How to grow papaya successfully in home gardens?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.To learn how to grow papaya, the first step is to acknowledge the tropical essence of this tree. Papayas are from Central America, and they're fast-growing tropical trees that grow best in frost-free areas. However, they can also adapt to subtropical zones with the proper precautions. I harvested my first, healthy papaya 9 months after I planted seeds from the fruit I bought at the supermarket.
Seed Preparation
- Soak seeds 3 days to remove germination inhibitors
- Dry 24 hours on paper towels
- Test viability with float method
Soil Setup
- Mix 40% compost + 30% sand + 30% topsoil
- Check pH 5.5-6.5 using test strips
- Pre-water beds 24 hours pre-planting
Ongoing Care
- Water 1-2 gallons every 3 days
- Fertilize with 10-10-10 monthly
- Mulch 4-inch layer around base
Utilize organic neem oil sprays to combat common pests.To create the spray, mix 1 tablespoon of neem oil with 1 quart of water and add in ½ teaspoon of dish soap. Spray the underside of the leaves once a week.Last summer, this simple remedy saved my container plants from whiteflies and didn't harm pollinators.
Hand-pollination increases the quantity harvested by 40% in a protected garden.Use cotton swabs to take pollen from any male flower and deposit it into the mouth of a female flower every morning. Look for a pronounced ovary bulge under the petals of female blooms and within six weeks, that will develop into fruit.
Read the full article: How to Grow Papaya: 8 Essential Steps for Success
