![]() ![]() ![]() To successfully grow pawpaws from seed, you will need to provide them with some shade for the first year or two. This is because germinating seeds and young seedlings of pawpaw are extremely sensitive, and even killed by direct sunlight. In the wild, pawpaw trees naturally grow as understory trees. ![]() Growing pawpaws from seed is an exercise in patience, as the seeds are slow to germinate and require special care. When planted from seed, pawpaw trees usually do not produce their fruits for five to eight years. Most gardeners have heard the old Chinese proverb, “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.” While 20 years may be a little excessive, many fruit trees, pawpaw included, do not bear any fruit for many years. When growing pawpaw trees from seed, the more pertinent question is when to sow pawpaw seeds, rather than how to plant pawpaw tree seeds. ![]() If you are seeking instant gratification and hoping to immediately enjoy its fruits, then purchasing a growing rootstock cloned pawpaw tree may be the best option for you. With the many dark brown seeds produced in each pawpaw fruit, gardeners may naturally wonder: can you grow a pawpaw tree from seed? Can You Grow a Pawpaw Tree from Seed? In organic gardening, they are popular due to their resistance to pests and diseases, fitting in perfectly with chemical free garden practices. Not only do pawpaw trees produce delicious fruit, but they also make attractive, small, low-maintenance trees for the landscape. Water now and then with a bit of soluble fertilizer, such as Miracle-Gro, to help get your pawpaw trees to grow faster and bear fruit earlier.Once a common understory tree native to the eastern United States, pawpaw trees have become increasingly popular in the landscape lately. With extremely sandy soil, it is nearly impossible to water too much.ģ. Make sure the soil never dries out, but do not waterlog. Water the tree frequently for the first two years. This is especially important with pawpaws.Ģ. Pruning helps any tree or shrub survive its first year. Do not neglect to prune the tree after it has been planted. When planting pawpaw trees, and for subsequent care, follow the normal recommendations for planting any tree or shrub. However, well-grown grafted varieties sometimes begin bearing earlier. Pawpaw trees normally do not begin bearing fruit until they are 5 years old. Or, if you plant seeds, plant at least two viable seeds if you plant grafted varieties, you must plant two different varieties or one grafted pawpaw along with a seedling. Pawpaws require cross-pollination for fruit set, so plant at least two different varieties for best results. Many other varieties are available, but may take some searching to find. One grafted variety, Convis, is said to produce pawpaws up to a pound each. To overcome this, you can choose grafted trees. The downside with planting pawpaw seeds is that you won’t know a tree’s qualities until it starts bearing fruit. If you wish to plant the seeds in the spring, make sure they have gone through a 3- to 4-month cold period (stratification) before planting. Just plant three to five seeds 1 to 2 inches deep in the fall, in a permanent location. You can grow pawpaws from seeds or transplants. If you plant pawpaw trees in the open, they should be protected from direct sun for at least the first two years. Planting them about five to 10 feet from the north side of a house, garage or similar building is often ideal. Although the pawpaw trees that get the most sun usually produce the most fruit, when the trees are small they should be protected from intense sunlight. Pawpaws are normally found in wooded areas and often form dense thickets. They do best when planted in rich, well-drained soil in a location protected from wind. Pawpaws do not do well in areas that have low humidity, strong winds or cool marine climates. It is doubtful that strains from the Deep South are this hardy. Pawpaws are quite hardy, and strains native to the northern part of their range, from Nebraska through Michigan and into southwestern Ontario, Canada, are able to withstand temperatures down to minus 25. Grafting pawpaws might be the way to go to make sure your tree bears quality fruit before it's too late. ![]()
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