Someone with much more experience with papaya will likely post a better answer as I don't really know what or if anything is wrong with that plant. It isn't unusual for the lower leaves to dry up and fall off my papayas. All the papaya plants I've seen grow tall with most leaves at the top. I would be concerned about the structure of that "tree" more than the drying leaves. If it grows tall and the papayas are large and numerous you will have to support those side shoots. I have a similar structure on my papaya since Irma. The top, which was loaded with about a dozen beautiful fruits broke off. It now has a side shoot growing from the trunk and I'm going to see if it will fruit, but i'm not sure how I'm going to support the weight hanging off to the side if it does. So I wish you good luck!

It appears to me that your plant is buried too deep. Wait till spring and maybe raise it up higher. These plants are hard to kill! Not sure whats happening to yours. Don't overwater. Let it dry out good. They do not like wet feet, especially this time of year.

You did not say where you live nor your zone. Hard to give advice.

Jane

@jane_ny I live in South Florida. I recently purchased the plant at a Walmart, about three weeks ago. I was watering the plant every other day but have noticed the leaves drying up and falling off.

Did you fill the planting hole with water before planting? Was the soil very dry when you dug the hole? How are you watering it?

I leave a hose trickling very slowly for about a week or so @ the base of big transplants like trees & shrubs. I also use liquid seaweed extract to soak roots before planting and to water in.

It's hard to tell from the photo, but how does the new growth look? If it looks healthy, not stunted or deformed, you may just need to be patient. There is such a thing as transplant shock - esp. for greenhouse grown plants suddenly exposed to full sun & the elements.

Adding a bit of liquid fertilizer might be helpful as well. Papayas like rich soil, IMPE. I would also clear away all growth around the base and apply a thick layer of organic mulch. Leaves and/or grass clippings are good.

And I'm curious why you chose a plant w/ a broken stem. Was it the only one there, or were they all like that?

Yes it was the last one and I figured I would give it a try. I will clear area surrounding the tree. I did apply some bone meal last weekend in attempt to revitilize it. Thank you for the advice and all of the words of encouragement