How to Grow Paw Paws

Paw paw is the largest native fruit in North America. It still grows wild across the United States, especially in the Mississippi Valley. Paw paws are becoming popular again as a tree fruit. They are easy to grow and almost maintenance-free after planting.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paw Paw seeds
• Growing pot
• Compost

1. Acquire paw paw seeds. It is highly unlikely that you will be able to purchase paw paw seedlings, as they have long taproots and do not transplant well. Many online seedmen have paw paw seeds available. You will need at least two varieties of paw paw in order to get the cross-pollination required to set fruit. The paw paw seed needs a cold period to break dormancy. Specific directions for the particular variety of paw paw you have purchased will come with the seeds. Keep the seeds moist in the refrigerator for the recommended time.

2. Plant the paw paw seeds. Once the seeds have had the required cold period, they can be planted in 4" pots. Fill the pots with compost or a commercial seed starter mix. Plant the seed in a hole 1 1/2" deep, and fill the hole with soil. Water thoroughly and keep the pot humid by surrounding pot with a clear plastic bag with a few holes punched through for ventilation. Water daily.

3. Place seedlings in a sunny window when they begin to sprout. Turn the pots every few days so that the seedlings are not straining towards the sun. It can take up to a month for the paw paw seeds to sprout. When all chance of frost is gone, you can plant the paw paw seedlings outside.

4. Find the right location for your paw paw trees. Paw paws live wild in forests under the cover of other trees. They will not survive full sun. Find a location in your yard that gets filtered light. Keep in mind that mature paw paws get 10 to 20 feet tall so give your seedlings some elbow room. Another consideration is the smell of the blooms. Paw paws need flies and beetles to pollinate them, so their flowers give off a scent like rotting meat -- not something you want to have wafting into your dining room window. Plant the seedlings far away from the house.

5. Harvest the paw paws in the third year. By then, the trees will be producing paw paw fruit. The fruit is ripe when the skin turns slightly yellow brown. Cut the fruit in half then scoop out the pulp, discarding the seeds. The pulp can be frozen, baked into desserts, turned into ice cream or eaten as is.