There are several months of warm conditioning followed by several months of cold stratification. I’ve already mentioned that pawpaw has one of the most complicated germination requirements. I could see my neighbors taking offense to these pollinator techniques! To overcome this issue, they would hang roadkill at 8-foot intervals throughout the trees to maximize flower appeal and increase pollination rates. The maroon coloring mimics the look of rancid meat and the aroma is not pleasant, again, mimicking rotting matter.įor some reason, flies and beetles, are not consistent as pollinators. The flowers are attractive to the flies and beetles by both their color and aroma. It is flies and beetles that are the required pollinators. Believe it or not, bees show absolutely no interest in these showy flowers. In nature, flower shape, color, and smell are all carefully designed to attract the appropriate pollinator that will be the most efficient at pollination. The key to the pollination puzzle lies in which pollinators are attracted to these lovely flowers. Many plants are self-incompatible and manage to get pollinated. But the flowers are self-incompatible which means that the flowers cannot pollinate themselves but must be cross-pollinated. The flowers are lovely in color, maroon, and two inches wide. The first hurdle to propagation is the flower biology and fertilization. Again, it comes down to the uniqueness and challenges of growing these plants. You would assume, with this renewed public interest in this tree that propagation and growth of pawpaw would be embraced by the horticultural industry. The fruit tastes like nothing you have ever tried! The family name that the pawpaw belongs to hints as to the taste of the fruit. Hard to believe the cultivated apple tree is not native. It was the major source of fruit for the native Americans since the present-day apple was brought from Britain in 1625. This tree, native to North America, produces the largest edible fruit. This tree was a hugely popular tree for the native inhabitants of North America and when the Spanish started to explore the Mississippi valley, back in 1541, the Conquistadors named the fruit ‘ pawpaw ‘ after the Spanish word papaya. Triloba refers to the strange three-lobed flower. Asimina translates to ‘ food of the gods ‘ and refers to the strange mango looking fruit produced. Even the name, Asimina triloba, sets the plant aside. In every aspect, pawpaws are unique and are like a crown jewel in anyone’s garden collection. But why do people want pawpaw? The answer is simple, uniqueness.
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