Looking for papaya starts and others

[Rob Tucker]

I am on the look out for starts for some land I cleared. Papaya, fruit trees.. open to suggestions.

Mahalo

[kalianna]

I just plant the seeds from a good papaya I've eaten. Squeeze the pulp out, let them dry for a few days, dig a small hole, cover the seeds with cinder soil, water them until they sprout, then thin them and fertilize occasionally. They grow quickly, have a high germination rate and they produce fruit within 6-12 months. I like the non-gmo rainbow papaya you can find at farmers' markets. Haven't had a problem with ring virus.

[allensylves]

Plant it Hawaii (Kurtistown) has their fall sale this Friday and Saturday. Also Makuu Market on Sunday - Pokifruit in the mauka/Hilo side corner.


Allen
Finally in HPP

[allensylves]

Also Sean Spellicy (Royal Palm Enterprises) on 14th between Makuu and Paradise Friday-Sunday in HPP. He's particularly good for uncommon fruit trees.

Allen
Finally in HPP

[allensylves]

GreenGardenGuy 968-6148 (Bill) has quite a selection of small fruit trees, etc. and was having a half price sale Saturday when I got a few things from him (S. Kopua Rd., Mt. View). I don't know how long the sale will last. Good prices even not on sale and uncommon things.

Allen
Finally in HPP

[Carey]

Rob, we have choke allspice seedlings that you can have! still babies, in cups, 2-6" height

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Rob,
Papayas May be transplanted from pots, but you’ll get a stronger plant if direct seeded. Generally, it’s best if you plant 3-5 seeds per hole. When they flower, keep only the strongest hermaphrodite plant which is determined by the shape of the flower. You can find photos online.
https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/F_N-5.pdf

Hermaphrodite - best
Female - OK if male plants are nearby for pollination
Male - will not fruit

[Chas]

I’m going to try this. How long and how big are they before they flower so you can determine sex?

It said 3 seeds per hole/spot but wouldn’t they have to be pretty far apart if you are going to pull 2 of them out eventually?

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

how big are they before they flower

About 3 feet high when they first flower. If you dig a hole about 2 feet across that should provide enough room for 3 plants to reach the point when you remove 2.

[kalianna]

The males are on stems that stick out from the trees and have several flowers per stem.. The females bloom right off the trunk. Not sure about hermaphrodites.