Papaya 101 "My Experiences"

That's what I did! There are so many things that you can do that way. But this is the best success I've had so far!

true, from what I hear the fresher the papaya seeds the better they germinate

I have been following this thread with great interest ( I love papayas and they sell for $3.50+ at the grocery store here!)
Do you think ANY papaya seeds will germinate, or are there any vendors out there that sterilize the fruit?

While living in No. Cal I was never ablt to get papaya seeds from store fruit to germinate.

I've had good success with seed from www.goldenvalleyseed.com (papaya seed specialists!!) and with seed from www.jlhudsonseeds.net.

katiebear

I have always been able to get the papayas from the store to germinate.
To do so though, required a drying period...seeds spread out on a paper plate and put high and dry area in the kitchen.
If the seeds are planted while goopy from the papaya they generaly rot. That is not to say some won't grow as I have several "wild" papayas growing from dropped fruit...what process happens for them to grow is not known to me, but I imagine they germinated after drying out somewhat.

Thanks Katie...

Ok, then maybe it's worth a try!

It might be worth a google to see what California may do to fruits to protect the produce intustry..but..I have to think they import as many papayas from Mexico and Central America as we do....

My goodness. I have a bazillion seeds...if you want some..mine are the way to go...every tree produces..I really hit the Papaya lottery picking that one.

Awesome! Let me give it a shot first for the heck of it (worst case I still get to eat the papaya!). If it doesn't work, I'd love to have some of yours. How long does it take for germination?

it took mine about 7-10 days...

OK! Then I'll give it a try and after a couple weeks or so, if nothing comes up...I'll know the fruit has been sterilized!

sounds good

Roberta, I get the Solo (strawberry) papayas from Hawaii at Major Market and they germinated for me. I lost them as seedlings, though, and need to try again.

Kathleen

Earwigs eat the seedlings.

To dry seeds, I scoop a half a million seeds out of a fruit, put them on an unfolded newspaper, put a few layers of newspaper on top, then kind of gently rub around in circles. This pops the little water sac that's around each seed. The newspaper will get sodden and need several changes.

I read someplace that they won't sprout with the water sac still on. What is that anyway??

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4025018

this is picture of seeds with watersack/pulp/gel/ gooey substance..the actual seed is about the size of a pin head. If you dry them so they are hard on the outside - they will germinate

dried
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4025022

you can actually wash of the water sack via a strainer, as the strainer will keep the pin head sized seeds in the container...I have not tried this yet, because I figure mother nature puts the stuff around the seed for a reason, and for which I've had such good success, not needed to try it.

all phases of the papaya are extremely susceptible to root rot...alot of us loose seedlings because they are too damp...one cannot stress enough that your potting mix must be as such that they are dry - nearly completely each and every days end

I don't have any to photograph right now, but the seeds that I've fooled with are sizeable, between 1/4 and 1/8 an inch long. Hmmm, I wonder if the hybrids and new varieties have smaller seeds??

Yes, a strainer would be easier than newspaper squashing.

I suppose they vary, but the ones I have are as small as a pin head to B B sized...

Amazing. I'm trying to think of something the same size, maybe apple seeds. I guess these Caribbean dudes just eat too much rice and beans and fried chicken!

That's really cool. I hope they have papaya at the store tomorrow!

I think I may have overwatered mine tonight. I hope they do not rot.
If they do, I have more seeds still that I can replant.

I will have to be more careful in the future!

They're really tough as seedlings, that's why waiting until it's roasting hot works out best, because if you do over water them then they have a greater chance of drying out. Even knowing this, I lost at least 13 seedlings when it rained a couple weeks ago.

Next papaya that I get, I'll wash off the gel and photograph them.

The one you brought to me is now about 4 feet tall, Randy. Everything is struggling in the 104+ temperature. The ee's are 3x4 feet but the edges are burned like a torch. The water evaporates before it can hit the ground. Will the papaya need to be dug and put in the garage or somewhere for the winter?

Christi

Are you home?

yes.

Where did you think I was?

Surgery is Aug. 12th.

Good luck, LouC, I'll send a prayer for you. I have pretty good Guardian Angels.

Thank you. I need all the positive thoughts, prayers and everything you've got.

Christi

You've got our prayers, too, Christi!

Papaya seedlings look OK so far!

I KNOW I can count on you, Jeanne. That's the edge, you know.

Determined to defy the odds and heal the fastest they have ever seen.

Christi

LOL. If you want to heal fast, then keep telling yourself you are better than ever and you will actually be better than ever. Ignore the pain the best you can by finding something else to take your mind off it. It doesn't always work but sometimes it does. :~)

You better bet that I am concentrating hard. After the many, many, many, many pre-op tests, they all came back super good. They couldn't believe what good condition I am in for a lady "my age". (hate that statement). I happen to have a very high pain tolerance or I couldn't have lasted this long. The doctors are amazed. I have never smoked and that is way in my favor. And having friends like DG and many others here at my side, I can't loose. God has blessed me all my life. Have you heard: "If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it". I always depend on His Will.

I am blessed and I love you very much.

Christi

We love you too sweetie! I believe everything will be fine!

I have marked my calendar. You will be in my prayers and we'll look forward to you returning here with wonderful news about how unbelievably well your operation went.

You take good care. We'll talk to you again before the operation. We're all pulling for you.
Sylvain.

Hey, Polar Bear. Been following your nursery adventures on the Florida Forum. Sounds like so much fun. I vicariously took the trip with all of you.

Christi

I was just browsing at www.jlhudsonseeds.net and came upon their papaya seeds. They say that the fresh seeds are dormant. According to them, the seeds must be at least six months old to germinate. This may explain why I could never get seeds from the little Hawiian papayas to germinate.

katiebear

P.S. For those of you not familiar with them, this catalog is fascinating and informative reading.

Thanks Katiebear...that is interesting, and sheds some light on things...
Ironically I had read something similar, but I think I interpreted it to be fresh seeds are the best. I'm so glad I didn't toss my old seeds now.

Oh no..I was all excited because I had sowed my fresh papaya seeds a week ago! Can the experient folks enlighten us here? Rj, how did you get yours to germinate?
Roberta

Usually I put them on a paper plate and set them above the cabinets in the kitchen...I let them dry out. for several months...My last batch I planted I took them from above the cabinets...I had put them up there last spring. Then I have packages from each year...so I take some old seeds and some new seeds and plant.. ..I really don't know which ones are sprouting to be honest..but they all are about 6 months old as I've not had any new Papayas yet...I'd say the next round will be next month and Oct to rippen.