Pawpaw trees generally have separate male and female plants, with single sex flowers on separate trees, but there are also self-pollinating bisexual trees, which produce flowers that have both ovaries and pollen-producing stamens (male part).
On individual male trees the male flowers are born on long, thin stalks and there are multiple clusters of cream blooms along these stems. On female trees the female flowers are larger single blooms that are held closely to the top centre crown of the tree. One male tree will happily fertilise seven female trees or more.
Flowering takes place over several weeks so fruit at different stages of development will appear on the tree at the one time. In the tropics, fruit can grow almost all year round.
How to grow Pawpaw:
Pawpaw's grow best in a subtropical and tropical region as they are completely intolerant of frosts.
- Choose a full sun position, in a protected location away from severe winds.
- Check your soil is a pH of 6-6.5 (slightly acidic).
- Excellent drainage is a must as papaya are very susceptible to root rot.
- Good quantities of organic matter should be added to the soil before planting, such Rocky Point ActivGrow Soil Improver and or Rocky Point Cow Manure Plus. Adding gypsum, will not only improve poorly draining clay soils but delivers much needed calcium for strong plant cell growth.
- Water your plant regularly, but remember they need perfect drainage, no water logging.
- Fertilise during the growing season, in late winter, early spring, late spring, summer and early autumn with Rocky Point ActivGrow Fertiliser Pellets and mulch well with Rocky Point Sugar Cane Mulch.
Harvesting Papaya/ Pawpaw:
Papaya commences bearing fruit within 12 months of planting, these fruit take 60-120 days to mature from initial fruit set and will need a long warm summer to fully ripen.
You pick the fruit when the first signs of colour start to appear and then bring them inside to finish ripening inside a paper bag. Or you can alternatively pick fruit when it is green for various dishes that require green papaya.
Trees will fruit well for at least 5-6 years, so it is best to stagger planting of trees to ensure you have a fruitful harvest for many years to come.
