Breadfruit

Planting: Plant your Breadfruit tree in a very sunny location in your yard. It will need plenty of sun exposure to thrive. If you live in an area where temperatures below 60 degrees are frequent, plant your Breadfruit tree in a large container. If planting in the ground, remove all the grass in an area 3' around where you plant to plant your tree. Be sure to plant your Breadfruit at least 20' away from powerlines and buildings. Be sure to plant in well-drained soil. Plant in a hole equal in depth to the container it arrived in, but twice as wide. Lay down a thick layer of mulch, 6" away from the trunk, spreading out to 3 feet.

Note: This product grows best in well-draining soil. When you receive your plant, you may notice small, white beads or rocks in the soil - this medium is added to increase drainage and keep your plant happy and healthy! 

Watering: Never let the soil dry oil under your tree when it is young. Water immediately after planting and water frequently enough that the young tree's roots do not dry out. If the leaves begin to wilt, your Breadfruit is not getting enough water. After a few years, you will not need to water ask frequently, as a mature Breadfruit tree has some drought resistance.

Fertilization: Frequent fertilization with a complete fertilizer is helpful during the plant's entire life. Adding a small amount of fertilizer twice a year should be sufficient to help the tree receive the nutrients it needs. If you have poor soil, you may need to double your fertilizer application.

Pruning: You don't need to prune your tree during its youth. Once it begins to produce fruit, you can cut up to 1/3 of the branches off to reduce size and maintain shape.

Harvesting: Breadfruit will turn yellow-brown when ripe and may then be picked from the tree. 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.

Preparing and Eating: Do not eat raw Breadfruit as it can induce vomiting. As with all foods high in protein, starch and carbohydrates, Breadfruit must be cooked to be digestible. Similar to potatoes or rice, this fruit does not have much flavor when cooked plain. However, treating Breadfruit like tofu, you can add it to any dish and it will absorb and magnify the flavor. Keep in mind, breadfruit is eaten for its nutritional value as it is not a sweet fruit.