Papaws

[hoosierheightsfarm]

Anyone have any insight on papaws? We have lots of small trees in the woods. I'm going to mark some this year and transplant this fall.
I've seen the KSU site, and Cornell maybe....

Patrick

[Alan]

Other than being delicious I don't have a lot of insight other than they are on my list of perinials to work with in the coming years, perhaps we can work together on this project friend!

[mnjrutherford]

We planted about 15 our first full season here. They all expired. =o( We got the saplings from the state forestry service and they no longer source them. I would love to get more to plant now that the drought is semi gone from our area. We had red mulberries, blueberries, and hazelnuts that survived. Not all, but some. We are slowly replanting the others but the pawpaw just can't be had. Not at an affordable price that is.

[plantsnobin]

Small pawpaw trees need to be planted where they will be protected from sun exposure for the first couple of years, then they can take full sun. The trees grow very lush when they are in sun compared to the rather sparse growth you see in the woods. I offered seeds last fall but I am afraid they are all gone now. Anyone who wants some can remind me later this summer.

[mnjrutherford]

No kidding? So if you can send me some seed I should pot them over winter to start then set them out along our forest margin? If I did that, I would probably leave them there and put something else on the border row. Not an outrageous idea because that's sort of what is happening already. Maybe some peaches and apples... Thanks for the knowledge! I'll try to remember to ask you later. =o)

[mnjrutherford]

HURRAY! We just found out where our old nursery man disappeared to and guess what!?!?!? HE HAD 2 PAWPAW TREES! I won't tell you shat we paid... ::rolls eyes:: BUT WE NOW HAVE 2 PAWPAW TREES! ::dances off::

[castanea]

May 4, 2008 7:57:00 GMT -5 hoosierheightsfarm said:

Anyone have any insight on papaws? We have lots of small trees in the woods. I'm going to mark some this year and transplant this fall.
I've seen the KSU site, and Cornell maybe....

Patrick

They may be the least transplantable tree in the world. They develop massive tap roots. I wouldn't waste time with trying to transplant. Plant seeds instead. Get seeds from good varieties. They come pretty true from seed.

[greenhummer]

I picked my last pawpaws today which were a little bigger than an apple. I have the Sunflower variety which is the only self fruiting that I know of and very good quality fruit. This was more of a experiment for me to see if I'd like the fruit or tree. Now I have a dozen growing including other varieties. The 12yr old tree is 10ft which I consider very manageable. They can be transplanted easily if you are careful not only of the long tap root,but the very fine side roots that are attached to it that brake off easily when disturbed.

[castanea]

"Although it is common for a pawpaw to sucker from the roots, propagating a clone by transplanting root suckers is often not successful. Pawpaws are ordinarily quite difficult to transplant. They have fleshy, brittle roots with very few fine hairs. "

From:
Pawpaw Planting Guide
Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program
Pawpaw Research Project, Community Research Service, Atwood Research Facility, Frankfort, KY
by Snake C. Jones1,
R. Neal Peterson2,
Terrih-Angelah Turner3,
Kirk W. Pomper,Ph.D.4, and
Desmond R. Layne, Ph.D.5

[peppereater]

I've been seeking a source for pawpaws for several years. Few nurseries offer them, and those are expensive. I'd be glad to find something suitable to trade for seed.

[greenhummer]

castanea.. thats correct about the root system and one of my favorite sites. I've known Dr Desmond a ways back and funded some of their programs. Dave show me a trade and I still have some seeds. Just a footnote.....Pawpaw seed cannot be dried and survive. I usually harvest the fruit,plant the seeds right away and they will sprout in the spring.

[ottawagardener]

I'll happily plant seed but how far north have they been grown. My understanding is that they are U.S. zone 5, which is one zone warmer than us. Anyone break that barrier? Did you use special protection or just find a nice microclimate? Would they fruit or would it be a waste of my time. Heck, I still might try.

[castanea]

Some growers have said that the winter cold in zone 4 is not the problem. The problem in zone 4 is the short growing season. The fruit may not mature. If you have room, I would try growing seed from some Michigan cultivars and see what happens.

[silverseeds]

Nov 23, 2009 23:50:02 GMT -5 castanea said:

Some growers have said that the winter cold in zone 4 is not the problem. The problem in zone 4 is the short growing season. The fruit may not mature. If you have room, I would try growing seed from some Michigan cultivars and see what happens.

If that is the case, maybe something could be done to try to warm up th soil a bit in early spring??

that could cause early budding before last frost though, but maybe worth a try.....

[greenhummer]

I live far north by Lake Erie and short seasons have never been a problem. I do know they grow also in the far northern part of Michigan and southern Canada.