Papaw, Papaya growing in Aquaponics

[Murray]

I have seen a photo of papaw trees growing in a hydroponic system, I am thinking of giving that a try.
Does anyone have any knowledge in this area ?

[daniel]

Not specifically, but they pop up all over my garden and they LOOOVE compost rich soil. Just from that point of view alone it would be an interesting experiment as they require a lot of nutrients. They may be a good way of increasing fish stock levels if they really suck up the nitrogen. I dont really know.

Some varieties grow quite tall, so may not be appropriate for some greenhouses, but I think I have seen miniature varieties.

This is not Aquaponics based, but I am actually just about to try a permaculture technique called, a Papaya circle. It basically involves planting a ring of Papaw and banana trees around a compost heap (of about 1m diameter). Sweet potatoes can then be planted into the ring. Should be a nice productive little area of the garden.

[Murray]

Hi Daniel,

I googled "Papaya Circle" and came up with a heap of photos on the Permaculture Forum Photo Gallery, but I could not view any of them. Perhaps I have to be a member of the forum in order to view the pix. ?

Sounds like a really good idea. My father-in-law does a similar thing, his mound/s are approx 4 mtrs across with papaw trees and banana all around and a mango or avacardo in the middle. Around the outside he plants beans, cabbage etc.
Trouble is where I am towards Beaudesert we get 3 or 4 bad frosts each winter and I have tried papaw and banana many times out in the yard and they have always been knocked in winter. My new greenhouse will be 4.5 mtrs high right in the middle so a papaw will would be good.
Murray

[Murray]

At last I have my 2 pawpaw trees planted out. One red variety and one yellow.
They have been in the grow beds for about a week and appear to be doing fine. They are sending new leaves from the top and the bases are thickening up.
It will be interesting to see how they go.

[Hamish]

Those strawberries look like they are going good Murray. Mine have come back since FF advised me to quit salting my system.

[Murray]

Yes, The strawberries have been fantastic this season. Not too many get to the house !!!

[Murray]

Update on the PawPaw tree....or papaya as our US friends know them.

The "Red" variety is going like a house on fire.
See the little flower buds showing up on the trunk.....maybe there will be some fruit soon.!!!!
The "Yellow" can be seen in the next grow bed to the right and is healthy, but is growing very slowly compared to the "Red" variety.
The "Yellow" is sharing the bed with the strawberries and a visitor here recently told me that there is something given off by the roots of the strawberry that will inhibit the progress of the pawpaw. Don't know if it has any truth to it....but who knows......

[Outbackozzie]

VB grew a huge pawpaw in a bath tub, brisbane area.

[Murray]

Yes OB, I remember when he started that one but since I left the other forum I did not know of it's success or not.
It went well ?
Is it still going strong ?

[Dufflight]

Think he had to push it over a little to keep the roof on the green house. I've got on in my system. Only small, no transplant shock.