I recollect being bowl over the first time I hear about the papaw yield . I ’d live on my whole lifespan in North America and had no approximation about the cosmos of something called an “ Indiana Banana”—apparently , it was grow quite prolifically on my continent .
The pawaw ( Asimina triloba ) is the largest eatable yield aboriginal to North America . It plow out , I never had the hazard to try out one in Canada because they were n’t audacious to my zona , they do n’t transport well , and they do n’t keep well either . Pawpaws are unusually high in protein for a yield . They ’re custard - like , and taste like something between a mango , banana . and cantaloupe — too musky or fragrant for some but extremely sought - after by others . John Brandauer / Flickr
My captivation with this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree — though parent without a penchant - trial and over a capital space once I move to Europe — led to my make a seed statistical distribution and research endeavor , simply call thePaw Paw Project . I partner withKentucky State University ’s Pawpaw Programand managed to get free seeds distribute to G of people around the world .
I received my papaw ten seeds from KSU a year ago , and now that I go within the ambit of cultivation — this species can only allow temporary worker as low a -25 degrees F , which puts it in USDA zones 5A through 9 — I am sure-footed I will have a few healthy tree diagram . Although I wo n’t be able to smack the fruit for five to eight years , tree planting is almost always worth the effort . Suzanne Cadwell / Flickr
you could still participate in the Paw Paw Project and plant this weird - but - wonderful tree diagram in your vicinity . If you ’re a resident of the United States , acquiring free cum is a matter of emailing theKSU Pawpaw Programwith your computer address . For those of you know outside of the United States , I have seeds available .
When you set them , considerproviding the Paw Paw Project with sprouting data . What started as a semen statistical distribution project has turned into a moment of a crowdsourced amateur science project ; I ’m looking at this information and encounter how well the pawpaw tree fare at the limits of its range .
John Brandauer/Flickr
Germinating Pawpaw Seeds
To germinate pawpaw seed , do not get the seeds dry out out . Make certain they have a cold - stratification period , infract the seed cake a slight bit , and once they ’ve germinated , take fear not to disturb their long taproot . Being an understory Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , pawpaws ’ first few yr are considerably spent in the shade , but after that , they can adapt to sunshine .
Most of the natural cum dispersal vectors for this fruit — like giant sloths!—are long extinct in North America , so it needs a little human supporter so as to keep up it . Consider making your backyard or neighborhood a sanctuary for this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , and it will reward you with gorgeous ( albeit crappy , beetle - pollinate ) flower and remarkable fruit .
Suzanne Cadwell/Flickr
Lynsey Grosfield
