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Re: Asimina triloba (paw-paw)

>This month's issue of the Garden, journal of the RHS, says that in the US
>paw-paws are quite popular.

I would say that is a serious exageration. Most people here in the SF area
don't seem to even know what they are. But those who do know them realize
how good they can be.

This is only one of several Asimina species in the eastern US. This one is
a tree, while the others are more shrub-like. This one is native to
river-bottom lands in much of the eastern US. So it is used to deep, rich
soil, lots of summer rain and high humidity, and cold winters.

Currently, a lot of work is being done to develop a commerical paw paw
industry in this country. The fruit flavor is highly variable from one
seedling tree to the next -- with some being extremely good and others
totally inedible. So it is important to get a named variety, rather than
grow from seed (if you have that choice). Also, the fruit does not ship or
store well, which has kept it from being a commercial crop in the past. And
wild animals (raccoons, opossums, etc.) love the fruit which means you must
protect your tree if you want to get much of the crop.

>Does any of you out there grow it?

I know a number of people who have fruiting trees here in the San Francisco
area, including myself.

>How hardy is it, specially in terms of
>Summer drought and/or winter gales?

Since it can survive as far north as Michigan, winter cold is not a
problem. You do have to give it adequate water in the summer. I water mine
(using several one-galloon drippers) for an hour every week.

They are normally under-story trees that grow in (or at the edge of)
temperate deciduous forests. They demand shade when young, but want more
sun as they get  older. So some people here plant the tree in a sunny
location, and surround it with a shade structure for the first few years.

Growing the plant from seed is a little tricky. It grows a lot of root
before it does much above ground, it needs chilling to sprout, etc. I can
send you more details if you are interested.

Katherine Pyle
Berkeley, California, USA
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