Papaya Question

11 years ago

Didn't want to post on the old post.

I was given seeds from a neighbors Papaya and planted them in small pots in February. The plants are now about a foot tall and I want to put them in the ground. I remember the neighbors tree as tall and skinny. But after reading the post below from 'happy gardener' I'm concerned about the size of these trees.

I planted two in a small butterfly garden and now realize I should probably move them. My question is how tall and wide do these trees get? I looked online and the photos only show the fruit on the tree and I can't get an idea of the size of the trees.

Reading the old post it seems they are hollow stems which I assume make them weak and prone to snapping. So I guess they shouldn't be planted near the house?

Finding full sun will be the challenge as I don't want it crashing down on other plants or the house.

Any info from growers would be greatly appreciated!

Jane

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Comments (5)

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
11 years ago
They are herbaceous, which means they are very tender - not a true 'tree' @ all, easily cut down, w/ soft roots. Many people lop off the tops when they start to get too tall, because they will sprout side shoots & regrow.

Growing Papaya in FL
happy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLand
11 years ago
Jane -- I've been growing papaya plants for a while now and in all of those years only one plant snapped in half. It broke because it was leaning and top heavy with large fruits. So, even though the plants are capable of this it rarely happens.

As to how tall and wide your plants will get, well, that depends upon several things. First, the variety that you are growing will partially determine that. Also, it depends on how often you are feeding them. The plants do require full sun and some elbow room. I'm guessing that I space mine about 6'-8' feet apart.

Christine
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rednofl
11 years ago
It really depends on what they started with.

Then your tree should be tall and skinny, maybe..... if it is from a hybrid it can be completly different with variable fruit ... I grow red lady from true seed , when I tried to use seeds from mine I got mixed results from a similar plant to a tall plant that didnt produce any thing edible .

Red ladys have a very tough skin which keeps the wasps from planting there eggs The fruit from there offspring were not worth growing

My plants stay in the 8-10 ft range and are very sturdy the first year they will break under heavy winds but well up the stem

I only plant seeds I buy now and get very dependable results the first 2 years after that your better to start new plants
garyfla_gw
11 years ago
Jane

Ifound the best all around solution for the mysteries of Papaya I grow them in the neighbors yard . When they snap off get wasps ,don't set fruit get way too big etc,etc. it's their problem lol good luck gary
jane__ny
Original Author
11 years ago
Gary, I like your technique! I would pawn the seedlings off to my neighbor but his yard is full of oaks and there is not a spot of sun.

I think I'll move them to my fence and worry about them later. Probably won't get any fruit. The more I read about them the more trouble they seem to be.

Thanks all, for the advice,

Jane