How to Grow Sunrise Papaya
Papayas practically grow like a weed in tropical climates. However, outside of the tropics, they require special care. Find a variety that suits your growing conditions. The Sunrise papaya is often called the strawberry papaya for its reddish-orange, very sweet fruit. Some varieties of papayas are genetically modified. For example, the SunUp variety is the equivalent of the Sunrise papaya, but plant scientists have modified its genes to resist a disease called ringspot virus. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Fresh papaya seeds
- Spoon
- Sieve or strainer
- Window screen
- Boards or bricks
- Compost
- Shovel
- Fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Cut open a ripe Sunrise papaya that you have gathered or purchased from a local source for best results. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and place them into a sieve or strainer with small holes.
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2
Run cool water over your seeds and swish the water around with your hand to remove all pulp.
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3
Spread your seeds on a window screen or other type of screen. Prop it up with boards or bricks and keep it in a warm, dark, dry, well-ventilated area for about one week.
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4
Prepare a planting area while your seeds are drying. Choose a location that gets full sun every day and dig in 1 part organic compost to every 4 parts of soil.
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5
Plant about five seeds 1/2 inch deep around the edge of a circle with a diameter of about 8 inches. Germination should occur within two weeks. Thin small, weak plants and discard them. Your goal is to have one strong tree in each circle you planted.
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Water your papaya tree to maintain a steady soil moisture without keeping it soggy. During rainy periods and cooler weather, do not irrigate.
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7
Fertilize your Sunrise papaya tree with chicken manure or a plant food containing a high percentage of nitrogen. Use organic compost as mulch around your tree to give it an ongoing nutrient supply.
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Tips & Warnings
Expect to harvest your first papayas within the first year after you plant your tree.
Papaya trees do not often transplant successfully, so planting your seeds directly into the garden is the best way to start these trees.
Papaya trees are short-lived perennials; after three to five years your tree will become tall and spindly and its fruit production will slow down. Chop it down and start more trees at that time.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
