Carica

( KAIR - ih - kuh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering trees and shrubs is known for its widely cultivated member Carica papaya, commonly known as the Papaya. They are native to the American tropics, and derive their genus name from the botanical name of the Fig (Ficus carica), due to the similarity of their leaves and fruits. These trees are commonly grown as members of backyard orchards, as edible specimen trees, or as accents in tropical or informal designs. Take care when planting and consuming Carica plants and fruits, as unripe fruits can potentially damage the esophagus if ingested in large amounts. Those with latex allergies should beware of the possibility of adverse skin reactions.

Caring for Carica

Plant Carica in a spot in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. They appreciate some late afternoon shelter from direct sun when temperatures are at their peak. Young trees should be in a sheltered location that is kept humid and warm. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5 (slightly acidic). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. Mature trees need regular, deep waterings; allow soil to dry out between irrigations. Ensure that roots are not left in soggy soils. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Reduce waterings in wintertime when trees are dormant. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Carica trees and shrubs are considered fast-growing, short-lived perennial plants that typically live for around 5 years outside of their native range, where they can live for 10-25 years. Commercial growers typically replace trees every 3 years for maximum yields.

Caring for Carica in Containers
Papaya trees do well in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. This gives gardeners in cooler climates the flexibility to cultivate these edibles; the trees are simply brought to a sheltered area over the winter. They are best outdoors when temperatures remain above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When purchasing a papaya tree, select a dwarf cultivar that is self-fertile. They require large containers, at least 20 inches wide with adequate drainage holes on the bottom. Fill with a well-draining soil mix amended with perlite and vermiculite and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Place the container in a spot in the landscape that is sheltered from strong, drying winds and receives full sun. They appreciate between 6 and 8 hours per day. Water newly planted Papaya trees regularly as they establish themselves. At maturity, Papaya trees grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Reduce waterings in wintertime when trees are dormant.

Container-grown Papaya trees benefit from a yearly feeding with compost; pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. During the active flowering and fruiting months, they can be fed about once a month with a combination of liquid kelp emulsion and an organic slow-release fertilizer. Do not fertilize in wintertime when trees are dormant. Every few years, check the bottom of the container for roots growing through the drainage holes. This is an indication that the tree may need to be potted up, or simply needs a root pruning to avoid becoming rootbound.

Harvesting Carica
Carica, or Papaya/Paw Paw trees, are grown primarily for their large, sweet fruits. The greatest producers of Papaya are India, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Brazil. These trees grow and produce well in tropical and subtropical areas. Papaya fruits are known for their sweet, melon-like taste and soft, buttery texture. Mature flesh is typically yellow to deep salmon-pink (depending on the species and cultivar grown); immature fruits are green to yellow-orange. They can reach between 3 and 20 inches long when ripe, typically harvested 6-12 months after planting. Unripe papaya fruits can be left on the tree or at room temperature to ripen, and then can be refrigerated for up to a week. Cut papaya fruit will last about 1-2 days in the refrigerator. For longer-term storage, cube and freeze papaya flesh n a tray, and then bag it and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Ripe papayas are eaten fresh, blended into smoothies, used in salsas, or eaten with yoghurt or cottage cheese. Unripe papaya is most often used in savory dishes like spicy salads, curries, stir fries, soups, and pickled. Carica seeds are also edible; they are harvested when fruits are ripe and then rinsed to remove the jelly-like coating and dried thoroughly. They can be used fresh or dried to replace peppercorns.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Carica trees can be propagated by cutting or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Papaya tree, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Carica by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant, and that not all Carica cultivars will even produce seeds. To propagate by seed, you will need a container, a pot or tray, potting medium, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. Papaya seeds are contained inside of ripe fruits. Fruits can have anywhere from a few dozen to over a thousand seeds. They are encased in a gelatinous coating. Rinse them to remove pulp and remove the clear coating by rubbing them or soaking them overnight, which can also speed up germination. If preparing seeds for storage, lay them out to dry after rubbing off the clear coating and then place them in a sealed container in a cool, dark dry space. They will remain viable for a year or more.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with a spray bottle. Place the sown seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Papaya seeds germinate well when soil temperature remains between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Germination usually takes 2-4 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of a fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet. Keep your seedling in an area with bright light and temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors.

Propagating Carica by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In late summer or early fall, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances the cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6-8 inch softwood or semi-hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. It should be kept in warm, sunny conditions in a protected area. Water whenever the soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, the cutting should be rooted. New growth indicates the formation of roots.
Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors.