Papaya
Fruit,
(English) Papaya Mamey (Spanish) Put (Maya), Carica Papaya, Caricaceae Family.
This edible rich flavor
Papaya fruit plant is native to South of Mexico and Central America.
The plant is actually a large herb growing to 14 feet
height; thus, commonly we refer to it as a "papaya
tree." There are many varieties of
Papaya fruits
with
different pulp flavor, color, and size. All papaya
fruits have a "waxy leathery thin but tough skin" rich
in a thick white latex sap. which develops yellow
orange tones when the firm smooth pulp is ripe.
The most commonly organically grown papaya species at
Hacienda Chichen are the Mexican Maradol papayas, or
Mamey papaya, due to its high Vitamin A, C, potassium,
and antioxidant nutritional levels. Most papaya
fruits have rich aroma,
nutrients, flavor, and papain enzymes. Papaya pulp
has great natural healing qualities for
skin care
as well as to calm indigestion.
Papayas
are seed propagated and fruits grow directly attached
to the tree
trunk near leafs stems (photo). Red Lady is a dwarf self
pollinating variety grown at
Hacienda Chichen organic
garden, fruits weigh 6 to
8 pounds, with excellent sweet flavor, rich aroma,
deep mamey color and velvety texture. Observe the
growing process of papaya fruits in our photo selection
(note a few of the papaya flowers in the above photo).
Papaya fruits grow at the base of the plants trunk, just
above the papaya trees leafs' stems.
Where to Grow
Organically Papaya Trees:
For papayas to grow sweet and full of aroma, it is best to plant
them in warm sunny open field with good reflected heat and where not
much wind blows. Papayas grown most successfully where water can be
controlled.
Soils and
Irrigation: Papayas need a light, well-drained soil.
Watering is the most critical aspect in raising papayas. The plants
should be kept on to the dry side to avoid root rot, but do need
enough water to support their large leaves; soil should be moist but
not excessively.
Organic
Fertilization: Papaya fruit trees requires rich soil can
take fairly hot organic fertilizing such as chicken manure;
phosphorus deficiency in the soil will cause the papaya tree to
develop dark green foliage with some red-purple leaf discoloration.
Note: Dwarf
papaya wild herbs grow naturally throughout the Hacienda Chichen's
Bird Refuge gardens and feed many of the wild birds found around the
property as well as a variety of wild fauna, butterflies, insects,
and small mammals.
Feel free to review
our
Complete Hacienda Chichen's Flora Guide filled
with beautiful photographs of fruit trees, Mayan medicinal trees,
Yucatan's endemic flora collection and other beauties found in the
lush tropical gardens and private Maya Jungle Nature Reserve of this
unique green boutique hotel.
Wish to contact us? do so via email:
info@yucatanadventure.com.mx
Bonete Wild Trees:
Wild Papaya or Bonete Fruit
Lush
Botanical Gardens and Tropical Flora
Hacienda Chichen, Chichen Itza, Yucatan
Wild
Papaya (English), Bonete (Spanish), Coahuayote (Naualt)
K'uun che' (Maya) Jacaratia mexicana, Caricaceae Family. Native
to Mexico. Wild growing tree, tall and slim with soft
bark trunk and elliptic leaflets, male and female
flowers on separate trees (dioecious). Ripe Bonetes or
wild papaya fruits have small seeds and distinctive
large pendulous shape (photo) that hang from leafless
branches during May and June. These edible wild fruit
trees are hardy and produce
high nutrition value fruits that have their pulp
texture, flavor and aroma similar to mild flavor papaya.
At Hacienda Chichen's lush tropical
gardens, guests can enjoy observing the Wild Papaya or Bonete trees
as they strolls past the main walking paths nearby the Colonial Main
Mansion near the Organic Fruits and Vegetables crops grown within
this green hotel's property.
We invite you to review
our
Complete Hacienda Chichen's Flora Guide filled
with beautiful photographs of fruit trees, Mayan medicinal trees,
Yucatan's endemic flora collection and other beauties found in the
lush tropical gardens and private Maya Jungle Nature Reserve of this
unique green boutique hotel.
Visit our recommended Chichen Services Mayan
Vacations Portal to enjoy Yucatan, Mexico:
www.yucatanadventure.com.mx
Yucatan Adventure Green
Travel Guide is a volunteer Sustainable Green Travel Guide designed
by the Maya Foundation In Laakeech A. C. a NGO sustainable civil
society founded by Hacienda Chichen Resort's owners and staff in
Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico.
Hacienda Chichen's sustainable green vision and eco-cultural
mission committed to provide travelers a soulful Mayan cultural
experience as well as a Green Getaway to explore the eco-wonders and
cultural traditions of the Maya; as well as to support the welfare of
Mayan rural communities and to promote
Sustainable
Geo-Tourism. Visit Hacienda Chichen Resort and
Yaxkin Spa's website:
www.haciendachichen.com
Enjoy
Hacienda
Chichen Resort's Flora Guide and Botanical Gardens beauty and
serenity when visiting Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico.
Published Photos &
Information Courtesy of
Hacienda Chichen Resort and Bruce A. Gordon
Environmental Director / Maya Nature Reserve
November 2009
