Papaya propagation and Pollination

How to propagate papaya plants

Papaya is mainly propagated by seed. Tissue culture and rooted cuttings are practiced to a limited extent. The parent plants determine the sex of the plant.

Propagate Papaya by seeds

To propagate by seed, remove the seeds from a ripe fruit and place them in a colander. Press the seeds against the side of the colander to break the sarcotesta (sac) that is surrounding the seed. This sac inhibits seed germination. Rinse seeds thoroughly and place on a paper towel to dry with no direct sunlight exposure. Once seeds are dry, they may be placed in a plastic bag and stored in the refrigerator for several years for later use.

Propagating and planting 2 to 3 plants generally ensures fruit production from at least one plant. This is because, depending on the source of seeds, they may produce female, bisexual, or male plants. In a clean, sterile artificial media, you can plant 2 to 4 seeds in each 1-gallon (3.8-liter) container. Water and place the containers in a sunny location. The germination phase might take two to three weeks. Once seedlings have emerged, select the most vigorous and snip the others off at the soil line. Fertilize the seedlings with a dilute complete fertilizer solution every 10 to 14 days; once plants have reached 6 to 12 inches (15–30 cm) tall, plant in a sunny location.

How to Propagate Papaya by Cuttings

To propagate from cuttings, start by preparing 1-gallon pots filled with a potting mix (e.g. consisting of perlite and coconut coir in a 2:1 ratio). Ensure the potting mix is moistened until it reaches the point of runoff. Choose side shoots from the parent papaya plant, which should be 1 to 3 feet long and have a diameter between 1 to 3 inches. Make the cut about halfway between the top and the base of the proximal swollen base (phellem tissue). Remove the leaf lamina from all mature leaves on the cutting, but retain the petioles (leaf stalks). Dip the base of the cutting into a specially formulated gel to prevent stem rot and stimulate root formation for 3 to 5 minutes. The gel includes ingredients such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, streptomycin sulfate, indole butyric acid (IBA), riboflavin, azoxystrobin, etc. Place the treated cuttings into the prepared pots filled with the moistened potting mix. If necessary, you can stake the cuttings to provide support. Water the potting media manually every other day. Apply 15 mL of the gel mixture to the base of the cuttings in a specific schedule: every other day during the first week, every two days during the second week, every third day during the third week, and once in the fourth week. Optionally, spray the apex of the cutting and all new leaves with a fungicide-nutrient solution two to three times a week or apply liquid fertilizer to the soil. After 4 to 5 weeks, the cuttings should have rooted successfully and can be fertilized weekly until they are ready for planting in the field. Transplant the rooted papaya cuttings to the field after an additional four to five weeks, during which they should continue to be cared for and fertilized as needed.

Papaya plants should be planted at least 7 to 10 ft (2.1–3.1 m) away from other plants, buildings, and power lines to facilitate fertilizing and watering.

Papaya pollination

Papaya plants produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant, a characteristic known as “monoecious.” This means that both male and female flowers exist on a single papaya tree. Papaya flowers are primarily pollinated by wind and insects, although some self-pollination can occur. Wind plays a crucial role in transferring pollen from male to female flowers. The breeze carries the pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers.

Insect pollinators, particularly bees, can enhance pollination efficiency. Bees are attracted to the sweet nectar produced by papaya flowers and can transfer pollen between flowers as they forage.

Cross-Pollination vs. Self-Pollination of papaya plants

Papayas are considered to be primarily cross-pollinated by wind and insects. Cross-pollination, where pollen is transferred between different papaya plants, can produce more robust fruit. Self-pollination, where pollen is transferred from male to female flowers on the same plant, can occur but is generally less efficient regarding fruit yield.

In some commercial papaya cultivation settings, hand pollination may be practiced to ensure consistent and efficient pollination. Hand pollination involves manually transferring pollen from male to female flowers using a brush or gently shaking the flowers to release pollen.

Factors Affecting Pollination

• Weather conditions, particularly wind and rainfall, can influence the effectiveness of papaya pollination. Excessive rain can wash away pollen, while strong winds can disperse it more effectively.
• The presence of pollinators, such as bees, can significantly enhance pollination rates.
• Proper spacing of papaya plants can promote better pollination, allowing for adequate air circulation and reduced competition for pollinators.

For Further reading

Papaya Interesting facts, Nutritional value, and Health benefits

Papaya plant information

Papaya Soil Preparation, Planting, and Plant density

Papaya propagation and Pollination

Papaya Plant Care – Irrigation and Fertilization of Papaya plants

How to cultivate papayas for profit – Complete papaya production guide

Papaya Plant Major Pests, Diseases and Weed Management

Papaya Harvest,  Yield and Storage

Papaya Handling, Grading, and Packing

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