Brandon7 writes: "I can't imagine why maintaining them in pots would be preferable to growing in-ground" In my experience I've found that pawpaws are more adversely affected by shipping bare-root than many other types of fruit trees - it appears that their root systems, consisting of many fine rootlets are more vulnerable to the various stresses inherent in this process, and transplantation shock to a greater or less degree is the rule. The focus should be to prevent, or if necessary, to decrease the severity of the shock. So buying container grown plants shipped in their container would be best; these can be planted directly in the ground with good results. But if the tree is sent bare-root, there will of necessity be root damage and transplantation shock, and this setback can reduce the vigor of the plant for years. The best remedy I've found to lessen the shock is to provide an optimal environment for the stressed and damaged roots to allow quick recovery. This goal is much better achieved in a pot, where growing conditions, including most importantly the medium and the moisture content, are more readily controlled. It really makes no sense to plant a struggling shocked pawpaw in topsoil with resultant loss of many of the damaged roots and prolongation of the shock state. The focus here is on the short term problem of allowing roots damaged by bare-rooting to recover; once this has occurred, evidenced by vigorous vegetative growth, the tree is ready for planting in the garden.

Hey Mike, I just got a Logee's catalog..To be honest, I've never heard of Acokanthera. I thought your new plant was Sweet Olive.. Where have I been? Preparing for Christmas. I baked several pounds of cookies and bars for family/friends, 'approximately 200' different types. Decorated, bought and wrapped gifts, cleaned, visited, addresed Christmas cards, blah blah..In the meantime, I've pretty much neglected plants which I explained in another thread. Regretting it now. Lol, on the darts..I feel the same..lol.. Mike, truthfully..I didn't know about the darts..I researched your plant, then came across information about the dart and sap. I have two perrenial bushes in the garden called Winter Sweet and Winter Shrub..at first I wondered if this bush was the same plant as yours, but since Acokanthera is a native of Africa, it'd never surive here, not outdoors, anyways. Did you say the owner gave you his plant??? Did he supply care instructions? For instance, when and what to fertilize, light, soil, watering, etc? It's a very very pretty plant, and fragrant, too!! Wonder why it can't be propagated from cuttings.. I'd try as an experiment..lol..Wonder if it's fast or slow-growing?? Hope it's not too much work keeping it alive, especially in winter. Well, good luck and take care, Toni

Thanks guys! One of those pictures looks as though they have a flower stem - which is hopeful! They are really happy looking, if you know what I mean?! I am going to carry on treating it as it is as it is responding so well. Thanks again. Swiss

Every time I read or post a can you name this plant question, I think of my brother's snakes. He raises Ball pythons and has quite a few. When asked if he had named any of them, he said "No, they don't come when I call them anyway". And seeing that this is dog fennel, it makes that thought even more amusing. We have a puppy named Lilli and she doesn't come when you call her either (although she is definitely getting better) M