One of the most vigorous growing PawPaws quickly becomes a small tree. Early ripening fruit is large with, orange-yellow flesh.
Size at Maturity: 12-15 ft in height
Bloom Time: April
Ripening Time: September-October
Two varieties needed for pollination
The grafted Paw Paw
Two varieties needed for pollination.
The tree belongs to the custard apple family (Annonaceai). It has a tropical appearance. Leaves will be as long as 12" and up to 6" wide. The bark is very smooth and gray in color.
PawPaws seems to adapt to any soil type. Found near water sources, it tells that they do like ample amount of water and rich type loamy soil with organic matter. The pH ranges seem to be wide ranging from 4.5 upwards to 6.0. The pawpaw seems to do better in the higher range pH. You can expect fruit in 4 to 5 years.
Pawpaw plants are very extensive root system both wide and deep which makes them difficult to dig and transplant. By purchasing in a container, the breakage is minimal and there will be more fine feeder roots.
Plant them as deep as the container and water them will settle the dirt. They will need 1 inch of water per week the first year. Dig a hole approximately 12" wide and 6" deep. Plant spacing should be 8" between plants and 10" between rows. Place the plant in the hole, fill with soil and water thoroughly. The top of the potted plant should be slightly lower than the top of the hole.
Be sure that the potted plant is completely covered with your native soil or it may act as a wick and cause the roots to dry out. Plant two varieties or a combination of seedlings and varieties for cross-pollination. Ripening time for them is September through October.
Fertilize with mild water-soluble fertilizer. Trees should receive 1 ounce of fertilizer for every year of age. New plants must be protected by a tree shelter. These shelters are included with your order. A wood stake and protective net are included with the tree shelter.
As the tree grow, they should be pruned. Prune the lower branches about 3 ft. from the ground before letting it branch. Suckers should be pruned, and after 5 to 6 years the suckering will stop.
