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I need advice for really tiny pawpaw seedlings
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Posted by christie_sw_mo Z6 (My Page) on Wed, Nov 18, 09 at 19:29
| I started pawpaws from seed this summer. They're about four inches tall and not even as big around as a toothpick. I started them in two liter bottles and the tap root is just barely starting to curl at the bottom.
Has anyone kept them potted for a year or two before planting out? I've read many times that they don't like to be transplanted, I feel like I should get them in the ground asap but they're sooo small.
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: I need advice for really tiny pawpaw seedlings
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| They will grow just fine for a year or two in pots. I have some that have been in pots for many more years, fruiting even, but unfortunately others that have shown severe nutritional (?) problems after a few years (more than two though). Pawpaws transplant from pots readily. It is transplanting them from the wild that is really difficult. Try to transplant in early spring (when roots start to grow), though this is not essential with potted plants., Do NOT let the soil freeze solid in winter. Bury to the rim in mineral soil in a protected place or put in a nonfreezing but cold room and don't let dry out. In point of fact, the actual freezing (say high 20s) probably will not hurt them, it is lower temperatures (I've seen 7 degrees bandied about as the threshold, but whether F or C wasn't noted and that is a big difference). |
RE: I need advice for really tiny pawpaw seedlings
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| Christie, This summer I planted several pawpaws that were started last year. Over last winter I kept them in an unheated shed to protect them. They seem to be doing well. However, some others that suffered from rotting roots--because of plugged holes in the pots--died after transplanting. This week I realized I had a couple of very small pawpaws remaining in pots. They were started this year. I decided to plant them and protect them with tree tubes. I felt they were better off in the ground than in pots, but it's an experiment, I suppose. Let's compare notes next spring. |
RE: I need advice for really tiny pawpaw seedlings
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| Thanks - I could keep them in my garage over winter but I wonder if I would need to pot them up into something taller first. Does anyone know how much the tap root would grow over winter? |
RE: I need advice for really tiny pawpaw seedlings
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| I kept my two pawpaw's in the garage last winter. One did suffer some damage, but grew out of it quickly. The important thing is to not forget about them. They will need water. I put holes in plastic pop bottles; one on top and one on the bottom. I used the smallest needle that would go through without breaking, this provided a really slow drip. I don't think you should worry about the size of the pot while they are dormant. Just make sure they are in large enough pots so that the roots are not hugging the sides and bottom. They will need protection from the cold. Also, some people have suggested putting a wire mesh frame around them and filling it with straw or leaves to help protect them. I didn't do that, but yours are much smaller than mine. The extra protection might be good. I'm bringing mine in this winter also, then I plan to plant them in the spring....if they can tolerate the sun. Just don't forget to water them! |
RE: I need advice for really tiny pawpaw seedlings
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> Does anyone know how much the tap root would grow over
>winter? Unlike most temperate zone plants, paw paw roots are virtually dormant once the top of the plant becomes dormant. There will be very little if any root growth during the winter. Alex |
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