Red Lady 786 F1 Papaya: A Variety Guide from Paramount Seeds

Red Lady 786 F1 is one of the most widely grown commercial papaya varieties in the world — and for good reason. Developed in Taiwan, it combines reliable fruit set, strong yields, and good disease tolerance in a compact, manageable plant. Here's what growers need to know.

Variety Overview

Red Lady 786 F1 Papaya Seed is a hybrid papaya variety producing red-fleshed fruit with excellent sweetness and commercial appeal. It is one of the most recognized papaya varieties globally, particularly in tropical and subtropical growing regions.

Key Performance Characteristics

• Fruit size: Averaging 1.5 to 2.0 kg per fruit — a commercially preferred size for retail and export markets.
• Fruit set height: Sets fruit at an average of 70 cm above soil, keeping the harvest zone accessible and reducing labor costs.
• Time to first harvest: Produces fruit on average nine months from seed — a relatively fast production cycle for papaya.
• Yield: Trees produce approximately 35 fruits per season. Note that first-year production is typically larger than second-year production.
• Flesh color: Deep red — high visual appeal for fresh market and foodservice.
• Sweetness: Good Brix levels; well suited to fresh consumption and premium retail.
• Shipping: Fruit ships well, making it a strong choice for growers supplying regional or export markets.

Disease Tolerance

Red Lady 786 F1 carries tolerance to Papaya Ring Spot Virus (PRSV) — one of the most damaging diseases in commercial papaya production. This tolerance is a key reason for its widespread adoption in tropical growing regions where PRSV pressure is high.

Note: This variety has been observed to be less resistant to fungal diseases compared to Certified Red Maradol. Growers in high-humidity environments should maintain a proactive fungicide program and ensure good airflow around plants.

Seed Specifications

• Origin: Taiwan
• Seed treatment: Untreated (standard)
• Approximate seed count: ~480 seeds per 10g pack (±48,000 seeds/kg). Seed count may vary 10–20% depending on seed lot and production year.
• Minimum germination: 75%

All papaya seed orders are final — non-returnable and non-refundable.

Complementary Variety

Looking for an alternative with similar red-fleshed fruit characteristics? Consider Red Nemesis F1 — a complementary variety in our papaya catalog with strong commercial performance.

Ready to Order?

Order Red Lady 786 F1 Papaya Seed from Paramount Seeds, or contact our team if you have questions about variety selection, seeding rates, or production planning.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only. Variety performance may vary depending on growing environment, climate, soil conditions, and local disease pressure. Always consult a local agronomist or extension specialist for production recommendations specific to your region.