Can pawpaw be grown in Twin Cities area?

[CherimoyaDude]

Not sure if this is too cold for them.

[SeaWalnut]

Might be a little to cold for allready a verry cold hardy tree.Id still try it thogh but in a microclimate between otther trees and sheltered from wind.The wind plus the cold dessicates them.Buy only potted pawpaw not bare rooted and add mulch.
The american persimmon( D Virginiana) its another native american fruit and its more cold hardy than the paw paws like solid zone 4 while Asimina its a zone 5.

[Triloba Tracker]

Yeah I think there is conflicting info on, for example, the natural range of pawpaw.
I'm not an expert in climatology or geography, but they do grow in Ontario and Michigan, pretty high up there.

I'm with SeaWalnut - if it were me, i would definitely try it.

I'd recommend painting the trunks with white latex paint to prevent sunscald in the winter.

[CherimoyaDude]

Is there a particular cultivar that is the most cold hardy that I should try?

[Triloba Tracker]

Is there a particular cultivar that is the most cold hardy that I should try?

By some accounts NC-1 might be a solid choice. Grows fine in Ontario evidently and even ripens in September there.
This is an older but time-tested variety.
Other varieties from Corwin Davis (such as Davis) might be good since they were selected in Michigan.

[Triloba Tracker]

Other Davis selections:
Prolific
Taylor
Taytwo

PA Golden #3 is reported to be extra cold hardy.

[SeaWalnut]

For cold hardy pawpaws i would look into the ripening time of different cultivars.Somme get ripe faster ,otthers take longer.
The trees might be cold hardy but with unripe fruits so chose the ones that have the shortest ripening time.

[Triloba Tracker]

For cold hardy pawpaws i would look into the ripening time of different cultivars.Somme get ripe faster ,otthers take longer.
The trees might be cold hardy but with unripe fruits so chose the ones that have the shortest ripening time.

Good point, yes. Some or all of the varieties mentioned above are supposedly early. England's Nursery in Kentucky has unique varieties that claim to be very early if you check out their website. Summer Delight, for example.

[Triphal]

While I was in Winnipeg in early 1960s I heard about pawpaws / Michigan bananas growing wild in the southern border Lake areas. These areas fall in USDA 3. Thousands of lakes there. I used to see the weather report of -40 F in Winnipeg and while at the same time Minneapolis and St Paul was recorded as -25! My impression of pawpaw that time was as seem to be growing in East of the Rockies of Canada throughout sporadically wild (NOT PLANTED)in the nowadays USDA zone 2b to zone 5 of Canada. You may get plants from nurseries from the Lake area states which includes your neighbor Wisconsin and Northern Michigan. Grafted plants should yield fruits in about 5 years. You have high water table and if you live near Mississippi river or some creeks and streams it will be great for the tap roots. I would keep it from direct sunlight for at least 3 years. good luck.

[Francis_Eric]

Try Cliff England (Jerry Lehman) VE -21

I just realized Something today I  found These out side  , realized VE stands for Very Early
(he said they were Early (i was thinking Vermont VE for the longest time)
That the best with Cultivars Summer Delight may also be a good choice
(and I am sure Triloba tracker has good advice )

I have heard of people growing them in MN
could be good to put a grove of them for a latter ripening harvest then everyone else.

(I almost Forgot )
I am not the best with Knowing about the climates , and such, but
Michigan Is zone 6 , a Micro Climate , because Lake Michigan Holds heat from the Sun
 the LAKE being on the West side
Blow the wind  West to East, and makes the Climate "in the Winter" warmer than Chicago.

I am editing out the rest of this post because I really am not certain , and
I tried to explain How they Grow Grapes
(Pinot Noir type (hybrid marquette)
better having a cooler climate

I am No expert, and it does get confusing
SO If someone Knows, and can explain
(I used to visit a breeding grape site, but do not know myself)
 I do Hear Pawpaw season  In MI is Mid October

My Limited experience Says it is earlier Here (mid September with one tree)

I am pretty Sure we get More Humidity here (on the west side of the lake)
, but this isn't personal experience.
 (Only time I been in MI for 2 days In July or August )

Note I do Hear Of Britains Mild Raining climate , and people grow things you wouldn't think
with early types (as with Persimmon ) I would ask Cliff England his advice ,
and I have not been online for 2 years, So I haven't read up for a while,
but people do different things in Certain places (white gravel to reflect sun , black Lava rock to absorb Sun)

[Francis_Eric]

What is your Humidity Like In MN?
Each Month (what about August/)

I actually just talked on the phone , about putting a grove in MN today
for a late Harvesting crop (If I where to sell them) (other place down south (taxes)

VE -21

 Cultivars Summer Delight
I have heard of people growing them in MN
could be good to put a grove of them for a latter ripening harvest then everyone else.

[Francis_Eric]

See Image just saw someone post this
https://sites.google.com/site/pawpawplanet123/climate-data/growing-degree-days
(searching humid link below)
says pawpaw need 150 days frost free days
I think the more north for the longer periods of time the more generations of seedlings they will adapt more.

I hope this helps some
(by the way I cannot remember if VE-21 was for breeding , or a good selection I copied , and pasted it for you
 (winter delight is opposite needs more breeding though)

VE-21 Prolific X Overleese - Variety is very early, produces pawpaw that range in size from average to large, light yellow skin, and has a sweet, excellent pawpaw flavor.

https://sites.google.com/site/pawpawplanet123/climate-data

[coyote]

My experience with growing them in Wisconsin in Zone 4b (La Crosse, WI) and what I've heard from other growers in the area (my recollection is that the Twin Cities are 4a) is that seedlings seem to handle the winters here fine, but that young grafted pawpaws sometimes are killed off. In zone 4b in an unprotected location I've yet to get grafted pawpaws to survive more than 2 years....while 8 of the 9 seedling pawpaws have survived those same winters with no problems.  Where I live in Madison 5a they seem to have pretty good luck with grafted pawpaws so you might have luck in a micro climate or a protected location or if we just have a few mild winters so that they can size up.

[CherimoyaDude]

Is there a place to buy a large amount of pawpaw seeds to test this?

[Triloba Tracker]

Is there a place to buy a large amount of pawpaw seeds to test this?

England’s Nursery (nuttrees.net) sells seed by the pound.
Kentucky State University has a seed distribution program I think, but I don’t know the details.