Repoting A Papaya Plant

Repoting a
papaya plant
Papaya trees are susceptible to transplant shock. A papaya tree can die easily
from being transplanted under a sunny sky if the root system experiences
some damage. New transplants with damaged roots usually begin to wilt
within seven days of being transplanted during a non-rainy period. Most
papaya growers start their papaya seedlings in plastic pots and transplant
them straight to the ground with virtually no disturbance to the roots.
However, keeping the roots undisturbed is next to impossible you are digging
up a papaya tree that is too large or grows too close to other trees.
Step 1
Wait for a heavy rainfall. Rainfall increases the cellular turgor pressure, which
is essential to keep a papaya tree alive. Papaya trees lose cellular turgor
pressure during transplantation under a sunny sky. It is better to wait until it
is raining, particularly if you cannot guarantee the root system of a
papaya tree will remain unscratched throughout the
transplantation process.
Step 2
Identify which papaya trees can be transplanted safely during a heavy rainfall.
You can transplant a papaya tree with this method if it has grown at least
four true leaves. In addition, it should be raised up in an open sunny spot.
Step 3
Dig out the papaya tree with a shovel, and keep as much the root
ball as possible to minimize root injury. The root ball should ideally be
as wide as the root spread. Since the root spread of a papaya tree planted on
the ground is about as wide as the spread of the leaves, some root damage is
inevitable if the papaya tree you are digging out is too large. However, a
papaya tree with severely pruned roots can survive nicely if you complete the
transplantation process before the rain stops.
Step 4
Tease the roots of neighboring papaya trees apart with your fingers. If the
roots become entangled with each other, consider washing away the soil
sticking to the roots until they can be physically teased apart.
Step 5
Replant the papaya trees in a new location with spacing about 4 1/2 feet apart.
Dig a hole for each papaya tree you are planting. The hole should be deep
enough to contain the roots and about twice as wide as the root spread. Fill the
hole part way with excavated soil. Place the papaya tree in the hole and use
one of your hands to support the tree in an upright position. Back fill the hole
the rest of the way up with excavated soil. Firm the soil surface with your
hands to eliminate air pockets.
Step 6
Mulch the area around the newly transplanted papaya trees with dead leaves
or other pest-free organic matter. The mulch layer is intended to protect the
soil from being washed away by rainfall. The thickness of the mulch is not
important at this stage. The mulch must be pest-free because the movement of
soilborne insects can potentially cause disturbance to the roots.
Step 7
Irrigate the newly transplanted papaya trees at two-day intervals during a

non-rainy period. The roots of a papaya tree are fragile. It is important not to
flood a newly transplanted papaya tree with too much water until its root
system becomes well established.
Step 8
Water the newly transplanted papaya trees with diluted soapy water if
soilborne insects threaten the plant growth. Diluted soapy water can drive the
soilborne insects away without killing the papaya trees.
Step 9
Monitor the plant growth and regularly check if the newly transplanted papaya
trees grow any new leaves. Under normal circumstances, new leaves should
emerge from the top bud within four weeks. If that is the case, then the
transplantation is successful. If not, continue to care for it as usual until it is
dead. A near-death papaya tree can miraculously recover in another rainy day.
Tips
• Do not worry about root damage. The rain-induced turgor pressure rise will
compensate for the turgor pressure loss due to root pruning. As long as
you complete the transplanting process during a heavy rainfall, the new
transplant will survive even with serverely pruned roots.
• The movement of soil-borne insects or even earthworms can potentially
hurt the root systems of a newly transplanted papaya seedling plant. As a
rule of thumb, do not fertilize the papaya seedling plants with kitchen
wastes until their root systems become well established. Where possible,
irrigate the papaya seedling plants with diluted soapy water to keep the
soil-borne insects away.
• Some of the newly transplanted seedling plants may appear wilted or
slightly deformed shortly after planting out in a new location. They may
recover nicely on another rainly day. Continue to water them regularly until
the plants are proven dead.
• Not all the fertilizers work for the newly transplanted seedling plants.
According to the author's experience, homemade fertilizer made from
epsom salts, ammonia and beer is a safe option for the newly transplanted
seedlings.

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Irrigate the newly transplanted papaya trees at two-day intervals during a

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