An excellent source of Vitamin A, it is known for its high nutritive and medicinal value. The tree does not need much of open space, as it grows erect. However, it needs good amount of sunlight. Mostly, the gardeners plant them too near tall growing trees or under them. Under such conditions, the plant shows leggy growth and fails to flower and fruit due to shade. Another important point is protection from frost to which it is very prone. Under these lawn conditions, there is not much problem. Though there is usually no danger of strong winds but in areas prone to them, the plants need protection.

Pusa Delicious and Pusa Dwarf are two excellent varieties of papaya that are recommended for this region. Fruit bearing in both these cases starts at a height of about a metre or so from the ground. The colour of the flesh is also attractive orange to deep orange and the taste is also very pleasing. The latter variety can withstand cold weather comparatively better. Propagation of papaya is done from seeds. Freshly extracted seeds can be planted in polythene bags. The emerging seedlings are prone to damping-off disease and they lodge even when these are an inch or so high. Drench the plants with captan, dissolved at two gram to a litre of water. The seedlings are to be later transplanted in a pre-dug and refilled pit with equal quantity of well-rotten farmyard manure, top soil and sand. Do not take this fruit tree for granted as it is a heavy feeder and should get due nutrition. A fruit-bearing papaya tree can be given about a kilogram of a mixture of urea, superphosphate and muriate of potash mixed in the ratio of 1:2:1/3, twice a year, in February and August.

The accompanying photograph is of a male papaya tree. You can identify it from the flowers, which is on long string-like extensions. Usually, the gardeners ask whether these should be allowed to grow or removed.