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Avatar for nambiar58
Aug 21, 2014 7:58 AM CST
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I was trying to raise a papaya plant in a large clay pot in the balcony of my fourth floor flat. The flowers are all having long stalks which are not turning into fruits. Why ?
Avatar for Dutchlady1
Aug 21, 2014 8:03 AM CST

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Welcome! nambiar58. Papayas come in a male and a female version; they need each other to be pollinated although occasionally both male and female flowers appear on the same plant. It sounds like yours is not one of them..... Sad
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Aug 21, 2014 8:54 AM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
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I agree You have a lonely male papaya plant. Male papaya flowers are lovely and fragrant, and come in multiples on long stalks. The female flowers are much larger, and singular, with hardly any stem, right on the trunk of the plant. It sounds like you need a female plant for those male flowers to pollinate.

Or if you live somewhere that papayas are commonly grown, look at your local nurseries for a cultivar called 'Red Lady' which is, shall we say, bisexual. It produces flowers with both male and female parts, and self-pollinates so you only need one to get fruit. It is commonly available here, at places like the big box stores.
Elaine

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Aug 21, 2014 11:58 AM CST
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Female flowers (left), Male flowers (right).
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