I’m also in 7b, West Georgia, and I’m doing something similar to you @NateConn. I planted a bunch of seed from different sources-seeds from some Peterson varieties, seeds from unknown but supposedly named varieties, seeds from @KYnuttrees, because despite spending a lot of time in the woods I never see PawPaws here in the wild except along rivers or streams, in mostly shade. I figured some seedlings would be better adapted to this climate and soil than others, which has proved to be true. There have been huge variations, with some seedlings growing three or four times as fast as others in very similar growing conditions. Last year, 4 years after planting, I got my first harvest (one whole fruit) and this year a 700% increase (7 fruit).
Here’s some things I’ve learned. In our climate you need to have irrigation the first few years, and maybe permanently. None needed this year because of all the rain. In this area ambrosia beetles are a serious problem in the spring -they’ve killed everything above ground for 3 trees that appeared absolutely healthy. I’ll be spraying all my young trees with a pyrethroid and sticker early next spring year and probably every week for 7 or 8 weeks. The healthiest of trees will throw out all kinds of root suckers, as my killed trees have done, and as my most vigorous one that wasn’t hit by the ambrosia beetles. Phyllosticta and other diseases haven’t shown up on my trees yet-I’ve got my fingers crossed.