Papaya Carica Seeds

Info: The tropical papaya is a kind of tree perennial (up to 4 m) with few leaves and tasty fruits growing from the stem. The flesh is pink-orange and very tasty and sweet. The seeds are also edible and contain the digestive enzyme papain. There are male and female papaya plants.

Sowing & cultivation: Sow the seeds in individual pots with nutrient-poor soil (e.g. coconut substrate) 0.5 cm deep. If you cover the cultivation container with transparent film, you will prevent the seeds from drying out. Keep warm (approx. 25-30°C) and moist. Every 2-3 days remove the foil for 2 hours to prevent mould growth. Keep evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging. After germination the young plant needs a lot of light. The first swell takes place only after approx. 2 months. Then weekly with 1/4 of the recommended amount. Be careful when repotting, the roots are very sensitive. For specimens about 2 m high, a pot diameter of approx. 40 cm is sufficient. It is important to have a warm place in full sun and a well drained soil. Always keep well moist.

Image source: Berthold Werner, Papaya BW 1, CC BY-SA 3.0