To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Transplanting paw paws in midsummer
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:42:49 -0600
My own experience moving pawpaw suckers is extremely limited - 2
survived out of 3 moved in late July.
Most of us are accustomed to working with typical temperate deciduous
trees(pomefruits, stonefruits, nut trees, etc.) that have a less-than
complete winter dormancy (root growth continues even though the top
may be 'dormant') and a fibrous root system, whereas pawpaws, being
the sole surviving genus of a group of tropical plants is 'whole
'nother critter'. It has a fleshy root system, and, so far as I'm
aware, it really does go fully dormant during winter, carrying out
virtually no root growth.
Hence, mid to late summer transplanting appears to hold greatest
promise for success, while early spring transplanting, as the plants
are just coming out of dormancy would appear to be second best.
Lucky Pittman
USDA Cold Zone 6
AHS Heat Zone 7
Hopkinsville, KY