alwazeroom4more, The Pawpaw,Asimina triloba doesn't have a separate male and female plant.It's the way the flowers are timed to be fertile that causes them to need another variety to produce fruit.The Sunflower variety is about the only one I've heard to be self fertile. There are other species related to Asimina triloba (Asimina incarna, A. longifolia, A. obovata, A. parviflora, A. pygmaea, A. reticulata, A. tetramera, A. X nashii)that grow more in the Southeastern US.Asimina Triloba requires about 400 chill hours. I have some seedlings,three varieties of A.triloba,but not sure if they are compatible in your zone. Oregon Grape also grows around here in abundance. Brady

In The Grape Grower Guide by Lon Rombough he talks about someone who is currently developing pure strains of rupestris. He died recently, but his wife might know. Email BunchGrapes.com and ask. Most strains of pure rupestris are not very edible though. But America (Vitis lincecumii X Vitis rupestris) is pretty good. It is resistant to Pierce's Disease. It requires a second variety for pollination. Sources: Double A Vineyards, Bunch Grapes.com Here is a link that might be useful: Garden For Nutrition.org

Hi Ano, I have some very small (American) persimmon seedlings. You are welcome to some; bear in mind that most persimmons require both a male and a female closeby for pollination and fruit production. So about 50% chance of that with 3 seedlings, sex unknown. However: the cultivar 'Meader' is unusual in that it is parthenocarpic -- it sets large fruit, with a few sterile seeds generally, *without* a pollinator. So that might be worth the additional time and expense to procure? Also note that many opinions exist as to the best-tasting American persimmon; I considered putting in a 'Prok' also but decided to use the space for Chinese mulberries instead. Another cheap possible source: state university nurseries generally raise and sell a variety of trees, once-a year, bareroot, in the late autumn. These sales are usually not well publicized. -- Stan in Hamilton, NJ 609.731.3882

Hi Willow! I've grown persimmons in a couple of yards I've gardened on and have a young tree now. I dearly love the tree and the fruit. I think they'd be considered moderate growers, plus they begin to produce fruit while fairly young. The trees I've purchased have been eight tall or so and in five gal. pots. Not sure how old they are. Fanick's in San Antonio sells that size for about $45.00. Also if you do a search for 'Persimmon' a thread will come up where persimmons were discussed on this forum last year. Here is a link that might be useful: Lots of persimmons from a small tree on Conscious Gardening Blog ...