Carica papaya, commonly called papaya or pawpaw, is a perennial evergreen broadleaf succulent like tree in the papaya family, Caricaceae. Carica papaya is native to Florida, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The plant should be classified as a large herb because it lacks true hardwood but grows like other trees reaching over 20 feet tall. The leaves are alternating and palmately simple shaped. The fruit are large, oval shaped, yellow to orange in color, and edible. Carica papaya is grown as a food crop for its highly sought after delicious fruit. The plant thrives in well-draining soil with high organic matter and full sun to partial shade. It should be watered more frequently during summer and hot periods, and less in cooler periods. USDA plant hardiness zones 10a to 12b.
Carica papaya seeds require a cold stratification period of 3 weeks before germination will be reliable. This may be done by storing seeds in a refrigerator. After this period, press seeds gently in potting mixture, being careful not to plant too deep. Sown seeds require consistent moisture and humidity but soil should not be soaking wet. Soil should be moist and well draining with high organic content. Keep the soil moist but not soaking wet between 70°F to 85°F for best results. Germination typically takes 1 to 3 weeks. Even with optimal conditions, germination may be slow and sporadic.
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All packages will be shipped with basic customs information such as; HS codes, VAT numbers, and properly labeled contents. Unfortunately, The Garden of Set is unable to provide phytosanitary certificates for orders at this time. It is the buyer’s responsibility to know local laws regarding the import of plants, seeds, and plant products into their country. It is also up to the buyer to provide any other customs forms or information required to import plants into their country. If packages get stopped by customs, The Garden of Set will not be able to provide a refund for the purchase. Most of the time packages make it to their destinations just fine, this is for the small minority of packages that get stopped without having all the proper customs information required by the country of import. Purchase at your own discretion.