One of my friends had a papaya tree. But he had to "kill" it as it was infested with pests. I've learnt that, just like chili plants, papaya trees are vulnerable to pests. But I will take this risk..... armed with organic pesticides, and a strategy to keep all my plants safe from pests.
So, when I went to the supermarket, I decided to start another experiment with papaya. Bought it and when I got home, I cut the fruit in half and collected all the seeds. Rinsed the seeds with water and left them on the counter to dry. I brought them out the next morning to sow, but I suddenly had to leave the house. Apparently, I didn't have the time to sow them for the whole week, and just left the seeds outside my house. To make it worse, it rained most nights of that week, isn't that great?!! Totally slipped my mind that my papaya seeds are outside soaked by heavy rain.
After a week, I saw them outside extremely dried out with white spots on them. I don't know if there's a word for that state of the seeds, they just looked dead to me. I sounded like some crazy person apologizing to the seeds. (gosh!) I didn't take a photo of the seeds because I thought it will be a complete failure.
I didn't completely throw in the towel though. I've been experiencing the wonders of Mother Nature since Day 1 of my gardening, so thought I should let her surprise me one more time. And you bet, she did!
I recycled an empty box of milk by cutting it in half and used it as my seed-starting pot. I decided to toss all the seeds in one pot. Days went by, no sign of life. The last time I checked was just last night. But this morning, out of a sudden, a seedling! Or should I say, seedlings!! I'm wondering if it really takes just one night for them to suddenly sprout like this.
22 September 2014
The seeds left to dry on the counter after rinsing them.
After a week, I saw them outside extremely dried out with white spots on them. I don't know if there's a word for that state of the seeds, they just looked dead to me. I sounded like some crazy person apologizing to the seeds. (gosh!) I didn't take a photo of the seeds because I thought it will be a complete failure.
I didn't completely throw in the towel though. I've been experiencing the wonders of Mother Nature since Day 1 of my gardening, so thought I should let her surprise me one more time. And you bet, she did!
I recycled an empty box of milk by cutting it in half and used it as my seed-starting pot. I decided to toss all the seeds in one pot. Days went by, no sign of life. The last time I checked was just last night. But this morning, out of a sudden, a seedling! Or should I say, seedlings!! I'm wondering if it really takes just one night for them to suddenly sprout like this.
09 October 2014 - After 10 days of sowing.
My morning just got better after seeing this.
09 October 2014
Look! Not only one sprouted, but several of them.
Hopefully, I won't only succeed in germinating, but also harvesting fruits from them in the future. Is it too much to ask? Haha. But again, thanks Mother Nature! This is such a pleasant day for me. I hope you have one too.
In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.
Aristotle
