‘Red Lady’ is a popular variety of papaya, scientifically known as Carica papaya. This cultivar is specifically appreciated for its high yield, disease resistance, and exceptionally sweet, red flesh. It’s a dwarf variety, making it suitable for smaller gardens and easier harvesting. Originally developed in Taiwan, ‘Red Lady’ is now cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
An early and productive fruiter, ‘Red Lady’ is an excellent papaya for southern gardens or as a tropical container fruiting plant in the north. The dwarf tree starts to flower and set fruit during its second year when the plant reaches 4’ tall. It can fruit the first year, if grown in high light with an extended growing season.
‘Red Lady’ is a self-fertile hybrid whose fruits often weigh 3-5 pounds. Two-pound fruits are more common for container grown plants. The oblong papaya is orange-red, sweet and juicy when ripe. Rich in vitamins A, C and other nutrients, it also contains papain, an enzyme that aids in the digestion of protein.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Carica papaya ‘Red Lady’ requires full sun for optimal growth and fruit production.
Temperature
It thrives in warm, consistent climates without frost. Temperatures below 59°F (15°C) can harm the plant.
Watering
Ít needs regular, consistent watering, especially during the hotter months. However, it’s crucial to avoid waterlogging as this can lead to root rot.
Soil
‘Red Lady’ prefers well-drained, fertile soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Ensure good drainage and aeration to promote healthy root development.refers well-drained, fertile soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Ensure good drainage and aeration to promote healthy root development.
Fertilizing
Fertilize regularly with a balanced NPK fertilizer. Additional applications of potassium during the flowering and fruiting stages can enhance fruit quality.
Planting Instructions
- Germinated seedlings of papaya in seedling trays.
Obtain quality dried seeds and wrap them in a linen cloth. Soak the cloth with seeds in water and place in an enclosed plastic container (e.g. plastic ice cream container) and let it stay there for 3-4 days, observe for emergence of the radicle or first root. Once the small root is visible, plant them in seedling trays.
Prior to sowing, prepare the seedling soil by mixing in a 6:3:1 ratio coconut coir dust (cocopeat), burned rice hull and well decomposed chicken manure. Mix thoroughly and sieve through a plastic fruit tray to remove large fiber-like chunks from the mixture. Wet the sieved potting mixture with water, just moist enough so they will not be powdery to the touch, and place into holes of a 50-hole seedling tray. Properly level the potting mixture in the seedling tray.
Using a pencil or a barbecue stick, put a ¼ inch hole in the center of each plug with potting mixture and place a seed. Cover the seed lightly with potting mix. Place the seedling tray in a semi shaded area and water them regularly 3 times a day (depending on the light intensity, wind and weather).
Seeds usually germinates in 7 days. Continue watering the seedlings regularly, and they can receive a dilute fertilizer solution, using calcium nitrate. Place 1 tsp of calcium nitrate in a gallon of water in a plastic pail and mix thoroughly. Using a water sprinkler, apply the fertilizer solution into the seedlings once every week. After 2 weeks of growth (they have about 4 leaves already), transfer the seedlings into 3-4 inch hole seedling tray with sufficient seedling potting mix (same instruction as before).
This can be done by pushing the bottom part of the seedling tray hole to push the soil plug out of the hole and place the soil plug with the seedling into the bigger hole. In absence of a seedling tray, a polypropylene seedling bag will do. Nurture the seedlings for another 3 weeks until they are about 6 inches tall and ready for transplanting.
Seedlings must be kept in full sun, water 3-4 times a day and fertilized every week with dilute calcium nitrate solution to make stem strong and tough. You may spray insecticides like Lannate or Sevin if insects are present and fungicide like Dithane or Captan if there is occurrence of Fusarium wilt or seedling rotting.
- Planting in the soil
Prepare area for planting. Plow area thoroughly. A plot of 1 meter x 12 meter can be adequate. Make 6 inch raised beds and level soil. The raised beds will prevent the plants from drowning during flooding when there is heavy rains and the sides will serve as drainage canals. Add a mixture of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) and organic fertilizers (decomposed chicken manure and plant litter) and cover with top soil.
Biostimulants like Humic Acid can be applied here at about 3 grams per hole. Cover the surface with 1 meter wide plastic mulching film peg them properly into the soil using bamboo pegs. The plastic mulch will prevent weeds from growing and competing with the seedlings. Put holes in the center of the plastic film using a 6 inch can with hot charcoal, and position holes 2 meters apart in a single linear manner. Plant seedlings early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and water them regularly during early morning and late afternoon.
Add additional fertilizer using a mixture of 1 tbsp complete fertilizer in 1 gallon of water, and apply about 200 mL or 1 glassful on each hole every week. When plants are already bearing fruits, additional fertilization will include muriate of potash to make fruits sweet. Biostimulants like Amino acids and Potassium phosphite can be applied as a foliar spray to improve growth, flowering and fruiting. If symptoms of boron deficiency occurs (malformed leaves) spray a dilute ( 1 gram boric acid in 1 gallon water into the leaves). Check also for mites or insect infestation and spray insecticides if needed.
The papaya plants will begin to produce fruits in 5-6 months and will be productive for 12 months. Thin out small fruits between big fruits as they tend to become deformed.
Pruning
Pruning is generally not required for papayas, but removing dead leaves and any diseased or damaged fruit can help maintain plant health.
Spacing
Space papaya trees about 8 to 10 feet apart to allow for adequate air circulation and sunlight penetration.
Pests and Diseases
‘Red Lady’ is resistant to Papaya Ring Spot Virus but still monitor for common pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. Use organic or chemical treatments as necessary to control infestations.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Dietary Benefits
Rich in antioxidants and nutrients, papaya is beneficial for digestive health due to its enzyme papain, which aids in digestion.
- Culinary Uses
Excellent in fruit salads, smoothies, or served chilled with a squeeze of lime for a refreshing treat.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Fruits are ready to harvest when they start turning from green to yellow. It’s better to harvest them when they are partially ripe, as fully ripe fruits can attract birds and insects.
