![]() You can take a store-bought papaya and use those seeds, or even better, use a locally grown papaya if you live in an appropriate growing zone (USDA 9-12) for growing papaya from seed. It takes minimal prep to get an abundance of seeds from one fruit. This article will give information on how to grow papaya from seed and other important elements involved in caring for the plant so you can have homegrown papaya available in your garden whenever the mood should strike.įresh seeds are an excellent way to grow a papaya tree and are easily acquired. When planted in autumn, pawpaw seeds usually germinate and produce shoots in the summer of the following year.Papaya trees are a popular fruit native to Central America and Mexico, though they are now found worldwide. But, can you grow papaya from seeds? Commonly called “pawpaws,” these fruit are loved for their subtly sweet flavor, bright coloration, and tropical feel. Pawpaw seeds ripen in the fall (September to October) and are usually removed from the fruit, washed, and used immediately for seed propagation. In just three days of drying, pawpaw seeds can lose about 20% of their viability. Seeds should never be stored by drying or freezing. Pawpaw seeds, like their fruit, have a very short shelf life. Pawpaw trees also do not transplant well, so it is important to plant pawpaw seeds in a site where they can permanently stay, or in a large enough container where they can grow for some time. Proper drainage is essential for optimal growth. ![]() In heavy clay or waterlogged soils, pawpaw seedlings will not perform well and may die. They prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil in the pH range of 5.5 to 7. Pawpaw trees are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8. ![]() Pawpaw seedlings usually sprout a month or two after germination, but aerial growth will be very slow for the first two years as the plant expends most of its energy into root development. Once removed from the refrigerator, the seeds can be soaked in warm water for 24 hours to break dormancy, then planted in the ground or in deep containers. Seeds should be kept in the refrigerator for 70 to 100 days. For this method, pawpaw seeds should be placed in a Ziploc bag with moist, but not wet, sphagnum moss and sealed. Stratification can also be mimicked in a refrigerator at 32 to 40 degrees F. Seeds are generally sown directly in the ground, or in deep tree containers in late fall after the seeds ripen in fall. How to Plant Pawpaw SeedsĮven when provided with adequate shade, germinating pawpaw seeds requires a 60 to 100 day period of cold and moist stratification. To successfully grow pawpaws from seed, you will need to provide them with some shade for the first year or two. This is because germinating seeds and young seedlings of pawpaw are extremely sensitive, and even killed by direct sunlight. In the wild, pawpaw trees naturally grow as understory trees. Growing pawpaws from seed is an exercise in patience, as the seeds are slow to germinate and require special care. ![]() When planted from seed, pawpaw trees usually do not produce their fruits for five to eight years. Most gardeners have heard the old Chinese proverb, “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.” While 20 years may be a little excessive, many fruit trees, pawpaw included, do not bear any fruit for many years. When growing pawpaw trees from seed, the more pertinent question is when to sow pawpaw seeds, rather than how to plant pawpaw tree seeds. If you are seeking instant gratification and hoping to immediately enjoy its fruits, then purchasing a growing rootstock cloned pawpaw tree may be the best option for you. With the many dark brown seeds produced in each pawpaw fruit, gardeners may naturally wonder: can you grow a pawpaw tree from seed? Can You Grow a Pawpaw Tree from Seed? In organic gardening, they are popular due to their resistance to pests and diseases, fitting in perfectly with chemical free garden practices. Not only do pawpaw trees produce delicious fruit, but they also make attractive, small, low-maintenance trees for the landscape. Once a common understory tree native to the eastern United States, pawpaw trees have become increasingly popular in the landscape lately.
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