Just because Papaya trees tend to die in winter does not mean you cannot grow them in colder regions! If you take enough preparation to keep it away from snow and frost, the tree will thrive. Now the concern is how to protect Papaya Tree from frost.
Keeping the roots, fruits, and branches under a sack or burlap is the quickest shield to set against frost. And layers of dried leaves block frost from damaging the tree. If you do not know how to take up the methods, read on till the end!
How to Protect Papaya Tree from Frost: Step-by-Step Process
Papaya temperature tolerance in the winter is so low that it dies or stops growing when the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Especially when frost builds up on foliage or around the trunk. In order to protect it, follow these tips-full steps:
Step 1: Add Mulch
During the fall, adding a 1 to 4 inches thick layer of mulch around the bed and tree roots traps the heat inside. The layer keeps the trunk well-protected from ice crystals.
So, to add mulch, remove the weeds and debris around the roots and soil. Shake or spread bark, wood chips, pine needles, and dried leaves, then tap the layers properly.
Make sure to maintain or change the mulch to keep them healthy throughout the winter. Here you will find tips for keeping them refreshed and in place:
Step 2: Use Grow Lights
The Grow lights break down their electrical energy into light particles needed for fruity plants’ growth. These lights are the artificial sources of heat against the frost.
So, choose a light that fits all types of lamps. Once you charge the light, direct the light toward the tree roots and foliage for a few minutes each day.
Note that the plant grows lights can burn the delicate leaves if you place or set them too closely to the plant. So, if you have a fluorescent or incandescent, keep them 12 inches and 2 feet away from the Papaya tree, respectively.
Head over to the clip before you use a grow light:
Step 3: Cover the Tree
Before it snows, wrap a piece of blanket around the lower trunk of the tree. Then, pin a burlap sack with a clothespin on the central branch. Start wrapping it from the ground or lower trunk and branches.
Gradually go to the top to wrap and overlap the sack with its top edge attached to the branch. Join both ends with the starting branch. If you have no burlap or polythene bag, a tarp can be a good alternative.
Tie three strings around the burlap. And if possible, remove the clothespin. The sack will work as a heater to maintain the heat inside, even during snowfall. Do not forget to remove the coverings once the temperature is beyond 32 Fahrenheit.
Step 4: Take Preconditioning Measures
Prepare the plant before fall arrives so that you can prevent it from dying in the snow. Inspect diseased branches and leaves. If you find any, treat them with organic herbicide. Remember that leaving the parts untreated will cause the plant to die even under burlap or mulch.
Ensure the roots are not submerged in water before the winter. Overwatered roots do not withstand the temperature of the frost. This step is mandatory if you have planted the tree out of the papaya tree growing zone.
What Happens If You Do Not Protect A Papaya Tree From Winter?
Not only the tree, but its fruits are also sensitive to winter, frost, or freezing temperatures. Even in the storage freezer, the fruit can rot due to extremely low temperatures.
So, if you do not take measures to save it from cold, you can expect the damage as described below:
1. Dead Foliage
The Papaya tree leaves or foliage are most vulnerable to frost. When the frost builds up on them, they fail to produce the auxin necessary for healthy leaves. As a result, they wilt and drop from the plant.
Due to dead leaves, the tree loses water faster through transpiration. It blocks nutrients from reaching all parts of the tree. And it weakens the plant.
2. Poor Quality Fruits
If the tree is bare in the snow or below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the fruits will not ripe within time. Even a few of them will stop growing and fall off the branches prematurely.
Papayas grown in winter are bland in taste. As the tree doesn’t get proper food sources to grow healthy fruits.
Conclusion
How to protect Papaya Tree from frost is a common question among gardeners living in colder regions. You definitely can keep the tree alive and its fruits healthy in winter once you block paths for frost to enter.
Just a friendly reminder: if you have winter vegetation under the papaya tree, do not spread a tarp on the plant. Or else the greens beneath will die. Call an arborist for professional tips.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q’s):
1. Which Grow Lights Are Best To Provide Heat to Papaya Trees?
Which Grow LIndeed, LED grow lights are ideal to generate heat for fruit plants like Papaya. As they have low heat output, they easily do not burn the leaves.ights Are Best To Provide Heat to Papaya Trees?
2. Is It Safe to Cover a Papaya Tree with A Polythene Bag?
Yes, as long as you have enough space for the air to enter, it is comparatively safe. However, if you leave it covered after winter, the tree will die.
3. Can Papaya Trees Survive Winter?
If you prepare the plants to withstand the damage against winter, they can even survive in freezing temperatures. The best practice is to keep them covered.