How to Start a Papaya

Collect seeds from a very ripe papaya or purchase seeds through a catalog or online. If you collect seeds, cut open the fruit and scoop out the seeds. Place them in a sieve and rinse them in cool water, swishing it around with your fingers until most of the pulp passes through. Use them right away or store them in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed jar or plastic bag for later.

Combine one part organic compost with four parts of garden soil in a sunny spot that has naturally good drainage. Leave about 8 feet of space between planting areas if you plan to plant more than one group of seeds.

Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep and 3 inches apart in a circle in your prepared soil. You will thin all but the strongest seedling later, so it doesn't hurt to plant 10 or 15 seeds in each area where you want a tree to grow.

Water the soil and keep it moist, but not waterlogged.

Thin smaller, weaker seedlings about six weeks after planting, leaving five to six strong plants in each group. After another six weeks, thin again, leaving three strong trees. In several months, the trees will begin to flower. Cull all male and female trees and leave only hermaphrodites, which have flowers on short stalks.

Fertilize six-week-old seedling trees with a balanced granular time-release plant food and repeat this application once a month.