Key Points
- Origin: Kentucky seedling (KSU seedling), introduced by Blake Cothron (Peaceful Heritage).
- Ripening: early-mid/mid-season, early September.
- Fruit: 113–227 g, elongated-oval shape, creamy texture, sweet tropical taste, low seed content.
- Yield: generous, enters fruiting in 3–4 years.
- Tree: 4.5–6.0 m, medium growth vigor.
- Hardiness: USDA 5–9, down to -26 °C.
- Pollination: cross-pollination required, another variety needed.
- Resistance: generally resistant, no major issues.
Variety Description
Origin and Introduction
Source/Origin: discovered in Kentucky as a seedling (KSU seedling); noted and introduced to the market by Blake Cothron (Peaceful Heritage Nursery). It was among the best out of dozens of KSU seedling trees selected by Blake Cothron in Lexington, Kentucky.
Ripening Times
Type: early to early-mid season. Kentucky conditions (reference): ripening starts in early September; in northern/short-season areas, it may be a few days or weeks earlier/later. Avatar has good chances to ripen even in cooler climates.
Fruit — Size, Shape, Weight, Pulp, and Taste
Size/Weight: typical fruit range described: ≈113–227 g. Shape: elongated-oval (typical for many cultivars). Pulp/Texture: smooth, "custard-like" (creamy, spoonable) — easily eaten with a spoon. Taste/Aroma: sweet, very pleasant, "tropical" (banana/mango/pineapple notes) — described as: "delicious sweet yellow-fleshed fruits with smooth custard flesh". Seeds: relatively low seed content (lower than many wild seedlings), so the percentage of edible pulp is high.
Yield and Fruiting
Yield: described as generous/abundant; trees handled properly and with good pollination yield "baskets" of fruit. Exact numbers (kg/tree) for Avatar are not available in open sources, but in specialized reviews, it is called one of the most productive early varieties. Entry into fruiting: typically 3–4 years for grafted trees (agronomy and sapling source influence this).
Tree — Growth Vigor, Adult Tree Size
Growth Vigor: medium — growth rate is typical for cultivated pawpaws. Adult Tree Height: about 4.5–6.0 m depending on planting and pruning.
Cold Hardiness (USDA Zones) and Adaptation
Hardiness: USDA zones 5–9. This corresponds to minimum winter temperatures of approximately –26...–15 °C; pawpaw generally withstands up to ≈–25...–28 °C in healthy adult specimens. Avatar is considered suitable for northern boundaries.
Pollination
Cross-pollination is mandatory. Avatar is not self-pollinating; best results are achieved near another pawpaw variety with a matching bloom period (e.g., early-mid varieties: KSU Benson, PA-Golden, Naomi’s Delicious, Allegheny, etc.). Manual pollination (transferring pollen with a brush between flowers) increases the fruit set percentage.
Disease and Pest Resistance
Overall: like others – relatively resistant, without specific vulnerabilities that would set Avatar apart. Standard pawpaw problems possible: leaf spot in very wet seasons, local populations of moths/caterpillars; prevention — ventilation, sanitary measures.
Availability
Peaceful Heritage Nursery (KY, Blake Cothron) is the primary seller of Avatar (often sold out). Mentions of Avatar appear in lists of other enthusiasts and groups (sometimes as "KSU seedling, Cothron introduction"), and it occasionally appears for sale at specialized niche suppliers. But the main source is Peaceful Heritage.
Gardener Reviews and Reputation
Summary image in communities: "early, quite large, tasty, low-seeded" — these characteristics repeat in forum threads and variety lists. Gardeners value its earliness and fruit quality, especially in regions with short seasons.