On 5/17/2010 8:02 PM, Dan L. wrote:
In ,
"David wrote:

Bill who putters wrote:
They may be able to handle partial sun. So I give it a go.

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pawpaw.html

Well you learn something every day. I don't know pawpaw was indigenous to
north America.

It seems odd that the article says they are not yet grown commercially. I
suppose they mean in the USA

David

I got this book at Costco, called "Grow Fruit (Paperback) by Alan
Buckingham" ISBN-10: 0756658896. On page 310 states that "This native
fruit will grow well in all parts of the United States EXCEPT colder
parts of New England and the upper Midwest and coastal areas with cool
summers.

The Web article indicates that pawpaws can be grow in zone 5 areas
including the Great Lakes area? I am in a zone 5 in the upper Midwest
state called Michigan with cool summers. I do not know of anyone around
here that grows pawpaws. So is New Jersey considered a cool summer state
in the New England area?

My book and the web article seems to have some contradictions. Give us
an update on how it turns out. I might give it try in Michigan.

Also the book states that "unripe fruit can cause stomach upsets". One
reason for not growing commercially? Lawsuits? Shipping time/ripeness
too long?

My Paw Paws are only 5 years in the ground, but I know several people
growing them.

Paw Paws will start their early life in almost total shade, which they
prefer early in their growth cycle. As they get older, they need more
sunlight to help them grow and produce fruit.

I know of at least one person trying to grow them commercially, but
the main problem is their short shelf life measured in days. They may
still be edible after that, but the skin starts to look like an
over ripe banana. Most consumers are driven more by looks than taste.

Sherwin