{"product_id":"babaco-vasconcellea-heilbornii-carica-pentagona-2l-pot","title":"Babaco (Vasconcellea × heilbornii) 2L Pot","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBabaco is a naturally occurring Andean hybrid fruit plant originating from western South America. It is considered a hybrid between Vasconcellea pubescens, commonly known as Mountain Papaya, and Vasconcellea stipulata.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRelated to papaya, Babaco is grown for its upright growth, divided foliage and elongated yellow fruit. The plant develops a soft, upright trunk topped with large leaves, while flowers and fruit form along the main stem.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBabaco plants can develop fruit without cross-pollination. The seedless fruit begins green before ripening to yellow and has juicy, mildly acidic flesh with a fruity and aromatic flavour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ripe fruit can be eaten fresh or used in juices, preserves, desserts and cooked dishes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the UK, Babaco is best grown in a greenhouse or conservatory. It is more tolerant of cooler conditions than tropical papaya but remains tender and must be protected from frost.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Vasconcellea × pentagona\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHybrid parentage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Vasconcellea pubescens × Vasconcellea stipulata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSynonyms:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Vasconcellea × heilbornii, Carica × pentagona\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Babaco, Champagne Fruit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Western South America\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant family:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Caricaceae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHabit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Upright, short-lived evergreen fruiting perennial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePotential height:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 2–3 metres in container cultivation under suitable conditions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Large, divided green leaves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pale flowers produced along the main stem\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFruit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Long, five-sided seedless fruit ripening from green to yellow\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mildly acidic, fruity and aromatic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePosition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Full sun or bright partial shade\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Greenhouses, conservatories and large containers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tender and not frost hardy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"lg9buc\" data-start=\"22232\" data-end=\"22249\"\u003eGrowing Advice\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"22251\" data-end=\"22430\"\u003eGrow your Babaco in fertile, moisture-retentive but freely draining compost. Good drainage is important because the fleshy roots and stem can be damaged by prolonged waterlogging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"22432\" data-end=\"22643\"\u003eMove the plant into progressively larger containers as it develops. Avoid placing a small plant into an excessively large pot, as compost that remains wet for long periods can increase the risk of root problems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"22645\" data-end=\"22784\"\u003eKeep the compost evenly moist during active growth but allow excess water to drain freely. Reduce watering during winter when growth slows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"22786\" data-end=\"22951\"\u003ePlace the plant somewhere bright, warm and sheltered. Babaco prefers cooler subtropical conditions compared with tropical papaya but should still be kept frost free.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"22953\" data-end=\"23105\"\u003eFeed regularly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Change to a high-potassium feed once flowers or young fruit begin to develop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"23107\" data-end=\"23219\"\u003eThe upright stem and developing fruit may require support. Babaco can become top-heavy when grown in containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"23221\" data-end=\"23365\"\u003eOverwinter in a bright greenhouse or conservatory, ideally above approximately 10°C. Cooler temperatures will slow growth and fruit development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1tal2ih\" data-start=\"23367\" data-end=\"23388\"\u003eFruiting in the UK\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"23390\" data-end=\"23508\"\u003eBabaco can flower and produce fruit under greenhouse or conservatory conditions without another plant for pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"23510\" data-end=\"23670\"\u003eFruit development requires strong light, steady warmth and a long growing period. Growth and flower production may slow or stop during the darker winter months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"23672\" data-end=\"23733\"\u003eFruit production and ripening cannot be guaranteed in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"tfec9\" data-start=\"23735\" data-end=\"23759\"\u003eWhat You Will Receive\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"23761\" data-end=\"23892\"\u003eYou will receive one healthy Babaco plant growing in a 2-litre pot. Plants are typically dispatched at approximately 20–30 cm tall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"23894\" data-end=\"24005\"\u003eYoung plants may not yet have developed the thick stem, mature leaves or flowers seen on established specimens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"v6q9sf\" data-start=\"24007\" data-end=\"24031\"\u003eImportant Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"24033\" data-end=\"24160\"\u003eThe plant produces a milky latex sap that may irritate the skin. Wear gloves when pruning or handling damaged stems and leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"24162\" data-end=\"24291\"\u003eOnly fully ripe fruit should be considered for consumption. Keep the plant away from children and pets that may chew the foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tropical Plant Nursery","offers":[{"title":"20-30cm","offer_id":56352036585812,"sku":"TFPCARBA","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/tropicalplantnursery.co.uk\/products\/babaco-vasconcellea-heilbornii-carica-pentagona-2l-pot","provider":"Tropical Plant Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}