Papaya: Waimanalo Solo
(Carica papaya)
Papaya is not actually a tree, but a large herbaceous perennial that can grow to 10 m in height. The fruits are born in clusters just below the point where the leaves emerge from the upper part of the stem. The fruits can be up to 50 cm long and 20 cm wide and have a thick, yellow to orange flesh that is typically eaten fresh when mature. To avoid sending out seeds resulting in unproductive male trees, ECHO purchases, from professional seed producers, seeds of varieties known to produce female or bisexual trees with the majority of trees being bisexual.
Waimanalo fruit weighs on average 680g and has sweet yellow fleshed fruit. A very high yielding variety with strong disease and insect resistance. Performs well in high moisure soil. Seeds produce 66% hermaphrodite and 33% female plants. "Solo" refers to the size of the fruit which is small enough for one person to eat. No tolerance to PRSV.