How to Start a Papaya
Papayas are a sweet tropical fruit that just won't grow in temperate regions. But if you live in southern Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean or any other tropical location, this easy to grow and quick to produce tree will soon be filling your meals -- and stomach -- with its juicy goodness. Start with the seeds from a papaya you enjoyed eating and within one year your young tree will start producing fruit. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sieve
- Water
- Plastic bag or glass jar (optional)
- Compost
- Garden soil
- Fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Collect seeds from a very ripe papaya or purchase seeds through a catalog or online. If you collect seeds, cut open the fruit and scoop out the seeds. Place them in a sieve and rinse them in cool water, swishing it around with your fingers until most of the pulp passes through. Use them right away or store them in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed jar or plastic bag for later.
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2
Combine one part organic compost with four parts of garden soil in a sunny spot that has naturally good drainage. Leave about 8 feet of space between planting areas if you plan to plant more than one group of seeds.
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Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep and 3 inches apart in a circle in your prepared soil. You will thin all but the strongest seedling later, so it doesn't hurt to plant 10 or 15 seeds in each area where you want a tree to grow.
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4
Water the soil and keep it moist, but not waterlogged.
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Thin smaller, weaker seedlings about six weeks after planting, leaving five to six strong plants in each group. After another six weeks, thin again, leaving three strong trees. In several months, the trees will begin to flower. Cull all male and female trees and leave only hermaphrodites, which have flowers on short stalks.
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Fertilize six-week-old seedling trees with a balanced granular time-release plant food and repeat this application once a month.
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Tips & Warnings
Commercial papaya growers water fruiting trees with 10 gallons of water a day to ensure juicy fruit.
Some types of papayas have been genetically modified to resist a disease known as ringspot virus. If you choose not to grow and consume foods of this nature, choose seeds from an heirloom papaya, such as Kapoho Solo or Sunrise. The varieties called SunUp and Rainbow have been genetically modified.
References
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
