How to Successfully Grow Pawpaw Trees from Seeds?

Growing pawpaws from seed can take a really long time to bear fruit—sometimes over a decade. It's a bit like a genetic lottery too, since the fruit's taste can vary wildly. I planted grafted pawpaws three years ago, and while they’re now about 3 feet tall, I'm still years away from tasting them. Still, they’re fascinating native trees! Best to start them in a partial sun area since they like some shade. It's really rewarding to see them pop up in spring!

Just a heads up that pawpaw seeds require stratification to sprout, and it can take up to two years for them to germinate. Plus, their germination rates can be low, and they grow slowly. Since they develop long taproots, starting them in containers can be difficult. But don’t worry, many nurseries are now offering named cultivars, and they're becoming more affordable each year!

Hey there! I'm also in the Philly area and currently have about 60 pawpaw trees, most grown from seed. I'd love to help out! What specific questions do you have about the process?