Have you ever tried papaya? If not, then you lost a lot, because the taste of this berry, like the appearance, is very similar to the melon we all know. The native land of this plant is the southern part of Mexico, but over time this culture began to be cultivated in other countries with a warm climate and mild winters. The field of how we learned how it looks and where papaya grows, let's find out, and can you get this berry from a plant grown at home?
What is required for this?
If you believe the statement of experts, the cultivation of papaya at home - a fairly simple idea. If everything is done right, then in the same year that you planted the plant, you will be able to taste its fruits. Papaya, grown from seeds, will bear fruit well from 3 to 6 years, and then the seasonal formation of fruits will gradually cease. This plant is quite demanding on the composition of the landing soil. For its normal development will require a very rich soil mixture, which should consist of two-thirds of the substrate, and one-third of small clay or vermiculite. The presence of drainage is necessary, it is very important that the roots of the plant have good access to air and moisture. When growing papaya at home, an extremely important factor is the constant availability of good lighting, so if you plant seeds in the winter, then worry about the presence of a phyto-lamp . In the summer, the plant has enough direct sunlight, so the best place for a plant is one of the southern windows.
Seeding of papaya
In order for the venture to be successful, it is necessary to worry in advance about the quality of the seed material. The best option for this is the purchase of seeds in a specialized store. Of course, they can also be obtained from a mature fetus, but, most likely, you will buy a fruit torn long before the seeds are ripe. So, go directly to the procedure for landing. Before planting papaya, note that most plants do not experience even one transplant. Therefore, it makes sense to plant seeds in peat glasses of medium size. Moisturize the earth in the pots, and we plant seeds (two or three pieces) there to a depth of about one centimeter. On top of the glasses covered with a film, shoots should appear on the seventh day. After the expiration of two to three weeks, it is necessary to choose one the strongest seedling and leave it.
How to get fruits?
Many, except the question of how to grow papaya from a bone, are wondering why the plant does not bear fruit? The thing is that this plant is different, some of them are only masculine, others are only feminine, and bisexual are also found. The only way out is that papaya should not grow alone, it is necessary to grow several plants at once. Fruit only women's plants, male participation in the appearance of fruits is limited only to the pollination of "girls". Determine the "sex" of the plant can be only after the first flowering (in appearance of the inflorescence). A distinctive feature of male inflorescences is a long stem with several flowers. Female plants bloom only with single flowers. Pollination should be done during flowering with a small brush, transferring the pollen from the male plants to the female ones.
Well, and on top of the material, a few tips from people who have achieved success in this field.
- If the air in the apartment is dry, then there is a great way to create conditions for the normal growth of the plant. For this, a pot with papaya should be placed on a saucer with expanded clay, to the bottom of which a little water is poured.
- To stimulate plant growth, in spring use a weak solution of saltpeter, and in summer it is better to use superphosphate.
- Do not eat unripe papaya fruits - they are poisonous, you are unlikely to die from their juice, but you will be provided with a severe stomach upset.
It remains to you only to wish good luck in this endeavor, we hope that you will be able to taste the fruits of homemade papaya.