Key Points
- Origin: Experimental seed from Jerry Lehman, provided to Cliff England (≈2010), selected by Woody Walker.
- Parentage: Jerry’s Big Girl × Jerry’s Delight.
- Tree: giantism in foliage and fruit, 4.5–6 m, efficient pollination, may require bracing.
- Fruit: average weight 340–390 g, maximums of 700–800 g, oblong-oval shape, yellowish skin at ripeness, firm golden-orange pulp.
- Seeds: minimal (3.5% by weight), uniquely scalloped/pinnate shape, frequently sterile.
- Ripening: mid-late; features a staggered ripening window from mid-season until frost.
- Yield: exceptionally high, up to 18 kg per tree, typically bears in heavy clusters.
- Flavor: tropical with pineapple nuances, hints of ‘Sunflower’, sweet with refined acidity and a crisp finish.
- Handling: holds up well during transport/storage, durable skin, high pulp yield, prone to cracking or sunburn in extreme heat/wet (up to 20% loss).
- Significance: highly promising for commercial scale, northern climates, and European sites; demonstrates the success of Lehman-England breeding.
Variety Description
Origin and History
Kentucky Legend "Titan" originates from a batch of experimental seed provided by Jerry Lehman (Terre Haute, IN) to Cliff England (Sandgap, KY) around 2010. The seed resulted from a deliberate cross between elite varieties: Jerry’s Big Girl (‘Sunflower’ × ‘Sam Norris-15’), known for colossal size, and Jerry’s Delight (open-pollinated ‘KY-8-2’), a consistent flavor award-winner. The variety was further selected and evaluated by Woody Walker in Madison County, KY.
🌳 Tree Characteristics
The tree exhibits gigantism in both its foliage and fruit, a trait often linked to polyploidy. Mature specimens reach 4.5–6 m in height and spread without pruning. It is an efficient self-pollinator compared to wild types and has excellent branch attachment angles, though its heavy clusters may require structural support during bumper years. Bloom begins early, and the harvest window is extended through the end of the season.
🍐 Fruit Profile
Weight: Typical average is 340–390 g, with individual champion fruits reaching 700–800 g. Form: elongated-oval, characteristic of Lehman-line breeding. Skin: durable, turning yellowish upon ripeness. Flesh: dense, golden-orange, and exceptionally juicy without coarse fibers. Seeds: remarkably few, averaging only 3.5% of the total fruit weight. They possess a distinctive scalloped shape and are often sterile, contributing to the high pulp-to-waste ratio.
⏳ Ripening Window
Mid-Late season. Depending on geography, ripening begins mid-September and continues through the first frosts, allowing for a steady harvest period.
Productivity
Rated as extremely high-yielding. A mature tree can produce 18 kg or more annually. It typically bears in large, heavy clusters that can weigh several kilograms each.
🍯 Sensory Profile
The flavor is decidedly tropical with a bright pineapple signature. Undertones from the ‘Sunflower’ lineage are present. The sensory balance features a refined sweetness tempered by light acidity, resulting in a crisp, clean finish. The dense pulp separates easily from the skin, making it highly efficient for culinary processing.
🛠 Storage and Transport
Titan exhibits superior shelf life and transportability compared to many soft cultivars, even without immediate refrigeration. The skin is notably sturdy and easy to clean. While productive, the cultivar can lose up to 20% of its crop to solar scald or rain-induced fruit cracking during extreme weather events.
Industry Significance
Kentucky Legend “Titan” is considered one of the most promising modern cultivars for commercial operations, northern growers, and European orchards (e.g., Southern England, Northern Italy). It thrives in temperate conditions with restricted heat units and represents a milestone in selecting for massive fruit size tied to elite eating quality.
📌 Conclusion
Kentucky Legend “Titan” is an exceptionally high-yielding, mid-to-late season pawpaw boasting massive fruits (up to 800 g), a firm texture, and a tropical pineapple flavor profile. Its low seed content, remarkable shelf life, and processing efficiency (processing 3x faster than wild types) make it a top-tier choice for both commercial growers and private enthusiasts seeking a "legendary" harvest.