Pawpaw trees will grow from 12 to 25 feet tall and should be spaced from eight to 15 feet apart.Īlthough pawpaws flower in the spring, they bloom after apples, peaches, and pears, so are less likely than those fruits to lose a crop to late frosts. Growers with commercial ambitions should probably choose to provide some shade during the first one or two growing seasons and later remove the shade apparatus when the tree seems well established. Permaculture enthusiasts promote the idea of pawpaws under trees like black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia), which cast sparse, dappled shade, but there is not yet research to evaluate this practice. It is true that pawpaw trees grow readily in the forest, but fruiting is compromised in full, dense shade. Although the pawpaw tolerates shade, it produces best in full sunlight, as long as it receives enough water and is protected from high winds. Pawpaws thrive in moist, fertile, well-drained soils having a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. The pawpaw is native to most of the humid eastern United States. With a flavor combining those of banana, pineapple, and mango, KSU-Atwood shows promise as a commercially available cultivar (Pomper et al., 2011). In 2016, KSU-Benson™ joined Kentucky State’s 2010 release, KSU-Atwood™, from their pawpaw breeding program. They are breeding for the following desirable traits: yellow to orange flesh fruit size 10 ounces or larger seeds small and few fruit of uniform shape and free of external blemishes and mild, sweet flesh with no unpleasant aftertaste. These universities have established identical plots of pawpaws, which they hope will identify the best cultivars and best management techniques. In addition, the pawpaw has genetic variability that can be used to improve the plant.Ī major research effort centered at Kentucky State University and involving a few other universities (including Cornell, Clemson, Purdue, Ohio State, Iowa State, and Oregon State) should contribute significantly to the commercial development of this crop (Pomper et al., 1999). It is hardy and relatively pest-free, and its tolerance to shade makes it suitable for intercropping with certain other trees. The pawpaw grows best in areas with hot summers and cold winters (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5 to 8). Though the pawpaw’s only near relatives are tropical, and pawpaws look like mangos and taste like bananas, they are not tropical but are native to most of the eastern United States and even parts of Canada. These include recent improvements in available cultivars (with even better flavor and fewer seeds), production research at Kentucky State University, breeding programs both private and public, international interest, a renewed interest in America’s food system and diet, and a nascent effort by growers and aficionados to publicize the virtues of the pawpaw. However, several factors seem to be coming together to bring the pawpaw to the attention of the American public-at least, to the “foodie” segment of the public. It has always been a delicious and nutritious native American fruit, but history, cultural prejudices, and difficulty in storing and shipping have relegated it to the obscure backwoods of American cuisine. The pawpaw ( Asimina triloba) has great potential for commercial development.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |