Sage Garden Herbs - Papaya, Red Lady - 4

Papaya, Red Lady - 4 - 5 foot tall plant

CAD $44.95

Currently Available: Pre-Book now for pick up in May, 2012

Description: Papayas are really fun to grow - attractive, exotic looking and relatively easy provided they are kept nice and warm. We have planted papaya in our outdoor gardens as part of a tropical landscape theme; they grow really nicely and did flower in their first year (although fruiting was disrupted by having to dig plants out come September). An even better way to grow Papaya is to keep it in a large pot, which will ensure the fall transition to indoors is easy, and plants can be positioned to get the maximum light and heat through summer.

The Papaya plants available now are 4 - 5 foot tall specimens, and professionally propagated to ensure their fruit bearing potential. The larger size gives you a significant head start on establishing a gorgeous container specimen, and increases the likelihood of having fruit in as little as one season!

Latin Name: Carica papaya
Main Uses: Tropical fruit

Zone Hardiness: Tropical
Exposure: Diffused light outdoors / bright light indoors
Ht: 120+ cm. (4+ feet) as a container plant
Flower Color: Inconspicious
Flowering Time: Summer

Papaya, Red Lady - 4 - 5 foot tall plant

CAD $44.95

Pruning: No pruning required. Old leaves (lower leaves) can be removed if they yellow.

Harvesting: Harvest fruit when firm, deep green with yellow streaks, and about the size of a kid's football.

Fruiting: Fruit develop starting in mid to late summer. Plant should spend summer outdoors (in pots) to facilitate pollination.

Growing in Containers: Very well suited to larger containers.

Fertilizing (Containers): Add up to 25% quality compost to your potting mix. This plant loves a higher nitrogen fertilizer - diluted fish fertilizer is an excellent organic choice, applied weekly.

Watering (Containers): This plant loves to be well watered during the summer months. Water deeply and check regularly.

Growing in Mixed Planters: Not well suited for mixed planters.

Fertilizing (Garden): Plant in a garden recently amended with compost. Application of Kelp fertilizer is beneficial.

Watering (Garden): Water deeply to establish. Water mature plants weekly during hot weather.

Papaya, Red Lady - 4 - 5 foot tall plant

CAD $44.95

Suitability for Indoors: Excellent houseplant for green thumbs - requires a little extra attention to flourish.

Exposure: Brightest available.

What about Grow Lights? Grow lights are not required, but will keep plants actively growing during the short daylight hours of winter.

General Indoor Care: This variety is happy when grown warm year round. Bring indoors by Labour Day, and choose a location that is bright and never gets below 15 C. The transition to indoors is much smoother when plants are kept potted through the summer outdoors, as opposed to planted into the garden. Papaya requires constant bright light to set fruit. Avoid heat/air conditioning vents indoors. To improve humidity for your plants, set up a pebble tray; this is simply a layer of rocks set on the plant's saucer (not in the pot, but below it!). Any water that runs through the drainage holes is captured among the rocks and evaporates up around the plants. Rinse plants under fast flowing fresh water every few weeks to remove dust and significantly reduce the chance of pest problems. Papaya benefits from excellent air circulation, as well as te application of kelp fertilizer to prevent fungal diseases.

Indoor Container Suggestions: Minimum deep 12" pot with excellent drainage. The ultimate size of this variety is very much influenced by the size of container you choose. However, pot up in increments of 2".

Winter Fertilizing: Repot or refresh soil in fall, when bringing pots indoors. Add up to 50% quality compost. Apply dilute fish fertilizer weekly through the winter. Non-organic fertilizers are not recommended, as these can cause burning or difficult-to-manage changes in the soil.

Winter Watering: Water deeply when top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Check soil moisture at least once per week. As daylight hours increase, watering requirements will also increase.

Special Instructions: During the transition from summer to winter - especially where plants move from outdoors in - Papaya can experience some stress. A common symptom of this stress is a certain amount of leaf drop. Don't worry if this occurs, new growth will follow shortly. Pay attention to not over water during this period - only water as the top inch of soil dries out. Papaya must be kept warm at all times - cool fall temperatures and winter drafts can cause the plant to die-off, or make the susceptible to root diseases.

Links to More Information:

Tropical Spice & Fruiting Plants

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