More sun the better for fruit production. You might ask the seller if yours are sun acclimated yet- at that large size I would assume so. It’s weird- their preferred spot in nature- edge or understory- is not where they produce best. Everything about pawpaws is weird, interesting. A great botany project for kids.
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I wanted to like pawpaw’s, but…
A friend gave us some. To me they tasted like fruit punch flavored bananas. I made some of them into “banana” bread. It smelled great and tasted good, but no one could stand to eat it. I don’t know why, but it was just gross. Nobody could pin in down and DH even said, “It isn’t bad; I just can’t stand to eat it.”
So I agree, pawpaw’s are just weird.
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I really think my ultimate objective is to use the land I have to get something from each part of it that will produce something useful. In some cases as where my Hybrid willows are and will be it is a natural windbreak and somewhat of a hedge. I have a neighbor several acres away and i have no problem with them I just prefer my privacy and i am only going to fence with electric around my good fruit trees. I have planted quite a few and will plant more specific nut trees like i am getting some Beaked Hazelnut, and I have 5 Robinson Crabapple and am going to plant 4 Chestnut trees that will be specifically for wildlife, There is and excellent population of Dove, Quail, Deer and turkey here and i am going to try to kind of naturally bring them in to watch and the right ones at the right time to hunt. I have two Weeping willows specifically for shade near my giant grandfather oaks and they and the Water oaks love my wet areas. I’ve built a few roads back in my deep woods as well that at the end of the roads i am going to plant some more Beaked Hazelnut for Wildlife attraction and it is very shaded back there so these seem to tolerate the wet, shady areas well. I am still considering a few more fruit trees for my full sun areas and have yet to decide what vegetables i will grow. i am not there full time yet so Something painless and carefree will have to do for now. Not sure what that could be yet but i will figure it out. I have two wonderful Grand daughters to whom all of this will most likely be willed to and they seem to be warming up to the ideas i have implemented so far. Of course they will be completely happy when i can be there full time and we can do some chickens, Goats and a few Mules for trail riding…Sorry about the blah,blah,blah…I am a bit excitable when it comes to this…
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My pawpaws will go in full sun. Year one they need to be protected with shade cloth. I may protect them for the first three years. After that like @hambone said, full sun is best.
@Matt_in_Maryland if you ever want seeds from my area please ask. This was once zone 5a. Now I’m right dab smack in the middle of 5b.
@dutch-s yes you may freeze the pulp. People who really like them make smoothies and ice cream from pawpaws. I’m sure I’ve read that frozen pulp stores excellent. If I were you I’d plant them in your wooded areas and in your moist spot with your willows, etc. but only if there is never any standing water. Pawpaws like moist soil that drains well. That’s why in the wild they are most often found on rich soils on hillsides… especially near ravines.
Dax
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AWESOME. I have the perfect spot. I say it’ll get 4-5 hours of diffused sun a day and good rich soil that stays moist but up enough to not have standing water. Perfect…
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They grow from Ontario to Florida, in sun or shade. The plants seem to prefer dappled shade, but just like a dogwood tree, have more blooms in the sun. (And more fruit.) Ideal seems to be along a little stream running through a farm where all the fencerows and ravines aren’t sprayed with weed killers. (Like the song says “way down yonder in the pawpaw patch”)