Who Else Grows Pawpaw Trees?

[mech_pa]

I learned last year that it's a short distance from fascination to infestation. I was thrilled last year to see Zebra Swallowtails around my pawpaw trees, but then they started eating the heck out of my young trees and fresh grafts. I ended up "lethally rehoming" at least 100 eggs and caterpillars.

But they are beautiful. My avatar is one that I raised in a butterfly enclosure and then set free.

Do you have wild pawpaw that you can send them to? We do have people planted lots of wild paw paw along the rivers and they have a map, so I may be able to rehome the caterpillars if needed.

 

[ohiobruce]

My daughter's farm has wild pawpaw trees. I picked leaves from her trees and used that to raise a few butterflies. Eventually it got to be just too much work. I would then destroy a dozen eggs or caterpillars every day. I still saw new butterflies each week, so quite a few made it. Once I get past the seedling/grafting stage then I'll let them go wild. I gave a few caterpillars to my grandkids and they released the butterflies, so I have helped propagate them.

BTW, I've already seen one this year.

 

[2Angels]

My pawpaws were at peak bloom when the freeze hit in mid-March this year. As a result, I've got a lot fewer fruits now than I hoped for, but we do have some fruit. Al Horn's White has several hands of fruit, and Jerry's Big Girl, and a seedling tree. No others this year, but here's a photo for fun.

 

[Sceptr]

My dad gave me my first taste of pawpaw about 50 years ago. He picked it from a wild patch that he spotted on the side of the road. It was horrible, so I crossed it off my list of edible fruit.

Then 5 years ago my BIL gave me a couple from his patch. They were awesome. I planted those seeds. Then I ordered a few cultivars and planted them about 4 years ago.

I now have several 6' tall trees with flower buds. My fingers are crossed for next year.

What's your pawpaw story?

Old thread, but I have 4 small pawpaw trees. I just broke a limb off of one yesterday. I almost cried. I peeled off the leaves and put it in water, hoping to root it.

 

[hilltopfig]

My pawpaws were at peak bloom when the freeze hit in mid-March this year. As a result, I've got a lot fewer fruits now than I hoped for, but we do have some fruit. Al Horn's White has several hands of fruit, and Jerry's Big Girl, and a seedling tree. No others this year, but here's a photo for fun.

My Al Horne white was my only tree that didnt survive the crazy winter. Let me know how the fruit is! My trees are still a few years off from fruit. I have 2 wild types and 4 surviving named: Susquehanna, Nyomi's delicious, sunflower and Wabash.

 

[ohiobruce]

My daughter snapped this pic today. Time now to keep an eye on my small trees and new grafts.

 

[BucksCountyFigs]

I’m a paw paw newbie, too. Over the winter, I germinated three seeds that I had in the fridge and now they are in tree pots, ready to go outside.

I ready since they are an understory tree, that they should be grown in partial shade or young trees should have shade cloth.

I have been just kinda winging it, and would love to learn what you all have done with your baby pawpaw trees, at the seedling/treepot size?
Should I plant in the ground now because of the taproot? What for shadiness? (I’m thinking of planting near some tall trees for partial shade, near the house, and then grafting with some scion some day when they get big enough.)