KSU Benson Pawpaw is a cultivar selected at Kentucky State University for its exceptional productivity and early ripening. This cold-hardy tree produces round fruit with smooth, green skin when ripe and a flavor profile reminiscent of mango and pineapple, delivering a rich, fruity aroma that announces ripeness from across the garden. Hardy in zones 5 through 9, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to cooler summer climates where many other pawpaw varieties struggle. The tree flowers in the fall (September through November) and requires careful hand pollination or companion plants to set fruit reliably, making it a rewarding choice for gardeners willing to engage with its particular needs.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-9
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Low
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Kentucky State University developed this variety specifically for regions with shorter growing seasons and cooler summers, where standard pawpaws often underperform. The fruit ripens earlier than most pawpaw cultivars and requires fewer chill hours, positioning it on the low end of the species' typical 400 to 800 hour requirement. Its exceptional disease resistance and smooth, attractive green skin at ripeness distinguish it from other selections, while the mango-pineapple flavor makes it a genuinely delicious eating experience rather than merely a novelty crop.
KSU Benson Pawpaw produces fruit intended for fresh eating, where its mango-pineapple flavor can be enjoyed directly from the tree or used in desserts, beverages, and preserves that highlight its distinctive tropical character.
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Start seeds indoors at temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit to encourage germination.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date in your region, ensuring they are hardened off to outdoor conditions. Plant in a location with full sun to partial shade in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
Harvest KSU Benson Pawpaw fruit when the skin has turned from yellow-green to a uniform green color, indicating ripeness. The fruit will emit a rich, fruity aroma when fully mature and ready to eat. Handle the fruit gently during harvest, as the skin is delicate. Pawpaws ripen in the fall, following the tree's September through November bloom period.
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“KSU Benson Pawpaw was selected at Kentucky State University for its superior performance in challenging climates. The breeding program focused on identifying individuals that could produce heavily and ripen early, making pawpaws viable for gardeners in cooler zones where the species typically struggles. This deliberate selection work represents an effort to expand pawpaw cultivation beyond its traditional native range and into regions where summer heat cannot always be guaranteed.”