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Most favorable conditions for growing

Temperature and soil conditions

a).- The papaya acclimates to all kinds of soils, as long as it has a good depth (40 centimeters as minimal) and adequate drainage.

b).- PH must vary between 6.5 to 7.5, above this standard, it is possible to grow papaya, but under certain growing methods so as to acclimate this growing to the optimal PH.

c).- Soil texture must be average, although it acclimates to different textures as long as it has good water retention. It is important to keep depths above 50 centimeters.

d).- The ideal climate for this growing is tropical and subtropical, specially located between cancer and Capricorn tropics. Most favorable temperatures are 18° low and 35° high, although this growing can tolerate even 12° to 40°. But there may be deformity problems in fruits (carpeloid). Above this standard, fruit can be damaged.

e).- This growing acclimates very well from sea level to 600 meters even 1000 meters, but at this level, its growth slows down and the quality is affected.

f).- During a year, rains above 1500 mm help conditions. Papaya growing is very sensitive to the lack of water. Therefore it is important to install an irrigation system in order to assure water supplying and not to reduce production.

g).- Plants need humidity and good climate conditions, but also a good brightness because this important factor contributes to adequate growth, color, shape of the fruit. It is not recommendable to grow other kinds of plants together with papaya due to the fact that other plants can cast shadows over papaya growing. Additionally, this fruit is sensitive to sunbeams and when the foliation cover is not sufficient, papayas tend to be damaged.

h).- This is a herbaceous plant and consequently wind factor should be taken into account. Because plants might need to use supports. El clima ideal para su cultivo es el tropical y subtropical, normalmente comprendidos entre los trópicos de Cáncer y Capricornio, con temperaturas mínimas de 18°C y máximas de 35°C, aunque puede tolerar los 12°C y los 40°C, pero con problemas de deformación de frutos (carpeloidía o cara de gato), después de esos rangos la planta sufre daños.

Growing methods for optimal growth

a).- The crop should be 1 kilometer apart from papaya orchards having virus problems, but also far from cucurbitaceous orchards (watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkin, cucumber) and solaceous orchards (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, etc.)

b).- There are two important problems during papaya growing: firstly papaya ringspot potyvirus and secondly, fungal diseases. In both cases, it is necessary to take steps to prevent these problems for an adequate management or for other pest control.

c).- Before planting, the soil should be prepared 3 months previously because it is necessary to sow sorghum for fodder to use it as a protection trap against pests which can be papaya ringspot potyvirus transmitters. After planting, this protection must be set up and kept during the entire production cycle, but also it may be supported by the use of traps.

d).- For appropriate irrigation system management, water must be supplied to the whole orchard during all stages of growth. Flooding and swamping must be avoided for periods of more than 48 hours because this can cause root rotting, yellowish changes in foliage and loss of adult plants.

e).- Another practice is gender-altered planting. This method permits to select the number of female or hermaphrodite plants which are needed. In this practice, it is also important to take into account climate conditions and market aspects.

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