Carica papaya Pawpaws

Planting position: Full sun. Ideal for frost-free, tropical areas with wind-protection. Spacing of 3m. For pollination purposes, a male tree and female trees need to be planted close together.

Requires regular watering, but ensure good drainage, for soggy situations causes root rot Well-draining loamy soil, generous layers of mulching and incorporates superphosphate to root level. No pruning needed and never cultivate around the tree.

Propagate from summer-sown seed. Choose seed from a ripe fruit, wash and dry them and store in airtight containers at room temperature. Plant seedlings to 1 male plant per 15 female plants.
Fertilising programme: prior to fertilising add another layer of mulching. Apply120g of 2:3:2 two monthly from beginning of spring to mid-summer.
Harvesting is done with care when the fruit turns yellow. Pawpaws ripen well after being harvested.
Pests, diseases and their cures: Aphids - spray with Malathion (10days-safety period); Powdery mildew - dust with sulphur immediately.

These, often un-branched, trees produces pawpaw fruits, sometimes all year-round, at other times seasonal. Pawpaws are used in fruitsalads, or when still unripe it is eaten as a vegetable. This fruit, high in vitamins C, is also a meat tenderiser and for breaking down protein. The sweet flesh surrounds many seeds in the centre.