Papaya, Mamão 'Maridol'

Grows in New Orleans (Kenner) great in the summer. Needs a lotof water when its very hot, but carefull...
Make sure drainage is go...Read Moreod, they hate constant wet feet, especially if it is cold.
I threw a tarp over the roots when it rained in the winter, and coldest we got was mid-40s at night.
If the sun is out the next day, and it is semi-warm,and roots are not saturated, it will liven up again.
They do like lotsof organics. They love fish ferts and chicken droppings.
cover ground with compost.

Small plants do not transplant well. The roots are very tender.
Wet first and wait 20 mins before transplanting, disturbing the roots as little as possible...

There is a coating over the seeds to keep in moisture. break (pinch or prick with a pin) the coating for faster germination, or leave it on to make sure the seed does not dry out.


I know some people growing it in warmer parts of Calif, though some have grafted to root-stock of Babaco, or mountain papaya.

Seed started in Feb 08,planted in ground mid summer,are still looking good in mid December handling low 40's upper 30's so far. Time will...Read More tell here in the San Francisco east bay.

ADDED,2015. Well,those in 2008 never made it past January.
BUT- I tried again this year 2014-2015,and for the first time ever I got them through a bay area winter outdoors. The ones in ground look perfect,the potted Maridols,dropped most foliage but look to be re growing new leaves.
Slow growing. The best I got was 1' a summer! So,no fast growth unlike most of the southwest and southeast..or any hot summer climate.
The trial continues..and so does Global Warming since all previous efforts in the 80's- 2008 had failed.
2016: Semi Success!..Plants have small fruit. Update on if they ripen by next spring!