Papaya is a tropical fruit with vibrant color, sweet taste, and a pack of health benefits. That’s why papaya fruit is available on almost all the dining tables.
Similarly, many people tend to grow at least one papaya tree in the garden. It gives self-satisfaction by growing own fruits. On the other hand, it is beneficial to improve your knowledge day by day. Because it definitely saves your money.
So, how do you feel when your papaya tree has fruits beneath your shoulder’s height? Actually, it is the amazing result of the dwarf. Here let’s explore how you can dwarf a papaya tree.
Before going to the topic, it is important to grow a healthy papaya tree. So, what are you need to do this? Yes, you should go with good papaya seeds.
HOW TO SELECT GOOD PAPAYA SEEDS
- Black papaya seeds have more possibility to bear fruits than lighter shade seeds
- It is better to collect the seeds that are spread from the tip to the middle of the fruit’s cavity. Because the possibility of germination is higher for these seeds than the seeds from the fruit base.
- After finding black papaya seeds, it is wise to soak them in lukewarm water. The selected seeds should be sunk into the water.
- Also, based on my experience, it is added advantage to remove the outer skin covering the papaya seeds. Because it also supports making germination faster.
So now you know how to select good papaya seeds to grow. Keep in mind this is the initial step, but it is most vital.
METHODS TO DWARF THE PAPAYA TREE
There are several effective methods to dwarf papaya trees. These methods are found by doing many experiments.
METHOD 1: AIR LAYERING
Through this method, you can get fruits from short papaya trees and those can be grown in containers.
Step 1: As the initial step, you should find a healthy female papaya tree.
It should be about 6 months old. Similarly, your selected plant should be already shown fruits. However, do not waste time planting a male papaya tree.
Step 2: Make an upward slit on the trunk of the papaya tree and use small wood pieces like ice cream sticks to give support to the slit.
Also, these wood pieces do not allow attaching the cuts to the trunk.
Step 3: Cover the slit using a mixture of cocopeat and soil. Because it helps to retain the moisture well and avoid drying the slit.
Then add some water and secure it well. But do not try to keep it in too much moisture. You can wrap it using the plastic cover and tie it well.
Step 4: Wait and care for your plant until showing the roots. Generally, it takes about 2 months to show the roots.
Step 5: Separate it from the main plant or trunk once you ensure that your layered papaya plant has roots. Then plant it in a container that has enough space.
Then looking after your new plant. It is your responsibility. But then what happens to the mother plant after you separate the layered plant from it?
Generally, the mother papaya plant regrows and starts its new journey to bear fruits for you.
METHOD 2: ROOTS TRIMMING
Step 1: Choose a healthy seedling that is 4 weeks old. It should have good roots mass.
Step 2: Remove the soil from the roots gently.
Step 3: Then cut off the tip of the main taproot
Step 4: Replant it in a pot that has enough space.
HOW TO DWARF THE OLDER PAPAYA PLANTS
METHOD 2: CUT THE PAPAYA PLANT GROWING TOP
This method describes a simple technique to stop growing tall your papaya tree. The only thing you have to do is cut the top of the papaya plant. If not, you can put a large tin or bucket over the top of the papaya plant. It causes to stops the further growth of the plant.
But do not worry; your papaya plant does not die. It will generate new branches not on the top but from its side.
Here the cut portion of the tree heals within a few days. Then plant tends to induce new branches.
So, will these new branches produce fruits?
Yes, of course, these new branches will bear fruits for you. But you should look after it well.
Someone you may have a problem like, does all branches produce the fruits?
Yes. Each branch produces papayas. But keeping all branches or not is up to you. So, I keep one branch because it gives the large size of papayas.
However, do not misunderstand that you can apply this method only the mature trees. This can be used for young papaya plants too.
METHOD 2: FOLD OR BEND DOWN THE PAPAYA TREE
Here you can reduce the height of the papaya tree by folding or bending down the tree. Simply it is made the plant horizontal, and it slows down the tree’s growth. But double the productivity lifespan of the tree.
Here, you have to make many vertical slits in the papaya trunk. As you know, the nature of the papaya’s inner core is the same as the bamboo with a hallow center. Because of that, deep-cutting slits do not lead them to die.
Also, the young papaya plants get a few days to heal the slits. But the adult papaya heals slits within a few weeks.
Below are factors that you should highly consider.
- Generally, the ideal height is 5-8 feet to apply the slits.
- There are several types of papaya trees. Sometimes they may have thicker trunks, and sometimes, they are thin.
Therefore, you may put 3 to 4 vertical strips on thin trunks while putting 5 to 6 stripes on thicker trunks. On the other hand, 8 to 10 strikes are ideal for thicker mature trunks.
- However, it may be difficult to bend if the slit is too woody or has harder trunks. Resulting in it will break and taking a long time to heal.
