Growing Papaya from Seed

Papaya from Seed

Papaya (lat. Carica) is a heat-loving plant from the papaya family. Common papaya (lat. Carica papaya) is the only species of this genus. It is characterized by large, tasty edible fruits. Papaya is a cultivated species that originates from Central America.

Papaya has a robust growth habit, with a tree-like trunk reaching heights of up to 10m, while some types grow to a height of 2m. It is a dioecious perennial plant. The cinnamon-colored trunk is hollow and contains no wood. At the top grows a rosette of deciduous leaves. It partially resembles a palm tree in appearance. The fruit is a fleshy berry, intensely yellow to orange colored, with plenty of black seeds inside. It is therefore a decoration for any room or winter garden.

Growing Papaya

We can easily grow papaya from seed, especially due to their good germination rate. We recommend nutritious horticultural substrate, which you should treat with fungicide against molds. Those who like to experiment can sterilize the substrate in hot steam or a microwave oven. This way we eliminate any trace of possible mold and its transfer to the seeds. Seeds are sown to a depth of 1-3 cm. The first sprouts emerge approximately two to three days after sowing. Water with soft room-temperature water that has been left to stand. During papaya germination, the temperature should not drop below 20°C.

Papaya is an exotic plant from a subtropical environment, so greenhouses suit it well. Growing indoors is also possible, but the plant will be smaller in size and the fruits will also be smaller. Indoors, choose a south-facing window for your papaya. For it to bear fruit, we should provide a warm and humid environment (air humidity), 25°C in summer, minimum 17°C in winter. Not direct sun, but diffused bright light. We can recognize lack of light when the papaya leaves don't develop color. In winter, we reduce watering of the papaya. We can tell if it's overwatered when the leaves start to fall off. We fertilize papaya with regular fertilizers. Papaya bears fruit already in the second year, sometimes in the first year.

We can repot the plant every spring into a larger pot, if the roots are outgrowing the current pot. We repot older plants after 3-4 years. The substrate should have a pH of 6. The mix for growing the plant consists of leaf mold, turf, sand and peat in a ratio of 2:2:1:1, the addition of conifer compost is also suitable.

Processing Papaya in the Kitchen

Papaya is grown for its tasty and large fruits. We consume them raw or cooked as compote. We can prepare exotic-flavored jam from them and also refreshing fruit fresh juices, refreshing drinks. Or we can add them to mixed drinks. We can also utilize the seeds from papaya, which have a pungent peppery taste. Young leaves can be cooked as a side dish similar to spinach. Papaya can also be dried and candied.

Papaya supports digestion and is used in medicine and cosmetics. It is not recommended during breastfeeding and for pregnant women.

Papaya contains vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, phosphorus, iron and calcium.