Here's a yesterday update.

Wow, that is a beautiful sight.

Did u have to determine gender of plants by looking at their roots when seedlings?

Thanks and congratulations!

Nice papayas!! I have three and only one is producing. Not sure what variety but they are very sweet.

I have no idea about root genders Jon-lol. That's a new one to me.

Dan- they are supermarket Maridols I started three years ago. Of about a dozen that lasted the first year- this and two others are still going two years later. Only one- the one in the photo- has fruited.

Yes,I will be saving seeds from this guy..if it makes it.

you cant determine the sex by the roots. only by flower and DNA.

i had read the same thing years ago, but, its a myth.

Today- the darn thing is still trying to grow fruits and flowers. Alright. Even with the nights dipping into the 30's.

Wow, that's a determined plant! Have you eaten any of it's fruit?

Neighbor had trees cut on side yard and they broke my 4 foot mountain papaya from the base. I hope it sprouts. I will replant the now 'cutting' but I've been too busy to do so.

You're mountain Papaya should recover and branch Eloise. Keep it watered- if you dont get enough rains.

Thanks Eloise.

Its too small to pick. About the size of a Meyer lemon. This is all new Eloise for me, I don't know what or when anything is ready or ripen. I'm guessing it would be summer around June or July that the largest will turn a color. 1,000% my best guess!

congrats!

Right now,she's looking unhappy. Still standing. I hope the longer days and warmer temps- to the mid 60's will help. Until the rains come back. This has been one very wet year..pushing records.

:) fingers crossed for you till spring!

Did you have any problems with papaya fruit fly? I noticed you didn't bag your fruit. I have to put 25cent knee high panty hose on mine to keep away the fruit flies -- I look like a weirdo in Walmart buying them by the basketful. If you don't have these critters, then you are fortunate.

They seem to only attack papaya.

No Chro. Its much too cold here for the tropical insects. I wish I had more room..because if Maridols are reliable? Even if the Papaya never sweeten,they could be picked green for many Asian recipes. Sinagal for one (I hope I spelled that right)

Try a Lady red. It doesn't need a pollinator, tastes great and will give you a bumper crop within the same year as planting. Grows like a weed here in Florida. Good to hear about lacking papaya fruit fly -- if you don't cover the fruit early here, then you end up with a papaya filled with maggots.

I might. I've seen on the Vegan gardener guy on YouTube gets slow height growth on Maridol's even in hot Phoenix. But- Solo and others in three years can be triple the height (15'or so) of Maridol,and like you said fruit in one year.

Only- are those able to to take a cool rainy winter?