Project Jackfruit 2014, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Nangka, 婆罗密.

Planning to launch my project Jackfruit into a higher gear. Had delivered 30  grafted Jackfruits on December for field planting and about 10 had been planted. Have about 15 more, almost ready for delivery. All this while the grafted were from clone J29 & J31.

Mother Jackfruit Tree J29.

Jackfruit J29
Fruit Size Medium to large (11-15 kg).
Fruit Characteristics Round, yellowish green skin, coarse spines, well-spaced, big seed.
Flesh Characteristics Medium-thick yellow orange flesh, fine texture, sweet, with strong aroma. Flesh recovery 33.3%
Notes  Fresh consumption cultivar registered with DOA in 1973. Originated in Sungai (River) Chua, Selangor.

Mother Jackfruit Tree J31.

Jackfruit J31
 Fruit Size Medium (8-12 kg).
Fruit Characteristics Elongated to roundish, 45-55 cm long. Green skin, moderate thickness, a lot of latex, spines closely spaced, big pulp units.
Flesh Characteristics Medium thick flesh, yellow, crispy, sweet, strong aroma with fine texture. Flesh recovery 31-35%. 
Notes Previously known as NS1. Dual purpose cultivar suitable fresh as well as canning.

These are the older clones, and I have access to scions from my previous little farm. Also it gave me the opportunity to learn Jackfruit grafting. Thank you to them.

As I shall be moving into the newer clone, the Honey Jackfruit Range. Starting off with Tekam Yellow J33. Had planted 4 back in August 2013. 1 wasn't doing well and was relocated back in October 2013. 3 of them are producing scions which am already using. The 1 that was relocated is still recovering with minimal growth and I can't harvest any scion from it yet. After many tries, I manage to clone it. Clone Number 1 was planted in the field on 13th Jan. It replace the Avocado that had died, with a location by the roadside, I figure it should give me easy access to harvest more scion from her. This location we have planted Avocado twice and was never successful, so hopefully it's more suitable for Clone Number 1. Should have a couple more which shall be 'taking' soon. Was doing a projection that should I produce about 15 more clones of J33 then I should have endless supplies of scions later part of the year. This shall be my top priority.

The relocated Tekam Yellow, still recovering.

Honey Jackfruit Tekam Yellow, already contributing scions.

Another contributor, Honey Jackfruit Tekam Yellow.

Jackfruit J33, contributing scions.

Jackfruit J33 Tekam Yellow, Honey Jackfruit
 Fruit Size Large (12- 25kg).
Fruit Characteristics Elongated, yellowish green skin, dented shoulder.
Flesh Characteristics Medium thick flesh, yellow, crispy, very sweet.
Flesh recovery 31-35%. 
Notes Long shelve life, suitable for export. Very popular for fresh consumption.

Other clones of Mastura, CJ3 and SongSang Red. Due to the drastic change in weather, am only left with 1 X Mastura, 1 X CJ3, and another very weak Mastura, in ICU, most probably shall not make it. As these are still in a very infancy stage, still in poly bag, I don't expect them to be able to produce scion in the near future. It shall be another 9 months to go. May work on acquiring more of these on my trips home.

Clone Number 1 Tekam Yellow.

Too small and need time to grow.

 More heavy rain forecast till 25th Jan. Decided to move the 2 Jackfruit plants to the ICU.

Jackfruit at ICU.

During the transfer, quite some water had drained off. When parked at ICU, water drained within minutes. I already cleared some soil from the colar and replace with rice husk to create a faster drying day before.

I am Number 2, the second J33 Tekam Yellow clone.

I am Number 3, the second Honey Tekam Yellow clone.

Rescue S. Avocado (Persea americana).

S. Avocado looking good.

Anothe S. Avocado looks great.

All of the S. Avocado looks good.

Checking on our members daily, with a break on Christmas.

S. Avocados looking strong.

The Israeli Pomegranate starting to bud.

Problem started after Christmas. Back from my Sandakan trip.

The scion of S. Avocado turned black, died.

It's spreading into the Avocado rootstock.

This got too bad that I had to give it up, as the scion had totally died and moving towards the rootstock. This #Avocado is a goner.

Sunday, 29th, as it was drizzling in the morning, I move the avocados to a dryer area in the nursery. Had them perch on some old wood like a parade.

Parading the S. Avocado for inspection.

As the drizzle is getting heavier, I sat there and check the Avocados. The Pomegranate had started to bud. My friend Edward had reported that his had signs of budding. Why are you gals not budding? Not happy, not comfy?

Fungus on the S. Avocado collar.

Collar rot, on the S.Avocado due to the sudden wet weather.

Too wet on the S. Avocado.

  As I was walking around, I saw signs of fungus. I immediately mix some fungicide and dose onto them. I then realized that due to the heavy rain every night, my friends maybe getting "wet feet".

Sudden change to too wet weather and insufficient drainage holes at the bottom of the poly bag, caused 'wet feet'.

Dig out 1 and got a confirmation. Immediately got to work, transferred all of them to the "pot", that I made out of pail. Since I'm at it, put some rooting hormone powder to their roots.

There wasn't much need roots growth on the S. Avocado.

The Pomegranate shows pretty much root growth.

To dry them off, I transferred them to the shed with roof, side afternoon sun about 1 pm onwards.

Grafted my Avocado on the dead S.  Avocado. Bye bye to S. Avocado.

The plant that I had to give up, I grafted my Avocado to the rootstock.

ICU for S. Avocado.

At my ICU. More patients coming in due to the bad weather (wet).

More are coming in. Avocado ICU.

This is what I'm worried about.

Daily heavy rain, too wet for the Avocados.

1 of the weaker plants was not seal off properly and caused some dehydration.

Note the edge, it wasn't seal properly.

Note the edge, and how the brown section spread from it. Re-seal it with more wax. Didn't work, died after a few days.

Grafting tape removed on the S. Avocado.

I noticed that they were tied at localized high pressure, causing the deep 'cut'. Is this more effective, as I do it differently, spreading out the pressure more evenly.

I feel the it looks ugly, but if it works, why not? Must try this out 1 day.

I didn't like the wat that the graft were tied, had it removed today. It's causing too much constriction. Had it wrap with cling wrap (keep fresh) and shall remove in a week or so.

Had some relieve today as I noticed the bud is growing on the stronger ones. Thank you. Guess it should flush in a week or so.

 Ten days had past, no changes. Watering them slightly every 3 days, just to keep the soil moist.

 Inspection day this morning. Watered with EM, fiolar spray. Gave them a bath with Tiram (fungicide). Notice more buds. Now just have to wait for them to push and flush. Decided to seal off more areas with wax to prevent dehydration and infection.

New buds, twins on S. Avocado.

New growth at the tip of the S. Avocado. The pouch is just to aid focusing.

The buds of the S. Avocado, were there previously, but now more green.

 Thank goodness, I almost lost faith there. What a joyous day. Now waiting for them to flush. Shall have more feedback after my Chinese New Year holidays.

 I name them Cat, Betty & Anne.