Growing Papaya is Easy | Carica Papaya

[@richardbarber5911]

Hi. I hear on most videos people saying papaya are thirsty plants (but don't like waterlogged conditions). 2023 was the hottest and driest summer in Sarasota on record. I didn't water my 21 papaya trees at all. They are in full sun. No water for many months on end and insanely, brutal full sun every day. They are huge, lush and fruiting. No turgor pressure loss at all. No wilting. No drooping. Nothing. Just want to throw that out there as *maybe* the received wisdom that they like consistent moisture is not the complete story. Thanks! (Oh, and people often say the wind will destroy them because they are shallow rooted. Mine went through Hurricane Ian (cat 5) like they didn't even notice. Not trying to be a smarty pants or anything like that - just throwing the info out there to add to the knowledge base on papaya care. Thanks!)

[@MellowGypsy]

I’m in Port Charlotte and mine has leaves falling, droopy and only 1 fruit but it’s only a year old. First time growing it but mine is definitely thirsty lol

[@richardbarber5911]

@@MellowGypsy Good to know. I suspect mine are getting thirsty, too. The leaves are finally starting to droop during the day and the fruit (of which there is plenty) seems to have 'stalled'. It's big and green, but no yellowing up. Am gonna dig a well :)

[@MellowGypsy]

@richardbarber5911 mine ONE fruit has stalled as well. I check it every day for yellowing. I still wish I knew why the buds fell off at a very small size. Lots of drop off the canopy as well but I sprayed and the rest is nice and green. Hopefully I'll get more when it cycles again. I've stopped relying on our well sprinkler system and watering with a hose in the a.m. before the heat really settles in. Trial and error right? Lol

[@matwhite6481]

The best description of how to grow papaya yet, informative and to the point without the dribble some sites go on with, thankyou.

[@WildFloridian]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RyanBetker]

How to use them up? When yellow and soft, Simply cut in half the long way. Spoon out seeds, and eat with a spoon. Sooo much nuance of flavor by itself. Yummmm.

[@jeweleratlarge]

I’m growing 24 in my greenhouse in northern Michigan … a challenge for sure, but doing well and fruiting

[@anaputiri9598]

I live North of Tampa and my two Papayas froze while we were away and then we got three new branches come out on one and a two branch on the other one and they gave me more Papayas than prior year!!

[@ant6516]

Believe it or not, the most popular papaya variety grown here in Indonesia is "kates kalipornia" (California papaya). Long fruit, dark orange flesh, very sweet with strong smell / aroma. We also use papaya leaf & unripe fruit to make soup (sayur) & Indonesian salad (gado gado, pecel, urap etc)

[@merryrobertson4854]

I have grilled papaya and then drizzled honey and lime juice

[@k-sell4065]

Thank you I finally found a video without loud music and no explaining their process 😊

[@gidget8717]

Thanks to you, we are redoing our entire yard! (Can't say my husbands too thrilled with you tho 🤭)

[@WildFloridian]

Yay Gidget!!!! Tell your hubby I said hi 👋 I can understand… Ben is trying to get me to pace myself 😜 But he loves are yard more and more! I hope your hubby gets there too! Be the change!

[@arizonajo2791]

Lol. My husband says the same thing. But I’m stoked! Maybe if we do a little at a time we won’t shock them too badly!

[@k-sell4065]

😂😂

[@CatMomGardenDiaries]

This has been one of the most helpful video on papaya. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. Really appreciate it.

[@anaputiri9598]

Forgot to tell you you can cook green Papaya. I am from Costa Rica and we make what we call Picadillo de Papaya when they are green

[@kaylyncogburn5820]

Very educational! Thank you for posting!

[@maroosk]

I never unsubscribed but when i watched the video i wasn't subscribed anymore, i hope yt isn't messing around, i need the info and love it.

[@Sassycatsoapery]

Hi from Tampa Bay! Thanks for this video! I enjoy papaya and would really like to grow some. Thanks for the helpful info!

[@WildFloridian]

I'm so happy! This will definitely help and you are in an amazing location to grow papaya!

[@SoliloquisticRambler]

i found papaya seedlings at my local grocery/nursery and after i brought a couple home and learning how quickly they grow, I am determined to play around with bonsai wire, topping and splitting the trunks to grow them horizontally. I'm really amazed by everything I've learned so far and it feels like the perfect plant to go wild experimenting with 😍

[@angelarobinson7015]

G'day!! I live in Australia & you mentioned "what to do with all that papaya? " I don't seem to have a problem with too many. In this area where I live , I have backpackers coming all the time wanting the green fruits & the leaves for their cooking, plus we eat the ripe ones ourselves. I live in a sub tropical area on a farm, & at the moment it's very dry, we Have a shortage of water & my papaya suffer as a result, but I keep trying as everyone loves them. All the best.

[@hectormarrero518]

I have a question ? I watched your video and you in courage to try to grow papaya. I’m in South Georgia and I got seeds from my aunt who leaves in Puerto Rico. So I planted 15 seeds and I got 12 to germinate. Now the plants are about 14 to 15 inches. Now my question is can I trim down the lower leaves without hurting the plant? Thank you so much for your videos. They are truly a big help.

[@brittnaynaychevynova1324]

Great tips on using the plant! I have a neighbor that loos to have a ton of papaya in their yard. I may go talk to them now.

[@moremahalo9574]

Dehydrating is good option for an abundance of ripe papaya - great for snacking on and adding to things like trail mix. I always refer to that distinct vibe they have as “musk”, likes melon, but I like your description of it as “funk”, lol

[@WildFloridian]

Great tip!

[@TW-gb6mh]

I had a papaya grow from my compost pile. It did not fruit the first year, and died in a freeze. But the papaya came back and gave us about 9 or 10 papayas. It died in a freeze and never came back. Now I have a couple papaya growing in pots, in full sun, and they seem pretty happy! I may need to upgrade the pot size at some point, but So far so good!

[@WildFloridian]

Amazing!

[@777Macau]

They hate transplant

[@heatherreis7839]

My dad gave me two papaya plants that he got from work. Didn't really think they would work but I know from robbie and Gary's easy gardening channel, they need a lot of fertilizer. So under each I buried half a bucket of kitchen scraps. And then unfortunately lost a chicken so I buried her in between. My papaya plants took off. I had massive ones growing. It was insane cause my neighbors have a a whole front yard of them that they start way before mine but I don't believe they are giving them any sort of fertilizer and mine before Ian knocked them over were about 10ft tall with loads of papaya and more flowers coming on. None of them got a chance to ripen on the tree before they fell over and they didn't taste good when they softened off the plant. They did though taste amazing made into green papaya salad. I ate as much of that as I could and ended up giving the rest of the papayas to my chickens

[@VictoriousLaura]

I grew four papaya trees from a Walmart papaya. It was the easiest plant I've ever grown so far in Florida. I started a whole handful of seeds in one pot and then transferred to different pots until Spring to plant and root in ground.

[@bornfreeprepperthailand]

it’s Thailand national dish Papaya salad. But they use it when it’s green and not ripe. If you got too much then sell them to the Thai Shops or restaurants 😅 Thanks for the info

[@conniecrites5148]

I'm glad you talked about the funk smell. One of my coworkers had one at work and I was gagging from the smell. I need to taste one and see if I like the taste.

[@nellwitthebible9607]

I planted seed i got from work I live in Maryland this video was very helpful

[@georgweyand88]

Thank you for the great information on growing papaya.

[@WildFloridian]

You’re welcome Georg!

[@karenspecial_kstyles9177]

I bought one in Texas and I put some seeds in a bag wrapped in a napkin and have lil plants already semi shade I am planting in dirt today

[@adrianalbite5761]

I bought a vacant lot with a wild papaya. I say wild because it just grew between pine trees and oaks. The thing is huge over 20ft. Not sure if I should cut it back.

[@hodgepodgefoodadventures8140]

Thai Papaya Salad is amazing

[@neli.a]

Agree 💯 that’s what i use my papaya for

[@vmr6771]

Green papaya salad is awesome. I eat that from the Thai restaurant and eat it with a curry dish. Good stuff.

[@vickilynn10]

Perfect timing! I have a papaya that I need to plant in the ground when I get home this weekend. 👍🏻

[@WildFloridian]

Yay 🙌 I’m glad this helps!

[@teresacreamer7385]

I really enjoy all of the education that you put out on your videos. I’m learning so much. Thank you. ☺️

[@johnscarboroughregenerativ7240]

This is a very good video very well put together And easy to listen to. Straight to the point and a lot of information thank you very much. I have one question I live in zone 8 in Louisiana. We have quite a bit of hot and humid weather. But in the winter we do have some cold snaps. Do you think that this could do well all year around here?

[@joannejalan]

Thanks so much for this video! Exactly what I needed! Do you get squirrels or other animals trying to eat the papayas when they start to ripen? Also it’s important to note that pregnant women should not eat the seeds as they are known to cause miscarriage.

[@jesssalinas3242]

In south texas since feb . Even in 115 degree heat they keep growing no wonder

[@fishermyman96]

Can a hermaphodite papaya pollinate a female ??

[@christophernixon5295]

We just moved to Lealman, FL. I am really enjoying your content!

[@mgs721]

My Mexican Papaya here in L.A. has barely grown in the 18 months it's been in the ground. It lost all it's leaves in the winter. It has never fruited. I think the problem is a combination of cold winters (down to 35 or so) and poor-draining soil and perhaps I don't keep it moist enough in the hot/dry summer months. Any other ideas? Thanks!

[@ErikaElmuts]

Do you have any recommendations for growing in a pot in a pool cage?

[@WildFloridian]

I don’t. 😞

[@trinawarwick3431]

I live in central Florida zone 9b I planted a papaya last year on the south side of my yard. It had flowered then fruits and the leaves fell off. Now the new leaves are very small 2-3 inches they are thick and slightly curled. I don’t know how to make it happy.

[@shox820]

I have that compost bin! Had no clue you were in St Pete! I moved here 4 months ago from the midwest and I am learning how to do things down here in the tropics.

[@katiecannon8186]

They’re so pretty!

[@andzani2296]

We love your podcasts about farming here in topics Africa South Africa in the Province of Limpopo. Can you please mention also us as well. Thank you.

[@chrisz.9974]

I cut my papaya tree but it rotted out. Should I cover the trunk hole after chopping?

[@JimmyFloridatube]

I bought a Papaya plant from Lowes, but now it has to go through the shock of getting natural fertilizer instead of slow release chemical fertilizer. Once these store bought plants and trees go through some shock, they will eventually take off again with the organic fertilizers. I go through that will all the plants I get from Lowes, so I am looking for a nursery that uses organic fertilizers from the start so there is no shock at the change.

[@luisasfiat]

I heard you can use the unripe papaya like potatoes in soup.

[@WildFloridian]

Whoa! I hadn’t heard that… but that is cool if it does

[@luisasfiat]

@@WildFloridian yes just web search it. I just watched a video of a woman making french fry papaya

[@ricardodavis4863]

Good Morning! 😊😊 #Papaya

[@WildFloridian]

Good morning Ricardo!

[@willmattingly7084]

I live in Cape Coral Florida & have a year & 1/2 old papaya tree about 13 ft high, was producing gobs of fruit & now it’s been dormant for the past month, there’s a lot of green papayas that are just staying green & there’s also a lot of flowers higher up, what am I doing wrong, is it lacking water or fertilizer which I wasn’t doing until recently. Should I cut it down & start over, is it a lost cause at this point?

[@WildFloridian]

I wouldn’t start over. Sounds like your plant is waiting on something. Water would be my first guess since we are so dry and the water table has dropped quite a bit this last month. So start with some water and if on a month they don’t start going then add some fertilizer.

[@whitneykrings3946]

I bought two papaya trees from Lowe's. I had no idea about male v female v hermaphroditic plants. I have no idea what I have. Will I get fruit as long as I have 2 trees? I planted them about 5 ft from each other.

[@neli.a]

Male plants do not fruit so unless one is female or hermaphroditic u won’t have fruit. Since it’s been a year… update???

[@jesssalinas3242]

I grew to many didnt know i was growing these .like 7 per pot 😮.didnt know they get so big 😂

[@marilynearl6887]

Never ate before what does it taste like?

[@WildFloridian]

Like a papaya 😂 Sweet and a little tart and then the tropical funk.

[@alroyboy]

Thanks

[@MellowGypsy]

Mine dropped all flowers/tiny buds except one. Not sure why.

[@reginaldanglin4264]

How about Chicago? Zone 6

[@reginaldanglin4264]

😮😮😮 wow a herb didn't know that. I do now 😅

[@nuroldemirbag2798]

Hi. Can i grow papaya outdoor . I am living in zone 9b.

[@neli.a]

greetings from Dunedin, FL ~ I always throw out my fruits n veg scraps. Sometimes they make it to the compost bin sometimes not 😂 ( It’s a 3 point shot so i often miss.) Well, now I have a bunch of those little plants are over. Just googled them to find out what they were (i figured it was a weed) Nope, looks like papaya it is. Not sure if they’re sex but i know the plant they came from and it was DEEEliciois. I don’t care for ripe ones so i’m pretty sure those are the ones that were tossed from the free throw line. I make a hot /sweet/crunchy Thai salad from the green ones. Kept in the fridge it’s a great quick snack. My yorkie dances as soon as she sees me begin cutting them. They’re safe for dogs and good for tummy health in humans.

[@neli.a]

i’m in Dunedin also same situation ( U had me at the 3pter. i’m always tossing from outside the paint lol) anywhoooo now i have two papaya plants growing but wonder if i need a male or female to get these guys fruiting. how are yours doing ?? fruit?? any fugus or wasp fruit fly problems ??

[@saltlifegull4091]

WOW, Awesome video! Just what I want to know. You know soooo much! One question: So many sites say to remove outer shell for germination. I don't have dexterity in my fingers to remove that shell. Advice? Thanks so much. Subscriber from NW Fl.

[@WildFloridian]

You are a sweet heart! Thank you for appreciating my videos 🥰 I've never heard of removing papaya shells to germinate. All the seeds I've given to neighbors have germinated without doing extra work to them. Now ALL will not germinate right away. I'm two years out from my original gift of seeds and they are still sprouting every time I agitate the dirt. So over seed would be my advice. Also hold off until after the cold of winter is gone. Since you are in NW Florida, I wouldn't put the energy into papaya right now. The odds are high you'll lose it this winter. Start late February or early March and you'll have harvest by late fall. Cheers and Happy gardening!

[@chrisly9241]

Can any one help me my tree is 2 almost 3 years old starting to flower and fruit but all the leaves are starting to curl what does that mean is it will die

[@valencia81750]

How do you prevent fruit flies from burrowing into papaya and laying eggs in them?

[@djcpast]

Do you have bittermelon plant?

[@vivianamartir2758]

I leave in South Florida and just bought a Papaya tree. How much water does it need?

[@WildFloridian]

Mine get watered by my normal lawn irrigation... 2x a week at 20 minutes. But papaya are native to Florida... so once they are established they may not need any extra water.

[@msfruitful8445]

Great information as usual, any particular fertilizer

[@WildFloridian]

I’ve just used wood mulch. Nothing more… nothing less.

[@debragray1631]

Hi WILD one... What types of papayas are very short AND very cold hardy...8a. ...and will bring in greenhouse under 50 degrees..thx

[@cra2cra226]

@3:19 you said, "if you don't want to start a new papaya plant every year, you can chop them low and they'll produce two trunks." I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean. If you don't chop them, they won't continue growing and producing every year?

[@chrisz.9974]

They’ll get very tall. And they’ll risk breaking as well.

[@pilotmedic]

My papaya tree the flowers come out on a branch. Is the flower the papaya ? O should I cut off that branch? Thanks

[@neli.a]

if U have flowers next to the trunk, congrats it’s a girl. U’ve got fruit. Do nothing, small bulbs will appear and grow into fruit. If the flowers are on a long stalk like limb; it’s a boy…no fruit.

[@pilotmedic]

@@neli.a it's a boy

[@neli.a]

Im sorry ... no fruit. But you could get a field of females and that one male tree would take care of all your girl's needs. Water for my horses & Papayas for everyone!! @@pilotmedic

[@pilotmedic]

Another question? How does the root of this tree grow? Down? Side way? Etc

[@neli.a]

@@pilotmedic it has a taproot system, which means that it has a large primary root where the secondary and tertiary feeder roots come from. It does not go too far into the soil. Just really important that it’s well drained and warm soil in order to flourish. Due to its shallow roots and hollow stems it could easily topple over.

[@bird-yd7ge]

I've only seen one variety ever sold in stores

[@riarereitimon4410]

Good content thank you for sharing

[@charlenecochenet3700]

So I can buy a papaya from the store and grow plants from those seeds?

[@WildFloridian]

Yep! You can use the ones from the store

[@marshjr8992]

So can I plant seeds from a dwarf papaya & have the same dwarf papayas, my neighbor papaya is growing healthy compare to mine doing bad.

[@pichotebac]

a few drops of lime, gets rid of the funk

[@lyssums]

I think papaya tastes kind of puke-y. I am going to make myself enjoy it though because I really want to grow it alongside my bananas and pineapples. I had a beautiful yard of cool plants years ago but my dad was the one who always watered them for me. Since he passed i haven't had the will to do it. I am finally finding it.

[@wallrusmoose2111]

Hey can you prune them to keep them short?

[@Cleangrowersusa]

I'm in Myakka Fl zone 9. My Papaya wasn't very sweet at all ? What did I do wrong ?

[@Insight-Corrupted]

Does papaya rebloom or a one time plant?

[@WildFloridian]

It can bloom more than once. They can live multiple years and put out harvest after harvest

[@Insight-Corrupted]

@@WildFloridian Thanks

[@eroticmasterbaker]

Why are my leaves dying?

[@charlenecochenet3700]

Will Lemons or Mangoes grow from seeds out of store bought fruit? I live up in Silver Springs,Florida

[@maryannblom9075]

Hi Charlene, I cannot tell you about lemon trees but I am a native to Miami and mangoes are very popular here. You can find out information from the University of Florida which serves as the state’s cooperative extension head. Be sure you have the room because they become big trees. You can Google that information from the University of Florida. So my Google search to help get you started was “ufl can you grow mangoes from seed”. (UFL is referencing the University of Florida. This was the answer I got: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG216#:~:text=Mango%20trees%20may%20be%20propagated,seeds%20come%20true%20from%20seed I’m personally not a fan of mangoes, but I do know it will take a few years before it will bear fruit. Some people have their preferences with regard to the variety of mango eaten. I mention this because if you are going to wait several years, you want something you find particularly tasty. Visit your local farm stand and talk with them about it. Good luck!

[@noneof4520]

I have a male papaya that flower keep to the base

[@mandykathryn9005]

I can't get a papaya to stay on the tree past 3 inches. Some are in pots and some in in ground.. One is forked, beautiful tree, no flowers. Female or both. I have 1 male. I have several trees. Medium sun, at least 6 hours. Al my tree look healthy.. oldest one is 12 to 15 months old. No papaya. No idea. Zone 9b. Central FL soil. Leaves are beautiful.

[@The_Mothzz]

i planted mine from a supermarket papya which wasnt really ripe and they nearly all sprouted

[@jayspears7245]

planted 2 and both ' have died with mites eating their roots.

[@flattenthecurve8623]

My papaya bit the dust over the winter. Made me sad.

[@Florida882]

I’m in your area. What store did you buy your papaya?

[@TV-yj9mh]

That’s where they came from south East Asian

[@jesssalinas3242]

I think someone switched my seeds 😂

[@user-qc6dx6iu3f]

I'm in San Francisco, where Keith Hernandez is from. A lot of bisexuals. No papaya.

[@brunobear5400]

Talked too much

[@WildFloridian]

You're welcome 😊

[@andystanley5950]

i live in uk lol got some seeds im scared haha

[@WildFloridian]

LOL! I’m scared for you! One major thing to consider in that full sun in UK is a lot less sun intense sun than what we get here in Florida. I would definitely put it in a container and throw some UV lights on it

[@andystanley5950]

@@WildFloridian yea im gonna try anyways lol