A rather unusual and interesting plant is the one called Pawpaw. Growing in open ground This exotic tree is quite possible in our latitudes. As it turned out, banana tree, as Azimina is popularly called, tolerates frosts down to -20 degrees, and even short periods down to -35 degrees.
In terms of its appearance, pawpaw three-lobed is a deciduous tree, although it is not tropical. The plant is famous for its large leaves, which have a bright green color and a glossy surface. Like all deciduous plants, autumn period the tree sheds its leaves for the winter.
Azimina blooms from April to May with small flowers of burgundy or Brown.
The exotic component of the plant is the elongated fruits, which turn yellow as they ripen and resemble bananas.
Growing methods
The banana tree is native to North America, however, today it can be found in European countries and even in Japan. Russian gardeners also noticed this bright and interesting tree, planting in open ground. It should be noted that the most attractive conditions for Azimina will be the southern regions of the country. At the same time, gardeners in the northern districts should not be upset, since they too will be able to try the exotic banana. To do this, it is recommended to plant the plant in a pot for the winter, and from spring to autumn plant it in open ground.
The three-lobed pawpaw is recommended for amateur gardeners, as it is not at all whimsical and does not suffer from various diseases and pests. The most popular varieties are: Martin, Sochinskaya 11, Rebecca's Zoloto, etc.
How to plant correctly
For a banana, you should properly prepare the land, which must be fertile and drained. Azimina has an excellent attitude towards organic matter, favors moisture, but does not tolerate stagnant water at all.
If you decide to plant this exotic tree, it is best to select a well-lit place, in as a last resort, slightly shaded. If the plant is very small, it can be planted in the shade and then replanted as it grows. Protect Azimina from drafts.
Reproduction
The process of propagating a banana tree is quite complex, which can be done using seeds, root shoots or grafting. The seeds germinate very poorly and take a long time, the shoots are few in number, and the young shoots take root poorly.
If you are lucky and the plant has taken root, then it requires traditional care. Constant regular watering, fertilizing in spring and summer, mulching the tree trunk area and pruning as necessary. As a rule, it is done immediately after the winter period, before sap flow begins.
Pawpaw, which is grown in open ground, must be covered for the winter, especially if we are talking about a young plant. If the tree grows in a tub, then it should be brought indoors for this period.
Pawpaw is an unusual and still not very common fruit tree in Russia, which may well become a worthy addition to the collection of gardeners and flower growers who love all kinds of exotics. The culture is decorative, and with proper care it will delight the owner with an abundant harvest of tasty and healthy fruits. There is nothing difficult about growing it in open ground; the only limitation is that the climate must be suitable. Those who are unlucky with this can cultivate pawpaw at home.
What does pawpaw look like?
Pawpaw (Asimina) is a small genus of deciduous trees and shrubs, part of the Annonaceae family. At the moment, eight of its representatives are known, all of them are found in nature only in North America. Some species can be found in France, Spain, Italy, and Japan. The pawpaw is most common in the southern United States (Nebraska, Texas, Florida, Ohio, Georgia, Virginia).
In nature, pawpaw can grow up to 15 m in height, but in captivity its dimensions are limited - this simplifies care and harvesting
The most frost-resistant (down to -30ºС) is the three-lobed pawpaw (triloba), which grows mainly in Canada (Ontario). It is this plant that is cultivated in Russia. They began to grow it in captivity quite recently, about a century ago. The optimal climate for the plant is temperate, bordering on subtropical.
Azimina is known by many nicknames in her homeland. It is most often called the banana tree, but there are other variations - "Nebraska banana", "poor man's banana", "northern", "dog" or "Mexican" banana. It is also known as "pow-pow". The pawpaw owes this to the similarity of the fruits to papaya (papaya), and according to another version, their “clusters” with an animal’s paw (paw).
In nature, pawpaw grows on average to 4–5 m in height, in optimal conditions- up to 12–15 m. In captivity, it is usually limited to a level of 2–3 m. Its crown is spreading, in the shape of a wide pyramid. Under natural conditions, trees form almost impenetrable thickets on river banks, as well as wherever the soil is wet and loose. The trunk and shoots of pawpaw are grayish in color, the bark is smooth. Young branches are covered with thick “lint”.
The leaves are large, hard to the touch, about 20 cm long and 7–8 cm wide. They resemble an ellipse in shape, gradually tapering at the petiole and more sharply towards the tip. Front side young leaf bright green, as it grows older it brightens, a grayish undertone appears. The underside is dull red or brick.
Pawpaw leaves are dense and glossy, as if artificial
Interestingly, the leaves bloom only at the end of spring. The flowers appear first. The buds open in mid-April, flowering continues for at least 20 days, although each individual flower lives for a maximum of a week. Flower buds extremely rarely suffer from returning spring frosts; they are protected by a special shell, similar to a casing.
Pawpaw flower buds are reliably protected from returning spring frosts
The flowers are very decorative. They are located in the axils of last year's leaves on long stalks that bend slightly under their weight. They have three outer and inner petals, painted in a rich dark scarlet, purple-violet, wine color. Their entire surface is covered with a clearly visible pattern of veins. The base of the petal is yellowish. The average flower diameter is 5–6 cm.
Pawpaw flowers look very unusual and impressive, especially considering that they are not covered by leaves
Each of them has several pistils, so one bud can produce 3–5 or even 7–9 fruits. The plant necessarily requires cross-pollination, so if pawpaw is planted with the expectation of harvesting, at least two varieties will be required. The aroma of the flowers is not very pleasant, similar to the smell of rotten meat, but it is barely perceptible.
Each pollinated flower can produce up to nine fruits.
Most pawpaw flowers fall off in early summer. This means that they were not pollinated. Towards mid-July, the tree may lose a significant part fruit ovaries, especially if it’s hot and there’s no rain. For berries to ripen, a minimum of 160 days with a temperature above 18ºC is required.
The productive life of pawpaw is 50 years or more. It bears fruit for the first time 5–6 years after the plant is planted in the ground. The harvest ripens in late September or early October. Pawpaw is called a banana tree, but the shape of the fruits is more similar to papaya - elongated, oblong, slightly curved and “angular”. The size and weight of the berries vary greatly. The length can be 5–15 cm, width - 2–8 cm, weight - 50–350 g. The hotter and drier the summer, the smaller the berries.
The skin of pawpaw fruits is thin, pale green or yellowish, and is very easily removed. In ripe fruits it appears translucent. The flesh is the color of butter, sometimes light orange, soft, creamy. It is very sweet, but the taste is quite difficult to describe. It is a cross between mango, banana, pineapple and feijoa. But it smells almost like strawberries and cream. At home, in the USA, they say that the pulp has the taste of custard.
The taste of pawpaw pulp is quite difficult to describe, but the vast majority of those who have tried the fruit claim that they have never eaten anything better
Pawpaw seeds are large, similar to persimmon seeds, but shiny, black-brown in color. In the pulp they are arranged in two rows. There are from 8 to 14 of them in each fruit.
By chemical composition Pawpaw fruits are similar to bananas. They are nutritious (350–360 kcal per 100 g), contain a lot of vitamin C (50–60 mg per 100 g), carotene, potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper, phosphorus, as well as essential amino acids (lysine, tryptophan, arginine) . There is also an increased content of sucrose and fructose. Because of this, pawpaw should not be eaten by those who suffer diabetes mellitus any type, but this is the only contraindication. Its fruits rarely cause allergies. In cooking, berries find a wide variety of uses - they are canned, preparing compotes, jams, marmalade, ice cream, used as a filling for baked goods, and added to creams.
Pawpaw fruits are not only tasty, but also very healthy; Unfortunately, the crop does not differ in productivity, even if ideal conditions are created for it.
Video: picking pawpaw fruits
Even if the climate does not allow pawpaw fruits to ripen, it can be used in landscape design as an ornamental foliage plant
The culture is not without certain disadvantages that prevent its wide spread:
- Low yield. On average, about 25 kg of fruits are removed from an adult tree, in particularly successful years - 35–40 kg, but this is already the limit.
- Difficulty with reproduction. The seeds do not germinate; a significant percentage of seedlings die. Pawpaw takes a very long time to take root in a new place after being transplanted into open ground. Her vaccination is a rather complex procedure that requires a lot of experience. But even in this case, success is not guaranteed.
- The fragility of wood. Branches and trunk very often break under the influence of gusts of wind, under the weight of snow. Even the harvest can be an “overwhelming burden” for them.
- Harvesting. The fruits on the tree ripen quickly, so they need to be picked on time. Otherwise, they immediately crumble, inevitably getting mechanical damage. Even with the smallest amounts, the pulp deteriorates very quickly, acquiring an unpleasant aftertaste reminiscent of burnt coffee beans.
- Very short shelf life. Fresh berries will last for a maximum of 2–3 days (5–6 days in the refrigerator), which makes transportation completely impossible. There is no point in picking unripe fruits - they lose a lot of taste as they ripen. Accordingly, those who grow fruits and berries on an industrial scale are completely uninterested in pawpaw. By the way, this property also applies to homemade pawpaw preparations. They are stored for no more than a month.
Even minor mechanical damage leads to the fact that the taste of pawpaw pulp deteriorates sharply
Recently, breeders have been paying close attention to pawpaw. Most of the new varieties were bred in the USA, but there are also Russian ones, for example, Michurinka, Sochinskaya. Among the foreign ones, the most popular are Pennsylvania Gold, Rebecca Gold, Davis, Sunflower. If you have a choice, it is better to purchase one of the early varieties. Practice shows that they are much tastier, since the fruits ripen at a higher temperature. high temperature air.
Rebecca Gold is one of the most popular pawpaw varieties bred in the USA.
Video: description of pawpaws
Landing procedure and preparation for it
Growing a new pawpaw is quite a difficult task. The seeds do not differ in germination; the plant rarely produces root shoots. This is due to the structural features of the root system. Vaccination requires some experience and does not always guarantee a positive result.
Seed stratification and planting
Pawpaw seeds are extracted only from ripe fruits that do not show the slightest signs of damage by pathogenic fungi and pests. Their stratification is required, otherwise the germination process may take 2–3 years.
If there are fruits, there is nothing difficult in getting pawpaw seeds
Seedlings obtained from seeds rarely completely inherit the varietal characteristics of the “parent” plant. But practice shows: if planting material extracted from large fruits, the berries on new plants will also be different large size, and the harvest is abundant.
Seeds extracted from the pulp lose moisture very quickly. This negatively affects germination. Five days stay is enough outdoors so that the planting material receives irreversible damage.
Pawpaw seeds do not differ in germination rate, so it is advisable to stock up on planting material in excess
The so-called cold stratification aims to imitate the natural conditions in which seeds find themselves in winter. In this case, a mechanism for processing complex organic substances into simpler ones is launched. This nutrition is absorbed by the embryo, which begins to develop.
The seeds collected in the fall are placed in a small container filled with a moistened mixture of peat chips and sand in a ratio of approximately 1:1, buried 4–5 cm into the substrate. The container is sent to the refrigerator for 3–4 months, in a special compartment for storing vegetables and fruits, where the temperature is maintained at 3–5ºС. The substrate needs to be moistened once every 2-3 weeks by spraying it with a spray bottle. By spring the seeds should hatch.
Cold stratification imitates the conditions of natural winter, this triggers the mechanism of seed germination
As soon as this happens, they are removed from the refrigerator and soaked for a week in a solution of any biostimulant, changing the liquid daily. Then the seeds are planted in the same substrate in individual pots, preferably peat, deepened by 2–3 cm. The soil must first be well moistened. The containers are covered with film or glass and placed in the brightest and warmest place in the apartment (temperature not lower than 25ºC). A window sill facing south would work well. Pawpaw sprouts unfriendly. The first ones may appear in 6–8 weeks, the rest - within another month and a half.
To wait for pawpaw sprouts, you will have to be patient
When the seedlings grow to 12–15 cm (this happens after about a year), they are planted in a greenhouse along with the pots. On permanent place Pawpaw is transferred only to the next season. But, in principle, you can leave the plant at home for this time.
Pawpaw trees obtained from seeds practically do not grow in the first 2–3 years and tolerate replanting very poorly. They can be expected to bloom in 6–8 years.
Young pawpaw plants obtained from seeds gain very little growth in the first few years of life.
Video: pawpaw seeds
Planting pawpaws in the ground and preparing for it
Pawpaw has no special requirements for soil quality, but the best option for it is a light, well-aerated, slightly acidic (pH 5.0–7.0) substrate. It will also survive in heavy clay soil, but growth and development will slow down greatly, and you can’t count on abundant harvests. When planting several plants at once, leave at least 3 m between them, and 4.5–5 m between rows of plantings.
The planting pit is prepared in advance, 3–3.5 weeks before the procedure. Pawpaw is most often planted in the spring, even in warm southern regions. The plant recovers from the stress associated with replanting as if from a serious illness, and in this state it will not survive the coming winter in 2-3 months.
The average depth of the planting hole is about 60 cm, diameter - 65–70 cm. At the bottom, a layer of drainage at least 8–10 cm thick is required. Small pebbles, pebbles, expanded clay, clay shards, and so on are suitable for this. The top fertile layer of soil extracted from it is mixed with fertilizers - humus or rotted compost (10–15 l), wood ash (liter jar). The latter can be replaced with simple superphosphate (40–50 g) and potassium sulfate (20–30 g). If the soil is heavy and clayey, add another 2-3 buckets of coarse river sand.
Pawpaw categorically does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so a layer of drainage is required at the bottom of the planting hole (especially if the soil is heavy)
It is advisable to choose a place for pawpaw immediately and forever. It tolerates replanting very poorly; the tap root can easily be damaged in the process, and then the plant will certainly die. The trees are older three years It is generally not advisable to disturb. The best option for her - well warmed by the sun open area. But at the same time it must be protected from cold drafts. Ideally, at some distance from the pawpaw there is a fence or wall of a building that does not obscure it, but screens it from the north.
Any lowland or areas where groundwater they approach the surface closer than 2 m. Azimina has a very negative attitude towards the “swamp” at the roots, and water and damp cold air stagnate there for a long time.
Pawpaw is light-loving, but young plants under two years of age easily get sunburned, so they need light shading. You can, for example, build a canopy over them from gauze folded several times or any white covering material.
The procedure for planting in the ground looks like this:
- About half an hour before the procedure, water the seedling generously. Carefully remove it from the pot (if it is not peat), trying to damage the earthen ball as little as possible.
- Make a small depression at the top of the mound at the bottom of the hole. Place the seedling there along with a lump of earth. It is advisable to plant pawpaw at an angle of approximately 40–45º - this stimulates the formation more adventitious roots.
- Fill landing hole soil. It is absolutely forbidden to compact it with your hands, much less trample it.
- Water the plant generously (20–30 liters of water). When the water is absorbed, mulch a circle around the trunk with a diameter of about half a meter with peat chips and humus.
Video: how to properly plant pawpaw in the ground
Other methods of reproduction
Pawpaw rarely and in small quantities, but still produces basal shoots. Such a “seedling” is carefully separated from the plant along with part of the root. You can also dig up the soil and cut out a piece of rhizome 8–10 cm long.
They are planted immediately in open ground. The seedlings are placed vertically, the rhizomes horizontally, deepened by 3–5 cm. In the first case, the root collar must be in the soil at a depth of about 8–10 cm. To ensure a “greenhouse effect,” the plantings are covered with a glass cap, trimmed plastic bottle. After about a month, the plant should take root in its new location. This is easy to notice by the appearance of new growth. A prerequisite for success is abundant (but not excessive) watering.
Those who have been growing pawpaw for a long time are advised to cut the rhizome connecting it to about a third a year before transplanting the root shoots. mother plant. In this case, the new seedling’s own root system will develop more actively.
The fastest, but also the most difficult way to grow a new pawpaw and get a harvest from it is grafting. Such plants bloom already in the second or third year after the procedure.
As a scion, use the top of a shoot of an absolutely healthy plant at the age of five years, 12–15 cm long. It is important that it approximately matches the diameter of the rootstock. The grafted cuttings are cut obliquely on both sides so that a wedge is formed, the rootstock is cut horizontally.
Splitting is the easiest method of grafting, but in the case of pawpaw it does not guarantee success
Next, you need to make a cut about 1.5 cm deep in the rootstock perpendicular to the cutting plane. The cutting is inserted into it. It should enter the split with some effort. The grafting site is securely fixed by wrapping it in several layers. polyethylene film, electrical tape. Everything needs to be done as quickly as possible - due to the high content of tannins, cuts oxidize in the open air. All lower side shoots are removed from the rootstock.
You will have to wait quite a long time for the results of the grafting operation.
The scion on pawpaw takes root within 1.5–2 months. As soon as new leaves begin to form on the cuttings, the fixing tape can be removed. Another sign that the operation was successful is the formation of callus. This is a kind of “influx” of connective tissue at the place where the cutting and rootstock are fixed.
Azimina - enough unpretentious plant. But it can only be grown for fruiting in regions with a warm climate. On Russian territory this is the Caucasus and the Black Sea region. The plant successfully tolerates cold temperatures down to -30ºС, but if there are not at least 160 frost-free days a year, the berries simply will not have time to ripen. In the Volga region, Moscow region, and the European part of Russia, pawpaw can only be cultivated as an ornamental foliage plant.
The main “requirement” of the plant is proper watering. Pawpaw is moisture-loving (in nature it most often grows on river banks), but it absolutely cannot tolerate stagnant water. If the weather is not too hot, one watering every 10–12 days is sufficient. An adult tree uses 60–70 liters of water. After this, be sure to update the mulch layer. It will help retain moisture in the soil and prevent the soil from overheating. And the gardener will save time on weeding. From the end of August, watering is gradually reduced, reducing to nothing by mid-October.
Proper watering of pawpaw is very important for the normal development of the plant.
Among fertilizers, pawpaw reacts very positively to natural organic matter. The main macroelements it needs are nitrogen (during the growth of green mass) and phosphorus (for the formation and ripening of fruits). If the planting pit has been prepared in compliance with all recommendations, pawpaw does not need fertilizing for the first two years.
Then, during the growing season (from about mid-April), once every two weeks it is watered with infusions of fresh cow manure, chicken droppings, dandelion leaves, nettle greens, and wood ash. You can alternate such fertilizing with a solution of any complex mineral fertilizer prepared according to the instructions for fruit trees(Kemira Lux, Master, Agros, Good Power, Health and so on).
Pawpaw can be fed with universal complex fertilizers for fruit trees
Pawpaw rarely suffers from diseases and pests. The tissues of the plant contain many tannins, which effectively repel most of them. For prevention, it is enough to water the tree once a month with a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate or spray the leaves with soda ash (5–7 g per liter of water).
Potassium permanganate is one of the most affordable disinfectants
The main danger threatening her is root rot. Most often, its development is provoked by the gardener himself, by watering the tree too often and/or abundantly. Symptoms of the disease are a blackening and “wetting” base of the trunk, browning withered leaves, mold on the surface of the soil, and an unpleasant putrid odor coming from it. In this case, watering is stopped immediately, allowing the substrate to dry thoroughly. The tree is treated 2–3 times with an interval of 4–7 days with a solution of any fungicide - Topaz, Skor, Abiga-Pik, Kuprozan. But the plant can only be saved by early stages development of the disease. If the process has already gone far, the pawpaw is dug up and burned. The soil is disinfected by spilling with a 2% solution of copper sulfate.
Root rot of pawpaw appears very quickly on fruits
Pawpaw pruning is carried out in the spring. For sanitary purposes, be sure to get rid of all frozen, dried out branches that have broken under the weight of snow. It also needs pruning for replacement, because the plant bears fruit mainly on last year’s shoots. Approximately half of the branches with flower buds are shortened by a quarter. And a third of those without them are cut very short, leaving 2-3 growth buds.
The practice of growing pawpaw is not yet very extensive, so no clear pruning schemes have been developed at the moment. In order to facilitate maintenance, the height of the tree is limited by pinching the top.
To trim pawpaws, use only a disinfected and sharpened tool.
Pawpaw is not a self-pollinating plant. Therefore, in order for fruit to set, there must be at least two trees on the site different varieties. You can also pollinate manually, transferring pollen from one flower to another using a brush or cotton pad. To attract flies, which are the main pollinators of pawpaw in Russia, you can hang small pieces of spoiled meat near the tree.
The soil in the tree trunk circle is never dug up. It can only be very carefully loosened to a depth of no more than 2–3 cm. Ideally, this should be done after each watering to improve soil aeration. The tree trunk circle must also be loosened at the beginning of the growing season, at the same time adding fertilizer - humus or rotted compost (25–30 liters per adult tree). Once every 2–3 years, any mineral nitrogen fertilizer (urea, ammonium sulfate) is added to it.
Growing in subtropical climates, pawpaw does not need shelter from the cold, but middle lane Russia should play it safe. There the winter can be both quite warm and abnormally cold. The events are no different from those held for other fruit trees. Tree trunk circle cleared of debris, mulched with peat or humus, creating a layer at least 10 cm thick. A mound 25–30 cm high is poured near the trunk. As soon as enough snow has fallen, it is raked up to the trunk. As the snowdrift settles, it is renewed 2–3 times during the winter, simultaneously breaking the crust of crust on the surface.
Pawpaw is prepared for winter in the same way as any fruit tree.
Young seedlings can be covered entirely by putting on them carton boxes of a suitable size and stuffing them with shavings, scraps of paper, and straw. It is advisable to wrap the base of the stem with any air-permeable material - burlap, agril, spunbond, even ordinary women's tights.
Azimina at home
Pawpaw can also be grown at home, with regular harvests. In addition, there is a dwarf variety bred by breeders, not exceeding 20–30 cm in height. It blooms very beautifully. Fruits are also produced on such a tree, but small, no more than 3–4 cm in length.
As a rule, in captivity, the height of pawpaws is limited to 1.5–2 m. This is dictated by the dimensions modern apartments. But if available winter garden, greenhouses and so on, pinching the top is not at all necessary.
The dwarf pawpaw, despite its size, regularly produces crops
An adult pawpaw is a very light-loving plant. The minimum duration of daylight is 12 hours. Even direct sunlight does not cause any harm to it. Trees up to three years old can also be placed on the windowsill of a window facing south, southwest, southeast, but for the duration of maximum solar activity they will need to be shaded.
The growth rate of young pawpaw is no different, but this can be corrected. If you use fluorescent or special phytolamps to extend the daylight hours to 16 hours, the tree can grow up to one and a half meters in literally 3–4 months.
The use of phytolamps can significantly increase the growth rate of pawpaw
Plant pawpaw immediately in a deep pot large diameter. A container “for growth” will allow you to avoid transplants, which the plant really does not like. They are carried out only as a last resort and exclusively by transshipment. Mandatory requirement to the pot - the presence of drainage holes. Immediately after transplanting, the pawpaw is watered with warm water, then the soil is not moistened at all for 5–7 days.
Air humidity is not a critical indicator for pawpaw, but it is desirable to improve it appearance wipe the leaves periodically
It is advisable to prepare the soil yourself by mixing rotted manure or compost, fertile turf and leaf humus in a 2:1:1 ratio. For each liter of finished substrate, add a handful of coarse sand and a tablespoon of wood ash. At the bottom of the pot, a layer of drainage at least 5–6 cm thick is required.
Azimina has nothing against fresh air. In the summer, if the size of the plant allows, the pot with it can be taken out into the garden, to open veranda or balcony. Be sure to provide protection from wind and rain.
Azimina has a very positive attitude towards fresh air
The presence of a dormant period is a prerequisite for flowering and fruiting. The plant should spend at least 4 months at a temperature of 3–8ºС. Water the “resting” pawpaw once every 3–4 weeks; do not fertilize at all. Lighting requirements do not change.
Water the pawpaw so that the soil in the pot is always slightly moist. If it's hot outside - once every two days. In other cases - once a week. The worst thing you can do is water the tree sparingly and often. It prefers rare but abundant watering.
The fruits of indoor pawpaw are small, but no less tasty.
Use only water that has settled and heated to room temperature. The plant tolerates dry air well, but will appreciate periodic spraying. Also, at least once a week you need to wipe off dust from the leaves with a soft, damp cloth or sponge.
Starting in April, pawpaw is fed every 10–12 days, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers(the same as for plants cultivated in open ground). About an hour before fertilizing, the tree must be watered so that the prepared solution does not burn the roots.
Until recently, pawpaw was well known only in its homeland, in the USA. But gradually it's unusual decorative tree appreciated by gardeners in Europe, Asia and Russia. The growth of its popularity is facilitated by its unpretentiousness, high resistance to the vast majority of diseases and pests, excellent taste and benefits of the fruit. The culture is not without its drawbacks; difficulties with reproduction are most often noted.
Title: Azimina
Family: Annonaceae
Origin: North America
Humidity: Moderate
Location: Bright areas of the garden
Soil: Garden loose soil
Pests and diseases: Damage to roots due to high humidity
Height: 12 m
Flowering: April
The plant is called banana tree because of its fruits.
Pawpaw (Asimina) is a genus from the Annonaceae family. These are dicotyledonous plants. Mostly trees or shrubs with glossy, entire, leathery leaves; they are oblong-ovate. Bell-shaped flowers: brown, violet, purple. Fruits with tender pulp are edible. It is the only extratropical genus in the family. The most frost-resistant species is common in Russia.
Landing Azimina
Regular garden soil will suit it; it is better if it is loose, permeable and slightly acidic. But the plant can tolerate dense, heavy soil. The most important thing for pawpaws is good drainage. For planting, it is good to purchase 2 year old seedlings. The optimal distance between plants is about 3 m.
You can add compost, humus, sand, wood ash. When planting pawpaw, it is imperative to straighten its roots. After all procedures are completed, it must be watered and mulched with peat.
Caring for Azimina
The plant loves light, and adult specimens thrive in the sun. But for the first year or two, it is better to shade young trees from direct rays. It is also advisable to protect the pawpaw from the wind, providing it with warmth.
After watering, you can loosen the soil around the plant, but very carefully and shallowly. And to preserve moisture, it is good to mulch the soil. In the fall in October, the pawpaw enters a dormant period and the first sign of this is the dropping of leaves.
Watering
During the season, it is advisable to water the pawpaw abundantly, but still in moderation so that the roots do not rot. It is necessary to ensure that the soil remains moist without flooding the plant and maintaining a balance. In autumn, during the dormant period, watering is reduced.
Winter hardiness
The three-lobed pawpaw is frost-resistant and tolerates winters down to -29 °C and does not need shelter. In winter she has a dormant period. Flower buds that appear in April are covered with a shell that protects them from spring frosts.
Top dressing
In the first year after planting, pawpaw is usually not fertilized. Then feeding begins in April, when her rest period ends. Mineral complex compositions are well suited here. Especially with high content nitrogen and phosphorus. You can apply fertilizers with irrigation water. From organic matter, manure and pond sludge are suitable. During the season, she is fed every week; in winter, once a month is enough.
Pollination
This method is used to increase the harvest of pawpaw. This is good for those who have several trees growing on their site, because the work is done manually. When the pollen is ripe, it is transferred with a brush from one tree to the flowers of another.
Bloom
Pawpaw blooms in April and can continue to bloom for about 3 weeks. The fruits ripen towards the end of summer.
Trimming
Pawpaw needs sanitary pruning, usually done before growth begins. The procedure is also carried out to form the crown.
Transfer
Pawpaw does not like transplantation very much and does not tolerate it well. If it is still necessary, then the optimal time is spring. And only the method of transshipment of the plant is applicable due to the fragility of the roots.
Growing at home
Pawpaw can also be grown in room conditions, a small tub is suitable for this. The bottom of the container must have drainage holes. And a layer of crushed stone or expanded clay is poured inside as drainage. Sand is already placed on it, and then soil. Immediately after planting, the plant should be watered, preferably warm water. Then wait a few days for the substrate to dry. The soil in the tub can be loosened very carefully.
Pawpaw grafting
It is best to graft the tree into a cleft with a lignified cutting in early April. The rootstock must be cut and split lengthwise, the scion must be sharpened and inserted into the split of the rootstock. It is important that the cambial layers coincide. Then the graft must be wrapped tightly, you can use a polymer film. It is good to protect it from moisture by covering it with a cap.
The vaccination takes about 2 weeks to take root. Then the scion has buds. The protective cap can be removed, but it is better not to open the fusion site immediately. It is advisable to wait until the vaccination takes root completely.
Reproduction of Pawpaws
Seeds
For better germination seeds need cold stratification for about 3-4 months. They germinate in about 7 weeks. If you plant pawpaw in the ground in the fall, seedlings will appear only in the middle of next summer. They are very sensitive especially their roots optimal temperature for germination at least 20°C. If a tree is grafted, it can bloom at 2-3 years, but bear fruit only at 5 years.
Root parts
A piece of the root can be broken off from the base of the tree. Then they are seated in separate holes. The first shoots can be expected in about a month. As they grow, they are transplanted at indoor growing into larger containers.
Diseases and pests
Pawpaw is resistant to diseases and pests. But improper watering can cause root rot. In this case, the leaves turn brown and the pawpaw grows poorly. Balance in moisture and watering regime are important. In indoor conditions, replanting the plant will help. Pawpaw roots should be rinsed well with water, removing diseased areas. To prevent pests from time to time, pawpaw can be watered with a weak solution of manganese.
When tropical fruits appear on store shelves, residents of European countries want to enjoy them. It turns out that some of them, for example, a banana tree, can be grown on your summer cottage and in the form indoor plant. It is enough to learn the secrets of growing such plants, bring them to life and work tirelessly. The most persistent gardener will be rewarded with a bountiful exotic harvest in his own garden. What is the secret to growing a banana tree in the mid-latitudes of Europe? It's much simpler than many indecisive gardeners think.
A pleasant acquaintance with a plant from the tropics
How nice it would be to enjoy fresh tropical fruits, picking them straight from the tree. This is the dream of many gardeners living in cool climates. But nature made sure that all people on the planet could enjoy his creations. Therefore, some tropical trees take root wonderfully in cool latitudes. This includes the banana tree - pawpaw, as it is often called.
This heat-loving plant was first noticed in North America, but over time it spread throughout the entire earth. It easily migrated to Europe, it is known in Asia, Africa and Japan. The plant is grown not only on suburban areas, but also in closed residential areas.
Despite its origin, it is unique tree able to withstand frosts down to -30°C without ceasing to bear fruit.
It generally prefers moist soil, so it is found near large bodies of water. The plant got its name due to the fact that its fruits resemble everyone’s favorite banana, exotic mango or pineapple. 
Under natural conditions, it can grow up to 9 m in height. It is distinguished by a wide crown in the form of a pyramid, on which elongated glossy leaves of an ovoid shape grow. During the flowering period, purple bell buds appear on the tree. 
They are like bright lights against a backdrop of lush greenery that attract various kinds insects It is for these excellent inflorescences that the banana tree is grown at home as an ornamental plant.
The fruit's fruit is usually oblong in shape. They are painted in green color, which turns yellow when ripe. Under the thin skin there is tender whitish pulp, rich in sucrose and fructose. Thanks to this, the taste of the fruit is very sweet. In addition, it exudes an aroma reminiscent of pineapple.
The juicy pulp of the banana tree contains a huge amount of microelements necessary to strengthen the body's defenses. The fruits grow in small clusters of 9 pieces each, which looks very appetizing. Who wouldn’t want to grow such a miracle on their own plot or in indoor garden? Only people who are lazy and indifferent to greenery will refuse.
Secrets of growing pawpaw at home
Today, gardeners classify about 60 species of banana trees, which were mainly bred by American breeders. I would like to mention just a few of them:
- "Martin" (cold-resistant version);
- "Davis";
- "Overlease";
- "Rebecca's Gold"
- "Green River".
Varieties such as “Azimina Dessertnaya” and “Sochinskaya 11” were bred during Soviet times, but are still valued by gardeners. Thanks to such diversity, growing a banana tree in the Krasnodar Territory, Stavropol Territory and Crimea has become a special event. In this area, the plant tolerates winters wonderfully, even without additional shelter. 
The best adapted species, which takes root well in this area, is the Three-lobed Pawpaw.
You can also enjoy the exotic fruits of the banana tree in northern latitudes. To do this, the plant is grown in a large pot, which can be kept outside from March to October. Only with the onset of cold weather is it brought indoors away from frost.
To successfully grow an exotic tree in a suburban area, you need to choose appropriate place and soil composition. Perfect option– this is a hill that is well lit, an area protected from the wind and light loamy soil with drainage.
When planting a tree on a hilly area, it is advisable to build drainage channels. They will protect Azimina from storm flows and spring melt water.
Great way to start tropical tree– use its large seeds. 
They reach 2.5 cm in diameter. The color is dark brown. Before planting, they are stratified for 3 months at a temperature within 4 degrees. The finished planting material is lowered into the ground to a depth of about 3 cm. Greenery appears after 30 days. Since it is very tender and the roots are still very weak, the plant cannot be replanted during this period. If the banana tree takes root, then after 4 years you can really taste the first fruits.
Another way to grow pawpaw is to use root shoots. To do this, before planting the plant on the site, put a little humus and sand in the hole. The seedling is lowered into loamy soil to a depth of 7 cm. If the soil is light - 12 cm. Then the plant is watered abundantly. When the soil settles, pour it under the banana tree. required amount land. You can be sure that the plant will take root and give delicious fruits hard workers. After all, “the worker is worthy of food,” as they say in one ancient book.
In addition, it is not at all difficult to grow an indoor banana tree, which can also bear fruit. To do this, it is important to place it in a room with a lot of light. And the temperature does not drop below 16°C. To provide the plant optimal humidity, it is sprayed every day, creating tropical rain. In such conditions, the tree takes root miraculously and brings a good harvest.
Proper care is the key to success
In order for the pawpaw to feel at home in her summer cottage, it is important to provide her with competent care. It includes the following procedures:
- suitable watering;
- regular loosening of the soil;
- feeding;
- annual pruning.
For the normal development of an exotic tree, it is important to ensure that there is always moisture under it. This encourages you not to ignore the pawpaw, but to water it regularly. It is advisable to reduce it during the dormant period - late autumn and winter.
Loosening of the soil is carried out regularly. A few days after the next watering, the soil is carefully plowed. In this case, the loosening depth is no more than 1 cm. For mulching, cut grass is used, which is laid around the trunk of the banana tree.
Pawpaw is fed in the second year after planting during the growing season every 7 days. In winter - once a month. For this, two types of fertilizers are used: mineral (rich in phosphorus and nitrogen) and organic (manure or ash).
Pruning is done in early spring to remove frozen or diseased branches. Thanks to this, the tree grows successfully and bears fruit better at the appointed time. Instead of pretty buds, oblong fruits appear on the branches cylindrical. They are collected in small clusters that resemble banana branches. 
As you can see, growing an exotic tree on the site is not problematic, the main thing is to listen to the advice experienced gardeners. Amazing qualities will help you achieve your goal - patience, observation and diligence. As a result, every year the delicious fruits of the banana tree will appear on the table.
How to grow a banana tree in harsh climates - video
Pawpaw is a perennial fruit plant from the Annonaceae family. Its homeland is North America, especially the states of Nebraska, Texas and Florida. Although the plant is tropical-like and produces delicious, aromatic fruit, it can withstand temperatures down to -30°C. Domestic gardeners should pay attention to this amazing tree to diversify their usual set fruit plants. Among the people, pawpaw can be found under the names “Nebraska banana”, “banana tree”, “Mexican banana”. It is enough to take into account a few simple rules care and pawpaw will delight its owner for many decades.
Botanical characteristics
Pawpaw is a perennial deciduous plant. It takes the form of a tree or tall bush. The average height is 4-5 m, although there are specimens up to 15 m in height. Young branches are densely covered with long pile, which gradually falls off. After a year, the bark becomes smooth and acquires an olive-brown color. After a few more years, the bark turns gray and becomes covered with warty growths.
In early spring, the branches are covered with fluffy red-brown buds, from which large leathery leaves develop. The length of the obovate leaf blade is 12-30 cm, and the width is 4.5-12 cm. The dark green leaves have solid edges and a pointed end. There is reddish pubescence on the reverse side. In autumn the leaves turn light yellow.
In April-May, before the leaves appear, unusual flowers bloom on pawpaw. Single buds on short, shaggy stalks resemble large bells. The diameter of the corolla is 4.5 cm. It consists of six brown-burgundy oval petals. A mesh pattern of veins is visible across the entire surface of the petal. The column-shaped core contains many stamens and several pistils, it is colored yellow. During the flowering period, pawpaw is enveloped in a weak but unpleasant aroma. It attracts flies; they are the plant's natural pollinators.
After flowering, 2-8 edible fruits ripen in place of each bud. The oblong juicy fruit reaches 5-16 cm in length and 3-7 cm in width. Its weight ranges from 20 g to 0.5 kg. Under the thin greenish-yellow skin is the pulp. It contains about a dozen large, flat seeds with shiny light brown skin.
Types of pawpaws
The pawpaw genus includes 10 plant species. However, only one of them is cultivated in Russia - Pawpaw three-lobed (triloba). A frost-resistant deciduous tree with a wide pyramidal crown grows 5-8 m in height. The branches are covered with large, light green, ovoid leaves. Their length can be up to 35 cm and width up to 12 cm. The upper side of the leaves has a shiny surface, and the lower side is densely covered with reddish hair. Large flowers bloom on branches older than 1 year. The fruits ripen by the end of September.
A spreading shrub up to 120 cm high. The branches are covered with long, obovate leaves. Under the foliage there are purple flowers up to 2 cm in diameter.
Azimina Inkana (woolly papaya). Deciduous shrub with a slender crown. Its height does not exceed 150 cm. Narrow oblong leaves with a rounded end are light green in color. Leaves and flowers bloom at the end of March. White or cream corollas are located under the foliage. The fruits ripen in July-August.
Reproduction methods
Pawpaws reproduce by seeds or root shoots. Seedlings are first grown from seeds. Before sowing, the seed material is stratified by placing it in the refrigerator for 3-4 months. For planting, use small boxes with sandy-peaty soil. The seeds are buried 2-3 cm, watered and left in a bright, warm place (+20°C). Shoots appear unfriendly after 7 weeks. You can sow the seeds directly into open ground. Seeds planted in October usually germinate in the middle of next summer. In the first year, it is recommended to grow seedlings in a greenhouse and only transplant them into the garden the next season. Flowering and fruiting are expected in 5-6 years.
Pawpaw roots are capable of producing shoots. To do this, in mid-spring it is enough to separate a section of the rhizome located close to the surface and plant it in open ground. The root is placed horizontally in the soil, to a depth of 3-5 cm. Within a month, the first shoots appear and the seedling can be transplanted to a permanent place.
Tree grafting
Reproduction and development of young plants is very slow. To quickly get a flowering tree, use the grafting method. Grafting also helps to grow rare varieties. At the beginning of March, a split is made on the rootstock to a depth of about 1.5 cm. The wedge-shaped end of the scion is inserted into it. It is important to ensure that the cambial layers match. The grafting site is wrapped with film, and the lower shoots on the rootstock are removed.
Within 12-16 days, the grafting takes place, then the buds begin to bloom on the new shoot. The bandage can be loosened a little, but it is completely removed after 1-1.5 months.
Plant care
Caring for pawpaw is not difficult. She needs a bright place. In the southern regions, trees can be planted in partial shade to protect them from extreme heat. The optimal day length in summer is 14-16 hours and at least 4 hours in direct sunlight.
The soil for planting must be fertile and loose. You can plant the plant on heavy soil, but ensure good drainage. Before planting, a thick layer of gravel and sand is poured onto the bottom of the hole. Additionally, the soil is mixed with ash and compost.
It is not advisable to replant plants older than 3 years. The tap root system is easily damaged. It is necessary to maintain a distance of 3 m between trees. After planting, the soil surface is mulched with peat.
Pawpaw can be grown as a potted crop. In the spring it is taken outside, where the plant lives until late autumn. Transplantation is carried out as needed by transferring an earthen clod.
For pawpaws, it is advisable to choose windless areas. This is especially important for young plants. In the first year, they even build a special fence against drafts.
Azimina loves water, it is grown in regions where the annual rainfall is at least 800 mm. During drought, the plant needs regular watering, but water should not stagnate in the soil. In autumn, watering is gradually reduced. In the cold season, the plant is content with natural precipitation. In spring, the roots may suffer from excess moisture after the snow melts.
Pawpaw three-lobed is resistant to frost down to -25...-30°C. She doesn't need shelter, but harsh winters Flower buds may freeze. The plant needs a period of rest. For 2-3 weeks a year, the air temperature should not exceed +5...+10°C.
Pawpaw is resistant to plant diseases. Only with frequent stagnation of water in the soil and dampness can they develop fungal diseases. Pests do not settle on the tree, so you do not have to worry about the safety of the fruits and leaves.
Usage
The trees are distinguished by a slender, dense crown, which changes color throughout the season. In spring, the plant is covered with large unusual flowers. In summer it glitters with large dark green leaves, and in autumn it acquires a rich golden color.
Pawpaw fruits are rich in amino acids, microelements, vitamins, and sugars. They are used to strengthen the immune system, remove toxins and restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Scientists have found that some components of the fruit inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The drugs help to reduce even such formations that are insensitive to chemotherapy. Since fresh fruits are stored for only a few days, jams, jams, compotes, and candied fruits are prepared from them.
The seeds of the plant are used as an effective emetic. They are infused in alcohol and then taken as needed. A decoction of the leaves is an effective diuretic.
