Azimina (lat. Asimina), or pow-pow- a genus of flowering plants in the Annonaceae family, which includes 8 species, mostly distributed in nature in the United States. Pawpaw is also called the banana tree or American papaya (paw paw), since the fruits of all three plants have some similarities. For the sake of these edible fruits, the three-lobed pawpaw, or triloba pawpaw (Asimina triloba), introduced into cultivation in 1736, is grown in gardens. It is grown in regions with warm climates, for example, in Italy, France, Japan and Spain. Pawpaw also grows in Ukraine, mainly in its southern regions. Azimina in Russia is found mostly in the Krasnodar and Stavropol regions, although there are known cases of its successful fruiting in Orenburg. In addition to those deserving recognition taste qualities The medicinal properties of pawpaw are also of interest.
Planting and caring for pawpaw (in brief)
- Landing: in early spring.
- Bloom: in April for three weeks.
- Lighting: bright sunlight.
- The soil: loose, moisture- and breathable, slightly acidic reaction.
- Watering: in season active growth– regular and plentiful, stop watering in the fall.
- Feeding: from the second year of life in the spring, with complex mineral or organic fertilizer in liquid form.
- Reproduction: seeds, root shoots, grafting and parts of rhizomes.
- Diseases: root rot.
- Pests: almost not affected.
- Properties: the plant has healing properties.
Read more about growing pawpaw below.
Azimina - description
Pawpaw triloba is a deciduous tree, 5 to 8 m high, with smooth gray-brown bark and an evenly leafy, wide-pyramidal crown. Young shoots of the plant are covered with pubescence. Oblong-ovate, tapering to a short, thick petiole and pointed towards the apex, light green leathery leaves can reach a length of 22-25 and a width of 7-12 cm. The underside of the young leaves of the plant is covered with pubescence, and the upper side is glossy. Along with the leaves, in their axils, attractive bell-shaped brownish-purple flowers open on the shoots of last year in April or May.
Pawpaw fruits - juicy cylindrical berries with curled ends - ripen in early to mid-autumn. They are collected in fruit clusters of 2-9 berries, reach a length of 7-9, a width of 4-5 cm, and can weigh from 60 to 200 g. The fruits, painted in a dark shade of green, lighten to a pale yellow hue as they ripen. and then turn brown. Pawpaw berries are covered with a thin shell, inside of which there is a delicate light yellow, orange or creamy pulp with a very sweet taste, reminiscent of both mango and banana, and emitting a strawberry-pineapple aroma. Inside the pulp, arranged in two rows, ripen 10-12 dark brown seeds, flattened on the sides, reaching a length of 2.5 cm.
Planting pawpaws in the ground
Pawpaw requires at least 160 frost-free days to ripen its fruit. For the first two years, young trees need to be shaded from strong sun. but with age, plants develop a need for bright light, and they grow and bear fruit well in direct rays.
The composition of the soil for pawpaw does not play a big role, but it is desirable that it be slightly acidic, loose, moisture- and breathable. Of course, the pawpaw tolerates heavy soil, but in this case, when planting, it is advisable to lay a thick layer of drainage material in the hole.
Best accepted and further developed two-year-old seedlings pawpaws, which, when planting, are placed at a distance of at least 3 meters from each other, keeping row spacing 5 m wide. The planting hole should reach 60-70 cm in diameter and be 50-60 cm deep.
To the soil mixture with which you will fill the pit, you need to add 5-10 kg of humus or compost, a little wood ash, sand and mix everything thoroughly. Place at the bottom of the pit drainage layer of broken bricks or gravel 15-20 cm thick and pour a heap of soil mixture on it.
Having placed the seedling in the center of the hole on a mound of nutrient soil, straighten its roots and fill the remaining space with the same soil, lightly compact the surface around the seedling and water it generously. When the water is absorbed, the root circle needs to be mulched humus, peat or bark.
Caring for pawpaw in the garden
At the beginning of spring, before the growing season begins, paw paws are pruned, during which broken, frostbitten, diseased or improperly growing shoots are removed and the crown is shaped. Pawpaw blooms from April for three weeks.
During the season of active growth, pawpaw needs regular and abundant watering, but you need to make sure that it is not excessive, otherwise the roots of the plant will begin to rot. In autumn, when the dormant period begins, watering is stopped. After watering, the soil in the tree trunk circle is loosened, while simultaneously clearing the root area of weeds. Water for irrigation is used that has been settled and heated in the sun.
In the photo: Pawpaw flower
Pawpaw in open ground requires feeding only from the second year of life: For the first season, the organic matter that was added to the soil during planting is enough for her. In April, that is, at the beginning of the second season, a solution of a mineral complex with a high content of phosphorus and nitrogen is added to the soil under the pawpaw. If you prefer to fertilize the soil in the garden organic fertilizers, then pond or manure is most suitable for pawpaw.
The yield of pawpaw can be increased by artificial cross-pollination between genetically heterogeneous plant varieties. To do this, at least two trees must grow on the site, and then you can use a brush to transfer pollen from the flowers of one tree to the flowers of another. This technique allows you to at least double the fruit yield.
Since flies play an active role in pollination of pawpaws, it is advisable to hang pieces of rotting meat in the garden at different heights during flowering.
Three-lobed pawpaw is cold-resistant and can withstand frosts down to -29˚C, so growing pawpaw in open ground does not require protective measures before the onset of winter. The plant's flower buds, which appear in mid-spring, are covered with a dense shell that protects them from frost.
Reproduction of pawpaws
Pawpaw reproduces generatively - by seeds, and vegetatively - by parts of the rhizome, basal shoots and grafting.
In the photo: Pawpaw fruits on a tree
Pawpaw seeds before sowing, it is necessary to undergo stratification at a temperature of 0-4 ˚C for 3-4 months, and only after that 1-2 seeds are sown to a depth of 2-3 cm in peat pots with seedling soil: seedlings have a very sensitive root system, therefore preferably her once again Do not disturb by picking or transplanting. Contain crops at a temperature of 18-22 ˚C.
If you decide to sow pawpaw directly into the ground, then do this before winter, in October, and in this case there is no need to engage in preliminary stratification: the seed will be hardened in the soil. Seeds sown in pots can germinate in as little as 7 weeks, while winter garden crops will sprout only next spring. In the first year, seedlings grow up to 10-15 cm. Pawpaw from seeds will begin to bear fruit only after 5-6 years.
A piece of rhizome for propagation of pawpaw can be broken off from the base of the tree. It is planted in the hole, sprinkled with a nutrient substrate, and in a little over a month you can already expect the first shoots to appear. In the same way, you can plant root shoots if your pawpaw forms them.
In the photo: How pawpaw blooms
Vaccination of pawpaws carried out using the “split” method, using lignified cuttings as a scion. The rootstock is split to a depth of 1-1.5 cm, and a pointed cut of the scion is placed in the gap so that the cambial layers of both parts coincide. The grafting site is wrapped with film to protect it from moisture. You should know that Grafting is the only method that preserves the varietal characteristics of pawpaw.
Pests and diseases of pawpaw
Pawpaw, which is resistant to diseases and pests, can be affected by root rot as a result of excessive watering, causing the growth and development of the plant to slow down and the leaves to turn brown. Therefore, it is very important that pawpaw hydration is balanced. The pawpaw is extremely rarely affected by viral and bacterial infections, as well as harmful insects.
Pawpaw collection and storage
At the end of summer or early autumn, pawpaw fruits stop increasing in size and begin to ripen. Ripe fruits emit a strong aroma, become soft, and their green skin turns yellow. If you are going to store the pawpaw fruits for a while, you will need to remove them a week before they ripen, before they fall off on their own.
Pawpaw fruits cannot withstand long-term storage: vegetable drawer refrigerator, they can be stored for up to three weeks, and in room conditions- only 3-4 days, so most often they are frozen or processed: jam and compotes are made from them.
Pawpaw fruits also do not tolerate transportation well, so they must be transported unripe, trying to protect them from mechanical damage. The fruits will be stored better and longer if each one is wrapped in paper.
Types and varieties of pawpaws
There are eight species of pawpaw in nature, one of them is a natural hybrid. Only pawpaw triloba, or three-lobed pawpaw, is cultivated, but thanks to the tireless work of breeders, today there are over 70 cultivars of this plant. The most famous of them are:
- Davis– a plant with high quality aromatic fruits with yellow sweet pulp;
- Martin– a variety characterized by cold resistance and high quality fruits;
- Overlease– pawpaw, the fruits of which are similar in quality to the Davis variety;
- Victoria– a variety with fruits weighing up to 380 g with sweet and aromatic yellow pulp.
Such varieties of pawpaw triloba as Autumn Surprise, Dessertnaya, Strickler, Sunflower, Prima, Balda, Zimmerman, Potomac, Taylor and others are also in demand among gardeners.
Properties of pawpaw - harm and benefit
Useful properties of pawpaw
Pawpaw fruits, also called Mexican bananas, contain vitamins C and A, which have antioxidant and rejuvenating properties, so the pulp of the fruit is used not only for food, but also for preparing facial masks. In addition to vitamins, fruits contain mineral salts of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and potassium, amino acids, sugars, fats, pectin and fiber. Pawpaw has unique antimicrobial and antitumor effect: acetogenin contained in fruits helps prevent the development of certain types of cancer cells and stop the growth of already formed tumors. Pawpaw extract has a strengthening effect on the immune system, increasing its protective function, protecting body cells from free radicals and negative influence stressful situations.
Syn: pow-pow, raufau, banana tree, Mexican banana, pawpaw triloba.
Pawpaw three-lobed is a species of deciduous tree with a broad pyramidal crown, leathery leaves, large purple bell-shaped flowers that emit a faint putrid odor and cylindrical fruits. The fruits of Azmina triloba are aromatic and sweet, have laxative properties, the leaves are diuretic and vesicant, and the seeds of the plant have an emetic effect.
Ask the experts a question
In medicine
Pawpaw three-lobed is not a pharmacopoeial plant and is not listed in the Register medicines RF and is not used in official medicine, but is approved for sale as a dietary supplement (BAA). Fresh fruits of the plant, better known as the tropical pow-pow fruit, are also sold in the Russian Federation. Pawpaw three-lobed has an emetic, laxative, diuretic and vesicant effect.
Contraindications and side effects
Pawpaw three-lobed has no contraindications, except for individual intolerance, but you should not take drugs with the plant extract without first consulting your doctor. It is also not recommended to use this plant during pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood to avoid unpleasant consequences.
In gardening
Pawpaw three-lobed is a popular fruit crop. It has long-lasting light green, drooping, large leathery leaves and attractive bell-shaped flowers, which, although they emit a slight putrid odor, are very beautiful. And large leaves and bright flowers, changing their color as they bloom from soft green through copper-red and purple to almost black, make pawpaw three-lobed a very decorative tree.
In cooking
The long, wide and heavy fruits of pawpaw contain juicy pulp with a pleasant strawberry-vanilla aroma. The sweet, creamy flesh of pow pow tastes like a mixture of banana, pineapple, melon and mango. It is eaten raw, fruit puree from pawpaw fruits is used in desserts, as a filling for pies, and jams, jams and marmalade are also made from pau pau.
At home
The fibrous inner bark of pawpaw is suitable for making ropes, ropes, and woven into nets and rugs.
The leaves, bark and seeds of pawpaw can be used to make a natural insecticide. The dried and crushed seeds of the plant are used in lice remedies.
Classification
Three-lobed pawpaw (lat. Asimina triloba) is a species of deciduous trees from the genus of flowering plants (lat. Asimina). This genus is the only extratropical representative of the Annonaceae family, the largest in the Magnoliales order.
Botanical description
The deciduous tree pawpaw three-lobed reaches a height of 12-15 meters, its trunk diameter is about 20-30 centimeters. The crown of the pawpaw is three-lobed pyramidal, over time it becomes broadly pyramidal, evenly leafy. Large, drooping, leathery, dark green oval-oblong leaves of the plant reach 15 cm in width and 30 cm in length. Pointed at the apex, they taper to a thick, short petiole. The leaves are arranged in two rows at the ends of the branches. In autumn, the leaves of the plant turn yellow and fall off. In spring, woolly, brown-red buds appear on the tree; new leaves emerge from them only after the pawpaw has faded. The six-petalled flowers of the three-lobed pawpaw reach 5 cm in diameter; as they bloom, the petals change color from rich red to dark burgundy, almost black. The flowers are monoecious, placed on thick pubescent peduncles up to 3 cm long and have a slight fetid odor that attracts insects - carrion flies and carrion beetles.
The three-lobed pawpaw begins to bear fruit at 4–8 years. The fruit of the plant is a juicy multi-seeded cylindrical berry up to 16 cm long and up to 7 cm wide, changing color from light green to lemon yellow as it ripens. Ripe fruits soften and emit a pleasant aroma. The skin of the fruit is thin, covered with a thin pruin coating, the flesh is tender, orange-yellow, and creamy in consistency. The seeds of the plant are located in the pulp in two rows, 10-12 pieces in each berry. The seeds of the three-lobed pawpaw are black, large, up to 2.5 cm in length and up to 25 mm in diameter.
Spreading
Pawpaw three-lobed is a relict North American species, a representative of the pre-glacial flora, preserved since the Miocene. The plant's natural range is from southern Canada to Florida and from southeastern Nebraska to Texas. As an invasive species, the three-lobed pawpaw grows in France, Italy, Spain, and Japan. In Russia, the plant is cultivated on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. The center of commercial cultivation of pawpaw is in the southeastern US state of Ohio.
Regions of distribution on the map of Russia.
Procurement of raw materials
Medicinal properties Possess fruits, leaves and seeds of pawpaw three-lobed. The fruits are harvested in September-October. They can remain in refrigerators for no longer than 3 weeks, and their taste gradually deteriorates. To avoid this, the three-lobed pawpaw is harvested a week before full ripening. In this form it can be stored at sub-zero temperature up to six months. The fruits of pawpaw ripen when room temperature within one and a half to two weeks.
The seeds of the plant are removed from the fruit, the adhering pulp is removed and lightly dried in the sun or in a special dryer at a temperature not exceeding 30-35°C.
The leaves of the plant are collected before flowering of the three-lobed pawpaw, carefully breaking off the petioles. They are dried, spread out in a thin layer, in the shade of a canopy or in a well-ventilated area.
The extract of fruits and/or leaves of pawpaw is prepared only using industrial technologies.
Chemical composition
The fruits of the three-lobed pawpaw contain vitamins A and C, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and magnesium, up to 25% sugars, of which at least 11% is sucrose and about 2% fructose. The nutritional value fruits - 359 kcal per 100 g. The fruits, leaves and seeds of the plant contain acetogenins, in particular asimin, asiminacin and asimithrin.
Pharmacological properties
Therapeutic effect Three-lobed pawpaw has not been studied enough. Most of the research has been carried out to study the activity of acetonins contained in the plant. They have shown anti-cancer activity in animal tests as well as clinical studies. It is assumed that they are able to suppress the activation of HIF-1 by blocking the hypoxic induction of HIF-1α protein synthesis. However, the use of acetonins is not approved official medicine due to the fact that clinical trials showing antitumor activity were conducted without strictly following proper protocols.
Use in folk medicine
Beneficial features Three-lobed pawpaws have found application in folk medicine. The fruits of the plant are recommended as a mild laxative that stimulates intestinal function. The plant's fruit extract is considered an immunostimulating agent. An infusion of leaves is recommended as a diuretic. Fresh leaves of the plant can have a vesicant effect on ulcers and purulent wounds. An infusion of the plant's seeds is used for poisoning as an emetic.
Although pawpaw extract is not approved by official medicine as an antitumor agent, traditional healers still recommend its use to suppress the growth of cancer cells. It is worth remembering that plant extract can be used in the treatment of cancer only after prior consultation with your doctor and only as an additional therapy.
Historical reference
Since ancient times, pawpaw has been used by the indigenous people of America for various purposes. The Indians not only ate high-calorie and tasty fruits, wove ropes, nets and rugs from the bark, but also used the leaves of pawpaw to treat ulcers, ulcers, and boils. A tincture with an emetic effect was made from the seeds, used for poisoning. The fruits of pau-pau are credited with not only a mild laxative effect, but also the ability to cleanse the intestines of feces, toxins and helminthic infestations.
The first documented mention of paw paw dates back to 1541, when a Spanish expedition led by Hernando de Soto discovered a paw paw plantation cultivated by Indians near the Mississippi River. The chilled pawpaw fruits are called the favorite dessert of American President George Washington. Another American president, Thomas Jefferson, grew pawpaw near his home in Monticello.
Literature
1. Ivanenko F.K. “What kind of fruit is pawpaw?”, magazine “Homestead Farming” No. 10, 1997, 30-31 p.
basic information
Name: pawpaw
Family: annonova
Origin: North America
Humidity: moderate
Location: bright areas of the garden
The soil: garden loose soil
Pests and diseases: root damage due to high humidity
Height: 12 m
Bloom: April
Description of the plant
Three-lobed pawpaw is a tree with a wide pyramidal crown, growing up to 4-5, with favorable conditions– up to 12-15 m. In nature, it grows along river banks, in forests with moist, loose soil, and often forms dense thickets. The trunk and branches have gray smooth bark, young shoots are densely pubescent. Large, from 12 to 33 cm in length and 4.5-12 cm in width, petiolate leathery leaves of an oblong-ovate shape, pointed at the ends and tapering to the petioles, appear in late spring after the flowers bloom. The lower surface of young leaves is pubescent, reddish-brown, the upper surface is smooth, glossy, bright green, becoming light or gray-green over time.
- Flowering begins in April and lasts about 3 weeks. Flower buds, thanks to their insulating shell, withstand spring frosts well.
- Single, bell-shaped brown-purple or wine-red flowers hanging on a pubescent peduncle appear in the axils of last year's leaves, giving the plant decorative look. Their diameter reaches 6 cm, each has several pistils, thanks to which the pawpaw plant can set up to 9 fruits from one flower.
- Bisexual flowers are protogenic, that is, the stigma of the pistil matures before the anthers open; pollination within one flower is excluded. The plant requires cross-pollination, for which it is recommended to have at least 2 varieties in the garden. Flowers have a weak unpleasant smell, reminiscent of the smell of spoiled meat, are pollinated by flies, bees, and ants.
- Pawpaw fruits ripen in September-October and are juicy berries of an oblong-cylindrical shape, usually somewhat angular, varying in size and weight. Their length can be from 5 to 15-16 cm, width - 3-7 cm, weight - from 60 g to 200 g.
- Individual fruits are collected in fruit clusters of 2-3, sometimes up to 9 pieces, have a thin, translucent, easily removable skin and orange or whitish-yellow flesh, soft when ripe, similar in consistency to butter, very sweet, reminiscent in taste banana and mango, with a sharp strawberry-pineapple scent. The color of the peel is initially dark green, then it gradually lightens and becomes lemon yellow, and after the first frost it turns black.
Beneficial features
Currently, the properties of the plant are still being studied, but some facts already exist. For example, it is well known that Azimina fruits contain many vitamins (they are especially rich in vitamins C and A) and microelements: potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron. It is worth noting that the fruits are quite high in calories (about 360 kcal). Indian peoples have used the plant's seeds as an emetic since ancient times.
Landing Azimina
On the territory of our country, growing pawpaw is possible in areas with a warm climate that provide at least 160 frost-free days (Krasnodar Territory, Kuban, Caucasus). Mature trees are photophilous and produce maximum yield in full sunlight; young plantings suffer from direct sunlight in the first two years. sun rays and need shading. Trees are watered regularly tree trunk circles and the row spacing is mulched, which helps retain moisture in the soil and prevents it from overheating in the summer months. As the seedlings grow, they switch to artificial turf perennial herbs, periodically mowing them and using them as mulch. During the period of active growth, pawpaw is fed once every 2 weeks with organic or complete mineral fertilizer. In the spring, sanitary pruning and replacement pruning are performed. The plant is little affected by diseases and pests.
Reproduction in shifts
Pawpaw is propagated by seeds, root layering and grafting. Root shoots are usually few in number, weakly grow the root system and do not tolerate transplantation well. For propagation, it is recommended to separate it from mother plant one year before the planned transplant. Pawpaw seeds require stratification, otherwise their germination may take up to 3 years. Stratified seeds when sowing late autumn emerge in July. Young plants develop poorly in the first year and do not tolerate transplantation well. Specimens grown from seeds bloom in 4-8 years, grafted ones - after 2-3 years, but grafting trees is quite difficult.
The most the right way The acclimatization of plants is still considered to be growing them from seeds. If you grow pawpaw where it has not grown before, you need to focus on varieties and forms early date ripening, bred or growing in the north of its range, with a short growing season and with good ripening of annual growth wood. Pawpaw seeds dry quickly after being removed from the fruit - after only 5 days of storage. outdoors the water content in them decreases sharply, which leads to loss of germination. To maintain viability, seeds removed from fruits are best stored in a moist substrate. To obtain good seedlings, cold stratification (0–5 °C) of seeds is required for 3–4 months. In stratified seeds warm conditions further development of the root and cotyledons occurs, which ensures a more or less uniform emergence of seedlings. Seeds should be sown to a depth of 2–3 cm. Mass shoots appear after a month, and individual shoots after 2 months. The germination rate of properly stored seeds is 80%. Stratified seeds sown in the ground germinate at an air temperature of at least 18–22 °C; in our conditions, seedlings appear in late May - early June, regardless of the timing of spring sowing.
In the first year, seedlings reach a height of 10–15 cm, have 6–10 leaves, and the root collar is 1.5–3 mm in diameter. Seedling taproot, root system annual plants is 150–170 cm, located in the soil at a depth of up to 20 cm. When transplanting seedlings from a greenhouse to a nursery, the roots very often break, so you need to replant them with a lump of earth or sow them directly into containers, from which it is then easy to transfer the plants to the prepared planting bed pit. For growing varietal planting material Pawpaw is propagated by budding during mass flowering of plants (usually in Kyiv conditions - May 5–15), the grafting survival rate is 75–90%. Budding (and grafting) of pawpaws must be carried out quickly and carefully, using a knife made of of stainless steel, since the cuts are due to high content Tannins in air quickly oxidize. Pawpaw plants also form root shoots, which can be dug up and used as planting material. Plants of seed origin bloom only in the 5th–6th year after planting, the yield increases gradually, grafted ones already in the 2nd–3rd year and quickly begin to bear fruit. The harvest is formed on last year's shoots and depends on the vigor of the plant, growing conditions, as well as the presence of pollinating insects and cross-pollination. Full mass fruiting is typical for 10–15 year old plants.
Propagation by root parts
Root suckers:
- The root shoots are broken off;
- plant deep in the soil, water;
- sprouts appear in about a month.
For planting, pawpaw seedlings or saplings are used. Two-year-old seedlings 40–50 cm high with a root collar diameter of 6–9 mm have 14–20 leaves and a total length of the root system of 2.5–3 m. The height of seedlings (grafted varietal plants) at one year of age reaches 60–70 cm, the diameter of the trunk – 10–12 mm, they should have good fusion of the scion with the rootstock. An elevated, sheltered from the wind and well-lit place is best suited for planting pawpaws. When planting on a slope, drains must be installed to prevent the flow of storm or melt water. The optimal planting scheme, ensuring good plant development, is 3 m between plants and 5 m between rows. On personal plot The feeding area may be smaller - 2.5 x 4 m, but given that pawpaw grows well and develops quickly, it is advisable not to plant other plants close. The depth of the planting holes is 50–60 cm, the width is 60–70 cm. The soil from the top layer of the hole is mixed with 5–10 kg of compost or humus, the plant is planted on a mound, straightening the root system, the hole is filled with soil from the rows, and a hole is made for watering. After planting, the plants are watered and mulched with peat, bark, and humus. During the growing season, water as needed.
Rules of care
- Slightly acidic soil, rich in organic matter, fertilize with humus with the addition of ash;
- fertilizing with urea in spring, in summer - complex fertilizer 3-4 times;
- mulch the tree trunk circle or sow it with lawn grass;
- good lighting;
- no drafts.
It is recommended to fertilize pawpaw with humus infused for 24 hours with the addition of fish broth. This composition promotes growth banana tree. Infusions of lupine or quinoa have a positive effect on the development of the tree. Fertilizers are added only to moist soil so as not to damage the branched root system of the pawpaw. For the same purpose, you cannot loosen deeper than 1 cm.
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.
Under natural conditions, the three-lobed pawpaw grows as part of the second and third tiers of broad-leaved forests, often in river floodplains, this explains its ability to bear fruit even in shade. However, it bears fruit best in illuminated areas.
Plants grow well on light and slightly loamy fertile soils with slightly acidic, slightly alkaline or neutral soil reactions (pH 5.5-7.2). Trees do not like prolonged waterlogging of the soil and stagnation groundwater. Possessing a well-developed, densely leafy crown and large leaves. Plants are demanding of moisture, especially during fruit formation. Lack of moisture affects the quality of the fruits and causes them to fall prematurely.
Pawpaw propagation by seeds
Pawpaw propagates well by seeds, which require pre-sowing preparation - stratification, carried out in 2 stages: cold and warm.
Pawpaw seeds dry out very quickly after being removed from the fruit; after only 5 days of storage in the open air, the water content in the seeds quickly decreases and can lead to loss of germination. Therefore, they should be immediately placed in the refrigerator in paper bags until stratification or immediately into the substrate - perlite, sawdust, moss. The worst substrate is sand, which is very compacted, poorly ventilated and requires constant mixing, while moss, peat, sawdust retain moisture well, do not compact, and therefore are well supplied with oxygen.
Seeds require pre-sowing cold stratification (+5 o C) for 100-120 days and subsequent warm stratification for 30 days at a temperature of +18...+20 o C.
In pawpaw seeds, the embryo is underdeveloped, and its development requires warm stratification, during which additional development of the rudimentary root and cotyledons occurs, which ensures seed germination.
Seeds sown before winter germinate well (they undergo stratification under natural conditions).
We sow stratified seeds to a depth of 2-3 cm at the end of April, beginning of May in a greenhouse or containers.
Mass shoots appear within a month, sometimes at the end of May - beginning of June, both from stratified seeds and those sown before winter: seeds germinate at a soil temperature of at least +18...+20 o C. Because of this, germination is often extended by 1. 5-2 months (in cold spring), germination of properly stored seeds is 80-85%.
First, a root forms at the seed; when it reaches a length of 14-20 cm, shoots appear without cotyledons; they do not come to the surface; a primary shoot immediately appears with the rudiments of leaves.
At the age of 2-3 true leaves, seedlings can be planted in containers with a height of 18-20 cm, the surface area of the container is 100 cm 2, the adaptation period after picking takes place in a greenhouse. In May, when the threat of late frosts has passed, we take the plants outside. open ground.
In the first and second years, seedlings need to be shaded in very hot weather, as sometimes the leaves burn. As plants age, they become more resilient.
For containers, we prepare a mixture of soil, humus and sand in a ratio of 1:1:1, the sowing depth is the same as in open ground - 2-3 cm, and, as a rule, we plant sprouted seeds in containers.
At first, seedlings grow slowly - in the first year they reach a height of 10-20 cm, have 6-10 leaves, with a root collar diameter of 1.5-3.0 cm (Fig. 29). The root of the seedling is taproot, well developed - its length is 15-17 cm, the total mass of the root system of annual seedlings is 150-170 cm and is located in a soil layer up to 20 cm, with depth the number of roots decreases.
Pawpaw does not tolerate transplantation well, often the roots break off, so the plants must be replanted in a lump, preferably immediately on permanent place. Plants from containers suffer less - they easily transfer into the prepared planting hole. In subsequent years, the seedlings grow very well, quickly increase their vegetative mass and lay generative buds already in the 4th-5th year.
Plants of seed origin bloom in the 5th-6th year, the yield increases gradually, grafted plants - already in the 2nd-3rd year, with a faster entry into fruiting. The harvest is formed on last year's shoots and depends on the vigor of the plant, growing conditions and, to a greater extent, on the presence of pollinating insects and cross-pollination. Full mass fruiting is typical for 10-15 year old plants. Harvest - up to 30-40 kg per plant.
The root system of the pawpaw is superficial, often weakly branched, lying shallow - in 5-10 year old plants - up to 50-60 cm, in 15-20 year old plants - up to 1.5-1.8 m, lateral roots go 5.0-7 .0 m from the standard. The bulk of the roots are concentrated at a depth of 50.0-70.0 cm.
Vegetative propagation of pawpaws
Vegetative propagation of pawpaw plants is simple. It is necessary for growing varietal planting material. The most effective propagation by budding is in the spring, during mass flowering of plants (usually in Kyiv conditions - May 5-15), the survival rate is 75-90%. For pawpaw budding (and grafting), you need a stainless steel knife, accuracy and high speed budding, since sections quickly oxidize (turn black) in air due to the high content of tannins.
One- and two-year-old seedlings of their own reproduction serve as the rootstock.
Pawpaw reproduces well by layering and root shoots, which are formed in small quantities in culture, but in nature - en masse.
Propagation of pawpaw by lignified and green cuttings is not possible, we are now testing this method of propagation - obviously, conditions of high humidity and temperature are necessary, which can be provided in a fog-forming complex.
Planting pawpaw plants and caring for them
Landing. For planting, pawpaw seedlings or saplings are used. Two-year-old seedlings 40-50 cm high, with a root collar diameter of 6-9 mm, have 14-20 leaves and a total length of the root system of 2.5-3.0 m, the height of seedlings (grafted varietal plants) at one year of age reaches 60-70 cm, bole diameter 10-12 mm, they should have good fusion of the scion with the rootstock.
An elevated, wind-protected and well-lit place is best suited for planting pawpaws. When planting on a slope, drainage ditches must be installed to prevent the flow of storm or melt water.
The optimal planting scheme, ensuring good development of plants, is considered to be 5 x 3 m when planting - row spacing - 5 m, between plants - 3 m. On a personal plot, the feeding area may be smaller - 4 x 3, 4 x 2.5 m, but taking into account The fact that pawpaw grows well, quickly developing an above-ground system, it is advisable not to plant other plants close to it, so as not to shade or limit the development of pawpaw.
Planting holes should be 50-60 cm deep, 60-70 cm wide. The soil from the top layer of the hole is mixed with 5-10 kg of compost or humus, the plant is planted on a mound, straightening the root system, the hole is filled with soil from the rows, and a hole is made for watering . Plants are watered and mulched with peat, bark, and humus. During the growing season, water depending on weather conditions.
Care. Plant care is very simple - weeding, mulching and watering, which ensure good fruiting.
Pollination plays a major role in crop formation; the selection of genetically diverse varieties ensures good pollination. A very simple operation of manual pollination can be successfully used by amateur gardeners growing one or two trees. Ripe pollen is transferred by a brush from one tree to the flowers of another. This technique allows you to increase the yield by two or more times. As a means of attracting flies, which play a major role in pollination, pieces of spoiled meat are often hung in the garden during flowering.
On dense loamy soils, it is necessary to make drainage at the bottom of the planting hole to avoid stagnation of water with abundant moisture.
Feeding. Regarding fertilizers. At a young age - up to 5-7 years with well-filled landing pits, plants do not need special feeding, they use the supply of nutrients from the planting holes, in addition, mulching has a beneficial effect, retaining moisture and enriching the soil with organic matter.
But, given the intensive growth of plants in the time subsequent to establishment, and with a decrease in vegetative growth, it is advisable to fertilize the plants with nitrogen fertilizers. At the same time, with strong vegetative growth (it can reach 70-90 cm per growing season), the entry into fruiting is delayed in young plants. In this case, it is also advisable to apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, which stimulate the entry of plants into the reproductive phase.
Analyzing the condition of the plants, if necessary, in the spring, both young and fruit-bearing plants must be given a full range of fertilizers - nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium.
Prospects for cultivating pawpaw
Pawpaw three-lobed is a fast-growing, high-yielding crop with regular, no periodic fruiting.
The pawpaw culture is of great economic importance and has already spread, in addition to America, to the southern regions of Europe and East Asia.
This plant has a great future, it has not yet been sufficiently studied; like many other plants, everything is healing - leaves, shoots, roots, seeds and fruits.
Thanks to its high adaptation and winter hardiness, the cultural range of pawpaw can be significantly expanded.
One of the most important ways of acclimatization of pawpaw, as well as other introduced species, is sowing seeds and selection, reseeding in several generations, which will make it possible to develop varieties resistant to unfavorable conditions.
The life cycle of the pawpaw plant is quite long. In American literature there is information about plants that are a hundred years old, and we have information about plants that bear fruit well at the age of 70 - in the Batumi Botanical Garden.
In Ukraine, 60-year-old plants bear fruit in the Odessa Botanical Garden, and in Kyiv - in the Botanical Garden. Fomina Kyiv National University.
They say that those plants that are touched by human hands are happy, and this fully applies to pawpaw, a valuable fruit, medicinal and ornamental plant.
