Increasing Production in Native Stands of Pawpaws

Increasing Production in Native Stands of Pawpaws

Summary

Chris Chmiel of Albany, OH received a 2000 SARE grant to increase pawpaw fruit production in the region and throughout the Ohio River Valley. Pawpaws have been growing in this region and have adapted well to the soil and climate. With both the value and demand of pawpaws showing good potential, Chris wanted to take advantage of the existing stands and the high pawpaw market.

Chris’s plan for this project is to further develop at least 49 native pawpaw patches and to use the existing stands which would decrease the input and startup costs for the operation.
He began this process by getting active in the Pawpaw foundation and interacting with researchers from Kentucky State University. Throughout his research he learned a lot about raising pawpaws as well as proper harvesting techniques.

With the help of the SARE grant, over forty different pawpaw patches were cleared of brush and other species that could have competed with the pawpaw production. The patches now have easy access in order to observe and study the pawpaws as well as making it easier to tend and harvest the crop. Chris also learned a lot about the various grafting styles as well as the proper time to perform them. He found the saddle graft technique to work the best because it is the most secure in windy conditions.

“I’ve gained much experience on tagging, data collection and mapping systems because of this grant. It has helped me create a strong foundation of information gathering and organizing. As I continue to gather information over the next few years I may be able to notice soil, microclimate and other relationships that may increase the fruit production,” stated Chmiel.

One of the greatest advantages that Chris found for using this system was that the start up costs was relatively low and that it produced earlier harvest dates for the pawpaws. Chris organized a workshop entitled “Improving your Pawpaw Patch” that included over 35 participants from all over southern Ohio. This workshop and effort from this grant have been captured on video and has been turned into a small micro-documentary.

For more information concerning pawpaws and The Ohio Pawpaw Growers Association check out their website at www.ohiopawpaw.org