Herself’s Houston Garden

This has to be one of the easiest plants I’ve tried. I stuck in in the ground last spring. Then it didn’t rain for 4 months. And we were on strict water rations. Didn’t even phase this papaya. As you can see it grew itself up and just now in mid August has begun to fruit.

Papaya trees can reach 20′ tall, I’ve yet to see one over 6′ in the Houston area. Leaves can be 2′ across, mine are about a 1′ in width and 18″ in length.

The stem is soft, rings are from previous leaves, much like a palm.

I’ve read fruit and flowering occurs year round, I’ve only seen fruit late summer to fall locally.

There are male and female plants, male flowers are on short stalks, female on the trunk. You need both. I guess I just got lucky.

Grow in full sun. Loves lots of water I’m told, this one seems to have been just fine with out it this summer.

Will be damaged or die in freezing or near freezing weather. Really a plant for the south side of Houston. This one died after several hard frosts.

Like many tropical plants it has a white, milky sap, which should make you think it is toxic and it is toxic. Unripe fruit must be cooked and don’t eat the leaves.

Close relative of passion vine.

South American Native used as an important food source in ancient times. Many grow wild near the Mayan ruins. Interestingly papaya contains an enzyme which helps to dissolve raw meat. In Africa papaya leaves are wrapped around raw meat before it is eaten. The meat is then cooked in the leaves. ( see note about toxin and don’t try this at home ) Some believe the juice of the fruit aids stomach problems.

Several viruses can attack papaya, watch for rings on leaves and destroy plant if found. Also cotton root rot can attack papaya.

These were some of the very first plants I planted in Houston. It’s taken 4 years, but my first blooms arrived this spring.

It’s about 5′ tall and in time more plants will come up from the roots and it will form a very tight clump of plants.

It is recommended you grow Birds of Paradise in full sun. Mine started in full sun but is now in part shade.

Requires protection from frost. I haven’t protected mine and I’ve lost a few leaves over the years but it seems to hold its own. This year we had several hard frosts, I ended up cutting these back to the ground, both appear to be regrowing from the roots.

Watering needs are average. Mine is in an area that is neither especially dry or wet. It is reported to do well in droughts, it’s certainly held up with with our months of no rain and restricted watering. Does not do well in very wet areas according to reports, yet in South Africa it grows along the banks of rivers.

The traditional plant has orange and blue flowers, mine has white.

Propagate by division.

Toxic, seeds contain tannins which may be destroyed by roasting. But you probably shouldn’t eat them any way.

Totally care free plant to grow.

Native to South Africa

Strelitzia reginae is the orange and purple flowered variety, nicolai is the white flowered version.

The 2010 class for Montgomery Master Gardeners orientation day is Sept 24th at 9 am. You must attend orientation to be accepted into the class.

Montgomery County Master Gardeners