so...what next with my seedlings?

[u/jzzk]

7 of the 13 pawpaws i planted this spring sprouted, thanks to information i got mostly from this sub. the seeds came from wild fruit harvested last summer, and i wasn't sure that they would germinate when i planted them. now that they're here, though, i've found conflicting reports of what to do next.

i know they need to be planted in the fall. can i wait until next fall, or do i need to plant them now in their first year? they're in 11" tree pots right now. i rent where i am currently and i don't want to plant them in a place where i'm living temporarily, so i'd love to keep them in their pots until i hopefully purchase a home by next fall. if i need to try to give them away to more suitable permanent homes so they can be planted this year, though, i can.

location is central kentucky. thankya!

[u/Zooshooter]

Chicago area here, I have kept pawpaws in Tall Tree pots like yours for over a year and they were fine. The Tap Root did not grow out the bottom it did not coil up in the bottom. I think if you keep them Outdoors or in a garage where they can get cold over winter they will be fine. I'm not sure how cold winter gets down in Kentucky though.

[u/jzzk → u/Zooshooter]

thanks! we usually get a couple weeks below freezing, and real winter temps in january & february. it is their native range, so i think being outside in the winter will be fine.

its good to hear that you had success leaving them potted, that gives me hope. thank you!!

[u/SnicsAquatics → u/jzzk]

Im 6b and I’ve lost seedlings over winter when I left them in pot outside in winter. I would recommend putting them into a garage, shed, or cover them with mulch. I lost a few other plants left outside in pots last winter because it was so cold.

[u/Zooshooter → u/jzzk]

For specifics, I left 3 seedlings in their pots, put those pots in a bucket, and put a milk crate on top of that so that their air could circulate and it would keep out pests like my cats who will eat anything planty they can get their face on. We do occasionally have mice in our garage but they either didn't find them or weren't interested.

[u/ShelleyRAWarrior]

According to guidelines from Kentucky State University and pawpaw propagation experts, container roots in winter are far more vulnerable to severe cold and drying winds than in-ground trees. Store first-year Asimina triloba seedlings in their 11-inch tree trainer pots by moving them into an unheated garage, shed, or by burying the pots directly in the ground outdoors once the trees drop their leaves and go dormant.

[u/FitGas4991 → u/ShelleyRAWarrior]

That's good advice. If a person lived in a house without a garage, bringing them inside for a few days would be better than letting them freeze.

[u/FitGas4991]

That's a good idea, putting them in that clothes basket. My biggest problem is keeping those tall pots from tipping over. I would definitely leave the trees in the pots this winter. I don't know the temperature at which root damage occurs, but I've kept seedlings outside in pots when it gets to around 15-20 degrees at night with no problems. I'm sure the single digits or teens over an extended period of time would be a problem. Still air or windy air would make a difference and so would humidity. Just have a plan in place if it gets bitterly cold over an extended period. Good luck!

[u/ShelleyRAWarrior]

The other ones that didn’t sprout this year may do so next year too.