Thank You for this great post, the pictures in particular. I tried very hard to grow this tree, no luck. Got the seeds from Strictly Medicinal > 10 years ago, and tried for couple of years. They just never 'sprouted'... So pity, because the apigenins from these fruits have incredible anti-cancer properties. So much in fact the Purdue Prof. J. L. McLaughlin devoted lot of his entire carrier for that research. More info on it at:
Thanks! The seeds are stubborn to germinate, I got ten seeds from Baker Creek way back in 2018 and only 2 of them sprouted (and it took months of babying). Now I just plant out lots of seeds (from a wild patch and my tree) in squirrel proof air pruning beds (the invention of the fine people of Edible Acres, mentioned in the comment below I believe) and I get like one in five to one in ten seeds germinating usually (depending on weather).
I have found when comparing trees purchased from nurseries grown in pots to trees grown from seed (or good bare root trees) the ones grown from seed (or good bare root specimens) are like twice as vigorous and productive (as their tap roots are intact).
I also like to grow from seed to allow the trees to learn about my microclimate and adapt accordingly to thrive here with each successive generation getting more well suited to our area. It takes patience and it is hit and miss but it is well worth it in my opinion.
I am offering to send seeds from my 2024 harvest (assuming we get one) to any paid subscribers here on Substack, so if you want you could just subscribe for one month to cover the shipping and let me know you want the seeds and I`ll put you on the list.
I also think includeMeOut's idea to check in with Edible Acres is great and also my buddy Tanner at Perennial Crops Nursery in Missouri usually has PawPaw seedlings or seeds for sale.
Can you obtain a bare root specimen for planting? My understanding is that several are necessary for fruit set as they are not self-fertile but they can be hand pollinated also. I have four young ones growing and am adding another. Try edibleacres.org if you need a source for bare root cuttings.
Yes you need at least 2 different Paw Paw trees to get fruit (they cannot be clones from the same tree).
I hand pollinate to increase how many fruits I get as they are naturally pollinated by flies and I don't know how many of those are in my yard. I have done a year when I did not hand pollinate half of the tree and I still got some fruit (just not as many quadruple clusters).
That is awesome you have four going! I find ours really like a top dressing of compost with some kelp meal mixed in for minerals.
Thank You for this great post, the pictures in particular. I tried very hard to grow this tree, no luck. Got the seeds from Strictly Medicinal > 10 years ago, and tried for couple of years. They just never 'sprouted'... So pity, because the apigenins from these fruits have incredible anti-cancer properties. So much in fact the Purdue Prof. J. L. McLaughlin devoted lot of his entire carrier for that research. More info on it at:
https://www.purdue.edu/uns/html4ever/1997/9709.McLaughlin.pawpaw.html
maybe that's why you wont find theses seeds any more!! Is it possible to buy some from You Gavin?
Thanks! The seeds are stubborn to germinate, I got ten seeds from Baker Creek way back in 2018 and only 2 of them sprouted (and it took months of babying). Now I just plant out lots of seeds (from a wild patch and my tree) in squirrel proof air pruning beds (the invention of the fine people of Edible Acres, mentioned in the comment below I believe) and I get like one in five to one in ten seeds germinating usually (depending on weather).
I have found when comparing trees purchased from nurseries grown in pots to trees grown from seed (or good bare root trees) the ones grown from seed (or good bare root specimens) are like twice as vigorous and productive (as their tap roots are intact).
I also like to grow from seed to allow the trees to learn about my microclimate and adapt accordingly to thrive here with each successive generation getting more well suited to our area. It takes patience and it is hit and miss but it is well worth it in my opinion.
I am offering to send seeds from my 2024 harvest (assuming we get one) to any paid subscribers here on Substack, so if you want you could just subscribe for one month to cover the shipping and let me know you want the seeds and I`ll put you on the list.
I also think includeMeOut's idea to check in with Edible Acres is great and also my buddy Tanner at Perennial Crops Nursery in Missouri usually has PawPaw seedlings or seeds for sale.
- https://www.facebook.com/PerennialCropsNursery/posts/pfbid02T3hhZeoKSPS29Jy8ixE7YN8o95UrGLGhFdX8uWd44TQCryKvtUyWhgtByjHM4gahl
- https://perennialcropsnursery.wordpress.com/fruit-trees/
Thanks so much for that medicinal info on apigenins in Paw Paw fruit! I`ll look into that further when i have a chance.
Thanks for the comment.
Can you obtain a bare root specimen for planting? My understanding is that several are necessary for fruit set as they are not self-fertile but they can be hand pollinated also. I have four young ones growing and am adding another. Try edibleacres.org if you need a source for bare root cuttings.
Yes you need at least 2 different Paw Paw trees to get fruit (they cannot be clones from the same tree).
I hand pollinate to increase how many fruits I get as they are naturally pollinated by flies and I don't know how many of those are in my yard. I have done a year when I did not hand pollinate half of the tree and I still got some fruit (just not as many quadruple clusters).
That is awesome you have four going! I find ours really like a top dressing of compost with some kelp meal mixed in for minerals.
I should also mention that my land base is in the Finger Lakes region in NY.