I recently got my hands on some Pawpaw seeds, a fruit much like the chirimoya of the southern hemisphere. These seeds require a 70-100 day cold stratification period before they'll germinate, and I figure if I sew them in the ground now, by spring they'll have been sufficiently stratified and begin to sprout. I have no experience with growing trees from seed, much less fruit trees. Does anybody have any suggestions, tips, resources on giving a fruit sapling the best chances at surviving? They have a very long taproot, so sowing in a pot and transplanting in the spring isn't ideal.
"Pawpaw leaves and twigs contain substances with promising anti-cancer and pesitcidal properties." Looks like I'll have some research to be doing in the next 5 years... Thanks for the link, CC.
stevebomb One Green World in Portland, Oregon sells several fruit-bearing trees including Pawpaw seedlings. He's been around for 30 years or something close. I'm not suggesting that you abandon your plans on starting with seeds but you could contact OGW for information specific to your weather zone and other advice. He's pretty much a legend in this part of the world... HTH CC
There's not too much that will get me to abandon planting these , I got them free from Kentucky State U. as part of their Pawpaw program to help increase the species' numbers. I think I will contact OWG, though, 1st hand experience is invaluable information and they may be the key to my success. Thanks again!
During planting season he brings a cargo van (UPS type) full of seedlings, saplings, etc. to the Concentrates warehouse. What's nice about this is that you can call him during the week to place your order which he brings the following Saturday morning. His multi-variety apple trees are popular because you can grow 4 or more varieties on a single tree. He's also really into kiwi fruit cultivars - real heirloom stuff. The vines from Siberia might be worth considering as they produce a very nutrient-dense fruit and are easy to grow and very hardy. CC
I got to meet someone that spent over 20 years grafting new varieties unto one tree....something like 43 different varieties. The tree was massive and the fruit was tasty. Really cool to see what human hands can help create when it comes to breeding and modifying plants.