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ladyflyfsh
08-04-2011, 01:28 PM
This is so exciting to see my papaya putting out little baby fruit. It's quite interesting to see the difference between the two trees. When I bought this tree it had two trees growing side by side in the same pot so I just left them as they were and planted in the ground this Spring (April 17th is when the first photo was taken). When I planted them they were only a couple feet tall and now they are way over my head! It's amazing how fast stuff grows down here!

Anyway, back to the two trees, one seems to have more female flowers and the fruit on that tree are more rounded and the other seems to have more male flowers and its fruit are more elongated. Examples to follow:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/7a7df854.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/3eeb2391.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/cfac9a77.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/cf505b88.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/1130d5f6.jpg

lkailburn
08-04-2011, 01:47 PM
That is so cool! I've heard good things about red lady; good fruit, small size etc.
Keep us posted

-Luke

Dalmatiansoap
08-04-2011, 06:20 PM
Nice plant. Congrats!
I still cant forget myself for looseing my tree last winter. Any ideas where can I find Red Lady seeds?

cherokee_greg
08-04-2011, 07:16 PM
Nice plant. Congrats!
I still cant forget myself for looseing my tree last winter. Any ideas where can I find Red Lady seeds?

you can get them here

Red Lady Papaya - Carica papaya (http://hendrycreekhideaway.com/Red%20Lady%20Papaya.html)

lkailburn
08-12-2011, 11:42 AM
Updates on this? Are the fruit still holding on?

-Luke

ladyflyfsh
08-12-2011, 05:25 PM
Yup, still doing great and more on the way.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/8f8157d4.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/d171cde0.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/a6cab68e.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/29af9af7.jpg

Yug
08-12-2011, 05:57 PM
Yup, still doing great and more on the way.


Would it be possible to get any seed?

(I asked someone else, but I guess it was forgotten about...)

Mahalo.

lkailburn
08-12-2011, 08:38 PM
That's amazing! I'm jealous. Yes yes if the fruit last long enough to be harvested would you mind sharing some seed?

Thanks!
-Luke

palmtree
08-12-2011, 09:01 PM
Awesome!!! I think that mine might be showing some signs of flowers right now too and I am so excited! My main problem is that its in the ground and must be dug up for the winter, but Im afraid I will kill it. Im just happy its doing so well and growing so fast (was 1 foot tall when I planted it in May, now 5 and a half!). I love the look of papayas and I bet you will get some ripe fruits from yours!

ladyflyfsh
08-13-2011, 04:06 PM
Would it be possible to get any seed?

(I asked someone else, but I guess it was forgotten about...)

Mahalo.

Sure...as long as it is legal to send seeds to where you are, I have no problem with that...providing I get some ripe fruit! I'd be happy to.

Mary

ladyflyfsh
08-14-2011, 12:10 PM
Awesome!!! I think that mine might be showing some signs of flowers right now too and I am so excited! My main problem is that its in the ground and must be dug up for the winter, but Im afraid I will kill it. Im just happy its doing so well and growing so fast (was 1 foot tall when I planted it in May, now 5 and a half!). I love the look of papayas and I bet you will get some ripe fruits from yours!

palmtree, it is my understanding the roots of these trees expand well beyond the drip line of the canopy of the mature tree so it may be a bigger project than you anticipated. The trunks of my trees are huge! Good luck with yours!

soundofthemusic1
08-14-2011, 04:00 PM
Hi, Mary and everyone.

Mary,

It is a joy to read this thread. I agree with Palmtree that you are making remarkable progress between spring and now, and I am curious to find out how you care for your papaya trees. What fertilizer do you use and how often do you apply it?

I sewed some papaya seeds in the ground last winter and they geminated in May. I didn’t bother thinning out the seedlings as I was growing them for fun. My papaya plants are about two and a half feet tall now, grown in a shady area. I’m not quite sure what to do when the first frost arrives in November.

Is papaya tree easy to flower and fruit? And how many more months do you have to wait before you can harvest yours? I wish you continuous success with your papaya fruits.

ladyflyfsh
08-14-2011, 05:02 PM
Hi Rae, I actually don't do much to these trees at all and they seem to take care of themselves. The one thing I do use which is totally organic, is a product called Atomic Grow which is an all natural growth enhancer of sorts. I can't really explain it well but you can read about it here: Atomic Grow puts Mother Nature in charge (http://www.atomicgrow.net/)

I had two volunteer trees pop up on their own growing in my compost. (planted them about a month and a half ago) I have no idea what variety they are but when I saw how big they were, just growing by themselves, I decided to plant them and see what happens. I will include pics of them so you can see how fast they've grown after I transplanted them.

They seem to flower just fine on their own and I did nothing to get them to fruit. I just use a palm fertilizer which is what I use on most of my yard except the citrus and avocado. It is 8-4-8. I use it on my naners too. I think the big time growth has been the result of the Atomic Grow though. As for how long before they are ready to eat? I have no idea.

Here are pics I just shot a few minutes ago:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/4e11ed4c.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/113f46b5.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/742e11b4.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/70d31065.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/b9702a99.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/43f5a801.jpg

lkailburn
08-14-2011, 05:48 PM
Wow! I love the update photos. They are growing so well!

-Luke

soundofthemusic1
08-14-2011, 08:16 PM
Mary,

I see a huge difference in heights between your volunteer papaya trees and mine. My trees grow in a clump is one reason, and the other reason would be the Atomic Grow. Thank you for sharing your success secrets with us.

The leaves on your plants are in excellent condition. Also, the article posted on the Atomic Grow home page indicates that Atomic Grow helps solve the aphid and white fly problems. I wonder whether Atomic Grow has neem oil in it. Regardless, it’s always nice to know another product that helps fight any bug infestation.

Best of luck to you and anyone who is growing papaya trees.
:goteam:

palmtree
08-14-2011, 08:58 PM
palmtree, it is my understanding the roots of these trees expand well beyond the drip line of the canopy of the mature tree so it may be a bigger project than you anticipated. The trunks of my trees are huge! Good luck with yours!

Thats not too good to hear since the canopy of my papaya already extends beyond the palms I have in the ground all year long and I dont want to mess with those root systems. I have a feeling Im going to end up killing it by digging it up, but papayas are short lived plants to begin with, and I have nothing to lose by trying to save it from the winter cold! The trunk on my tree is starting to get big now too (almost an inch) it was the diameter of a pencil when I bought it!

Yug
08-15-2011, 02:33 PM
Sure...as long as it is legal to send seeds to where you are, I have no problem with that...providing I get some ripe fruit! I'd be happy to.

Mary

Seed is not a problem, plants are. I have another source, though, but I'll keep you in mind. Please continue to show us your progress.

ladyflyfsh
08-15-2011, 03:11 PM
Mary,

I see a huge difference in heights between your volunteer papaya trees and mine. My trees grow in a clump is one reason, and the other reason would be the Atomic Grow. Thank you for sharing your success secrets with us.

The leaves on your plants are in excellent condition. Also, the article posted on the Atomic Grow home page indicates that Atomic Grow helps solve the aphid and white fly problems. I wonder whether Atomic Grow has neem oil in it. Regardless, it’s always nice to know another product that helps fight any bug infestation.

Best of luck to you and anyone who is growing papaya trees.
:goteam:

Atomic Grow does not have Neem oil in it but it is recommended to use that here also.

ladyflyfsh
08-16-2011, 07:34 AM
Mary,

I see a huge difference in heights between your volunteer papaya trees and mine. My trees grow in a clump is one reason, and the other reason would be the Atomic Grow. Thank you for sharing your success secrets with us.

The leaves on your plants are in excellent condition. Also, the article posted on the Atomic Grow home page indicates that Atomic Grow helps solve the aphid and white fly problems. I wonder whether Atomic Grow has neem oil in it. Regardless, it’s always nice to know another product that helps fight any bug infestation.

Best of luck to you and anyone who is growing papaya trees.
:goteam:

Actually, the two small trees that came up on their own have not had any Atomic Grow used on them at all. I think the secret is lots of space to grow in, full sun and I water every day when it doesn't rain. Also the soil is sandy and drains fast and they don't like sitting in water with wet feet. Good luck with your papayas and I hope they make it through the winter. I lost one last year to a hard frost. Other people I know said just cut it to the ground and it will grow back. I dug up the roots and they looked dead, but I do know people who do that and it works for them.

soundofthemusic1
08-16-2011, 11:15 AM
Actually, the two small trees that came up on their own have not had any Atomic Grow used on them at all. I think the secret is lots of space to grow in, full sun and I water every day when it doesn't rain. Also the soil is sandy and drains fast and they don't like sitting in water with wet feet. Good luck with your papayas and I hope they make it through the winter. I lost one last year to a hard frost. Other people I know said just cut it to the ground and it will grow back. I dug up the roots and they looked dead, but I do know people who do that and it works for them.

Hi, all,

Thank you very much, Mary, for the encouraging news that papaya trees can be overwintered outdoors. I’m in zone 7B, but I’ll try that for sure.

I’ve heard great things about neem oil. I believe it will solve quite a few of my gardening issues related to pests. I used to spend good money on expensive soil, fertilizers, deer repellents, deer nets, etc. save for pesticides. Still the deer or whatever just ate all my plants. This year caterpillars destroyed my only cantaloupe fruit, grown in a five-gallon bucket on my very sunny deck, so I’m debating whether next year I’ll try some organic pesticide.

Here is a picture of my papaya trees this morning. The seeds are from a store-bought papaya. As you can see in the picture, I just sprinkled some free coffee grounds on the leaves and the soil to keep all unwanted visitors away. Free coffee grounds from Kroger works to some degree..

<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45133&limit=recent><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45133&size=1 border=0></a>

Thank you again for your great help and advice.

oakshadows
08-23-2011, 04:22 PM
Hi, all,

Thank you very much, Mary, for the encouraging news that papaya trees can be overwintered outdoors. I’m in zone 7B, but I’ll try that for sure.

I’ve heard great things about neem oil. I believe it will solve quite a few of my gardening issues related to pests. I used to spend good money on expensive soil, fertilizers, deer repellents, deer nets, etc. save for pesticides. Still the deer or whatever just ate all my plants. This year caterpillars destroyed my only cantaloupe fruit, grown in a five-gallon bucket on my very sunny deck, so I’m debating whether next year I’ll try some organic pesticide.

Here is a picture of my papaya trees this morning. The seeds are from a store-bought papaya. As you can see in the picture, I just sprinkled some free coffee grounds on the leaves and the soil to keep all unwanted visitors away. Free coffee grounds from Kroger works to some degree..

<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45133&limit=recent><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45133&size=1 border=0></a>

Thank you again for your great help and advice.

Have not heard of using coffee grinds to repel bugs. How good does it work? i use a concoction of lemon oil, molasses and dishwashing soap to control most of the chewers. Also use neem oil if there is one bug that thinks it is superbug. Of course, with all of the rain we are having it has to be redone often.

soundofthemusic1
08-23-2011, 05:43 PM
Have not heard of using coffee grinds to repel bugs. How good does it work? i use a concoction of lemon oil, molasses and dishwashing soap to control most of the chewers. Also use neem oil if there is one bug that thinks it is superbug. Of course, with all of the rain we are having it has to be redone often.

Noah,

Deer is my main pest problem. They haven’t really eaten much of my papaya plants, but I don’t think coffee grounds are the reason. It is work to apply bug spray for plants, especially vine plants. I don’t know how you and other gardeners keep up with it. :rolleyes:

ladyflyfsh
08-31-2011, 04:19 PM
Papaya update for today, the last day of August, 2011. More papayas just keep coming and the trees are super healthy and growing even taller. I just can't believe the growth on this thing!

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K3596.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K3597.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K3598.jpg

lkailburn
09-02-2011, 10:01 PM
Wow that's amazing. About how much do you think the bottom ones weigh now?

-Luke

ladyflyfsh
09-03-2011, 06:49 AM
I don't know Luke, I never thought they'd get so big! The ones on the other tree are more elongated and they are big also!

sdpanther
09-03-2011, 11:22 AM
Papaya update for today, the last day of August, 2011. More papayas just keep coming and the trees are super healthy and growing even taller. I just can't believe the growth on this thing!

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K3596.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K3597.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K3598.jpg

WOW! That is so cool! I've never seen a papaya growing. Now I want to grow one because it looks so neat! (I don't really care for papaya :P) Maybe if the kids like them I'll find a spot for one!

soundofthemusic1
09-05-2011, 11:36 AM
Mary, your papaya fruits are so beautiful. .

As Sdpanther mentioned, papayas are not fruits kids like to eat, but they are great for making papaya drinks. There are many online recipes when you surf on the web. A simple one requires only cut-up papayas, milk, sugar or honey, and a blender.

Enjoy your fruits when they ripen and thank you for the updates. ;)

Darkman
09-12-2011, 06:50 PM
I don't know Luke, I never thought they'd get so big! The ones on the other tree are more elongated and they are big also!

From IFAS site,

HS11/MG054: Papaya Growing in the Florida Home Landscape (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg054)

Female plants produce medium to large round-shaped fruit of good quality and a large seed cavity. Bisexual plants produce small to medium elongated fruit of good quality and a smaller seed cavity. Male plants with bisexual flowers may produce a few, elongated, poor quality fruit.

ladyflyfsh
09-25-2011, 08:03 AM
I am astounded by how big the fruit are getting on my papaya trees. They are huge and seem to still be growing. I'm wondering when they will ever start to ripen! The two volunteer plants that came up on their own in my compost bin are also now starting to produce fruit. I have no idea what they are!

Here are some updated photos of the progress on the Red Lady papayas.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K4587.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K4585.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K4584.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K4588.jpg

oakshadows
09-25-2011, 09:10 AM
It looks like the visitors have arrived. The critters usually will eat a fruit when it is ripe. You might try one that looks like the eaten one. We hope you don't get the problem with rodents eating your fruits like we did. If you can remove about 3 foot of the branches at the bottom and wrap the trunk with aluminum or pvc pipe and the plant is far enough from any thing they can reach to get on the plant, you may be able to keep them at bay. Good luck.

ladyflyfsh
09-25-2011, 09:14 AM
I'm not sure what you mean, "the visitors have arrived". There is no damage on any of these and nothing has even attempted to eat them. What are you referring to?

oakshadows
09-25-2011, 10:15 AM
I'm not sure what you mean, "the visitors have arrived". There is no damage on any of these and nothing has even attempted to eat them. What are you referring to?

You posted four pics, on the second from the top one of the fruits looks to have a chunk chewed out of it.

ladyflyfsh
09-25-2011, 10:38 AM
nah, it's just a shadow!

oakshadows
09-25-2011, 11:06 AM
Better start picking before the shadow returns.

Dalmatiansoap
09-25-2011, 12:37 PM
Better start picking before the shadow returns.

:ha::ha::ha:

oakshadows
09-25-2011, 01:25 PM
Noah,

Deer is my main pest problem. They haven’t really eaten much of my papaya plants, but I don’t think coffee grounds are the reason. It is work to apply bug spray for plants, especially vine plants. I don’t know how you and other gardeners keep up with it. :rolleyes:

Was it easy ro start them from seed? How long did it take to fruit? We like papaya and would like to grow some but if it takes 4 -5 years then I'll pass. I am trying to get banana plants that produce in a year or less. In zone 9 it should happen. Further sound and one can count on a good harvest on a regular bases. Thanks

oakshadows
09-25-2011, 01:30 PM
Mary, your papaya fruits are so beautiful. .

As Sdpanther mentioned, papayas are not fruits kids like to eat, but they are great for making papaya drinks. There are many online recipes when you surf on the web. A simple one requires only cut-up papayas, milk, sugar or honey, and a blender.

Enjoy your fruits when they ripen and thank you for the updates. ;)

If you use google to find deer repellants you should find a post about plants that deer don't like and avoid them. I will search some and see if I can find it since it has been some time since I looked. No deer here but daughter in Virginia has big problem. When I lived in Virginia I solved the problem with a rifle. Good luck

ladyflyfsh
09-26-2011, 08:12 AM
Was it easy ro start them from seed? How long did it take to fruit? We like papaya and would like to grow some but if it takes 4 -5 years then I'll pass. I am trying to get banana plants that produce in a year or less. In zone 9 it should happen. Further sound and one can count on a good harvest on a regular bases. Thanks

I didn't start the Red Lady from seed, I purchased a plant (planted it in April and it was only 2 feet tall) but, I had two volunteer papaya plants come up in my compost pile this summer and I transplanted them and they are both already putting out fruit. I have no idea what kind of papaya they are, but it would have to be from one I got at the store. They grow very fast and fruit the same year.

Oh, and here is another photo of the papaya you thought had a bite out of it, from a different angle and another to show scale of how big these dang things really are!

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K4609.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K4611.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/_D7K4613.jpg

soundofthemusic1
09-26-2011, 11:42 AM
Was it easy ro start them from seed? How long did it take to fruit? We like papaya and would like to grow some but if it takes 4 -5 years then I'll pass. I am trying to get banana plants that produce in a year or less. In zone 9 it should happen. Further sound and one can count on a good harvest on a regular bases. Thanks

I didn't start the Red Lady from seed, I purchased a plant (planted it in April and it was only 2 feet tall) but, I had two volunteer papaya plants come up in my compost pile this summer and I transplanted them and they are both already putting out fruit. I have no idea what kind of papaya they are, but it would have to be from one I got at the store. They grow very fast and fruit the same year.

Noah,

I totally agree with Mary that fresh papaya seeds are very easy to geminate. My tallest papaya tree is only about four feet tall since I never thinned out my papaya tress and fertilized them only once with 10-10-10. They don’t get much sun, and I’m not expecting them to fruit, either. I’m glad Mary was able to answer some of your questions.

As you can see from the two pictures below, deer did come back and destroyed a few of my papaya trees, and some has recovered a bit:

<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45939&ppuser=5961><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45939&size=1 border=0></a>

<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45940&ppuser=5961><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45940&size=1 border=0></a>

oakshadows
09-26-2011, 12:38 PM
Noah,

Deer is my main pest problem. They haven’t really eaten much of my papaya plants, but I don’t think coffee grounds are the reason. It is work to apply bug spray for plants, especially vine plants. I don’t know how you and other gardeners keep up with it. :rolleyes:

We bought a 12volt 15 gallon sprayer and it doesn't take long at all. They cost around $100 but are so easy to use if you have a lot of vegetation. Also use it foliar feeding. We raise 5 head of cattle and it is used to spray fertilizer on the pastures.
If you have any type of sprayer try this on some of the plants that the deer bother. 1 gallon of water, 1 teaspoon of dishwashing soap, 1/4 cup of syrup (molasses is better) and neem oil. This will deter the deer and keep some bugs away also. Good luck

lkailburn
09-26-2011, 01:21 PM
Thanks for sharing the updated photos! So neat watching the progress. Which picture is the red lady? I noticed some fruits are very roundish, while others are oblong. One must be the store-bought and the other the red lady. Also, mind measuring the height and girth of the red lady?

Thanks!!

-Luke

ladyflyfsh
09-26-2011, 02:01 PM
Hey Luke! They are both Red Lady papayas. One is a female (rounded fruit) and the other either a hermaphrodite or male.

The largest round one is 8" high and 21" in girth and of the long ones, the largest is 11" tall and 16" girth. In other words, they are huge! I wish they would hurry up and ripen before they become two trees full of basketballs and footballs! I can't imagine what I'm going to do with all these once they do decide to get ripe! Thanks for your interest.

oakshadows
09-26-2011, 03:40 PM
Not to worry, you will have help. Remember the "shadow".

lkailburn
09-26-2011, 04:01 PM
thanks for the info! whoops, i actually meant the height and girth of the tree :-)
but those fruits are getting big! someday, i want to actually eat a home grown, tree ripened papaya :-)

Can't wait for future updates, like when the first fruit starts to turn yellow!

-Luke

ladyflyfsh
09-26-2011, 04:16 PM
lol...whoops is right...well, let me see if I can get this for you...brb....ok, tree is 9-1/2 feet tall and girth is 13.5" on the largest of the two. These two trees were planted in the same pot so I planted them the same way in the ground so they are super strong together.

ladyflyfsh
09-26-2011, 04:19 PM
Not to worry, you will have help. Remember the "shadow".

looks to me like someone has a thing about shadows! :bananarow:

soundofthemusic1
09-27-2011, 09:58 PM
We bought a 12volt 15 gallon sprayer and it doesn't take long at all. They cost around $100 but are so easy to use if you have a lot of vegetation. Also use it foliar feeding. We raise 5 head of cattle and it is used to spray fertilizer on the pastures.
If you have any type of sprayer try this on some of the plants that the deer bother. 1 gallon of water, 1 teaspoon of dishwashing soap, 1/4 cup of syrup (molasses is better) and neem oil. This will deter the deer and keep some bugs away also. Good luck

Thanks, Noah, for the tips on the sprayer and the homemade pesticide you use. It’s always great to learn from other members.

When I lived in Virginia I solved the problem with a rifle.

Interestingly my neighbor uses a BB gun. That seems to work for him, too, because deer visit my yard more often this year.

venturabananas
09-28-2011, 10:48 AM
I noticed a comment in this thread about kids not liking to eat papaya. I think this is true of a lot of people, not just kids. But you can change a lot of minds if you squeeze lime juice on the papaya. I suspect a lot of you already know that trick, but it always amazes me how such a simple addition can change the minds of the papaya haters. The lime juice seems to take away that "funky" smell that some folks dislike. I loved 'em with lime juice as a kid, and still do.

Mary, how tall are the red lady plants now?

ladyflyfsh
09-28-2011, 10:57 AM
Mary, how tall are the red lady plants now?

9-1/2 feet tall and 13-1/2 inches at the base of one of the trees. They are huge!

lkailburn
09-28-2011, 11:20 AM
I noticed a comment in this thread about kids not liking to eat papaya. I think this is true of a lot of people, not just kids. But you can change a lot of minds if you squeeze lime juice on the papaya. I suspect a lot of you already know that trick, but it always amazes me how such a simple addition can change the minds of the papaya haters. The lime juice seems to take away that "funky" smell that some folks dislike. I loved 'em with lime juice as a kid, and still do.

Mary, how tall are the red lady plants now?

I've never heard of that trick before. If my bears lime would start producing more than one lime every 6 months, i'd go and try that! haha

-Luke

ladyflyfsh
12-18-2011, 12:58 PM
I am super pleased to report my Red Lady papayas are finally tree ripening and they are the most delicious, sweet papayas I've ever eaten! Wow...just can't believe the flavor and sweetness in a tree ripened fruit like this.

Here are some updated pics for your viewing pleasure. :drum:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/D7K_6449.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/D7K_6450.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/D7K_6442.jpg

momoese
12-18-2011, 01:43 PM
I'm not a huge fan of papaya but that sure looks good!

lkailburn
12-18-2011, 06:24 PM
Congrats!!! Those look amazing. My mouth just watered.

-Luke

FRITO
12-19-2011, 07:53 PM
trees look good and fast growing.

however I see no red lady papaya trees in this thread. Red lady papaya should have red petioles (the long stems /branches). It also is a self polinating variety and the fruit is long and slender with redish/salmon colored fruit on the inside.

that rounder acorn type papaya is a mexican type that is larger grower and it is either male or female. more robust grower. orang fruit that has more papain smell and not as sweet as the red lady papaya. it also has green petioles and nno colorful markings. I have one of these type i call 'mystery mexican acorn' and is 1.5yr old plant with hundreds of pounds of fruit in FT Myers, FL.

FRITO
12-19-2011, 08:06 PM
heres a comparison photo I took last week: the Red lady papaya is on the left. the mystery mexican acorn type on the right.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s320x320/388231_798511066014_75302189_36210902_1225120126_n.jpg

ladyflyfsh
12-20-2011, 02:22 PM
It is the difference between a male or bisexual and female plant. The female is the rounder fruit and the male the elongated fruit. Here is one I just harvested a few minutes ago. Both trees were growing together in the same pot when I bought them so I left them as they were and planted them together. They are very stong and healthy!

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/Image2.jpg

And, they ARE Red Lady Papayas

ladyflyfsh
12-20-2011, 02:39 PM
FRITO, you should know your facts before preaching what you regard as the gospel. This quote is directly from the Dept. of Agriculture Burough of Plant Industry (Phillipines) website: "Red Lady Papaya (F1 Hybrid) - Early, vigorous productive and tolerant to papaya ring spot virus. Plants begin to bear fruits at 80cm. height and normally have over 30 fruits per plant in each fruit setting season. Fruits are short- oblong on female plants and rather long shaped on bisexual plants, weighing about 1.5 – 2 kg.

Known – You No.1 - Tolerant to papaya ring spot virus. Plants are thick, sturdy early and heavy yielding. Yellow – fleshed fruit is large, weighing about 1.6 – 3 kg.

Tainung No. 1 - Plants are vigorous and prolific. Fruits weigh about 1.1 kg with red flesh and good aroma.

Tainung No. 2 - Fruits with pointed blossom end weigh about 1.1 kg. Flesh is orange red, tender with good taste and quality. Suitable for local market.

Tainung No. 3 - Plants are dwarf but with good growth. Fruits are larger than Tainung No. 1 and weigh about 1.3 kg. Flesh is yellow –orange, sweet and good quality."

Here is their website: Bureau of Plant Industry (http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/guide_papaya.php)

Another one you should read: HS11/MG054: Papaya Growing in the Florida Home Landscape (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg054)

BigBananaBoy
12-20-2011, 05:33 PM
Awesome Job! Love Papayas. Beautiful Fruit. Thanks for sharing.
It gives me hope for my Solo I planted in July. Maybe it will fruit 2012... :bananas_b



I am super pleased to report my Red Lady papayas are finally tree ripening and they are the most delicious, sweet papayas I've ever eaten! Wow...just can't believe the flavor and sweetness in a tree ripened fruit like this.

Here are some updated pics for your viewing pleasure. :drum:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/D7K_6449.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/D7K_6450.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/ladyflyfsh/D7K_6442.jpg

FRITO
12-20-2011, 08:13 PM
how do you know you have red lady though? what is your plant source?

well I guess I have only had bisexual plants, its good to know that the female red lady does have round fruits. ive only had bi sexual red ladys with elongated fruits.

However do your petioles not show red on your plants? do all red lady papayas have this?(mine does)
Why is your fruit over 7 lbs?? that seems about twice the size of the parameters of the red lady in your phillipine papaya link. 1.5kg-2kg is rought 3.5-4.5 lbs.

you could have a red lady papya hybrid as it looks like they were seed grown (2 diffrent plants in a pot)

FRITO
12-20-2011, 08:17 PM
the fruit looks good though, thats a biggin'.

ladyflyfsh
12-20-2011, 10:14 PM
I bought it at a very trustworthy local nursery. The petioles are not red and I don't think that is a prerequisite. I've seen photos online that do not have red petioles. I would have to say my fruits on these trees are exceptionally large because I have used Atomic Grow throughout their lives since I planted them and the roots are humongous. They are strong and super healthy trees. Atomic Grow is not a fertilizer and it is 100% organic. Go back a ways in this thread to read more about it since it has already been hashed out on this thread at an earlier time.

The newer fruits at the top of the trees are smaller and it is still putting out new fruit. I will say this though, it is the most delicious papaya I've ever eaten. Really sweet and great flavor!

harveyc
12-23-2011, 12:08 AM
Looks great, Mary! I just now stumbled across this thread.

I checked out the sight for Atomic Grow. Do you know if it is something other than 100% neem oil? I can't tell from the web site and don't see any mention of it being organic, only that it's a product of "agricultural oils". Do you have more info?

ladyflyfsh
12-24-2011, 07:48 AM
Looks great, Mary! I just now stumbled across this thread.

I checked out the sight for Atomic Grow. Do you know if it is something other than 100% neem oil? I can't tell from the web site and don't see any mention of it being organic, only that it's a product of "agricultural oils". Do you have more info?

It is not Neem Oil. Here is another page you can check out: HY Yield Lawn and Shrub (http://www.atomicgrow.info/)

harveyc
12-25-2011, 12:43 PM
On the other site there was a comment that said "we use neem oil" but it wasn't clear what they were referring to. On the parent site they just refer to "horiticultural oils" without saying what kind and they say it's approved as "all natural" but there's no mention of it being organic that I could find. I'm a sucker for these sorts of things but just try to find out more before trying something new.

Edit: I was searching to see if I could find any patent or MSDS information for this product and stumbled across this discussion thread that makes me skeptical: Why Atomic Grow Sucks! - Tomatoville® Gardening Forums (http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=11663) See the threats by the company in post #61 and also see post #72. I'm glad it seems to have worked well for you Mary, but I don't have any plans on contributing my financial resources to this character.

ladyflyfsh
12-25-2011, 04:53 PM
Well, that's too bad Harvey because that entire thread is only about one person who used it and didn't like it. The others were just like a herd of sheep saying I won't use it then. It is a wonderful product and I have no ties whatsoever to the company. I had a problem with insects on a bougainvilla and I sprayed it with Atomic Grow and the bugs went away and the foiage came back completely. I had green stinkbugs all over my orange tree and I sprayed it and they all disappeared, the leaves are all shiny and fresh looking and lots of new growth is coming out. I use it on everything from my veggie garden, roses, fruit trees, flowering trees, you name it.

The ingredients on the bottle I have are listed as follows and in this order: made of soy, corn, grains, potatoes and cactus

You make your own decision, but I will continue to use this product because I find it highly effective and all the plants in my yard are thriving! I have never had one negative effect from using it, so I will not be persuaded otherwise until the day I do have an issue. Until then, I'm a happy camper :03:

Richard
12-25-2011, 05:44 PM
First of all, I'm happy Atomic Grow is working for you and I'm not advocating that you stop at this point.
Update: a discussion of the product has been continued here: Atomic Grow (http://www.bananas.org/f9/atomic-grow-14882.html)
Second, those of us in agriculture are curious why it is working. Since the product is being sold as a nutrient certain state and federal laws come into play.

The manufacturer is required by Florida state law to pay a "mill" tax. This number should be on the bottle. The mill tax is used to pay inspectors who come around infrequently to verify that the product content matches the label.
Federal law also requires a list of active ingredients in percentage by weight unless they wish to claim the "organic" exemption. If they wish to claim it is organic and exempt from listing percentages, then it must (maybe it does?) have either the FL Dept. of Agriculture or USDA certified organic certificate. A non-government organic certificate doesn't suffice.
Regardless of whether it is organic, the manufacturer is required by federal law to provide an MSDS.


If the manufacturer is not doing any of these things, then it is a poor reflection on the owners. Sooner or later the state or federal government will catch up with them. Hopefully they will find the product is as advertised and the owners only negligent in the registration.

harveyc
12-25-2011, 06:03 PM
Mary, more than the one bad experienc was the fact that the owner came on and accused the user that he hadn't followed instructions when he had said he he had followed the instructions precisely. Further, this post was made without revealing he was the owner of atomic grow. He then goes and has an attorney threaten legal action unless the thread is deleted. The fact that the owner Tom and distributor Kathy has posted phony Q&As is signs of a shady operation, IMO. Such a person will never get a penny from me.

I'm glad it has worked for you. It would be very helpful to see some. Controlled studies by a verifiably independent third party.

sunfish
12-25-2011, 06:13 PM
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=buy%20atomic%20grow&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCMQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcrowleynursery.net%2Fpurchase.htm&ei=fa33To7dEISsiQL6yPCFDQ&usg=AFQjCNH7x_PbJ9aW0QnxCWDo2qv_KZOS0w&cad=rja

ladyflyfsh
12-25-2011, 09:32 PM
No problem everyone. This thread is NOT about Atomic Grow, but is about my beautiful papaya trees which are fruiting like maniacs. I am getting huge, gorgeous fruits with no bugs, tree ripened and now I have more than I know what to do with. I only wish some of you lived closer so you could have some. I'm running out of room in my fridge...I am up to my eyeballs in broccoli right now also. Next it will be tomatoes! What a great winter we are having! Merry Christmas everyone....

harveyc
12-25-2011, 09:43 PM
Thanks and merry Christmas Mary. I wish you were closer as I would surely help make room in your refrigerator. :)

lkailburn
12-30-2011, 12:02 PM
+1 on that i would LOVE to taste a tree ripened papaya!

-Luke

venturabananas
12-30-2011, 12:34 PM
I'm hoping that this coming year I'll join the ranks of the folks who've enjoyed tree-ripened papayas from their own yard. I have a couple of TR Hovey plants and some Mexican papayas that made flowers too late in the season and haven't set fruit. I hope they'll make it through this cold winter we're having and produce some fruit next year.

Richard
12-30-2011, 08:30 PM
It is the difference between a male or bisexual and female plant. The female is the rounder fruit and the male the elongated fruit.

Just to clear up some confusion here ... Male flowers do not set fruit. BUT, what you may be referring to are fruits from female flowers versus hermaphroditic flowers. A more thorough discussion can be found here: Plant sexuality - Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_sexuality).

Dangermouse01
01-22-2012, 07:44 PM
Hi Mary;
Just wondering how your Red Lady's did with the cold fronts your area of Florida has seen so far this year? Hopefully nothing to bad. My parent's (East coast, central Florida) have had papaya trees in their yard for as long as I can remember. Cold weather knocked 'em back, but I can't recall them every buying a new one. So they either kept coming back, or came up as volunteers from the compost.
Planning to get a papaya (or two) for my yard soon, not sure if I will go with the Red Lady or some other variety yet.

DM

ladyflyfsh
01-23-2012, 05:23 PM
Hi Mary;
Just wondering how your Red Lady's did with the cold fronts your area of Florida has seen so far this year? Hopefully nothing to bad. My parent's (East coast, central Florida) have had papaya trees in their yard for as long as I can remember. Cold weather knocked 'em back, but I can't recall them every buying a new one. So they either kept coming back, or came up as volunteers from the compost.
Planning to get a papaya (or two) for my yard soon, not sure if I will go with the Red Lady or some other variety yet.

DM

Hi! The trees are doing fine. The foliage died back as to be expected but the fruit are doing just fine as I continue to get tree ripened fruit. I just picked one yesterday as a matter of fact and they are delicious. I highly recommend this fruit to anyone wanting papayas in their yard. It grew fast and is like an ox as far as growth and strength. There is new growth coming in already as we only had really one frost and one night of low temps but no frost.
Thanks for asking.

Good luck.
Mary

harveyc
01-23-2012, 05:48 PM
Mary, someone in another group from Florida asked if there was a variety they could grow that did not taste like vomit. I've never found them to be offensive myself but wondered if you've had any you did not like or what you might suggest to this person.

ladyflyfsh
01-24-2012, 09:22 AM
Mary, someone in another group from Florida asked if there was a variety they could grow that did not taste like vomit. I've never found them to be offensive myself but wondered if you've had any you did not like or what you might suggest to this person.

Well....it seems pretty obvious to me this person doesn't like papayas to begin with so why bother growing them? All I can say is, there is nothing like a tree ripened anything! These were not good if picked green and allowed to sit in storage to ripen. They had to have a good bit of yellow/orange blush on them prior to picking to continue to ripen and become sweet and full of flavor. I highly recommend the Red Lady papaya and as far as names of other varieties, this is the only one I have actual experience with.

Yug
01-24-2012, 11:29 AM
Mary, someone in another group from Florida asked if there was a variety they could grow that did not taste like vomit. I've never found them to be offensive myself but wondered if you've had any you did not like or what you might suggest to this person.

That is an incredible statement!! I've personally NEVER had a papaya taste like 'vomit'. I have had some with relatively little taste. I know some folks get skin irritation from the milky sap that drips from newly picked fruit.

momoese
01-24-2012, 11:44 AM
Mary, someone in another group from Florida asked if there was a variety they could grow that did not taste like vomit. I've never found them to be offensive myself but wondered if you've had any you did not like or what you might suggest to this person.

I don't eat papaya for the same reason, it has a foul taste to me. I don't eat Salmon either for the same reason.

I do like Babaco though.

venturabananas
01-24-2012, 11:56 AM
Mary, someone in another group from Florida asked if there was a variety they could grow that did not taste like vomit. I've never found them to be offensive myself but wondered if you've had any you did not like or what you might suggest to this person.

I've turned many a papaya hater around just by squeezing lime on it before serving. It balances the flavor and somehow diminishes the "funky" smell.

harveyc
01-24-2012, 12:15 PM
Mary, this person wants to enjoy papaya and does presently eat them after squeezing lime on them, as Mark suggests. He's aware that many people love papaya and thought, perhaps, there is a variety that is better than others, one without the "vomit" taste. I don't think I've ever had a papaya I didn't care for, though some have been bland (probably picked immature). I first heard of this vomit comment in 2007 when a friend from Puerto Rico (Mitchel, it was Bryan whom you met) told me that most of the locals there in PR don't care for papaya due to smelling like vomit. I was puzzled by the comment then and have since heard of it a few times. I thought maybe it was something to do with living in the tropics, but Mitchel breaks that theory. One guy from Hawaii who replied to the guy who posed the question (from which my original vomit comment above was derived) said that the papaya breeding in Hawaii was done to eliminate the foul taste, but I don't know if that's really the case since Mitchel has probably been exposed to some of them as well.

I'm curious, Mitchel, what you think of the taste of Fuyu persimmon. We like it in our household but I have also encountered people who hate it. It seems somewhat similar in taste profile to papaya to me, now that I think about it.

venturabananas
01-24-2012, 12:25 PM
Harvey, all the ones I ate in Hawaii last week (and I ate a lot of them) had that same odor. I don't perceive it negatively, but I can see how someone might. There may be cultivar somewhere that doesn't have the odor, but it isn't what was available when I was there.

momoese
01-24-2012, 01:26 PM
I'm curious, Mitchel, what you think of the taste of Fuyu persimmon.

I've only had a few Persimmons in my lifetime because I'm not very fond of them. Something about the texture and flavor that I don't like.

I'd like to try these sometime. There are 25 pics in the slideshow.
Otow Orchard - hoshigaki persimmons peaches plums pears and more - Granite Bay, California (http://www.otoworchard.com/hoshigaki.html)

ladyflyfsh
01-24-2012, 01:46 PM
Well, I don't know what to tell you. These do not have a smell like vomit and to me I detect a sweetness in the aroma. Again, these are tree ripened and are extremely sweet right off the tree. I can't imagine anyone not liking them but there is always someone.

I do know that this is not a variety that is commercially grown if that is any help. You will not find these in your grocery store nor most likely a local produce market unless someone locally is growing them in their yard.

Darkman
01-24-2012, 07:04 PM
I have a Fuyu persimmon and now I'm worried that it will smell ike vomit.

momoese
01-24-2012, 07:12 PM
I have a Fuyu persimmon and now I'm worried that it will smell ike vomit.

:ha: Good one!

momoese
01-24-2012, 07:16 PM
Mary, how would you compare them to store bought. Have you ever not liked the smell or flavor of one?

I'd try the Red Lady if I found some locally. I'll try almost anything once. ;)

BigBananaBoy
01-24-2012, 07:22 PM
I'll try almost anything once. ;)

Its too easy for a comment on this, but I will leave it alone Mitchel. But ..:ha:


Papaya's are great tasting, never smelled vomit though HA! A little lime (like Mark said) and honey will add some balance and sweetness if someone needs it.

Big Tony

momoese
01-24-2012, 07:25 PM
Its too easy for a comment on this, but I will leave it alone Mitchel. But ..:ha:




I said almost....;) :ha:

harveyc
01-24-2012, 08:13 PM
I have a Fuyu persimmon and now I'm worried that it will smell ike vomit.

Only if you're weird like Mitchel! ;)

Mary, I'll direct this person to your comments. Maybe he'll join and contact you or at least give this variety a try.

Darkman
01-24-2012, 09:03 PM
Boy I'm glad ya'll saw the humor in that. I was worried after I posted it!