California papaya is a type of papaya that is popular with many people because it is sweet and nutritious. The height of this papaya tree is relatively small, only around 1.5-2 m with a short branched stem and a midrib. Plants can produce heavy fruit reaching 25-30 pieces. The flesh of the California papaya is bright red and looks hollow like a star when cut. It tastes sweet and can be stored for five days.
The California papaya cultivation technique is actually not that difficult, the plants only need to be cared for properly so that the level of plant productivity increases. Following are the steps for cultivating California papaya.
Plant seeds
Papaya plants are propagated generatively using seeds that come from healthy, ripe fruit on the tree.
Land processing
Before planting, you need to cultivate the land first so that the land conditions are suitable for the growth of papaya plants. Land processing is carried out by clearing the land of weeds and other plant residues. Apart from that, drainage has been improved so that the land is not flooded by water.
After that, hoe the soil, then level the soil and mix it with burnt sawmill wood ash. Next, make a planting hole measuring 60 × 60 × 50 cm. The top soil from the planting hole is placed on the right side, while the bottom soil is placed on the left side of the plant. Leave the hole for 1-2 weeks to reduce the soil pH and water content.
If you want to plant more than one plant, use a spacing between holes of 2.5 × 2.5 m or 2.5 × 2.75 m.
Planting
California papaya plants can be planted in two ways, namely using seeds planted directly in the field and using seeds. Seeds can be planted directly in the prepared planting holes, 2-3 seeds per planting hole. Plant seeds are planted in beds with a width of 1-1.5 meters, a height of 30-40 cm, and a distance between the beds of around 1 m. The distance between the planting holes in the bed is around 2.5-2.75 m.
If you want to use seeds, transfer the seeds from the polybag after the plants are between 1-1.5 months old into the planting holes that have been prepared in advance. One planting hole can be used to plant two seeds in case one seed dies. Planting should be done in the afternoon.
Fertilization
Plants need to be given basic fertilizer in the form of burnt wood ash as much as 20 kg per planting hole which is given during the soil processing process. Plants also need to be given additional fertilizer in the form of NPK 15-15-15 as much as 100 kg/hectare for one growing season. Ash from burnt wood needs to be given once every 3 months, 20 kg each per plant.
Maintenance
Weeds that grow around the plants need to be weeded regularly using manual techniques by hand. Don't forget to mulch when weeding so that the taller plant stems don't fall over easily.
Harvest
California papaya can be harvested for the first time when it is 8-9 months old. Ripe papaya fruit will have a 25 percent reddish yellow tinge on the skin at the tip.
