I saved some pawpaw seeds this year so, if anyone wants some, let me know. For those who don't know what pawpaws are, they're the largest fruit native to the US. The fruit has a very strong tropical fruit aroma and kind of a banana-pineapple flavor, with some unidentifiable other flavors in there too. I love the fruit but, for purposes of full disclosure, my wife thinks they're disgusting. The fruit is very soft - think pudding with seeds - and I guess they're a love them or hate them kind of thing.
Pawpaws are native to much of the eastern half of the US, ranging from the deep south up to southern Michigan and west to the eastern edge of KS, NE, OK & TX. They actually aren't native this far to the northeast, but grow like weeds here. Even if they didn't get fruit, they might be worth growing as an ornamental because they get huge, tropical-looking leaves that turn bright yellow in the fall. They're also the host plant for Zebra Swallowtail butterflies:
Here's a website that probably says more than anyone needs to know about them - http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/fruit/438-105/438-105.html. There is no need to spray them or fertilize them or do anything else, although they get more fruit if you help with the pollination. I don't have a lot of seeds this year, because one of the dogs has decided he likes to eat pawpaws too, but there are enough for a few people.
Pawpaws are native to much of the eastern half of the US, ranging from the deep south up to southern Michigan and west to the eastern edge of KS, NE, OK & TX. They actually aren't native this far to the northeast, but grow like weeds here. Even if they didn't get fruit, they might be worth growing as an ornamental because they get huge, tropical-looking leaves that turn bright yellow in the fall. They're also the host plant for Zebra Swallowtail butterflies:
Here's a website that probably says more than anyone needs to know about them - http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/fruit/438-105/438-105.html. There is no need to spray them or fertilize them or do anything else, although they get more fruit if you help with the pollination. I don't have a lot of seeds this year, because one of the dogs has decided he likes to eat pawpaws too, but there are enough for a few people.
