Dwarf Papaya – Red Lady F1

Red Lady is one of our most popular dwarf varieties.

• Large fruit at an average 1.5-2kg.
• Highly productive variety.
• Good all-round fruity, sweet papaya taste.
• They’re currently growing outdoors.
• We recommend at least two plants to ensure pollination. (These are roughly 33% female, 66% hermaphrodite; hermaphrodites are self-fertile and hold fruit while also pollinating females, lone females will not fruit on their own).

This variety is one of the best eating ‘dwarf’ types – standard varieties can grow many metres high before fruiting commences and that is difficult in an NZ climate. These varieties can be planted in the ground in Spring but are also highly suitable for container growing since they don’t need to get massive before fruiting commences. Fruiting from seed usually occurs within a year and these plants are already at least a few months old. They are not likely to grow much during winter, so I would highly suggest putting them in a sheltered location and then repotting/planting in Spring and fruit will likely follow fairly fast.

For more information about growing papaya in New Zealand, please visit our growing recommendations.