My kids planted pawpaw seeds a couple years ago in our yard next to our driveway, they’ve sprouted, but they’re tiny, I’m wondering if I should transfer them somewhere that’ll get more sun. Does anybody have experience transferring pawpaws at this size? Any advice? We live in Maryland.
I planted this mango variety 7 years ago. This is the first time I've had fruit. This fell off the tree in a storm and is way undersized with big seeds. The ripest portions taste great though. There are still 4 fruit on the tree but they don't look like they've gotten any bigger in weeks. I'm in Bergen County, NJ. Zone 7b.
Some questions:
Should I expect a greater quantity of fruit and larger sized fruit in future years? FWIW, I hand pollinated these.
There are a boatload of suckers that are about 3-5 years old now. Are they worth keeping? It's getting a little crowded over there.
I have 4 other seedling pawpaws that grew from me throwing seeds on the ground 5 years ago. They're about 8 feet tall now. Are those too big to graft? Those are also suckering like crazy.
My suburban NJ front yard is essentially a pawpaw patch now and I want to figure out how to maximize yield for future years. Thanks y'all.
I’m going to experiment grafting pawpaws next year with winter-collected scion wood. I have a handful of wild pawpaw seedlings to use as root stock. From what I’ve gathered, stem diameter is the most important factor when making grafting decisions. I’m also wondering if root stock height matters. For example, if diameter is the same, would it better to cut root stock lower on the plant (A) or higher on the plant (B)? Thanks for any advice.
Two seasons ago, I cold stratified and planted pawpaws from a local wild patch and had a fantastic germination rate. I have a good crop of young trees, but I'm aware that genetic diversity is needed for fruiting. (Obviously there is some genetic variation within the patch since they are fruiting, but more is presumably better?)
I collected another round of fruit from that patch this season and saved/prepared the seeds the same way. This seed is very fresh, all collected within the past two weeks. I have around 50+ seeds and I'm wondering if anyone would be willing to just swap seeds from different parts of the country to secure more genetic diversity.
Happy to answer questions or share more details.
The first fruits of the season!
Wild or purchased, I'm good wither way. Would love to finally try a pawpaw. I'm considering planting a few trees but haven't made the final decision.
Found a large, loaded grove of wild pawpaws along the river near my home in southeast Kansas. The fruits are still hard as a rock. A good couple of weeks out, I reckon. I’ll be watching these closely, as I’m still a few years out from getting fruit on my own trees.
Looking to plant a couple pawpaw trees in my backyard, is it better to go with bigger 4-5ft seed grown standard variety or 1-2ft cultivars? Or just go cheaper with 1-2ft seed grown standard varieties? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks
Tasty treats and seeds to save!
I've been interested in getting a pawpaw for awhile now, just saw about a variety called Nyomi's delicious— when looking online everywhere is sold out of that variety.
Any idea where I could find one? Is it one of those things that sites are out of stock until the next season??
Also, any recommendations for pollinators with that variety?
The tornado almost took my first paw paws. Incredibly sweet tasted like juicy fruit gum, no pineapple-y taste at all. From integration acres, not sure the breed.
Look at this funky thing. I have had at least four seeds wind up like this where the leaves don't come out of the seed coat completely. I pushed back some of the dirt, but that doesn't help. I'll probably plant it somewhere eventually just to give it a chance.
I have more pawpaws than I can eat at the moment, so if you’re in the area and want some, let me know!
Growing Natives: Pawpaw, Pollinators, and Edible Landscapes https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-natives-pawpaw-pollinators-and-edible-landscapes-tickets-1995023964382?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile
Pic #2 Ismail Pereira with Timothy Lane, during the planting.
Pic #3 Ismail Pereira with Timothy Lane during the 2025 International PawPaw Conference
Some people to know who are creating the next generation of pawpaw & mentoring. Pic#3, Dingus left with Terry Castellow right.
Terry Castellow is a highly trusted independent nurseryman, expert grafter, and active community pillar. Terry Castellow interacts with the international pawpaw community via Pawpaw Lovers Worldwide & Pawpaw Fanclub International. Terry is one of the few sources of 'Lehman's Chiffon' an extremely limited highly sought after Jerry Lehman cultivar. Terry has it & Triloba Tracker has it. And Timothy Lane just barely got it this year.
Pomper is the Administrator of Pawpaw Fanclub International.
"Dessert Lightness" — A mid-season variety with an airy texture and coconut-vanilla notes.
‘Lehman’s Chiffon’ is a unique selection that emerged from the work of the legendary Jerry Lehman and was finalized and introduced by Hector Black. The variety earned its name from its exceptionally light, almost weightless "chiffon-like" flesh texture. It stands out for its delicate, refreshing flavor profile, often compared to a fine gourmet pastry.
Origin and Selection History
Breeding: Originally developed by Jerry Lehman (Terre Haute, Indiana) as a seedling from a purposeful cross of ‘Prolific’ × ‘Sunflower’.
History of Introduction: The variety owes its name and widespread popularity to Hector Black. It was Hector who brought the fruits from Lehman’s farm to Tennessee.
Selection Site: Hector Black performed the final selection and stabilization of ‘Lehman’s Chiffon’ at his nursery, Hidden Springs (Tennessee), after which the variety became available to the broader gardening community.
Fruit Characteristics: Flavor and Texture
Flavor Profile: An intensely sweet taste reminiscent of cotton candy, followed by a long, pleasant sweet aftertaste. The bouquet features delicate hints of coconut, vanilla, citrus, or pineapple.
Texture: A creamy sweet texture distinguished by its special lightness and "airiness." The flesh is more delicate than most commercial varieties, yet it maintains its form well.
Distinctive Feature: A minimal presence of the astringent aftertaste common in wild forms, making it an ideal dessert variety for fresh consumption.
Ripening and Yield
Ripening Time: Mid-season. The fruits mature in the middle of the season, ensuring optimal sugar accumulation.
Productivity: The variety produces abundant crops (heavy crops). The tree is prone to heavy fruit loading, with fruits often growing in compact clusters.
Pollination: High fruit-setting ability; the variety often demonstrates good results even without manual pollination.
Tree Characteristics
Growth: Moderate vigor with an upright canopy form. The tree is highly ornamental.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–8 (withstands temperatures down to -25...-28 °C / -13...-18 °F).
Advantages and Disadvantages
Main Advantages:
Exceptional Sweetness: One of the most delicate varieties in terms of flavor characteristics.
History and Reliability: A variety tested by masters (Lehman and Black) and the Hidden Springs nursery.
Textural Gold Standard: Features the unique "chiffon" mouthfeel.
Main Disadvantages:
Size: Fruits are small to medium.
Delicacy: Due to its soft texture, the fruit requires careful harvesting and is not intended for long-distance transport.
Technical Datasheet
Name: Asimina triloba ‘Lehman’s Chiffon’.
Genetics: Prolific × Sunflower (Selected by Hector Black at Hidden Springs).
Ripening Time: Mid-season.
Flavor: Sweet, coconut/vanilla/pineapple, sweet aftertaste.
Texture: Creamy, airy (chiffon-like).
Yield: Abundant (very high).
Hardiness: Down to -28 °C (-18 °F).
Catalog Summary
‘Lehman’s Chiffon’ is a variety with a rich history, combining the genius of Jerry Lehman with the professional eye of Hector Black. It is the perfect choice for gourmets who appreciate a unique "chiffon" texture and the sophisticated aroma of a coconut dessert. Its mid-season ripening and heavy yields make this variety one of the most desirable additions to private collections