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Crop Matrix Tool

Use this tool to find out about characteristics; such as soil pH, cultivation methods, pests and post harvest treatment; for a specific crop. To load a crop's characteristics choose a crop from the drop-down menu. To see a list of all possible crops grouped by category click on the “Show List of All Available Crops” link next to the drop-down menu.

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Pawpaw, hardy

General
Common NamePawpaw, hardy
Latin NameAsimina triloba
CategoryFruits 
Family 
VarietyDavis, Sunflower, Taylor, and Taytwo 
Visual Traits
Flowershowy, maroon; late May; self-incompatibility
Foliage/Fall leaf coloryellow
Fruitclusters of 1-6 fruits; 4-6"; green with white flesh to yellow-black when ripe; ripen mid-Sep to frost
Height15-20 ft
Cultivation
Field preparation and plantingincorporate organic matter
Field spacing / planting depth8'
Hardwood Cuttingsimpossible rooting
Pollinationuse two unrelated plants for pollination; few pollinators, recommend hand pollination
Propagation methodseed, grafting, budding
Pruningprune suckers when young
Seed harvestlate fall
Seed treatment and storagedo not dry or freeze; cold stratification 70-100days
Seedling treatmentrequire shade from germination through first year outdoors; containerized seedling in greenhouse
Softwood cuttingsimpossible rooting
Sowing seedlate fall, germinate following July-Aug or sow in deep containters, 1" deep; germinate 2-3weeks
Transplantdifficult, transplant when young; spring, at time of new growth
Watering guidelinesAt establishment and throughout growing season; deeply in dry conditions
Critters
Insect and invertebrate pestspawpaw peduncle borer, zebra swallowtail butterfly
Wildlife Pestsdeer
Soils
Fertility / qualityfertile
Moisture and drainagemoist, well-drained; drought intolerant; intolerant to waterlogging
pH5.5-7
Texturemedium to coarse
Growth Pattern
Fruit bearing age / full crop load5-8y, at 6' height (3y grafted)
Growth rateslow when young
Longevityshort
Root habitlong taproot
Habitat and Climate
Fire tolerancemoderately tolerant
Frost-free days (FFD)160
Hardiness Zone5 to 8
Native RangeEastern US, temperate woodlands
Rainfall / humidity9-60", sensitive to low humidity
Wind / ice / frost susceptibilityleaves susceptible to wind dessication
Light
Light recommendationfull sun
Shade tolerancetolerant
Special Notes
Note 1select dark-fleshed cultivars for sweet taste
 
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