How to turn a male Papaya tree into a female tree?
Papaya (pawpaw) Ponchatoula, Louisiana
Does anyone know how to turn a male Papaya tree into a productive female Papaya tree?
Posted by: Dr. Manlio V. (Vinny) Mendoza, Ph.D., USAF (Ret.)
(1 point)
Posted: October 17, 2013
Answers
Sever pruning can transform a male to a female plant. We have reached out to Papaya people so perhaps we can get more information. But this from a 1914 publication
"There is little necessity for pruning papaya trees. Some plants show a tendency to send out side shoots, and it is advisable to remove these or the nourishment will be diverted from the fruit crop on the
main trunk. When the latter has borne for two or three years it may be cut down, and some of the side shoots may be allowed to form a new top, which will continue the bearing life of the tree and
produce easily accessible fruits. Changing the sex of a male tree has at times been brought about
by severe pruning. Removing the terminal bud or even cutting off the whole top below the leaves has been known to bring about this but such treatment cannot be depended upon to do so"
From page 10 of this publication http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepu...
This due to way sex is determined in the plant. Hopefully we can get more details for you
"There is little necessity for pruning papaya trees. Some plants show a tendency to send out side shoots, and it is advisable to remove these or the nourishment will be diverted from the fruit crop on the
main trunk. When the latter has borne for two or three years it may be cut down, and some of the side shoots may be allowed to form a new top, which will continue the bearing life of the tree and
produce easily accessible fruits. Changing the sex of a male tree has at times been brought about
by severe pruning. Removing the terminal bud or even cutting off the whole top below the leaves has been known to bring about this but such treatment cannot be depended upon to do so"
From page 10 of this publication http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepu...
This due to way sex is determined in the plant. Hopefully we can get more details for you
Posted by: David Hughes
(55 points)
Posted: October 19, 2013
David Goodman commented,
You might also try painting the tree's surroundings pink, reading "Little Women" out loud, and perhaps dragging out the DVD player for a marathon of "Desperate Houseplants."
about 7 years ago.
I have done this successfully both here in Panama and also in Okinawa. I just hacked off the tree about 2-3 feet from the bottom then took a machete and stuck it in at the base as far as I could in a cross fashion to stress the tree. The one in Panama I had to do it twice as the male flowers kept coming out.
Posted by: Chrisse
(1 point)
Posted: October 20, 2018
Thank you. You are getting closer but no cigar yet! There is a way to castrate a male papaya tree. I will sharpen my knife tonight and do it tomorrow and show you how it is done.
Posted by: Dr. Manlio V. (Vinny) Mendoza, Ph.D., USAF (Ret.)
(1 point)
Posted: October 20, 2013
David Hughes commented,
Yes, either by cutting or, as I read elsewhere, following a mid season shift to high temperatures that affect growth. Look forward to the pictures and description
over 7 years ago.
deactivated commented,
Wait - you know the answer? Then why are you asking the question?
over 7 years ago.
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