Jackfruit success stories in SoCal???

[Jeramyl]

Hello fellow gardeners.  I  see some old threads on growing jackfruit in SoCal and it does look like there are some success stories. 

Not a lot of new information on the forum here.  Any updated successes?  Is one variety having better success than others?  I know there were many members talking about this 5-10 years ago so there ought to Bree some good recommendations by now.

Many thanks!

[MarktLee]

I've had a "Gold Nugget" growing very big in the ground here in Chula Vista. The only problem is we are too cold all winter for the fruit to size up and ripen properly. The fruit get about football size, but then soften up in spring and drop without fully ripening. There are other places where some varieties do fine in the County. I'm looking for a variety that doesn't need to get very big to ripen properly.

[Seanny]

Have you tried wrapping the fruit with a heating pad, the long pad used for wrapping a keg for fermentation?

I’m waiting for my seedling to get a fruit to try keeping the fruit warm.

[SDPirate]

Would they fare better a little more inland you think? Kind of like how mangos will do marginally better inland.  Or is the trade off of lower winter temp dips for warmer days when compared to the coast not worth trying to grow jackfruit?  Wish I could say I knew someone personally here with one but I don't.

[Oolie]

There's plenty of frost free hillside further inland where it is much hotter, that still gets marine influence at night.

I'd say there's plenty of opportunity for success out here, though all my seeds get eaten by squirrels as quickly as I plant them.

[mangoba]

I've had a "Gold Nugget" growing very big in the ground here in Chula Vista. The only problem is we are too cold all winter for the fruit to size up and ripen properly. The fruit get about football size, but then soften up in spring and drop without fully ripening. There are other places where some varieties do fine in the County. I'm looking for a variety that doesn't need to get very big to ripen properly.

I checked Chula Vista's weather in winter and doesn't seem bad. Are you saying that cold hurts it even when it doesn't get terribly cold?

[Jeramyl]

I’m near the ocean too so I’m wondering if I’ll get hot enough for long enough … definitely no frost but wondering if there’s a nice variety that we can successfully ripen .  Sure hope so!

[MasonG31]

I've had a "Gold Nugget" growing very big in the ground here in Chula Vista. The only problem is we are too cold all winter for the fruit to size up and ripen properly. The fruit get about football size, but then soften up in spring and drop without fully ripening. There are other places where some varieties do fine in the County. I'm looking for a variety that doesn't need to get very big to ripen properly.

Wow Mark.  I think you just convinced me to dig out the jackfruit seedling trees I planted in my front yard.  They’re about 5 years old, about 7 feet tall.  I’m 6 miles from the ocean.  My dream is to harvest a nice big jackfruit in my home yard. Oh well…

[SanDiegoCherimoya]

I’ve seen it work on the top of a south facing hillside just west of the 15.

[Ermes]

I live in Italy at 38 N in a very favorable microclimate, where Jackfruit is possible, but not necessarily bears fruits.
A very early small-fruited variety is probably needed.
I'm following the discussion with interest...

[Mike T]

Dwarf jacks might stand a better shot. Their fruit is a little smaller and faster to develop. Grafted minis can be fruiting quickly and at a short stature.