Papayas are not only delicious fruits with an exotic origin, but as a plant they also have some botanical peculiarities. The interesting plants can be grown from the seeds in commercial fruits.

What are the special properties of papaya plants?

Papayas belong to the melon family and, as plants, grow relatively quickly. Although they form a mostly unbranched and hollow trunk, they are not considered a tree, but they are not considered a shrub either. Papayas are not clearly classified as fruit or vegetables, as they can be used unripe for savory salads and fully ripe for fresh consumption and sweet desserts. There are different varieties of papaya, some of which are self-pollinating while others are dioecious.

What should the location for a papaya be like?

Papayas are mainly grown in tropical and subtropical countries with a warm climate all year round, for example in:

  • China
  • Thailand
  • Iran
  • Australia

Therefore, the plants in this country can only be cultivated as indoor plants or as potted plants. In summer, the papaya should definitely be positioned in full sun, but it should also be kept sufficiently moist. In winter, papaya plants should not be exposed to temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, but they need a bright place during the winter.

Which growing medium is needed for papayas?

For cultivation in the pot, the papaya seeds must first be cleaned of adhering pulp so that they do not become moldy during the germination phase. They should ideally be sown in a nutrient-poor substrate such as coir or peat so that the young plants can develop healthy roots. During the germination phase, which lasts about two weeks, the cultivation substrate should be kept constantly moist, but not too wet.

Can you grow papayas from seeds and plant them in pots?

The germination of papayas is usually relatively uncomplicated, but the young plants are often somewhat sensitive when pricked out and planted in pots. Therefore, either several young plants must be grown at once, or the seeds are sown individually in medium-sized pots for the first year of life of the plants.

How can papayas be propagated?

The papaya plant generally grows relatively light and therefore does not require pruning like other fruit trees. Cultivating cuttings is therefore not common practice, but it would hardly be worthwhile for other reasons either. Since the papaya is one of the very fast-growing plants, growing it from seeds is practical and uncomplicated.

When can the first papayas from home cultivation be harvested?

As a rule, most papaya varieties flower about a year after sowing. Under the right conditions, the first fruits can be harvested after this time. One of the special features of papaya is that the stem of a plant can have ripe fruit and flowers at the same time.

tips and tricks

Due to the growth height of the papaya of up to four meters or more, cultivation as a pure houseplant for the papaya tree is not advisable. However, the plant sometimes finds optimal conditions for year-round accommodation in a conservatory.

WK

Category:

Trees