Intezza

Season Overview

Description

Papaya (Carica papaya), also known as melon tree or papaya tree, is the only species of the Carica genus within the melon tree family. The papaya 'Intezza' is a high-performance F_1 hybrid variety that is particularly valued for its high yield and red, very sweet fruit. Growth The papaya plant grows into a six-meter-high shrub with a tufted crown that resembles a palm tree in appearance. The stem is hollow and does not lignify: as with bananas, it consists of parallel fibers without woody tissue. Branching occurs only rarely. All parts of the true papaya plant contain milky sap. The roots run relatively close to the surface of the soil. Leaves The long-stemmed, evergreen leaves of the true papaya are deeply lobed, a good half meter long, and palmate. They are hairy on the underside. They only grow at the top of the stem, as the leaves growing further down die off continuously. All that remains of them are triangular, broad leaf scars. The leaves are eaten in Asia like spinach. If you want to plant a papaya, choose a sunny to semi-shaded location. In summer, they thrive just as well on balconies and terraces as they do in beds. Potted plants like to spend the winter in a conservatory at temperatures of 18-25°C. The papaya should then be placed in a bright spot and can also tolerate direct sunlight. In a darker location, temperatures of 10-12°C can be easily tolerated, but growth will then be slower. Temperatures above 15°C are much better for the heat-loving papaya. The creamy yellow flowers of the papaya plant appear after six months at the earliest; in container culture, you have to wait longer. Male, female, and hermaphroditic flowers form – botanists delight in the papaya flower, with up to 13 forms described. Even a change of sex, caused by cool night temperatures and changes in the length of the day, is possible! Flower Male flowers, which can be recognized by their fused corolla up to four centimeters long, grow in panicles. Female flowers are shorter, with petals fused only at the bottom. They usually grow singly or in small groups on short stems that emerge from the leaf axils. To ensure fertilization, it is advisable to have several papaya plants. Fruit The exotic fruits that develop from the hermaphroditic flowers of the true papaya are elongated in shape and can weigh from one pound to about nine kilograms. The fruits from the female flowers are round or oval. The skin, which is peeled before consumption, is green at first and later turns yellow to orange-red. Inside the fruit is a cavity containing numerous black seeds. These are about the size of peppercorns and are usually not eaten. In some countries, they are used as a substitute for pepper. The flesh is initially white, later turning yellow, orange, or red. The fruit is ripe when it yields slightly to pressure. Unripe fruit can be left to ripen at room temperature for a few days. The flesh, which is rich in vitamins A and C, is cooked like a vegetable or eaten raw with a spoon from the papaya, which is cut lengthwise. It tastes good in fruit salads, but also in ice cream, as jam, and as juice. Lemon juice drizzled over the flesh improves the taste. The dried juice contains the enzyme papain, which aids in the digestion of meat. The juice of green papayas promotes wound healing and alleviates skin diseases. In medicine, papain is used as a vermifuge.

Growing tips

Location A heated conservatory is the ideal location for the papaya plant. In summer, temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius are perfect, in winter it can be a little cooler at 13 to 18 degrees Celsius. In the summer months, the real papaya and its container can be moved outside to a sheltered, sunny spot. Substrate Carica papaya is at its best in structurally stable, nutrient-rich potting soil. Alternatively, humus-rich potting soil with a little sand is suitable. The pH value must not be too low, but it should not be above seven either. Watering Regular watering is essential for the papaya plant. However, you should significantly reduce the watering during the dormant phase, as the roots will rot if there is too much moisture. Fertilizing Fertilize the papaya generously every two to four weeks. Repotting When repotting, which is done annually, the root ball should remain intact. The plant should also not be higher or lower than before. Overwintering To overwinter the papaya plant, temperatures of at least ten degrees Celsius are required. Don't worry if almost all the leaves fall off: Just continue to keep the plant relatively dry, it will quite certainly sprout again. Propagation The black seeds of ripe fruit are used to grow real papaya, from which the gelatinous substance is first removed by rubbing with kitchen paper - it contains germination-inhibiting substances. Then sow immediately, as the seeds quickly lose their germination capacity, and cover the seeds thinly with soil. As the seedling roots are very sensitive to pricking out, it is best to plant the seeds in peat pots with nutrient-poor potting compost. A temperature of 27 degrees Celsius is ideal, germination then takes place after about two weeks. When the first real leaves appear, the seedling and the well pot should be transplanted into good potting soil - this should be well drained. The young papaya plant thrives best in a bright, warm place with high humidity. From a height of 15 centimetres, it can be placed in a sunny spot. Diseases and pests Fungal diseases such as mildew can cause problems for the papaya plant. A virus in the 1970s was devastating in Taiwan, causing the plants to die.

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Plant distance

200 cm

Row spacing

300 cm

Seeding depth

0.5 cm