I am in Hawaii and had a papaya that was far too tall to harvest fruit. I read that you can shorten the tree. I cut the tree down to about 5 ft and put a bucket over the cut as directed. I now have new shoots coming (under the bucket). How long should I keep the bucket in place? Should I treat the wound with anything?
Papaya
- Thread starter puddleduck
- Start date
Greetings, welcome to the Forums
Cutting the trunk on your Papaya (Carica papaya) is what initiated the branches. The bucket is unnecessary and can be removed. Its presence will also stunt the growth of the new branches.
I understand there is an alternate method in which a bucket is put over the growing tip instead of cutting the trunk, but if the trunk was actually pruned and the growing tip removed the bucket should not be needed.
Cutting the trunk on your Papaya (Carica papaya) is what initiated the branches. The bucket is unnecessary and can be removed. Its presence will also stunt the growth of the new branches.
I understand there is an alternate method in which a bucket is put over the growing tip instead of cutting the trunk, but if the trunk was actually pruned and the growing tip removed the bucket should not be needed.