PawPaw Tree Seeds

I gathered a handful of PawPaw seeds from underneath a tree today and was wondering how hard it would be to start some trees. The tree has fruit on it now but they are not ready yet. Would like to know the process of planting these trees and when are the fruit ready. I am in Va beach Va taking care of a friend and he has all kinds of trees here. Just love it.

Clarsie

The ones I have experience with turn from all green to a yellow-green and black (and rather ugly). The fruit will also turn soft, and oh so tasty. If you shake the tree and they fall, that may not mean they are ripe for eating, but I would think the seed should be ready. I have taken fallen fruit, ripened them to eat them, saved the seed, dried them for a few days, planted them outside in the ground and in pots, and they came up the next spring.

These are the most finicky seedlings I have ever known. Do not damage the root !!!! Best to plant seed where they will grow. Second best, plant in a very deep pot. The emerging root immediately goes down down down.

The seeds I have gathered are brownish and are dried so I am assuming they were from last year. How deep should I plant them and should I prick the ends off are soak them before I plant them?
Here is a picture of the seeds I can pick up a lot more of them too. Maybe I should try them All LOL

Sami

Might be better to start from fresh seed from the new crop when it's ready. The old seeds may be rancid and dead by now, from being exposed to heat and sun, etc.

Resin

Fresh seed is very moist and rather soft. I am inclined to think that Resin is right.

But as long as you already have the seed, you could see if anything happens. Looking at the fresh seed, it didn't seem like the seed coat could harden to an impervious jacket. I don't think pricking, sandpapering or otherwise scarifying would be necessary. I am guessing to plant an inch deep.

Thanks Resin and Leftwood

I will try to plant some of these seeds and see what happens. I will also wait for the fruit to ripe to get some fresh seeds.

So what you are are saying I do not need to wait until the seeds dry to plant them. Am I assuming that is what you are saying.

Sami

Yep, plant them straight after sucking the fruit pulp off them. Saliva will actually help with the germination process by breaking down some of the germination inhibitors present in the fruit pulp.

Resin

Thanks will do that.

Sami

Yes. I agree with all of the above. Very tricky to grow. Ive tried several times, so of course I am an expert at what doesn't work.
I especially agree that it is best to plant where they are to grow. They
are apparently an understory tree because they like a lot of shade when small. I had them in pots. Not a good idea. When I moved the pots the trees were very sad. Some growers suggest building shade structures for the young trees, then removing it in a few years to allow in the sun after the trees are established. Good luck. I have the highest regard for someone who can grow a paw paw tree.

http://www.pawpaw.kysu.edu/

More information from the Kentucky State University research project on pawpaws and the National Clonal Germplasm repository for pawpaw varieties.

This message was edited Jul 4, 2007 4:25 PM