How to Grow Pawpaw from Seed: A Complete Guide
 
Pawpaw seeds are an excellent choice for cultivating a fast-growing tropical fruit tree. Known for its delicious and nutritious fruit, Carica papaya is a rewarding plant for warm climates. This guide provides detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to successfully germinate and grow a healthy pawpaw tree from fresh seeds.
 
Step-by-Step Growing Instructions
 
1. Seed Preparation:
Use seeds that are fresh from a ripe pawpaw fruit.
Clean the seeds thoroughly by rubbing them in a strainer under running water to remove the gelatinous coating (aril). This coating contains an inhibitor that can prevent germination.
Spread the cleaned seeds on a paper towel and allow them to air dry for a day or two.
2. Sowing the Seeds:
Use a well-draining seed-raising mix in small pots or a seed tray. A mix with added perlite or sand works well to prevent waterlogging.
Sow the seeds about 1-2 cm deep. Plant several seeds per pot, as you cannot determine the sex of the plant at this stage. Pawpaws can be male, female, or hermaphrodite, and you will want to keep the most vigorous-looking plants.
Water the soil gently to moisten it.
3. Providing the Right Environment:
Pawpaw is a tropical plant and requires warmth to germinate. Place the pots in a warm, sunny location with temperatures consistently above 20°C (68°F). The ideal temperature is between 25-30°C (77-86°F). A heat mat can be beneficial in cooler environments.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated. Do not let the soil dry out completely.
4. Germination and Early Growth:
Germination can be erratic but typically occurs within 2-6 weeks.
Once the seedlings have their first true leaves, continue to keep them in a warm, sunny spot.
When they are a few centimetres tall, thin them out, leaving the healthiest-looking seedlings to grow. You can either gently remove the weaker seedlings or let them grow for a bit longer before deciding which ones to keep.
5. Transplanting Seedlings:
When the seedlings are about 20-30 cm tall, they can be transplanted into their final position. Pawpaws do not like root disturbance, so handle them with care.
Choose a final planting location in full sun with fertile, well-draining soil.
Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure.
6. Final Planting and Ongoing Care:
Water the young tree regularly, especially during dry periods. Pawpaws need consistent moisture to grow and fruit well.
Fertilize regularly with a balanced, organic fertilizer to support their fast growth.
Protect the young plant from strong winds, as the trunk is soft and can be easily damaged.
Pawpaw trees are usually ready to fruit within a year of planting. To ensure fruit set, you will need at least one female and one male plant, or a self-pollinating hermaphrodite variety. Many growers plant several seedlings together and later remove the males after their sex is determined (male flowers are on long, thin stalks, while female and hermaphrodite flowers are closer to the trunk).
 
Paw Paw (Carica papaya) 20 Fresh Seeds