I bought a papaya at the grocery store. It's turning yellow but still firm. Should I let it get mushy before I cut it open? Should I start the seeds now or wait until later in the winter? I don't want it to get too big in the house.
Papaya
Studley
Dec 13, 2002
Sue,
Let the papya ripen a bit, so it is soft to the touch. Then open it up and eat the yummy fruit. Dry the seeds. I would plant them right away. Or if you wait, only wait until Feb. - Mar. It's not going to get away from you before you can put it out in June. I started mine in Feb 3 years ago. It is now 6 ft+. The fruit isn't too yummy because I don't have a plant to cross polinate with, nor do I have any seeds in my fruit. However, it looks darn good in my yard in the summer. Enjoy, it is a beautifully architectural plant.
Thanks Studley. We'll do. Any special germination requirements I should know about?
Studley
Dec 13, 2002
I just remember having very poor germination. Something like only 1 of 12-20 seeds. I just covered lightly and sowed the seed normally.
You seem to be confusing the grocery store w/ a garden center lately. I remember reading posts of yours about taro and passiflora edulis. I'd probably chuckle but I have done the same myself all too recently
yes - It makes grocery shopping much more fun! My passiflora seeds are coming up like grass now!
Sue, I bought one a month or more ago and it was very ripe. Opened it and planted a bunch of the seeds. I think every single one came up. They are about 3 inches tall, but will be transplanted and become shorter. :-)
Are you all growing the papya in the greenhouse and planting it outdoors in the spring after frost or keeping it in a contrainer. I notice you are up north. I live in the deep south just below Baton Rouge but we do get freezes down to 24 in Jan or Feb on some nights. I'd love to try the papya but had no idea it would even take or how to get it started. I think it would do good down here outdoors in the summer but would have to dig it up and bring it into the greenhouse for the winter. Let me know your growing tenique. They sound easy to grow from what you all are writting. Thanks,dayflower
dayflower, I have only had one papaya in my garden. Yes, planted in the bed, not a pot. I would suggest that if you want to grow some, you get them started. Mine are growing very slowly now. I just have them under light in the house. Too cold here to keep a greenhouse warm. I was told that Papaya do not do well in cool temps and that they don't require a lot of fertilizer. I didn't fertilize mine last year and it was a very nice plant. So tropical looking. Good Luck!!