Best way to naturally grow Paw Paws form seeds?

[bird whisperer]

So we started two batches of Paw paw wine and now I have a good number of seeds to try and turn into trees. I’m looking for guidance for the best way to get the seeds to take off and grow in the woods. Im hoping @barney and or @Hoosier Sasquatch might chime in for me with words of wisdom. My current plan is to go out in the woods next week and distribute the seeds.

Last week I just walked around under some softwoods and hardwoods away from the cedars and spit the seeds out as I ate the fruit.

My idea for these seeds is to go out into the woods under the shade of the timber away from cedars and walnuts, move the leaves or grass back place a seed on the ground and cover the seed back up with leaves and litter. Do you think this will be an effective method? We are also going to put some of them in one of our gutter gardens at the same time to see if the will come up in the spring. My goal is to find a way to get these seeds to grow in the wood, along the creeks and around field edges for future seed cashes without having to transplant them.

Side note below.

Two weeks ago when I took the my camper to Arkansas and set it up for the season I walked over the hillside behind my camper and found a big patch of Paw Paw trees varying in size from 4 ft to 15 ft tall surrounding a big old Oak tree. I could picture that old Raccoon that live its whole life going out each fall evening and filling its belly on Paw Paw’s then going back to its den in that hollow crook high up in the tree for a daytime nap. Then waking up walking out on the limbs and crapping out Paw Paw seeds. Im not above eating a seed from time to time but I’m not interested in distributing seeds that way.

 

[barney]

So we started two batches of Paw paw wine and now I have a good number of seeds to try and turn into trees. I’m looking for guidance for the best way to get the seeds to take off and grow in the woods. Im hoping @barney and or @Hoosier Sasquatch might chime in for me with words of wisdom. My current plan is to go out in the woods next week and distribute the seeds.

Last week I just walked around under some softwoods and hardwoods away from the cedars and spit the seeds out as I ate the fruit.

My idea for these seeds is to go out into the woods under the shade of the timber away from cedars and walnuts, move the leaves or grass back place a seed on the ground and cover the seed back up with leaves and litter. Do you think this will be an effective method? We are also going to put some of them in one of our gutter gardens at the same time to see if the will come up in the spring. My goal is to find a way to get these seeds to grow in the wood, along the creeks and around field edges for future seed cashes without having to transplant them.

Side note below.

Two weeks ago when I took the my camper to Arkansas and set it up for the season I walked over the hillside behind my camper and found a big patch of Paw Paw trees varying in size from 4 ft to 15 ft tall surrounding a big old Oak tree. I could picture that old Raccoon that live its whole life going out each fall evening and filling its belly on Paw Paw’s then going back to its den in that hollow crook high up in the tree for a daytime nap. Then waking up walking out on the limbs and crapping out Paw Paw seeds. Im not above eating a seed from time to time but I’m not interested in distributing seeds that way.

You need to stratify those seeds for a few months in a refrigerator, it's easy to do. Just put em in damp, not wet potting soil or peat moss in a container or zip lock bag and store them in the fridge until February or March, then plant them in pots or where you want them to grow. They should start sprouting within a few weeks of planting. Do a specific search on stratification of pawpaw seeds for more details.

 

[HeadedWest]

You need to stratify those seeds for a few months in a refrigerator, it's easy to do. Just put em in damp, not wet potting soil or peat moss in a container or zip lock bag and store them in the fridge until February or March, then plant them in pots or where you want them to grow. They should start sprouting within a few weeks of planting. Do a specific search on stratification of pawpaw seeds for more details.

Barney’s right, but there is an easier way.

Eat a bunch of papaws, seeds included and then shit in a bucket; set said bucket in back yard to over winter.

I did this few years ago, I’ll let you know the results when I find the bucket. My neighbor keeps borrowing buckets and I think he may have accidentally grabbed it.

 

[barney]

LMAO^^
And true!

 

[bird whisperer]

Barney’s right, but there is an easier way.

Eat a bunch of papaws, seeds included and then shit in a bucket; set said bucket in back yard to over winter.

I did this few years ago, I’ll let you know the results when I find the bucket. My neighbor keeps borrowing buckets and I think he may have accidentally grabbed it.

The wife looked at me funny when I laughed about your neighbor. That is a better idea than squatting in the woods then pinching it off waddling a few feet and cutting loose again.

 

[bird whisperer]

You need to stratify those seeds for a few months in a refrigerator, it's easy to do. Just put em in damp, not wet potting soil or peat moss in a container or zip lock bag and store them in the fridge until February or March, then plant them in pots or where you want them to grow. They should start sprouting within a few weeks of planting. Do a specific search on stratification of pawpaw seeds for more details.

Thank You. So they wont stratify as well over winter on the ground under leaf litter?

 

[barney]

Thank You. So they wont stratify as well over winter on the ground under leaf litter?

They will, but you have control of them in the fridge not the mice.

 

[bird whisperer]

In the fridge they go. Fingers crossed! If this works I will be repeting for many years to come.

 

[barney]

In the fridge they go. Fingers crossed! If this works I will be repeting for many years to come. View attachment 94246 View attachment 94247 View attachment 94248

Should be ready to go about March.

 

[barney]

Just make sure there's enough moisture, not soggy, but damp.

 

[bird whisperer]

Added a cup of water to the mix. Shook and let set for an hour or so. It is damp but not wet. Took an handful, squeezed it 4 times and what was left made a loose clump ball. Hope its damp enough. Squeezed the air out of the bag and zipped it shut.

 

[barney]

Added a cup of water to the mix. Shook and let set for an hour or so. It id damp but not wet. Took an handful, squeezed it 4 times and what was left made a loose clump ball. Hope its damp enough. Squeezed the air out of the bag and zipped it shut.

That should be fine.

 

[JR in KY]

Same thing for those LARGE Hickory Nuts.
I have planted many like that and what the Squirrels didn't dig up sprouted.
Then comes the hard part.

 

[barney]

Same thing for those LARGE Hickory Nuts.
I have planted many like that and what the Squirrels didn't dig up sprouted.
Then comes the hard part.

Squirrel just replanted it in his yard.

 

[dirtstalker]

I need to find the one on my place..I see coon and coyote shit all the time with paw paw seeds in it..and I can't find that damn tree for the life of me.