Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) CASPIAN

Pawpaw 'Caspian' (syn. Prince Caspian)

'Caspian' (often referred to as the "Tropical Treasure of the North") is an exceptional, ultra-early, and large-fruited pawpaw variety. Thanks to its "northern" origin, it is one of the best choices for regions with a shorter growing season and cooler summers, where later varieties fail.

Pawpaw 'Caspian'

It stands out with huge fruits with a minimal amount of seeds and an explosively fruity, sweet taste without any bitterness.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Ultra-early ripening (ideal for regions with shorter summers where late varieties fail).
• Huge fruits (up to 560 g) with a very low seed content.
• Top flavor profile (tropical mix of pineapple, mango, and banana) absolutely without bitterness.
• Extreme productivity and regular yields.
• High frost resistance (down to -28 °C) and overall low maintenance.
• Compact, easily shaped tree.

Origin and Breeding

• Origin: USA (Northwest Missouri, near the Iowa border).
• Breeder/Discoverer: Tyler Halvin (renowned American fruit enthusiast). The variety was selected from a wild population and named after his youngest son.
• Adaptability: Since it comes from the northern edge of the pawpaw's natural range, it is perfectly adapted to cooler summers and rapid sugar accumulation.

Detailed variety description: Tree and Pollination

• Vigor: Medium.
• Habit: Compact and pyramidal. The tree is easy to shape and maintain by pruning. It usually forms a single trunk with rough gray bark.
• Pollination: The variety is cross-pollinated. Pollen from another, genetically different pawpaw tree is essential for fruit set. Natural pollinators are flies and beetles.

Fruits

• Size and weight: Large to very large. Individual fruits reach a weight of 225 to 560 g, with the average weight being around 250-300 g.
• Shape: Elongated-oval, visually very attractive.
• Color and skin: The skin is thin, light green, acquiring a golden hue at full maturity.
• Flesh: Creamy, smooth, and tender (so-called "melting texture"). It has a creamy-pudding shade.
• Seeds (Key advantage): The seed content is very low. These massive fruits contain only a minimal amount of seeds, which significantly increases their culinary value (high proportion of edible flesh).
• Taste and aroma: Extremely sweet, clean taste without any bitterness or unpleasant aftertaste. The flavor profile is described as "explosively fruity" – dominated by distinct notes of pineapple, banana, and mango. Many tasters also note unique undertones of pink bubblegum in the aroma.

Cultivation properties and characteristics

• Phenology:
  • Ripening: Ultra-early variety. In the USA, it ripens as early as late July to early August. In the temperate climate of Central Europe (such as Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia), it is usually ready for harvest in September (mid to late month). Thus, it is guaranteed to ripen even in years with cooler summers.
  • Yield: The tree is characterized as extremely productive. Fruiting is regular and abundant. It usually starts bearing fruit in the 3rd to 4th year after planting.
• Resistance and requirements:
  • Frost resistance: High (USDA zones 5-9). Mature trees withstand winter temperatures down to -25 °C to -28 °C without damage. Note: Young trees (first 2-3 years) require root zone mulching and light winter protection.
  • Diseases and pests: The variety inherited the high natural resistance of the species. It is a "maintenance-free tree" that usually does not require any special protective sprays.
  • Climate: For normal growth and fruiting, it requires at least 150 frost-free days and a sufficient sum of summer temperatures, but thanks to its origin, it is one of the most reliable varieties for the cooler European climate (including the UK).

Drawbacks of the variety:

• Cross-pollination (strictly requires planting with another pawpaw variety to ensure a crop).
• Young trees require winter protection in the first years.