🥭 RLG4 - An Ultra-Early Minnesota Selection with Superior Cold Hardiness and Clean Flavor

Variety Description

Summary

RLG4 is the "Northern Pioneer" of the modern pawpaw world. While most development happens in Kentucky or Ohio, RLG4 was isolated further north in Minnesota, proving that the species can thrive and produce gourmet-quality fruit in the coldest corners of the Midwest. It is a variety defined by speed—ripening its crop faster than almost any other commercial selection. For the enthusiast in Zone 4 or 5 who has struggled with late-ripening varieties, RLG4 provides a reliable and delicious solution.

Foundations and Provenance

Originating from a private collection in Northfield, MN, RLG4 was brought into the spotlight by specialist nurseries Petrichor Pawpaws and Red Fern Farm. It represents a "chance seedling" that surpassed its wild neighbors in both size and flavor density, earning it a permanent place in the northern grower’s toolkit.

Fruit Specifications: Clean and Tropical

Physical Attributes: The fruit is neatly formed and medium-sized. Estimates place them in the 120g to 300g range, which is perfect for fresh eating without wastage. Palette: It is celebrated for a "clean" tropical profile. Unlike some northern wild fruits that can have a bitter finish, RLG4 is noted for its pure sweetness. Texture: The flesh is silky and custard-like, holding its consistency well even at peak ripeness.

Orchard Productivity

Efficiency: Because it ripens so early, RLG4 avoids the common issues of late-season bird damage and fruit rot that can occur during damp Octobers. Canopy: The tree maintains a compact, resilient habit, making it an excellent candidate for intensive home orchards or windy northern exposures.

Management and Logistics

Maturity Timing: In its native Minnesota, RLG4 ensures a crop even in years with early autumn frost. This reliability is its most valuable asset for commercial "safety" in cold-climate orchards. Collection: The fruit tends to drop cleanly once ripe, making gathering efficient.

Environmental Adaptation

Elite Hardiness: This is one of the few named cultivars and selections capable of thriving in USDA Zone 4b. It has a deep winter dormancy and robust bark that resists the splits and cracks sometimes caused by extreme temperature fluctuations.

Conclusion

RLG4 is for the grower who refuses to be limited by their geography. It delivers "festival-grade" fruit in a shorter window of time than almost any other variety, all while maintaining the rugged resilience required for northern life. It is the essential "safety" variety for any diverse orchard and a primary selection for cold-climate pioneers.