Papaya symbolizes abundance and prosperity in life, career, love, and marriage, so many people choose to offer this fruit to their ancestors. So is it good to plant a papaya tree in front of the house?
Is it good to plant a papaya tree in front of the house?
Nowadays, papaya can be grown as a fruit tree or an ornamental tree. Papaya has good green leaves all year round, few leaf fall, and bears fruit, so homeowners can plant it indoors. Planting a papaya tree in front of the house not only has a beautifying effect but also brings good feng shui meanings.
According to feng shui beliefs, papaya is considered a plant with spiritual energy, with the ability to attract wealth and bring good luck to homeowners. The name papaya also reminds people of warmth, abundance. If choosing the location in front of the house to plant a papaya tree, homeowners should pay attention to the following:
+ Avoid planting papaya trees right at the entrance because it can obstruct movement and hinder the flow of energy in the house.
+ When planting papaya trees in front of the house, homeowners should not plant just one tree. Plant a row of 2, 3, 5, 7, or 9 trees. In the feng shui beliefs of the East, these are numbers representing luck, wealth, and vitality.
+ When the leaves of the tree wither or fade, it is advisable to trim them to avoid affecting the remaining leaves. In addition, when the fruit is ripe, it should be harvested to prevent the papaya from ripening excessively and falling under the base and attracting many fruit flies.
+ Papaya trees should be planted in a well-ventilated place, exposed to natural sunlight for good growth because papaya prefers sunlight and is suitable for hot and humid climates.
+ The soil for planting should be loose, well-draining, nutrient-rich, with a pH level ranging from 6-7.5. There are many different papaya varieties, so you can consult at seed stores or nurseries to choose the one that suits your needs.
If you don’t have a garden, homeowners can choose papaya bonsai trees to plant indoors.
Tips for planting papaya trees in pots for year-round fruit
+ Step 1: Seed soaking
You soak the seeds in water for about 5 hours at a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, then spread the seeds on a moist cotton cloth for 4-5 days until the seeds germinate evenly, then you can proceed with sowing.
+ Step 2: Sowing
You sow 2-3 seeds in a small container to compensate for seed loss when few seeds germinate or pests and diseases occur. After 10-15 days, the papaya will sprout. If you choose to buy pre-germinated seeds, you should choose fat, healthy, and disease-free plants.
+ Step 3: Planting in pots
When the papaya in the container has developed 4-5 pairs of leaves and is about 10-15cm tall, then transplant it into a pot. Use a sharp knife to gently remove the nylon bag (without breaking the container). Place the container and the seedling horizontally on the ground, then backfill the soil around the container and compact the roots. Finally, water to keep the plant moist.
After planting, use a stake to prop up the plant so that the root trunk is always inclined at a 45-degree angle to the ground from the time of planting to the entire growth process.
+ Care
You need to water the plant to keep it moist 1-2 times a day, use straw or mulch to cover the surface of the pot to limit water evaporation and keep the plant moist.
After 15 days of planting, you should apply the first layer of organic fertilizer, such as manure, cow dung, or worm castings… And every 15 days, apply the next layer.
+ Harvest
Papaya can be harvested after 9 months of planting. If you harvest the fruit to eat fresh, you should harvest when the fruit has spots or light yellow streaks, which will be the best quality. Avoid harvesting the fruit too early, otherwise, the fruit will be tasteless, and papayas can be harvested all year round.