Paw Paws


When I was growing up there was a large paw paw tree growing down the road near the Hocking River.  My mother loved the taste of paw paws, thinking they tasted like bananas, one of her favorite foods.




According to ehow.com, "The pawpaw, also known as the poor man's banana, is a fruit that is native to the Americas and has a flavor that combines some of the elements of the pineapple, coconut, banana and the mango. The pawpaw fruit has a variety of uses and can be eaten raw or prepared. It grows on the largest fruit tree that is native to the American continents."


Last fall I drove down into Athens County to attend the Paw Paw festival where I enjoyed paw paw fudge and other special treats.


I bought two paw paw seedlings as well as five fresh pawpaws, the more expensive one a hybrid with fewer seeds than native growing fruit.   Paw paws are very mild and to me taste like custard.  I wish they were more readily available as they are one of my favorite fruits.







My two little trees survived the winter and are greening up.  If they continue to thrive, they will bear fruit in about seven years.




I used the stratification method suggested by a member of the Ohio Paw Paw Growers Association which was simply wrapping seeds from the (delicious) fruit in damp paper towels, putting them into ziploc bags and refrigerating for three months to mimic their natural dormancy period. 

However, when i brought them out to room temperature and planted them in seed starters I was very disappointed that they did not germinate.


Enter Master Gardening!  I was introduced to an entirely new (to me) concept - scarification. 

According to ehow.com, "Scarification means scratching, notching or wearing down by mechanical or chemical means, hard seed hulls to promote germination. In nature, this process is generally accomplished by exposing the seed to freezing temperatures. However, the gardener can reproduce the effects of nature by several methods."


  • Soak seeds in vinegar for ten minutes; rinse, then plant.
  • Place seeds in boiling water; let stand until water cools to room temperature; rinse, then plant.
  • Rub file or sandpaper on seeds to weaken the seed coating; rinse, then plant.
  • Nick seeds with knife, making  a tiny cut through the seed coating; rinse, then plant.    



Update:  Success!!  May 8, 2013.  One of the seeds sprouted, even before I began the scarification process. I dug out the rest of the seeds to spend ten minutes luxuriating in a vinegar bath.

I am feeling very optimistic about the future of my paw paw project.




Blossoms on a paw paw tree at Mary Virginia Crites Hanna Park, Circlevile, April 26, 2013, Master Gardeners field trip.
Most of my garden plan is rooted in my past.  My Paw Paw Project is dedicated to my descendants, four of whom are already in my life, and any who still might be born.