{"product_id":"american-pawpaw-asimina-triloba-5-seeds","title":"American Pawpaw - Asimina triloba (5 seeds)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Pawpaw\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cem\u003eAsimina triloba\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmerican Pawpaw is the largest edible fruit native to North America, producing large, custard-like yellow-green fruit with a remarkable tropical flavour combining banana, mango, and creamy vanilla custard. Native to the forests of eastern North America, it is a deciduous tree growing to 6 m with large, bold tropical-looking leaves and deep purple-maroon flowers in spring. Despite its exotic flavour and appearance, it is cold hardy and well suited to temperate climates, making it one of the most exciting and unusual fruit trees available for the home garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePawpaw flowers contain both male and female parts but are self-incompatible — the female parts mature before the male pollen is released on the same flower, making cross-pollination between two genetically different trees essential for reliable fruit set. Any two trees from different origins will pollinate each other; no specific male or female tree is required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrees grown from seed take 3–8 years to reach fruiting age and benefit from partial shade when young, transitioning to full sun as they mature. Note: seeds and skin are toxic; only the flesh is edible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Instructions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarefully cold stratify in moist medium for 70–100 days at 2–4°C. Sow 2.5 cm deep in tall containers and keep moist and warm. Do not allow seeds to dry out at any stage. Gibberellic acid can assist with breaking dormancy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌿 Optional: Use Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) for Seed Germination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePawpaw seeds have a deep dormancy and can germinate slowly even after stratification. A \u003cstrong\u003e500 ppm GA₃ soak for 24–48 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e after stratification can help stimulate germination and improve success rates — especially with stubborn seed lots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/gibberellic-acid-ga-0-5-g-seed-dormancy-breaker\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eClick here to purchase Gibberellic Acid (GA₃)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⚠️ \u003cstrong\u003eRecommended for experienced growers\u003c\/strong\u003e — germination can be slow and unpredictable, sometimes taking many months after stratification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSee our growing guide for \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/blogs\/news\/germinating-difficult-seeds\" title=\"Germinating Difficult Seeds\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGerminating Difficult Seeds\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–5 m apart; plant two or more for cross-pollination\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–6 m; deciduous spreading tree\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–12 weeks after stratification at 25–30°C; do not allow seeds to dry out\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–8 years from seed; fruit ripens late summer to autumn when skin yellows and flesh gives slightly\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Banana, mango, and creamy vanilla custard; rich and tropical\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5 Seeds\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rasmussen Gardens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58451787120943,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0928\/4098\/4879\/files\/American_Pawpaw_-_Asimina_triloba_5_seeds.png?v=1789116321","url":"https:\/\/rasmussengardens.co.nz\/products\/american-pawpaw-asimina-triloba-5-seeds","provider":"Rasmussen Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}