broad canopy and extensive roots.

Recommended Planting Method for Best Results

For healthy growth and strong establishment, prepare a 2–3 ft deep pit. If available, place a layer of green leaves at the bottom. Mix 1.5 kg bone meal, 1 kg oil cake, 20 kg raw cow or goat dung, and 100 g urea with an equal quantity of soil, then fill the pit and cover it with soil.

Leave the pit for about one month, watering it daily so the mixture decomposes well. After one month, mix the contents again and add 100 g calcium or dolomite. Wait one more week, then plant the sapling.

If you need to plant immediately and cannot wait for the one-month decomposition period, do not add oil cake or calcium/dolomite; use only the soil, manure, bone meal, and urea mixture for planting.