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02 May 2010
Paw Paw grows best in tropical and subtropical climates, where they are not exposed to frost. They are suitable for growing in pots, allowing you to take them inside if the weather gets too cold, or grow them in a green house. With overhead protection (frost often settles from above) they should be able to handle very light frosts. In warm climates, they are an excellent garden plant, and add a lush, tropical touch.
Papaya carica needs plenty of sunshine to develop properly, and grows well in hot, dry spots where other plants may fail. Soil needs to be fertile and well draining, and plants should be kept on the dry side. Excess moisture around the roots can kill a Papaw plant. They should be regularly fertilised with a fertiliser for tropical, or foliage plants, high in nitrogen.
Paw Paw is very fast growing, and can start to flower at only 6 months after planting. Fruits are ready for harvesting in another 6 months or so. They are short lived trees, most needing replacing / reseeding every 5 years for best results. Male, female and Bisexual plants are available, with the Bisexual lines consisting of both male and female parts which can self-pollinate. The male and female lines need aprox 1 male per 5-7 female for pollination.
Papaya carica is a fast growing tree to around 3m high. They are often seen branching, and carry a fairly small crown of foliage on top of the stem. Flowers are slightly fragrant, and are followed by the fruit, which is called Paw Paw in Australia, or Papaw.
High in nutrient, the Papaya is a pear shaped, sweet fruit. Red Paw Paw is red on the inside, and green on the outside, colouring yellow when ripe. The easiest way to tell whether you can harvest your Paw Paws, is to smell them. If they smell ripe, they are ready to eat.
Paw Paw fruit has many uses. It can be eaten straight of the tree like an apple or pear, is wonderful used in meat marinades and salads, and are delicious dried. Papaya is packed full of fibre and vitamin, antioxidants, iron, calcium and more, and is a nice, healthy snack.
Common names: Papaya, Paw Paw, Papaw, Mamao, Tree Melon
National Tropical Plants currently stocks Papaya 'Tainung Carao', a very popular Hawaiian Red Fleshed variety of Paw Paw. To read the product description or to buy Paw Paw plants, please go to the Papaw listing.
Thank you for visiting National Tropical Plants online nursery – Australia’s plant nursery, garden nursery & mail order nursery for garden plants & tropical plants. We’ll help you plant your own paradise!
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