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nafex - Re: [NAFEX] paw paws

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  • From: "Gordon Nofs" <gc_nofs@hotmail.com>
  • To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [NAFEX] paw paws
  • Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 11:27:49 -0400

I now use sulphur for pawpaws, but also as much manure multch as I can manage. My pawpaws have been growing in near full sun, hard clay, the Ph was near 8. The leaves were never curled, burned, brown tipped and I have some I saved that are over a foot long and dark green and perfect shape. Yes they are slow growing otherwise. But belonging to the MNGA as does Mario and we have had discussions and worked together. The only place I have seen very good growth on seedling pawpaws in the first year was 3 foot and better when greenhouse grown. I am also in contact with Kirk Pomper and Neil Peterson. I have sent and received scions from them also.

Gordon C. Nofs
Flint, MI.

----Original Message Follows----
From: Dan Sorensen <dan.phantom@westpa.net>
Reply-To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] paw paws
Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 08:44:20 -0400

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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