When is a Papaya Tree Dead?

[Carolann R]

We have a couple of papaya trees that have lost all their leaves...anyone know if they will grow more leaves or do they just need to be cut down?

Carrie

[Carolann R]

Thanks Carey...I talked to Jan down at Pahoa Market today - we picked up some UH (not GMO) sunrise papayas...5 plants. She says that the life span is really about 5 years so that makes sense. I cut one down yesterday and the other is coming down today, but we are putting 5 wonderful ones back in as well. The ones we have had are males too, and out of the five new we'll get a little more pollenation action I think.

Got a rainbow chili plant...she only charges 1.00 for each of the plants we got and they are all nice and mature - not just starts - about 10" tall.



Carrie

[Kapohocat]

I have a ton of papaya volunteers that are 6" - 2' tall if you need some more.

[olin137]

The papayas usually get really tall before giving out - also harder to get to the fruit.

Also consider that the plants may have been killed by the papaya ringspot virus - I believe
it's pretty common throughout the islands. If it was the virus I'm not sure you have manner
options since planting in the same area will probably lead new plants to also get the infection. I know large commerical operations are going to genetically engineered papaya that they think is the only solution for their scale of operation.

Olin

[Carolann R]

They seemed to be okay papayas. I mean, we eat them and the trees look okay except I think they are old, and yes - tall so hard to get to the fruit anyway.

Carrie

[olin137]

So maybe just the trees are pooping out
- the taller they get the more effort it is
to transport nutrients up and down to/from
the leaves/fruit. Maybe best just replant
with shoots as already mentioned. Of course,
if you're going to do that, maybe want to
plant several different types of papayas.

Olin

[Guest]

fyi -

Hawaii's fresh papaya output for 2007 experienced a 12 percent jump from 2006......growers are expected to earn 37 cents per pound for fresh fruit in December, unchanged from November, but up 2 percent from a year earlier.

According to MSN

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Happy Birthday Aaron

[james weatherford]

Does sound like the papaya trees had run their course.

Also, the extended cloudy weather we had in Jan/Feb cuts short the life of a papaya tree, because of the trees need for lots of sunshine.

James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park