Papaya or Carica Papaya is a perennial plant that grows in both tropical and sub-tropical regions. It is native to tropic American countries like Mexico and California. They grow well in several countries like Africa, India, Florida, Philippines, Caribbean Islands, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and Hawaii.
Contents
Papaya is a small sparsely branch tree with a single stem growing about 5 – 10 meters. The leaves are confined at the top of the trunk. Leaves are large about 20-40 centimeters in diameter with 7 palmate lobes. Flowers are parted; male flowers have stamens fused to the petals, female flowers have a superior ovary with 5 petals connected at the base. Papaya flowers are sweet-scented, open at night and pollinated.
Fruit is a large berry about 20-35 centimeters tall. Papaya fruits can be eaten or juiced. It can also be used in ice-creams, desserts, cakes, sauces, jams, smoothies, chocolates for flavoring.
Papaya is the most used word all over the world and is originated from Taino changed in Spanish to papaya. The Scientific name for papaya is Carica papaya. A table below illustrates the different names of papayas in different countries…
| Country | Name |
| Spanish | Papaya |
| Australia | Papaw |
| French | Papaye |
| Portuguese | Mamao or ababaia |
| Cuba | Fruta bomba |
Papayas love to grow with beans, banana, sweet potato, comfrey, climbers, flowers, nasturtiums and other nitrogen-fixing plants. These companion plants protect papaya tree from harmful pests and diseases. But also promotes plant growth resulting in fast and tasty fruits with high yield.
100 grams of papaya contains 43 calories, 11 grams of carbohydrates and 8 grams of sugars. It is cholesterol free and low in proteins. Papaya is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamin D, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.
Growing papaya is usually done by collecting the seeds from the ripe fruit. Here is the step by step procedure to grow papaya tree from seeds …..
You can select the seeds from papaya fruit to grow it in pots or purchase hybrid seeds from nursery or garden center. Papaya seed varieties are based on size, taste, growing regions and fruiting time. Choose a big pot or container about 15-20 inches to grow dwarf variety papayas.
For tropical plants such as papaya choose a nutrient-rich potting mix soil. You can prepare the soil by adding garden soil to the compost in the ratio of 1:2. Papaya grows well in loamy, sandy or rocky soils with a pH of 4.5 – 8.0.
Water thoroughly and monitor the moisture levels by keeping the soil damp but not soggy. As it grows to increase the amount of water supply to the plants. Prefer full sun for better growth. If you start growing papayas indoors make sure the plant receives sunlight minimum of 6-8 hours a day.
Papaya fruits thrive faster in warm climatic conditions. To maintain the best temperature to produce tasty fruits is 70 – 90 F. It can also damage plant growth if the temperature is below 31 F.
Now sow the seeds in large containers. Spacing should be 2 inches apart from each other. To germinate the seeds quickly, use sterile potting mix soil such as vermiculite. Seedlings may appear after 2 weeks. Dwarf varieties grow to a height of 6 feet.
To develop papaya fruit pollination is a must. Pollens must be transferred from male gametes to the female gametes in plants. Flowers cannot transfer pollens by their own, so they attract insects such as honeybees, butterflies, and birds to transfer pollen grains for the fruiting purpose.
Nutrition deficiency is the major problem in all edible plants. There may be several reasons for nutrient deficiency in plants such as sunlight, watering and soil nature. Here is the list of elements and symptoms in plants that affects the plant growth.
| Element | Symptom |
| Nitrogen | Slow growth, leaves become pale |
| Phosphorus | Reduces leaf production, leaves turn blue color |
| Potassium | Purplish brown patches at the base of petioles |
| Magnesium | Reduces plant height, leaves turn yellowish brown color |
| Pests | Spider mite, yellowmouth, scales, whitefly, fruit fly |
| Diseases | Papaya ring spot, bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, powdery mildew, transit rot |
To deter pests and diseases, spray ammonium sulfate solution on papaya plants. Pests or insects don’t like this solution and hence be away from plants. You can prefer other organic methods to overcome this problem.
Papaya trees require better fertilizers to ensure fast growth and development of the fruit. Apply fertilizers such as N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) on plants in the ratio of 10-10-10 or 14-14-14 for root establishment. You can also add organic compost, manure or mulch to the soil.
Harvest papayas only when fruit turns yellow. Papayas are ready to harvest after 6-9 months from seeds in the hot-temperate zone. It takes 9-11 months time to harvest in moderate temperate zones. Cut papayas using gardening tools (sharp knife or scissors). If you left it to ripe then mosquitoes and birds damage the fruit. Before eating store them in a refrigerator for 2-3 days and consume the fruit when it is half yellow.
Grafting in papaya can be done between 2 different varieties to form a single hybrid plant. It produces tasteful fruits and promotes high yielding for a long time. Here is the procedure that illustrates grafting in papaya.
Papaya is a natural remedy for treating many diseases like heart problems, cancer, atherosclerosis and digestive health.
Consuming papayas in large amounts is unsafe and damages the esophagus system (food tube in throat). When you apply it on the skin as latex causes severe irritations and allergic reactions in some people.
Look for yellow papayas or little green color. Fruit turns bright yellow when it is fully ripe. Also, prefer a firm papaya with smooth skin and big size. Avoid damage, cut or the soft fruit.
Papaya plant does not survive in frost due to heavy wind, drought and shade conditions. After 4-5 years you can replace plants and some other varieties may live longer if not uprooted. But there may be chances of reducing fruit production after 4 years.
Start growing papaya from seeds in a pot or large container that produces juicy fruits and monitors your health. If you have amazing ideas about growing papayas, please share your experience with us.
Recommended Readings:
Jasmine If you are looking for a plant that smells fabulous in your home, jasmine…
Cabbage-Brassica Oleracea Cabbage is a green leafy biennial plant that grows as an annual…
Orchids is one of the top air-purifying plants that you can grow in your home.…
Carrot- Daucus Carota Wondering, How to Grow Carrots in your Home? If you are a…
Pea (Pisum Sativum) is an annual plant that grows as a cool season crop in…
Mentha - How to Plant, Grow and Care for Mint Easily Do you know how…
View Comments
This fruit also has some essential standard health benefits as effectively. Therefore, below are some health rewards of the papaya fruit:Eye Wellness Advantages: According to a research performed by the Archives of Ophthalmology ingesting at the very least 3 servings of fruits a day including fruits such as Papaya can assist to minimize your pitfalls for the age associated eye condition macular degeneration. Furthermore, this sweet tasting fruit also consists of the vitamins A, C, and E critical antioxidants helpful in improving vision and guarding eyesight health.
Hi dear
I want to grow papaya in the pot
Do you thing it is ok to add ”chicken fertilizer plate” and ”20-20-20 NPK” to its soil for growing faster and better?