This was a very rewarding year for me for Pawpaws! That’s because, after 7 years of growing, and 3 years of hand pollinating, there was the first crop. NC-1 is the largest tree but only had one fruit. It was large and very good. Sunflower had many fruits. I wonder if that’s because the NC-1 wasn’t that receptive to Sunflower’s pollen, or my way of doing it, while maybe the Sunflower really is self pollinating and my efforts didn’t change anything. Regardless, we loved them, and there were some to share. They were all had a wonderful flavor and were very sweet!
I don’t know how other varieties compare. Would love to see photos!
NC-1 on Oct 8
Sunflower on Oct 24. These ripened over about a 3 week span, around 2 dozen fruits.
@Bear_with_me → Was the pulp of your Sunflower lighter in color than your NC-1? I got my first Sunflower this year and the pulp was light yellow. It tasted very good, but I was expecting more of a darker yellow-orange color like your NC-1 photo.
To my surprise all of them ripened quite early (second half of September). 275-48 had the biggest fruit around 530g and very few seeds…very pleasant taste without any hint of bitterness. Maria’s Joy has really distinct buttery structure and excellent taste. VE-21 is just as perfect as the other two. I don’t want to grow any other pawpaws, I guess.
Congrats! I’ve been hand pollinating for the past three years and finally got my first home grown pawpaws this year as well. The only problem is raccoons or possums climbed my only fruitful tree and pulled down the fruit and gnawed on them under the tree. All 7 almost ripe fruits in my PA golden which I cross pollinated with Wells pollen
@disc4tw
Came home from short vacation and found these paw paws on the ground next to the tree.
I have raccoon groundhog and deer any thoughts are most likely candidate?
in reading through all the references on this site it seems like could be raccoon or deer but the fruit is not damaged.
I think I might put up a 6-ft fence maybe just to be sure in case it is deer.
ps… I’m not rolling out a
I can’t help you much there, Fran. You are way ahead of me on the fruit front! Based on my reading, I’d agree it probably was not a raccoon or deer but it’s possible.
Generally , animals don’t bother un ripe pawpaws.
However they may investigate them.?
Deer only have lower incisors ( front teeth )
I notice a crescent shape , with a corresponding bruised area., on your fruit. ( consistent with deer bite marks , with only lower front teeth ? )
This is possibly a young fawn investigating your fruit ?
That’s my guess
