Planting Papaya Seeds

Obtaining Seeds

• The most cost-efficient way of obtaining papaya seeds is to buy a papaya. Once you have eaten the succulent fruit , recycle the seeds to grow your own. Saving the seeds from a papaya is easy to do and only requires a colander, water and a few paper towels. Place your papaya seeds in a colander and press them against the side; this will break the sac surrounding them and allow you to wash them thoroughly. Once the papaya seeds are clean, lay them out on paper towels to dry for a several days in a cool area. Do not place the damp seeds in sunlight or you'll start the germination process.

Starting Seeds

• To make sure your papaya seeds get off to an effective start, make sure they have a good growing environment. Prepare a one-gallon container with seed-starting mixture. Make sure the container has drainage holes in the bottom because too much moisture will rot the roots of your papaya. Plant two to four seeds in the container by pushing them into the seed-starting mixture about one inch. Place the container in a warm, sunny place and water daily. Germination will take place in about three to four weeks. When you see the tiny seedlings emerge, watch them for a few days and choose the strongest one. Cut the others off at the soil level to eliminate competition for root space in the container.

Planting Trees

• About six weeks after the seedling emerges from the seed-starting mixture, it is time to place your new papaya tree in the ground. Prepare a hole about 6 inches deep with potting soil and compost. This will provide your papaya tree with a nourishing environment to spread its roots. Place the small papaya tree into the prepared soil and tamp the soil down. Water thoroughly and apply a layer of mulch around the base to maintain moisture. Continue to water and fertilize your papaya tree as it grows throughout the first year. This ensures that you have provided the tree with all that it needs to have strong roots and a good foundation.