Vasconcellea, Mountain Papaya 'Martin Grantham Hybrid'

Just tried to define the parameters and traits for this on the main page, but was given limited choices to describe the plant. Wish this...Read More site would allow more choices in the traits section, or description in my own choice of words. This plant is worth growing just for looks. Some have red petioles contrasting the green leaves and grey trunk. Base is caudexed. Mine plants are 4ft tall and growing taller in palm/cactus mix. When I grew them in moist professional mix, the roots and base rotted. It can take dry spells. I keep it in dabbled light to full sun, also indoors with plant lights. They've bloomed at less than 2ft. Have yet to get fruit. Might be too immature, or I need to cluster them outside for better pollination. When mine fruit, I hope to make another entry. Heard that fruit is quite variable from plant to plant when grown from seed. When you find one with tasty fruit, I recommend rooting cuttings and composting the undesirables.

This was made by Martin Grantham at SFSU, so for lack of another name, I just gave him as the hybridizer. The hybrid has been previously...Read More made with the same species, but I suspect any clones in the U.S. are of Martin's seedlings (or perhaps their descendents). The plants are all female, but are parthenocarpic (produce fruit without a male plant) and sometimes also produce seeds. The fruit is not highly flavored, at least the one I tasted raw. The plant is spectacular full of fruit, and it is attractive even without. I think it is a cool grower, given the parents, and is also damaged (or killed) by below freezing temperatures.