Azimina

Family. Annonaceae.

Where does it grow? Eastern United States, where it inhabits the understory of mixed deciduous forests, on slopes, and in rarely flooded lowlands.

What does it look like? The azimina triloba is a pyramidal, deciduous tree with a short trunk or a multi-stemmed shrub ranging from three to five meters in height. The leaves are pointed, oval, smooth, up to 20 centimeters long, thick, bright green, arranged alternately in a spiral, turning yellow-green in autumn. Not particularly showy, but interesting, purple flowers with six petals are located singly in the leaf axils, blooming even before the leaves appear. Flowers form at the ends of last year's branches and emit an unpleasant odor that should attract flies and other insects that feed on carrion.

The fruits of the pawpaw have a pleasant taste. Depending on the variety, they reach a maximum length of ten centimeters and weigh about 200 grams, resembling a banana or mango in shape. The fruits have a whitish-yellow, soft, creamy pulp and contain large, disc-shaped, black-brown seeds. The consistency of the pulp of the fruit is slightly reminiscent of a banana. As for the taste, it resembles a mixture of banana, pineapple, mango and vanilla. In order to reach full maturity, the fruits need a long warm summer, during which time their skin turns yellow-green. The fruits should be consumed within a few days of ripening, as they quickly rot. Another name for pawpaw is "banana tree".

Height. In natural conditions it reaches 3 - 12 meters.

Growing

Soil 

Azimina prefers nutrient-rich, moist but permeable soils with good drainage. The substrate should have a neutral or slightly acidic pH.

Reproduction

It is easy to grow azimina from seeds. Beforehand, the planting material should be subjected to cold stratification for about three months. Germination of seeds is a long process. Shoots appear at temperatures above 20 °C for two months, the germination of fresh seeds is almost 100%. Seedlings are unpretentious, but grow slowly. In addition, asimina can be propagated by grafting and root cuttings. They can be collected in the summer, after the fruits begin to soften. Sometimes the plants form basal shoots - they are separated with a sharp sterile instrument and planted.

How to grow 

Plants do not require special pruning or shaping. Some plant varieties are self-sterile and require cross-pollination. Easily pollinated by hand.

When it blooms

In any season.

How to transplant azimina 

The root system of the flower is easily damaged, so transplantation is carried out as needed - to change the substrate or the size of the pot. Plants get sick for a long time after changing the soil - use the transshipment method together with the root ball. Deep pots are used for planting, since the root system of the plant lies quite deep.

Feeding 

Feed once a week during the growing season; aziminas are not fertilized during the winter months.

Diseases and pests

The plant is very resistant to pests and diseases. Powdery mildew occurs when azimina is kept in cool and poorly ventilated areas. Fruits can rot if the soil pH is incorrect. An imbalance of nutrients in the soil causes leaves to curl and chlorosis occurs. If grown in partial shade, the trees become elongated and loose.

Harmful insects do not appear on the plant.

Containment temperature

The bush is unpretentious, has high frost resistance, can tolerate a temperature drop to -25 -27 °C, azimina grown in a pot requires a dormant period of at least 2 weeks per year with a temperature drop to 10 °C.

Lighting

In the first year or two of life, the plant needs shade from the scorching rays of the sun. Adult specimens are best placed under direct sunlight.

Spraying

No special requirements.

Irrigation

Medium watering is recommended; it does not tolerate stagnant water. 

Purpose

In spring and summer, you can grow in open ground; azimina tastes like exotic fruits. 

Note

Fruits are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, proteins and various minerals such as calcium, potassium and iron. The content of vitamin C exceeds its content in apples; azimina is also rich in vitamin E. Among other things, the oblong fruits have a delicious sweet taste, they are consumed both fresh and for making desserts and ice cream; azimina jam is very tasty.