Germination and growing of Papaya

Buy  it now 

Nutrient: Vitamin C, carotenes, flavonoids, the B vitamins, folate, minerals, fiber, vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, copper, pantothenic acid

 
DESCRIPTION:

Papaya is a fruit that is eaten in all parts of the world because of its taste and health benefits. Its a good source of Vitamin C and A. Also high in potassium and calcium, a good source of fibre, and low in calories.

Papaya trees grow best in hot weather with a lot of sunlight. When you plant the seeds be sure to place them in an area free of shade.

Papayas are a short-lived plant and the younger ones produce more fruit, so keep a succession of plants to ensure a steady crop.

Papaya plants need to be planted in a well-drained area. They are very susceptible to rotting if they are over watered.

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS:

If you want to improve papaya seed germination, follow these steps:-

1. Mix 100 grams of potassium nitrate in 1 litre of water (3.4 ounces in 1 quart)
2. Soak seeds for 30 minutes
3. Plant immediately after soaking.

*The best way to germinate papaya seeds is to remove the arils surrounding the seeds, rinse them with warm water to remove the juice from the arils and soak them overnight in warm water. Discard any seeds that are floating in the soak.

Mix the seeds with a handful of standard potting compost. Spread evenly over the top of a pot containing at least 3 or 4 inches of a good planting mix. Or, plant five seeds in a hole with no compost or manure (do not plant them very deeply). Make sure they are planted in loamy soil in a well-drained area. Then cover the seed mix with another 1/2" of compost. Be careful to keep the pot damp but never wet! Try to maintain a steady temperature between 15ºc to 20ºc or 80 degrees F or so. Keep the area warm until they sprout. Don't keep them too damp or they are likely to suffer from damping off. Germination should take between 2 to 6 weeks. Prick the seedlings out when they have about 4 true leaves and transplant into 4-inch containers if they are in the pot.

Papayas don't transplant well. Anything that disturbs the roots of papayas really sets them back. They just hate it. The most effective way to grow papayas is to simply plant them where they are to live.

Papaya trees are very hungry. That means they need very good soil, rich in organic matter and nutrients. If you don't have fabulous soil, make some. Dig a hole half a meter across and fill it with a mix of good compost and soil. Actually, make at least two or three such planting beds in different locations. Cover the seeds lightly with more compost, and then mulch the patch well. The seeds usually take about a couple of weeks to germinate and may take longer.

Papayas start flowering when they are about one meter tall. The males flower first. Male flowers have long, thin stalks with several small blooms. Female flowers have usually single bloom, bigger, and very close to the trunk. You should end up with one very strong and healthy female plant per bed. If the weather is warm enough, and if you are growing your papayas in full sun and in good soil, then you could be picking the first ripe fruit within 10 months.


WATERING:

Papayas have large soft leaves. They evaporate a lot of water in warm weather, so they need a lot of water. But unfortunately, papayas are very susceptible to root rot, especially in cool weather. Overwatering is the most common reason for problems when growing papayas.

It depends on the temperature and on the overall health and vigour of the plant. A healthier plant will crop better, but in general, you should be careful not to over water during periods of cool weather.


How much should you give food for plant:-

As much as you can spare. Papayas need a lot of fertilizing. They are particularly greedy for nitrogen. Fertilize them regularly. You can use a complete fertilizer or something like chicken manure. Papayas handle strong or fresh manures fairly well. You should also be generous with compost, and just keep piling on the mulch as the plants grow bigger.


REQUIREMENT OF SUNLIGHT:

Papayas love heat and sunlight. You can get them to grow in partial shade, but you just end up with a spindly, sickly tree, and if you ever get any fruit it will be several meters up in the air and taste insipid.

Around the year Papayas gives fruit, as long as the weather is warm enough. Keep them happy and they will keep fruiting. (If the temperatures drop too much they stop flowering. They will flower again as it warms up.)

Young papayas are the most productive. The older a papaya plant gets, the weaker it becomes. It will produce less and smaller fruit, and it may get diseases. Also, because the plants keep growing taller it gets harder to reach the fruit.

HOW LONG DOES PAPAYA LIVE?

That can vary greatly, but most papaya plants are short-lived. As they get older they get more susceptible to all kinds of diseases. Most of the time they die within three years. But if you maintain well they will last longer and give fruits.

PROBLEMS OF PAPAYA!

Root rot is the common problem due to over-watering. Keep you papaya plants dry. The best time to cut a papaya back is during dry weather. The trunk is hollow. If it fills with water it will rot. You can protect it by covering it with an upside down a plastic pot or-or a bag. Papayas get viruses and diseases, transmitted by sucking insects.

WARNING!

Young, vigorous papayas are least affected by insects or diseases. Just keep planting lots of them, and always keep just the best. The planting method outlined above, and regular replanting, are the best way to ensure a regular supply of papaya.

If you get at least long hot summers you could grow papaya just as an ornamental plant. In this case, you would start them in a pot indoors to gain extra time. Plant them out against a sun-facing wall and enjoy the tropical look. However, you won't be able to keep your papaya alive long enough to get fruit.

Papayas require a warm climate for vigorous growth and fruit production. If your soil moisture and temperature can be moderated papaya can grow well in a pot. Given a large enough pot, the plant can grow to 5 or even exceptionally 10 meters tall. The leaves are large, deeply lobed and form a dense canopy at the top of the plant.

Fertilize the growing plant with a bucket of compost or manure every other month. Do not apply chicken manure to trees younger than two years. It will burn young papaya trees.