Bananas.org - Asimina triloba "paw paw"

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeedForSeed (Post 155272)

I'm wondering if anybody has some experience with growing asimina triloba from seed. I've read that they are fairly cold tolerant but will they survive a zone 7? Also, as they can't pollinated themselves is it enough with 2 plants to get fruit or does it have to be one female & one male? How about the growth rate?

In other words: is it even worth trying? :p

It is definitely worth trying and you will have success. I am in zone 7a long island and the trees are doing very well here. From seed it takes 7-8+ years for the first fruit. Grafted trees are supposed to flower and fruit sooner - anywhere from 3-6 years or less. The only issue with growing from seed is that it takes long and you don't really know what kind of fruit you're going to get or fruit set. It is a gamble but supposedly if you get seeds from excellent parents then the offspring should still be good - it won't be the same as the parents but it should still be a good fruit. If you plant a grafted tree then you know exactly the kind of fruit and set you could expect given ideal location, sunlight, watering, nutrients etc. It's up to you! I've started pawpaws from seed and have 8 seedlings growing all over my yard in different spots. I also planted grafted trees and larger seedlings that I grafted.

Here is an amazing source for pawpaws: Buy PawPaws Online - Peaceful Heritage Permaculture Nursery

They have some of the best cultivars, plant in deep root pots and wrap their packaging really well. Also organic and the owner is passionate and cares about his plants. Really helpful and always available through the email. Although they do not carry Peterson varieties they are supposed to be eventually selling them. I did also purchase a KSU ATwood from One Green World and you can purchase all of Neal Peterson's from One Green World. https://onegreenworld.com/?s=pawpaws

Their pawpaws are in smaller pots 5.5 inch and they tend to arrive a little shocked looking and take some time to adjust. My KSU Atwood didn't look so hot the first 2 seasons. The one I got from peaceful heritage grew vigorously compared to one green world. I did purchase KSU Chappell which is supposed to be a stronger grower but who knows - I have read and heard that it is important for pawpaws to be shipped in deep root pots since their taproot is very sensitive and if it is stunted it will take longer for it to recover since it has to regrow its taproot and then it will be more susceptible to drought since you will have to water more often while it recovers. Whatever the case - growing from seeds is also very possible. You can direct seed in fall wherever you want to grow them and wait till the following Summer for the shoot to emerge. Or you can cold-stratify them yourself in the fridge wrapped in a wet napkin for 3-5 months and then take them out and leave them in a moist napkin in warm locations in your home until they germinate - they'll sort of split open and you will see a white little root tall poking out of the split on the bottom of the seed. Then you can directly sow in your own deep root pots or directly sow outdoors if it is warm outside (60-75 degrees f) day & night temperature.

Here are some on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thirty-six-Mi.../dp/B007WN5JFO

Good luck ! Let us know what happens.