Carica papaya 'Maradol' - Maradol Papayas

Thanks Delonix, now I know what you mean if they are not thinned.Interesting pic:-)

Panther:

You're welcome! I had a lot of papaya trees...most of them I cut down because they were old or bugs attacked them. I only have one original plant as I cut down the largest plant a couple of months ago....it was time. They usually have to be replaced every 3 to 5 years. I have planted new ones a month or so ago though.

How often do you have to replace your papaya plants?

Delonix,
The pawpaw tree I have pictured on Goy is more than 4years old and still does look healthy. It actually is growing in an old compost area which explains why the tree is ladened with so much fruit. Small pawpaw plants have sprung up around it and I'm hoping to replant them soon.

I must admit that this is the first time I've ever taken interest in a pawpaw plant, though I was brought up surrounded by many of these and other tropical fruit trees. I know they don't last more than 5 to 6 years here as well.

Panther:

One word of caution for replanting papayas. They don't transplant very easily...their roots are extremely sensitive to root disturbance or breakage. They generally will die if any of the main carrot-type root breaks.

Yes, usually after 5 or 6 years the fruit production is generally cut by 70% or more. However, I know in Mexico they are developing some new varieties that live and produce well up to 15 or 20 years...from what I've read. I think these new varieties grow a little slower and produce longer because of the slower growth.

I'm curious -- do you ever get strong winds where you live? Wind is the papaya plant's worst enemy, especially when they have a huge crop of fruit. Here I don't have much of a problem with wind damage to the plant overall...just the leaves. The stems are very strongly anchored in the ground even when loaded with fruit.

I have seen photos in Florida where they are completely ripped out of the ground from strong Hurricane (Cyclone) storm winds.

Do Cyclones hit the Fiji Islands?

Delonix,
Thanks for the interesting information and tip on replanting, I will try to be cautious in not damaging the roots.

We do get hit by Cyclones here, which is common between the November to April months and mostly accompanied with mass flooding in the lower lying areas causing so much devastation.

Panther:

You're welcome for the information. Good luck planting the seedlings!

It sounds exciting, however, not so good for plants or people to get hit by
a cyclone (hurricane). It seems your cyclone season is just about over for the year though.

We're lucky here...there hasn't been a hurricane (cyclone) in San Diego since 1858. Although, there has been some tropical storms since then. I do hope we receive some rains (remnants) from a hurricane this year...because we are in such a horrible drought...and will have to cut back water usage by 20% (mandatory).

It must be hard having to cut back on water usage, I hope too that you do get rain soon.
This all adds up to Global Warming which will be affecting us all with changed weather patterns etc.

Panther:

It is difficult to have to ration water, especially when someone has a
lot of plants. I do hope we get some good rains during the monsoonal season, however...85% of the time we just get the heat and humidity with the big puffy clouds (Cumulonimbus clouds).