Why You Should Grow Papaya Trees in California's Central Valley

[@Maatson_]

Well as always I want to thank you for the Papaya advice a few years back. I know ppl say they are easy to grow but I tried for 3 years and had no luck root rot :( . You told me mix the dirt with 50% sand . It has worked ever time I now have lot of dwarf Hawaii strawberry papaya and lady red . also the chicken love the left over .

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Very nice. You’re very welcome.

[@themangovista]

Great information wish I saw this video three years ago lol..The two mistakes I’ve made was over watering and planting too deep. I almost gave up on them i’m glad I didn’t because now it’s one of my favorites to grow.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

That’s awesome. They’re insanely productive trees and very versatile. You can eat them ripen, or, you can turn the unripe ones into the classic Thai papaya salad.

[@danwhitehorse1492]

Great video my friend! Thank you!

[@TropicalCentralValley]

You’re very welcome.

[@LanNguyen-wy4un]

Yay!!! Thanks for another great video. I'm always learning so much from you. Thank you.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

You’re very welcome.

[@Godisincontrol325]

😃🎉 Excellent Thank you for sharing 🙏 I gave a big thumbs up 👍

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Thank you.

[@Godisincontrol325]

@@TropicalCentralValley Of Course 😁

[@xeso92]

Hope you are ready for your heat wave coming up! I like checking the variances of temp in the valley and noticed you got waves comin!

[@TropicalCentralValley]

I think we’re getting 107°F in the coming days. Not too bad, given it was 110°F last week.

[@rockers7889]

My wife's brother inlaw in Milbrae , had a stroke yesterday passed today . I would share your videos and ideas on what might thrive in his area . He did well in grafting apples from my Fuji to his non producing tree . He did well for the limited space he had for his garden . Him and his wife , my wifes sister were from the Philippines and would visit us in fall . I would always send home with him Fuyu/Imoto persimmons , green figs oranges and grapefruits ,along with numerous cuttings we both would exchange . Its just kicking in now hes not with us anymore . "TIME LONGER THAN ROPE AND TIME WILL CATCH UP PON YOU SELAH" I was going to tell him my latest venture of accumulating pre 1965 US silver coins instead of the value losing paper money we use , (stacking silver) he would have liked that because he was 72 and on a fixed income. A pleasure to have in my family now RIP Dennis Illagan

[@TropicalCentralValley]

That’s a bummer to hear.

[@rockers7889]

​@@TropicalCentralValleyThanks he was a big fan of your channel

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Thank you.

[@victormilian3077]

Amazing videos bro . I live in Fresno and have a mango tree. Hopefully, soon i get to plant a papaya tree too

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Thank you. You’ll find that just about all tropical fruit trees perform super well in the Central Valley.

[@georgevalenzuela2489]

Great video, I have 3 small Papaya plants that I grew from seed, I live in Merced County.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

That’s awesome. You’ll see that your papaya trees will thrive in our summer. They “tolerate” our winters, provided that you do not water them during the winter season.

[@georgevalenzuela2489]

@@TropicalCentralValley Thanks for the advice!

[@TropicalCentralValley]

You’re very welcome.

[@anndrake492]

Please keep making more videos like this.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Totally. I’m finding others through my channel that are interested in growing these tropical fruit trees that shouldn’t grow in their region.

[@RussellBooth1977]

I am growing them in 52 litre (about 14 US gallon) plant pots but they grow much quicker if they're planted in the ground, they do get knocked around by the winter a little bit at my location (Newcastle, near Sydney in New South Wales) particularly in July because then is when we get our frosts, they usually drop all of their leaves but the plant begins to grow back in mid spring (September - October) So it's the 2-4°C (33-35°F) nights which knock them around overnight in July & August ,the daytime temperatures are between 11-19°C (52-67°F) during the day at winter time. Waterlogging is what kills them,my late grandfather used to grow them up near the Queensland border in New South Wales in volcanic red soil which was well draining & it was on slope the excess water just drained away. They love the heat but what I found out they don't like is when someone drags a garden hose across them when they're young which bruises them & during the winter time water just gets in & causes the plant to rot out. Shade is good for keeping the frost off the plants or plant it in front of a house, a fence or a brick wall so that the heat bounce back off onto the plant & melt the frost off the leaves or do what some people do, throw a bed sheet over the plant to keep the frost off it !

[@TropicalCentralValley]

That’s wonderful. Mine too gets frost damage to the leaves, however, mine has always managed to bounce back as soon as the temperature warms up.

[@sandrakawahatsu5457]

I planted papaya in clay soil 😢 before finding your video! I am growing red lady and Hawaiian sunrise. I kept the sunrise in a pot so that one will have a better chance! Luckily I didn’t plant all of my red ladies.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

That’s awesome. I suspect you’ll find that they do incredibly well in the ground, provided your soil is well draining and heavily amended during the planting process. In my case, the ones in the ground are roughly doubled the size and height of container grown ones.

[@pmurT4202]

Great learning video brother 🫡

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Thank you.

[@LukeOranje]

Also have had a couple papayas that perished due to rotting. Do you mulch as heavy around the papayas as you do the rest of the yard? Or is the key to mix well with sand when planting?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Mulch is completely breathable. This being the case, put as much mulch as you can bear. In my case, I have about a foot’s worth of wood chip, up to the trunk of every tropical fruit trees, including papaya trees. Mulching is an absolute necessity. It’s actually the lack of oxygen (poor soil doesn’t help), that causes root rot. For this purpose, the use of sand and other non-organic material such as perlite, etc helps the papaya trees to expand their roots.

[@LukeOranje]

@@TropicalCentralValley Ah, I see. Yeah, I did not amend the soil with sand last time, so I think the clay just took it out.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

During winter time, it helps too that you do not directly water the papaya tree, and instead, rely on the rainfall. If too much rainfall, or if there’s any standing water, this will lead to root rot.

[@yulduzrakhimova4376]

Thank you! eally useful video. I am trying to grow papayas from seeds. Are they easy to repot? I have a bunch of them growing in my raised bed and I need to repot them eventually

[@TropicalCentralValley]

They can be fussy, especially if super young. That being the case, I normally wait until mine are at least a foot tall before digging them up (very carefully) to be replanted.

[@Minnieneni]

As always thanks for the informative video! I have tried germinating seeds from 3 different store bought papayas but none germinated. What am I doing wrong?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

It may be your growing medium. Try germinating them in containers with 1/2 peat moss and 1/2 sand. There’s really nothing to it, just dump some seeds in the growing medium, cover them with a light layer and keep watering it. Because of the peat moss and sand, you can’t overwater them.

[@tammynguyen8250]

Hi, I love watching all of your videos! Can you please share how to get the star fruit to fruit? My starfruit has a lot of flowers but did not set fruit. I planted it in the ground for 2 years now. Thank you so much!

[@TropicalCentralValley]

During the blooming months, be sure to give extra water to your starfruit trees, as any water stress (lack of water) will cause them to drop their flowers or not set fruits. Beyond this, the tree may simply be practicing bloom and not ready yet. If this is the case, the tree will likely set fruit next season.

[@anndrake492]

Papayas? You said Hawaiian Solo? My all time favorite fruit!

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Yup, and they’re super easy to grow.

[@xesoteryc]

How is your passion fruit doing, has it set any fruit this year?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

It produced fruits, but in the end, I decided to remove the vine due to lack of trellis space.

[@ireneteneff6372]

May I ask what material you planted the Papaya trees in? I planted my Papaya in a mixture of sand, peat moss, perlite, and native soil ; however, it never grew. I love your garden, so peaceful. Thank you. Zone 9b california.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

For all of my in ground tropical fruit trees, I use 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 sand and 1/3 native dirt. There’s no harm in adding other non-organic material such as volcanic rock, perlite, etc. Papaya trees love the summer sun and heat. This being the case, they also need a lot of water and fertilizer.

[@sushidawgz]

Amazing video, thank you for sharing. I am wondering what kind of thick bamboo you have there in your garden and if you take any measures to prevent it from running? Also do you know where would be a good place to start looking for papaya saplings for purchase?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

The bamboo I have is the clumping variety, as opposed to the running variety. They make great chop and drop as well as my primary wind breaker. I would look up the newest ethnic grocery store. They often carry the Florida and Hawaii varieties.

[@paulm965]

@@TropicalCentralValley But what variety of clumpbing bamboo?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Old Ham’s Bamboo would be the best as they are quite tall, and extremely flexible.

[@olafusiogunibe9435]

I also live in the central valley. How do you protect them during the winter?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

You don’t. They’re fine. Having said that, there are some fall/winter techniques that you’ll want to apply to ensure their survival.

[@Mrbfgray]

Bet your yard is by far the most attractive in your entire hood.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

It’s different for sure.

[@Mrbfgray]

@@TropicalCentralValley You know it's the most beautiful, grass isn't ugly it's just useless and boring and certainly *relatively* ugly. What do the neighbors think?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

They think my yard takes a lot of works, which it really does not. I’m not mowing my yard twice a month. The cool thing about trees is, once planted, you mostly just forget about it and let it do its thing.

[@annabenedian1625]

What kind do you recommend for first papaya to plant?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Just about any type performs well in the Central Valley. For starters, I’d try them all. That said, it may be difficult getting your hands on some of the rarer fresh papaya fruits such as the Sunrise. You’re bound to find the Mexican and Hawaii Solo varieties in most ethnic grocery stores.

[@edwinreyes3998]

Watching this twice for the algo But mainly because I was outside gardening and didn't pay full attention 😂

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Yeah, they’re incredibly easy to grow from seed and in the ground. Just make sure the growing medium is super airy.

[@artgarcia2340]

I see you amended the soil with peat moss. Wont it hold too much moisture for the papaya roots, especially in the winter? Just curious if you do this to all your plants that cant have wet soil on the around the roots

[@TropicalCentralValley]

That’s actually precisely why I used peat moss, is to retain water. All tropical fruit trees prefer the ground to be moist at all times, including winter. The neat thing about peat moss is the fact that they release the water as the trees need it while still providing ample aeration to the root system. For all of my in ground tropical fruit trees, I use 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 sand and 1/3 native dirt. This has been a good formula for getting them acclimated to my soil.

[@emanueldelgado540]

Trying here in the Bay Area but they keep dying on my when only an inch tall to damp off or powdery mildew I guess it’s just to cool here

[@TropicalCentralValley]

It’s the humidity. Just about all fungal issues are due to humidity, including powdery mildew. It’s so dry in the Central Valley that it’s a non-issue for many of our tropical fruit trees.

[@artgarcia2340]

@@TropicalCentralValley I usually amend the soil with sand, pumice, perlite, bio char, and vermiculite for moisture retention, and that also holds the moisture and does not degrade over time. Im going to give your method a try since you already have great success. Thanks for the informative videos

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Your amendment ingredients should work, though, the ratio may play a role. The idea is to avoid any freshly killed organic material such as wood products in the soil.

[@olafusiogunibe9435]

Are you able to sell mango? I've been looking for mangoes but I can't find them anymore. I didn't have luck with the mangoes I had before and I've been searching for them ever since.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Unfortunately, I do not sell any of my tropical fruit trees, including fruits, seeds, cuttings, etc. If you’re nearing the Los Angeles region, there’s actually a good number of tropical fruit tree nurseries in the area. Here’s some videos I did touring some of them: Champa Nursery - Spring 2022 Tour kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWKQcpednJp3gbM Emily Garden Nursery - Spring 2022 Tour kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ-Ue3efr5Kln6M Mimosa Nursery - Spring 2022 Tour kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5eyfoKJqNp6f9E Alternatively, you can grow them from seeds as they germinate extremely easily.

[@pmurT4202]

What’s your favorite tropical tree in your backyard bro?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

I can’t say I have any. They all have their strengths and weaknesses.

[@joweb1320]

​@@TropicalCentralValley What is your favorite time eat?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Either super ripen on the tree or unripe ones for papaya salad.

[@Mrbfgray]

Did half assed attempt at papaya few yrs ago and failed. Repeated attempts a mangos and gave up on them along with moringa, dragon fruit. Avos and most citrus except limes thrive tho. (farther N., Chico)

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Your climate is slightly cooler than mine. I would imagine papaya trees grow, but may not thrive due to the lack of heat. Many of the tropical fruit trees need intense heat (not direct sunlight), just super high temperature. Have you tried white sapote and loquat? They should thrive in your climate.

[@Mrbfgray]

@@TropicalCentralValley I have thriving loquat, sapote type fruit don't appeal to me tho I should at least try them. We get plenty of 100 plus days, ave. summer high is 95ish, but can easily get down to the 60's early AM.

[@Mrbfgray]

@@TropicalCentralValley Recent heat wave U hit 110 (believe you said) while we hit 105...for whatever a single sample is worth. We do get into the 100-teens too but not often. I wonder if humidity is a bigger factor?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

In this case, your climate is virtually identical to mine, even if a few degrees cooler. Although tropicals prefer it, humidity doesn’t really affect tropicals if they’re hydrated. That said, it may affect pollination, particularly with annonas. Try a different growing medium, as tropical fruit trees prefer acidic soil. For in grounds, I have had great success with 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 sand and 1/3 native dirt. For container, 1/2 peat moss and 1/2 sand. Feel free to throw in other non-organic material such as volcanic rocks, perlite, etc. into the mix.

[@Mrbfgray]

@@TropicalCentralValley Thanks for the tips, taking mental notes here!

[@TucsonTropicals]

They are so easy to grow from seed too!100 % germination rate

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Totally true, and you’re bound to get dozens of seedlings.

[@TucsonTropicals]

@@TropicalCentralValley they also work well as a companion type since they grow so quickly for shading other seedlings

[@TropicalCentralValley]

That’s very true. In my case, I’m using it to protect my Lancetilla mango from the frost and summer sun.

[@mauriciodiaz1310]

My friend i have a big concern i really hope u read this messege and enlighten me. So i red that a papaya takes 7 to 11 months to ripen. Im by sacramento california and i habe a few fruits on my strawberry papaya but im not sure if they will ripen on time. How do you get your fruit to ripne in our climate????

[@TropicalCentralValley]

It’s really not a problem. All of my papaya fruits are left on the tree to ripen over winter. The fruit tastes great afterwards. The tree basically gives you fruit year round.

[@mauriciodiaz1310]

@TropicalCentralValley that's amazing so the over winter and ripen that's amazing

[@mauriciodiaz1310]

@TropicalCentralValley thank you my friend. Just so u kno I get alot of knowledge from you

[@TropicalCentralValley]

You’re very welcome.

[@sequoiawarner6756]

Where can I buy tropical trees in the Central Valley?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Beyond some citrus and maybe guavas, there aren’t any. If you’re nearing the Los Angeles region, there’s actually a good number of tropical fruit tree nurseries in the area. Here’s some videos I did touring some of them: Champa Nursery - Spring 2022 Tour kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWKQcpednJp3gbM Emily Garden Nursery - Spring 2022 Tour kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ-Ue3efr5Kln6M Mimosa Nursery - Spring 2022 Tour kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5eyfoKJqNp6f9E

[@darrendonovan6679]

I'm in Bakersfield and have them in containers. I tried planting papayas in ground, but they died in the winter. How do you keep yours alive for several years? You're north of me, colder for sure. Thanks

[@TropicalCentralValley]

The key to winter, as with all tropical fruit trees is NOT to water them. I made video that covers winter preparations that does into details.

[@nicolassaarni88]

I can only have successful harvest in greenhouse due to the rainy winters in my area. It’s very important to keep them dry as possible to survive the colder months.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

This is very true. With practically no transpiration happening during winter time, the rain water just sits there, and with the cold, this causes them to go into decline.

[@undertakerlaser1]

Do you grow jackfruit?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

I do. I have several in the ground.

[@davidrazo1102]

Where do you find papaya trees for sale? I have never seen them sell in Visalia. I have to try! Thanks.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Lowe’s or Home Depot; they occasionally sell them. However, the best method would be to grow them from seeds from a fresh papaya fruit.

[@davidrazo1102]

I found my papaya tree! Bought two. Wish they (Lowes) had multiple varieties. I rewatched your video for planning tips. Thanks

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Very nice. You’ll see, but they grow incredibly fast. The papayas shown being planted are approaching 5 feet tall now.

[@GrowsGoneWild]

Papaya is my nemesis lol. My seeds always sprout and then die when I try to grow them indoors during the winter? Do they just not like it inside?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

They need the extreme heat, even when young. Due to their fast growth, they require a lot of water, hence the super airy growing soil requirement. If growing indoors, use half sand and half peat moss as your growing medium. They should done fine in the container with that formula.

[@GrowsGoneWild]

@@TropicalCentralValley got it. It’s finally getting hot here so maybe I’ll start some more seeds.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Nice. From the hundreds of seeds in a papaya fruit, you’re bound to get at least half of them to germinate. The sad part will be to eliminate the underperforming seedlings while only taking care of the larger ones.

[@GrowsGoneWild]

@@TropicalCentralValley that’s always the hard part 😂.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Natural selection at its finest.

[@LiarSlayer01-gb7en]

What’s the best tasting papaya type to grow in Central Valley Northern California? Anyone? Who knows?

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Taste is extremely subjective. That said the Sunrise and Solo varieties are super sweet while the Mexican ones are humongous.

[@LiarSlayer01-gb7en]

@@TropicalCentralValley thanks you’re awesome! Really great viseos and great info! Ty!

[@TropicalCentralValley]

I’d try them all. In each papaya fruit, you’re bound to get hundreds of seeds.

[@LiarSlayer01-gb7en]

@@TropicalCentralValley you’re a great. I’ve had some seeds from half of a random type from the market being watered for a week now. Hopefully a couple sprout. I’m in Sacramento zone 9b trying everything you show. You’re awesome Ty.

[@LiarSlayer01-gb7en]

@@TropicalCentralValley coincidence you made a papaya video today right when I was about to research papaya and had half germinating.

[@joweb1320]

Yes, if they get wet feet too long they rot and fall over.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Totally true.

[@mauriciodiaz1310]

Cast on papaya 😂😂😂😂 Good one!!

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Sometimes trees need help from humans.

[@mauriciodiaz1310]

@@TropicalCentralValley yes true

[@tinyjungle_]

Good info. Always looking for a space to jam in some more papayas. Anyone have any seeds for sale in North Orange County? Not interested in Mexican but solo or pink verieties would be cool. Please delete this comment if its inappropriate. Thanks as always.

[@TropicalCentralValley]

You’re in luck. There’s a ton of ethnic grocery stores in the LA region that carry the Solo and Sunrise varieties. Pick up a fresh fruit then germinate the seeds. You’ll get hundreds of seedlings.

[@tinyjungle_]

@TropicalCentralValley thanks for the tip. Are they usually labeled? I've been going to the ethnic stores around here but I can't identify what they have

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Yes. The ones I’ve seen are nearly labeled in the 99 Ranch Market and Hawaii Supermarket in the LA region.

[@tinyjungle_]

@@TropicalCentralValley thanks again. Off to 99 Ranch lol

[@TropicalCentralValley]

You’re very welcome.

[@RyansBackyardNursery]

I would love to plant a papaya except the fact that they taste like butt

[@TropicalCentralValley]

I have not personally tasted any home grown papaya fruits that ripen on the tree that tastes like butt. The flavor varies between varieties as well. The Hawaiian Solo and Sunrise are quite sweet.

[@daniello9697]

@@TropicalCentralValley do you like papaya salad? i love them

[@TropicalCentralValley]

Absolutely, though not too spicy.