Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) HORN'S WHITE

Pawpaw 'Horn's White' (syn. Al Horn, Al Horn Whiteflesh)

'Horn's White' is an extremely rare collector's pawpaw variety that stands out from all others with its unique, snow-white flesh. It is a large-fruited, late-ripening variety with a delicate taste reminiscent of coconut and cherimoya.

Pawpaw 'Horn's White'

Thanks to its exotic appearance and excellent taste, it is an absolute "must-have" rarity for every enthusiast and collector of this fruit.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Unique snow-white flesh and almost translucent skin (high aesthetic and collector's value).
• Exceptional, exotic taste (coconut and cherimoya).
• Large fruits (up to 340 g).
• High natural resistance to diseases and pests.

Origin and Breeding

• Origin: USA (Indiana). It is a wild and historical selection.
• Breeder/Discoverer: The variety comes from the orchard of the late pawpaw enthusiast, Al Horn of Indiana. It was brought into wider distribution by the well-known England's Orchard and Nursery in Kentucky.

Detailed variety description: Tree and Pollination

• Vigor: At maturity, it reaches a height and width of 4.5 to 6 meters. Agrotechnical tip: Maintenance pruning to a height of 2.5 to 3 meters and the removal of any root suckers are recommended to keep the tree compact and easy to manage.
• Pollination: The variety is cross-pollinated. Pawpaw flowers contain both male and female organs, but pollen from another, genetically different pawpaw tree (another variety or seedling) is essential for fruit set. Tip for growers: For good pollination, trees should be planted 2.5 to 4.5 meters apart.

Fruits

• Size and weight: Medium to large. The weight ranges from 200 to 340 g, with German sources reporting fruits up to 330 g.
• Color and skin: At full maturity, the skin is very light green to pale yellow. It is almost translucent, which gives the fruit a very elegant and exotic appearance.
• Flesh (Unique feature): Snow-white, creamy, and very sweet.
• Seeds: The seed ratio is approximately 6.3%. However, some growers describe it as a variety with a higher number of seeds.
• Taste and aroma: Excellent. The flesh is creamy, very sweet (although a German source states it is slightly less sweet than average, but without any bitterness). The flavor profile is exceptional – dominated by notes of coconut and cherimoya. It has a good texture, aroma, and aftertaste.

Cultivation properties and characteristics

• Phenology:
  • Ripening: Late variety. In Kentucky, it ripens in late September. Important note: Due to its late ripening, it is not suitable for very cold, northern areas, as the fruits may not reliably ripen before the onset of frost.
• Resistance and requirements:
  • Frost resistance: Estimated for USDA zones 5-9. The tree itself is frost-hardy; the limiting factor is the length of the growing season required for the fruits to ripen.
  • Diseases and pests: Pawpaws are generally extremely resistant to diseases and insects (ideal for natural, organic growing).
  • Location: Requires full sun for the best fruit production (it grows in the shade but yields much less). A sheltered location is ideal, especially in very windy areas.
  • Soil: Tolerates various soil types, but good permeability (drainage), rich mulching, sufficient fertilizer, and moisture are prerequisites.

Drawbacks of the variety:

• Late ripening (unsuitable for very cold regions with short summers where fruits won't have time to ripen).
• Cross-pollination (requires another pawpaw tree for pollination).
• Some sources report a higher proportion of seeds in the flesh.
• Extremely rare variety (hard to find in regular nurseries).