Trees prefer to be kept moist. However since it is a native it requires very little care once established. Better fruit production will happen with hand pollinating, growing more then one variety, and putting rotting fruit or meat in the trees when the flowers are in bloom.
The tree is deer resistant, but the fruit may be scavenged by raccoons, foxes, and other wildlife.
Trees will produce suckers which can be left to form a “pawpaw patch” or pruned to keep more of a tree appearance.
Seeds must be stratified for 90-120 days at 32F-40F. Can also be fall planted. Do not dry seeds. Store moist and cold.
This tree does not transplant well. If transplanting better success is had with container grown plants. Seedlings do better with filtered sunlight for the first few years. Grown trees prefer full sun.
Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Common pawpaw is a very hardy plant.Eat or freeze fruit quickly.
These estimates for how long Common pawpaw takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.
Average 50 days | Min 46 days | Max 55 days (2)
Average 46 days | Min 46 days | Max 46 days (1)
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
PawPaw is from the Spanish papaya which the pawpaw superficially resembles.
It is said that the native Americans spread this plant through much of the eastern US.
Paw paw, Poor man's banana, Indiana banana
Misspellings: Poor Man's Bananna, Indaina Banana,