From the page: Papaya: sweet on the table, powerful on your hair
Idea 9
Productive papaya tree pot
The papaya tree has a hollow trunk, shallow roots, and fast growth — which is why it adapts surprisingly well to deep pots on sunny balconies. Those who grow in small spaces have discovered that, with a pot of the right size and good drainage, you can harvest fruit at home in just over a year.
What you need
- A pot at least 40 to 50 cm deep with holes in the bottom
- A papaya seedling 15 to 20 cm tall
- Potting soil mixed with organic compost or humus
- Gravel or ceramic shards for the bottom of the pot
- Organic fertilizer (cured manure or well-decomposed coffee grounds)
How to make it
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1
Line the bottom of the pot with a layer of gravel or shards before adding soil, because the papaya root rots easily if water sits still.
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2
Fill with the soil and compost mixture up to two fingers below the rim, creating space to water without overflowing.
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3
Transplant the seedling with the entire root ball, at the same level it was before — burying the trunk encourages fungi.
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4
Position the pot where it receives direct sun for 6 hours or more, since the papaya tree is a full tropical sun plant and without light it won't bear fruit.
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5
Water keeping the soil slightly moist, never soaked — the hollow trunk stores water and the plant tolerates short droughts, but hates soggy feet.
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6
Fertilize every 30 days with organic compost on the surface, because rapid growth consumes nutrients at an intense pace.
Finishing touches
If flowers appear, observe: female plants have flowers close to the trunk and bear round fruits, while hermaphrodites have elongated flowers and bear the longer papayas that are most valued. A large pot and generous sun are the secret to seeing fruit hanging on your balcony.
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