Just like me, you are constantly looking for the name of this fruit you have already seen, already tasted...
Gaian offers you the famous Pawpaw , yes yes, this fruit with a banana, mango and vanilla flavor , ultra-creamy, that you never find in grocery stores but that nevertheless grows in our gardens, even in zone 5! It is this little forgotten treasure that so many people look for every year in nurseries, without always managing to name it. And now, you finally have the chance to grow it at home!
The Pawpaw ( Asimina triloba ), also called the Three-lobed Pawpaw , is a wonder of nature: a tropical fruit in appearance , but hardy and adapted to our climate . Once prized by Native Americans and early settlers, it is still little-known today… and yet, those who taste it never forget it. Unavailable in stores, you only have one option: grow it yourself!
Spread :
Plant height : Up to 7 meters at maturity
Quantity per pack : 5 seeds
Companion plants : Walnut, oak, maple, other fruit trees
Plant enemies : None known, but prefers rich, well-drained soil and light shade
Cultivation method
Don't be put off by this exotic-looking fruit: growing a Pawpaw is easier than it looks!
Stratification: the natural awakening of seeds
Pawpaw seeds are like in hibernation after they are harvested. To wake them up and make them want to grow, they need to go through a period of cold, humid weather that mimics winter. This is called stratification .
How to do it?
- Take your seeds and place them in a moist substrate (sand, light potting soil, or even a slightly damp paper towel).
- Place them in the refrigerator (between 1°C and 5°C) in an airtight bag or closed container.
- Let them sleep like this for 70 to 100 days , checking from time to time that they are not going moldy.
- In spring, plant them in pots or directly in the ground , and germination can finally begin!
Planting and maintenance
- Soil : The Pawpaw likes rich, moist but well-drained soil.
- Exposure : Young plants prefer shade in the first few years, then adapt to sun as they grow.
- Growth : It grows slowly at first, but once established it becomes robust and requires little maintenance.
- Diseases and pests : Good news, it has no natural enemies or major diseases in our climate!
- Harvest : Patience! It takes 4 to 8 years before it produces its first fruits. But once started, it will offer you fruits of an exceptional flavor every year, not found elsewhere.
Growing a Pawpaw means adopting a unique tree, surprising your friends and enjoying an exceptional fruit that you won't find anywhere else. So what are you waiting for? Get started!
