Here in Wisconsin I have pampered pawpaws,lol! My grafted Shenandoahs and Prolifics and a few seedling trees have produced large, delicious fruits for several years now. They are spaced 10-12' apart, planted in rows, with 5' carefu)y cultivated mulch circles because grass will always outcompete trees for moisture and greatly reduce yield. I lightly prune in late winter, and use Jobe's spike fertilizer for fruit trees as directed in the spring. I cross pollinate by hand for several days during blossom time, and I will ensure at least 1" of water per week if it doesnt rain. I also pray for no frost during blossom time, or high winds that can blow off small fruit clusters and damage leaves during the growing season, they dont like high winds! It's one thing to grow trees, and it reqiures an extra level of care to produce fruit, but it's fun and so worth it! The bigger ones are 12' and reaaly look outstanding!
I had the pleasure of attending the Pawpaw festival today and meeting you. I bought Overlees and Shenandoah grafted trees that I'm planting on my property. Should I transplant them before winter? How far apart? I gotta dig in to all the educational resources available on growing these sweet little trees.
Grafting is a practice that has been going on for centuries. It's all about what you want from the tree. If you want an Overleese variety you're not gonna get it from seed, just like you're not going to get a red delicious apple from seed. Thx for watching 👀.
Grafting it’s not genetic modification. You taking little twig from best variety of God creation and grafting to wild one, than on that wild rootstock will grow exact same fruit you like it
Seeds are not always true to tree. I personally do not have enough room in my yard to experiment with 2 seedlings and 7 years to see if I like that fruit or not.
