Papayas are delicious fruits filled will many little seed within a fleshing outer portion. They are vibrant in both color and taste, and can bear fruit at any time of the year. The trees themselves grow both quickly and tall, with the fruit being located at the top of the tree just like coconuts. They are relatively easy to grow as long as you provide the right environment for the papaya trees.
Getting Started
Gather papaya seeds. Collect the seeds from a picked papaya and then wash them. A jelly-like sack surrounds every seed and for the seeds to sprout, this coating needs to be scrubbed away. Gently scrub each seed and then dry them thoroughly.
Keep seeds cool. When the seeds are completely dry, they should then be sealed in a jar and kept in a cool, dark place. It is best to begin growing a papaya tree in the month of December, so until you are ready to plant the seeds, keep them cool and not exposed to outside air.
Put a few seeds in ground. Pick a spot in your yard that receives an abundance of sun. Keep in mind that you shouldn't transplant your papaya trees, as they rarely hold up, so pick your spot with care. Plant about five of the seeds in nutrient rich soil that is well irrigated.
Allow germination. After a few weeks, you will notice your seedlings sprouting. They will be of varying kinds, with there being both male and female species. You will want to remove the male ones because they don't produce any fruit. You can determine the males by their long, slender stems. They will have tiny flowers instead of the bigger flowers on the females. Additionally, the females will have their flowers located nearer to the base, or trunk of the tree.
Fertilize female papaya tree. It is best to supply the tree and surrounding soil with compost, giving the soil more organic nutrients necessary for optimum growth and fruitation. Fertilize the papaya tree every other month.
Await fruit. With adequate sun exposure and watering, you can expect to have ripe papaya fruit in about 10 months.
Things You Will Need
- Papaya seeds
- Soil
Tip
- Papaya trees that are young are more able to supply the most fruit. This is why many gardeners find it best to continually plant new seedlings to replace aging trees.
Warning
- If you over water your papaya tree, they will most likely come down with a condition known as root rot. That is why it is imperative to ensure that the area your tree is planted is well irrigated and allowed to drain excess water well. Be mindful to not provide too much water when the weather begins to cool down.
References
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