Get to know the pawpaw at upcoming conference
- Frank Becker, OSU Extension Wayne County
- April 24, 2024
- 333
The pawpaw is our state native fruit and a distant relative to tropical fruit like cherimoya and sweetsop. Pawpaw is native to Eastern North America and grows naturally in Ohio. This unique tasting fruit — which many describe to be a cross between a mango and banana — has been increasing in popularity recently.
The fruit was a common component of the diet of indigenous people but has since faded away in popularity and in awareness. The pawpaw also has faced considerable habitat loss and competition from non-native invasive species. Now in a time where native plants peak interests of many, adding the edible component to the pawpaw resume adds to the intrigue.
Ecologically speaking, the pawpaw is a well-utilized understory tree that does not face any major threats from disease or insect pressure. The fruits are enjoyed by small animals and birds. The pawpaw also serves as the host for the pawpaw sphinx moth and the zebra swallowtail butterfly. The majority of pollination is done by flies and beetles, who visit the small, leathery, lavender-colored flowers that hang off the branches of the pawpaw.
As far as cultivation of pawpaw goes, they can be a challenging plant to add into your landscape. The trees typically are best grown from seed due to their habit of forming long tap roots as they germinate. Seedlings can be purchased, and when handled and planted properly, they can be successfully transplanted. Potted plants may be more successful than bare root seedlings. No matter what method you choose, it is important to do your best to disturb the roots as little as possible. The other caveat to having successful home plantings of pawpaw is that for fruit production to occur, it is necessary to have at least two different varieties of pawpaw.
The fruit starts to ripen in mid-September and for some varieties continues until frost. The fruit ranges from 3-6 inches in length and has an edible, custard-like flesh that surrounds the seeds. The pawpaw can be left to grow in a thicket or pruned and managed like a fruit tree. It will likely take at least six to 10 years for a pawpaw to begin fruiting. They can be grown in full sun or partial shade and are ideally planted in well-drained but moist soils. The major challenge in any effort to commercialize pawpaw production is the limitations of its short shelf life. The pawpaw fruit does not ship well, and unfortunately, they are most desirable when they are completely ripe and have fallen off the plant.
However, a lot of work is being done to navigate these challenges. Enter the Pawpaw Conference. If you are interested in learning more about pawpaw or building upon the knowledge you may already have, we welcome you to the 2024 Ohio Pawpaw Conference and Trade Show being held May 18 at the OSU Wooster campus' Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster.
The day will be packed with an array of topics and speakers including cooking with pawpaw, a panel on pawpaw varieties, production and marketing, mycorrhizal associations, pawpaw flower pollination and physiology, a grafting workshop, and a tour of West View Pawpaw Farm, located just south of Wooster. The trade show also will be of interest to conference attendees.
The cost is $50 per person and includes breakfast, lunch, the trade show and tour. Visit go.osu.edu/pawpaw2024 to register. For those visiting from out of town, discount lodging is available at The Hilton Garden (330-202-7701), Comfort Inn Suites (330-439-0190) and the Hampton Inn Wooster (330-345-4424). The deadline to register is May 13.
Frank Becker is the agriculture and natural resources extension educator with Ohio State University Extension Wayne County and a certified crop adviser. He can be called at 330-264-8722 or emailed at becker.587@osu.edu.