Hi Karen, thanks for using Ask Extension

Your papaya appears to have a nutrient problem.  What you are seeing is most likely a deficiency of magnesium, a mobile nutrient that has moved from the lower leaves to the newer leaves; however, since the newer leaves are also showing the problem the magnesium deficiency has progressed into iron/manganese uptake suppression due to root‑zone antagonism. High phosphorus fertilizer, warm temps, high water pH, moderate potassium levels, can all add to this problem.

Fixing in the short term requires some foliar sprays. Magnesium spray (one teaspoon Epsom salt per gallon) spray followed the next day by chelated Iron/ manganese foliar spray (use foliar rate per label). Repeat the sprays after five to seven days.

For the long-term follow-up build back the magnesium in the soil. this can be done by watering with Epsom salt (one teaspoon per gallon) every 2 or three waterings.  Lowering the water pH between 5.8-6.2 will help.  Water pH over 7 will make iron and manganese unavailable.  Citric acid can be used to lower the pH.  Reducing the phosphorus for the long-term using a fertilizer ratio at 3-1-2 or 2-1-2 to avoid antagonism.

More reasons for soil testing - Agriculture

I hope this is helpful.

Thank you! 
Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 11, 2026, at 9:00 PM, Ask Extension <ask> wrote:
> 
> Reducing the phosphorus for the long-term using a fertilizer</ask>