Planting:Papaya

1.1. Propagation

      Papaya is propagated by seed. In order to  reproduce the desired characteristics,  it is best to get seeds through controlled pollination.  Seeds are extracted from healthy fruits selected from healthy plants. The fleshy outer layer of the seed coat enveloping the seed is removed because it inhibits germination.  This is achieved by rubbing the seed together against a fine-meshed screen under running water.  Thoroughly dried seeds stored in air-tight containers and remain viable for several years.

       The seed may be sown directly in the field or nursery beds, seed boxes or polythene bags then transplanted.

 1.1.1 Raising seedlings in seed bed

·         Prepare either raised or sunken beds 1m wide and of convenient length.

·         Water the beds thoroughly before and after sowing until seeds germinate.

·         Sow seeds at a depth of 1cm in rows that are 15 cm apart.

·         Seeds germinate in 2-3 weeks.

·         Continue watering until they are ready for transplanting in containers.

·         Prick out at the 2-3-leaf stage, transferring 3-4 seedlings to each container 1 week after emergence.

1.1.2. Raising seedlings in containers

·         Plants propagated in containers are less susceptible to stress and subsequent loss than those produced in seed-beds.

·         Seeds are sown in small containers (tin cans, plastic bags or paper cups) at the rate of 3-4 seeds per container.

·         Use of sterilized soil minimizes losses resulting from nematodes and damping-off disease.

·         Germination takes 2-3 weeks.

·         Seedlings are transplanted about 2 months after sowing when they reach the 3-4-leaf stage or 20cm height, preferably at the onset of the rainy season.

·         During transplanting, care must be taken not to disturb the roots. Older seedlings recover poorly after planting out.

1.2. 3. Direct Planting

·         Sow 6 seeds per planting hole.

·         Thin to 4 plants after germination and later to 1 plant per hole after it is possible to establish the sex of the plant.

1.2. Field establishment

• Spacing and plant population:  

• 2.5 m x 2.5 m (1,600 plants/hectare)
• 2.5 m x 3 m (1,332 plants/hectare)
• 3 m x 3 m (1,110 plants/hectare)

• Time of seed sowing and transplanting

• September-October and December-January are two suitable times for seed sowing
• Seedlings become ready for transplanting at 40-50 days after sowing
• Transplanting in the field
•  Dig Planting holes of 60 x 60 x 60cm.
• Transplant seedlings to the field 4-5 weeks, when they are 10-20cm in height. Young plants have higher survival rates than older plants.
• Mix 40kg of well rotten manure with 100-120g of DAP and the top soil and fill the hole with the mixture.
• Plant 4 seedlings per hole for varieties that have male and female flowers on different plants.
• Thin to one female or one hermaphrodite plant per hill when the plants reach the flowering stage (after 6-8 months).
• In the absence of hermaphrodite plants, 1 male plant per 25-100 female plants is retained as pollinator. Most of the male plants should be removed since they bear no fruit.
• For hermaphrodite varieties plant 1 seedling per hole.
• Transplanting should be at the same depth as the seedlings were previously growing; deeper planting may cause some loss due to stem rots.
• Plants that have been grown in seed beds should, in addition to being hardened off (reduce irrigation), be provided with some simple cover when transplanted to the growing site.

• It is good practice to reduce the leaf area of the plant at transplanting, so that transpiration is reduced while the root system is re-established. If possible planting should be done in the late afternoon.
• Plants propagated in containers are less susceptible to stress and subsequent loss than those produced in seed-beds. However, these will still require attention until they are established.
• Whichever method is used, seedlings should be planted into moist soil and watered as soon as possible afterwards. Daily watering will be required for some time.