biodiverseed:Paw Paw (Asimina triloba) Germination: A Year LateAll soil is re-used over and over aga

biodiverseed:Paw Paw (Asimina triloba) Germination: A Year LateAll soil is re-used over and over again around these parts: rarely do I take the time to sterilise it in between. As a result, I sometimes get nice surprises. Today was no exception. In a pot of stratifying cherry pits, I spotted a yellowish-green bow on the soil surface, signalling the emergence of a seedling. Thinking it was one of my expected cherry trees, I dug around the seedling with my finger to have a look at the pit to see if the cotyledons were free: much to my surprise - it was a Paw Paw I had planted – not last Autumn – but the Autumn previous. After a season of waiting, I had assumed it was a failure, and re-used the soil for other projects.I know a good number of trees need “double dormancy” in order to germinate: this means they need a period of cold, followed by warmth, and another subsequent period of cold. This late germination should be a lesson to all of you planting seeds with the Paw Paw Project: don’t be discouraged if you don’t see a tree in the first year: it may just be taking it’s sweet time!These pictures are also provide a glimpse into the long taproot formation of this tree. It has a 12 cm taproot that would likely be much longer, were it not hitting the bottom of the pot and curving. This impressive, vigorous radicle forms before the seedling even breaks through the soil. Unlike fruits like cherries, Paw Paws exhibit hypogeal germination: the cotyledons fall off as the seedling breaks through the soil, and remain below. The seedling emerges with it’s true leaves, while the cotyledons decompose into nutrition for the young tree.I transplanted this seedling out in the forest garden today (beside the stormwater pond), and since it is cloudy and raining, I am thinking it has a decent chance of settling in to a new home, and even continuing the development of a strong taproot.If this tree is successful, that makes two: I am still waiting on the emergence of my Kentucky State University seeds: two under the walnut tree, and five in ‘berryland.’ It should be quite odd if they all work, and I have nine Paw Paw trees growing in Denmark!None of ours have done anything yet so I’ll keep this in mind. -- source link

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