Papaya

Papaya are very easy tropical plants to grow, and an excellent tropical for new gardeners to try. They can be grown both in the ground or in containers. Two varieties that I would recommend are Tainung #1 and Red Maradol, both excellent and very sweet varieties. Tainung #1 is a vigorous papaya from Taiwan that produces a high yield of sweet red fruit averaging 2-1/2 pounds each. This tree starts fruit production as low as 28 inches above the ground producing as many as 50 delicious fruit per year. Tainung #3 is a dwarf form, while still producing large fruit. Red Maradol Papaya is a high yielder of red fleshed fruit and is native of Mexico. It is a vigorous tree normally producing sweet 3.3 to 5 pound fruit in only seven months. Fruit begin to set at 14 inches above the soil. Trees started now will produce fruit in the fall. Most all papaya varieties will began to fruit in the first year from seed. Here is a web address for Aloha Seed and Herb company of Hawaii. [Only Registered Users Can See Links. Click Here To Register...] You can order as little and a 10 seed order of each variety, and Aloha Seed will mail the seed with full instruction for planting. Papaya's are a fast growing fun tree to grow. Serve your family and friends home grown fruit that make a delicious tropical breakfast, or evening snack.

I tried a Papaya from local store.. I was very disapointed.. I'd never had fresh Papaya. The flavor was umm not at all good.. We threw out most of it.. Is Papaya one of those that store bought is not as good as fresh home grown??
Honestly the flavor was terrable. My conures wouldn't even eat it..
I've seen canned Papaya would that be a better comparison to fresh??

Thanks for posting the link..

Gina *BabyBlue*

Newton.. I found this posting interesting. I tried a Papaya tree a few years back, but it didn't make it. I believe I had paid about $50.00 for it.

I'm still interest in growing them. I feel your posting offers a much lower cost in testing Papaya's for the Zone 4 region.

Your posting is one that I will follow up on. Thank You.

Babyblue 11371, I don't know what to tell you about the taste of your store papaya. I have never come across your situation before. Papayas, even store purchased papayas, are some of the most rewarding fruits of creation. Papaya is among the easiest of all tropicals to grow. The enticing flavors afforded by exotic papaya varieties, offers rewards that were once restricted only to royalty of ages past. All fruits, local and especially home grown always are of higher value.

Papayas have an unusual flavor. I've eaten them in tropical areas and have no problem finding ripe fruit in the local ethnic markets. The big grocers don't always carry the best tropical fruit.

I'm in zone 7a and think they are one of the easiest tropical fruits to grow in a greenhouse. If I'm not mistaken some plants are hermaphrodites while others produce only male or female flowers.

I haven't grown any for a few years but I do have a few seedlings started from a fruit from the grocery store and I have some Waimanolo seeds that I'm going to plant within the next few days. This variety can supposedly produce fruit very early, when it's just a few feet tall, we'll see
Karyn

karyn...Welcome to CitrusNorth. Thank You for the Great Posting.

I'm wondering if buying a fruit local just to get the seeds would be worth my time?? I think the last one I bought was about $3.. It was loaded with seeds.. It smelled good.. but it is proof that smell good does not always = taste good.. LOL
Nearest ethnic market is 80+ mile drive.. If I'm in the "city" again I'll look and see if I can find some fresher fruits to try..
Gina *BabyBlue*

Gina ... I think if your interested in trying to grow Papayas . Fresh Papayas seed's from the fruit in the store would be the best for testing.

If you are happy with the fresh seed's form the store and the germination an growth You could alway"s move along.

Hi Gang!
New member here!
Im tried a store bought one as well,smelled great,tasted awlful,and yes my 5 parrots wouldn't eat it as well.
I germinated some seeds,no troouble at all getting them to germinated,but after they reached a foot tall they all croaked.
I might try it again this spring,for now my greenhouses are full with tropical plants and palms,and don't have the room for any more seedlings at this time.
At this time I have at least a 100 palm seeds trying to germinate.
I'll try to post some pics,if I can figure the process here.


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Welcome to CitrusNorth. I just love your photo's, a true Jungle Room indeed. "GREAT JOB"