Has anybody out there raised paw-paws? Are they a lot of trouble? Susceptible to bugs or disease? The new Miller's catalogue makes them look so tempting. I live in central Connecticut, and this variety is supposed to be good to 20 below zero..

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), January 25, 2001

Answers

Christina,

I live in NE Oklahoma. I've never grown paw-paws, but they grow along the creek where I grew up. They were always in shady areas along the water. The fruit tastes great but doesn't keep well at all. I'm sure there are ways to preserve it {ie-canning or freezing}. Even though it grew very near us, we seldom got more than one or two fruits a year. They are favorites of coons and possums and they always knew the fruit was ripe before we did.

One thing kind of neat about them, the flowers smell just like the fruit. Good luck.

-- Mona in OK (jascamp@ipa.net), January 25, 2001.

Christina, Here in S. Indiana they grow wild. We're zone 5-6. There are some threads in the archives about Paw Paws. I really like 'em. They spread like crazy as they seed so well and all the critters like the fruit. I think they would make a decent tree in the landscape. Cool tropical looking foliage.

Maybe someone has some seeds they could share? If your not in a hurry I'll get some seeds for you this fall. But only if you remind me. John

-- John in S. IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), January 25, 2001.

at the turn of the century there was some effort to develope improved strains and that effort has revived UK has been doing some work with them if you try seed they must be kept moist and not allowed to dry out . the yellow fleshed ones have a better taste,worth of growing as an ornamental and i like the fruit as well as the possoms and coons do.

-- george darby (windwillow@fuse.net), January 25, 2001.

Christina, They are an understory tree, good in the shade of mature forest trees, not as good in full sun.I'm zone 6, & the places I find them here in the wilds are usually near sprins, streams or boggy land areas.Dunno about insect or disease problems, but they will draw the critters when they ripen.

-- Sparrowhawk (sparrowkiak@yahoo.com), January 26, 2001.

We haven't grown them for landscape or commercial use, but they grow well around our home, they prefer a shady area, and the fruit is great. They love moist yet well drained soil, ours grow on a hillside. Could have some seeds if you'd like, but would have to let us know before oct.

-- Shane Smith (spiritchaser29@yahoo.com), September 22, 2001.