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Borneo Post
10 hours ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Planting papaya with the right techniques
Many recognise that ripe papaya look, with its appetising pinkish-orange colour and soft, succulent flesh, and right inside the centre of the fruit are the small, black seeds. — Photo from I BELIEVE that many of us are familiar with the tropical fruit, papaya, said to have originated from the Americas. Many recognise the ripe look, with its appetising pinkish-orange colour and soft, succulent flesh, and right inside the centre of the fruit are the small, black seeds. However, not many of you know that the plant of Carica papaya can either be male or female, or a hermaphrodite. The 'male' can only produce pollen, never a fruit; and the 'female' can produce fruits only if it gets pollinated by a male or hermaphrodite tree. The hermaphrodite tree is self-pollinating. To ensure healthy growth and good yield, we must know these key points: Climate requirements Tropical and subtropical climates are ideal as papaya needs warm temperature (21°C to 33°C), and requires full sun at least six hours daily. Soil conditions Best growth in well-drained fertile soil (loam or sandy loam) with pH6 to pH6.5 range. Avoid waterlogged or clay-heavy soils that can cause root rot. Better to plant it on a mound to avoid water accumulation, even during heavy rainfall. Add organic compost or manure before planting, and also some basic nutrients such as NPK. Watering The tree needs consistent moisture, especially when it is young, and during the flowering and fruiting periods. Avoid over-watering as the root is fibrous and easily damaged by this. Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress growth of weeds. Avoid over-watering as the root of the papaya tree is fibrous and can be easily damaged by this. — Bernama photo Planting materials Select good quality seeds from good varieties like the 'Sekai' or the 'Hawaiian'. Germination takes one to three weeks. It is good to clean the seeds sowing to avoid any ants eating the sweet seeds. Transplant the seedlings when they are about eight inches tall with sufficient soil around the roots to avoid wilting. Provide shade in the first few days. The planting distance is to be six feet to 10 feet for good sunlight and air circulation. Fertilisation Apply balanced fertiliser like 14-14-14, or similar NPK. Increase potassium and phosphorus during flowering and fruiting phases. Add micronutrients like lime magnesium and zinc if deficiency symptoms appear. After-care Pruning removes dead leaves and the side shoots below the crown. For tall trees, branching is encouraged. Mulching with organic materials like straw can retain moisture and suppress weeds' growth. To ensure quality fruits in terms of sweetness, apply liquid nutrients high in potassium. Harvest when the fruits are slightly yellow and ripen them off the tree. Pest and disease management Use neem oil or other insecticidal sprays to keep aphids, spider mites and fruit flies at bay. Do not overwater to avoid root rot. Remove the parts affected by ringspot virus. Tips Papaya trees have a short lifespan, with most continuing to fruit for four to five years after maturity. Plant young trees for continuous fruit supply. Container-planting is possible, just make sure the container is stout and not too deep, but has a 20-gallon (75-litre) capacity. Happy Gardening! Photo provided by the columnist show some fruits on a papaya tree in his home garden.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man detained for killing 87-year-old with stick
A man who beat an 87-year-old to death with his own walking stick in a random attack at a railway station in east London has been detained in psychiatric hospital. Miles Sekai, 23, subjected Bernard Fowler to a "brutal" attack outside Harold Wood station in east London early on 27 February last year. Sekai tried to gouge out Mr Fowler's eyes, and then hit him over the head 19 times with his walking stick and stamped on his head eight times, the Old Bailey heard on Friday. Mr Fowler, a retired mechanic, had gone to the station that day to pick up free newspapers for the community. The court heard Sekai had travelled from Liverpool Street to Harold Wood Station and when asked to leave by station staff, replied: "Touch me and I will kill you." He then tried to book a taxi to Brent Cross but when a cab driver arrived at the station to pick him up, they missed each other. Prosecution barrister Benjamin Aina KC told the court that CCTV showed Mr Fowler at about 03:50 GMT walking towards the station, before the defendant approached him and began the attack just after 04:00. Footage showed Sekai kick Mr Fowler in the head, pick up his walking stick, and hit him on the head "with force". Mr Aina said: "Mr Fowler is hit to the head 19 times. The defendant then stamps on Mr Fowler's head eight times. The attack is truly shocking and appalling." Sekai walked away but returned and stood over him in a "triumphant stance", Mr Aina added. When police arrived, he ran off holding the bloody stick in one hand and his trainers in the other, and was arrested after a struggle. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Man admits using walking stick to kill pensioner Arrest after person fatally attacked at station Man charged with east London station murder
