North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Dan Sorensen <dan.phantom@westpa.net>]

No, I wouldn't ever say that.  But when I was at the International Pawpaw 
conference last fall I was struck by the difference in growth I saw between 
the seedlings I'd been growing and the growth I saw on the seedlings there 
and in the slide presentations.  When I mentioned it to Kirk Pomper he 
suggested I talk to Mario Mandujano from Michigan State, who was also at 
the conference.  I did and he told me about his study of growth related to 
soil pH.  It showed that they require a pH below 5.6 and are best below 
5.0.  Above that range they may grow, but will show curling leaves and the 
tips and edges will burn.  Above 6.5 they simply stop growing 
altogether.  So where does the sulphur come in?  I tried to simplify it and 
said to him, "So I just need to get the pH down like for blueberries, 
right?" He said it wasn't quite that simple.  He said pawpaws seem to have 
a special need for sulphur and I should be sure to use sulphur to lower the 
pH to the correct range.  If you have soil that already has a high sulphur 
content, you probably wouldn't need to add it. I suspect soil with that 
much sulphur will already be below 5.6.  On the other hand, just because 
the pH is below 5.6 doesn't necessarily mean there's enough sulphur.  A 
good soil test would probably reveal the true situation. So that's what I 
know.  If you have any other questions I would suggest you try to contact 
Mario at Michigan State's Department of Botany and Plant Pathology.  And, 
if you're interested in Pawpaws, be sure to go to the next pawpaw 
conference in two or three years.  You won't regret it.

Dan

At 21:17 5/12/2002 -0500, you wrote:

> so Dan are you saying that putting sulphur around all paw paws will help
> them... I didnt use any soil amendments for the seedling paw paws I planted
> either.  how much do you suppose you would top dress a seedling with?
>
> mIEKAL
>
> well I have to say after all the experienced replies this week I'll reserve my
> excitement for a few years till after I see what happens with the trees.

Dan Sorensen                               Visit my Experimental Gardening 
Website at:
RD2 Box 57                                  http://www.phantomlake.net
Russell, PA 16345                          Northwestern Pennsylvania  USDA 
Zone 5
dan.phantom@westpa.net              Penn State Master Gardener & Ham Radio- 
WB8VEF
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