I tried my hand and growing inground papayas from seed last year and the best plants I had made it to about waist high. I thought the cold this winter would kill them off, but even with one overnight low of about 27, about a third to a half of the plants survived with green leaves intact. If they make it through February, will these things continue to grow and maybe even fruit? Thanks, Jack.

Yes they will. We have a family here that starts them in the house every winter. They put them out in the ground in March & have ripe fruit every year about the end of October.

Papaya's can fruit in the first year from seed when properly cultivated. I have tree Papaya's (in a greenhouse) that are now two years old. I have long forgotten how many fruit I have already picked off the tree. Presently the tree has about 50-75 fruit, and is 11 feet in height. Note, NEVER water a papaya when the ground is cold. - Millet.