ladyflyfsh

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:

lkailburn

That is so cool! I've heard good things about red lady; good fruit, small size etc.
Keep us posted

-Luke

Dalmatiansoap

Nice plant. Congrats!
I still cant forget myself for looseing my tree last winter. Any ideas where can I find Red Lady seeds?

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http://maslinovoulje.org/

cherokee_greg

you can get them here

Red Lady Papaya - Carica papaya

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Greg zone 9 Fresno,CA
http://gardenjot.com/garden/view/1980/Gregs-Banana-Farm

lkailburn

Updates on this? Are the fruit still holding on?

-Luke

ladyflyfsh

Yup, still doing great and more on the way.

Yug

Would it be possible to get any seed?

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

Mahalo.

lkailburn

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

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!

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Location: New York City, zone 7b

ladyflyfsh

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

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

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Rae
Georgia 7B

ladyflyfsh

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

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:

lkailburn

Wow! I love the update photos. They are growing so well!

-Luke

soundofthemusic1

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.

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Rae
Georgia 7B

palmtree

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!

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Location: New York City, zone 7b

Yug

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

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

ladyflyfsh

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

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..



Thank you again for your great help and advice.

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Rae
Georgia 7B