Bags should be kept in the refrigerator for at least three months (stratification), or until planting, to satisfy the seed chilling requirement. Never let pawpaw seed dry out or freeze; this will kill the seed. If sowing into containers, use a peat based potting soil and tall pots to accommodate the strong taproot. The Kentucky Division of Forestry sells seedlings to the public that have been grown from high-quality KSU pawpaw seed (www.forestry.ky.gov/seedling). Root suckers in native patches usually have poorly developed root systems and are difficult to transplant. In orchards, space trees 8 feet apart within rows and 18 feet between rows to promote pollination. Woodland planted trees should be planted 8 to 100 feet apart to optimize pollination and spread of root suckers.
For fruit production in orchards that adjoin woodland areas, purchase named pawpaw varieties that have been grafted or budded onto seedling rootstock. Grafted or budded trees produce high quality fruit 3 to 5 years after planting. The pawpaw varieties ‘Sunflower’, ‘Overleese’, ‘NC-1’, ‘Wabash’, ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Potomac’, and KSU8-2 are recommended for planting based on Kentucky trials. Root suckers from grafted trees will not be true to the variety and should be removed. Spring planting (April-May) has been more successful in Kentucky than fall planting.
Newly planted pawpaw trees do not compete well with grass, weeds, or other plants. Place straw or woodchip mulch at 6-8 inches in depth extending out at least 3 feet from the trunk to control weeds and retain moisture. Water and fertilize the trees, especially during the first 2 years of establishment.
Pawpaw fruit cluster
PBI-003
Pawpaw flower
Depending on the variety, fruit ripen in late-August to early-October. Fruit ripen on the same tree over about a 2-week period, due to an extended spring flowering period. Pawpaw fruit are ripe when they begin to soften and can be gently pulled off a tree like ripe peaches. Fruit can also be cut from the tree at the stem (peduncle) with a pruning shear to reduce tearing of the skin and fruit injury. Fruit has a 5-7 day shelf-life at room temperature and up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
In 2009, pawpaw fruit usually sold for $1 each (about $2 per pound) at farmers' markets and up to $3 per pound at specialty groceries in Kentucky. Grafted varieties will come into full production by the 6^{th} year after planting and produce 50-75 pounds of fruit per tree each year. Seedling trees usually have lower yields and fruit quality can be low (e.g., small fruit, bitter aftertaste).
The Kentucky State University Pawpaw Website: http://www.pawpaw.kysu.edu. The Kentucky Division of Forestry pawpaw seedling order form: www.forestry.ky.gov/seedling. The KSU Pawpaw Nurseries List: http://www.pawpaw.kysu.edu/pawpaw/nurslst.htm.
Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension System serve all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, marital or familial status. Issued in furtherance of the Cooperative Extension Work Act of September 29, 1977, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.