Troubleshooting
Pawpaw 'Allegheny' problems — and how to fix them
Pawpaw 'Allegheny' (Asimina triloba 'Allegheny') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
No fruit set
Self-incompatible and weakly insect-pollinated; plant a second cultivar and hand-pollinate in cool springs for a crop.
Drought fruit drop
Developing fruit aborts in dry soil; water deeply through dry spells and mulch to retain moisture.
Transplant shock
Brittle taproot resents disturbance; plant small grafted trees young and water in well to avoid setback.
Suckering thickets
Spreads by root suckers; remove unwanted shoots each year to maintain a single trunk.
Prevent pawpaw 'allegheny' problems before they start
Most pawpaw 'allegheny' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for pawpaw 'allegheny' in general rather than its problems? Read the full pawpaw 'allegheny' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Pawpaw 'Allegheny' problems — FAQ
Why is my pawpaw 'allegheny' no fruit set?
Self-incompatible and weakly insect-pollinated; plant a second cultivar and hand-pollinate in cool springs for a crop.
Why is my pawpaw 'allegheny' drought fruit drop?
Developing fruit aborts in dry soil; water deeply through dry spells and mulch to retain moisture.
Why is my pawpaw 'allegheny' transplant shock?
Brittle taproot resents disturbance; plant small grafted trees young and water in well to avoid setback.
Why is my pawpaw 'allegheny' suckering thickets?
Spreads by root suckers; remove unwanted shoots each year to maintain a single trunk.