Key Points
- Provenance: Neal Peterson's premier selection, considered his "Magnum Opus" cultivar.
- Fruit Attributes: Produces massive fruits; average mass of ≈201g in KSU trials, with individual specimens exceeding 450g.
- Sugar Content: One of the sweetest known varieties, consistently measuring 24–26 °Brix.
- Texture: Features a dense, buttery consistency similar to a ripe avocado.
- Seed Ratio: Remarkably low seed count, typically only 2.9–6% by mass.
- Seasonality: A late-season ripener, usually ready in late September or October.
- Pollination Strategy: Requires cross-pollination from another high-quality mid-to-late variety.
- Hardiness: Fully resilient in USDA Zones 5–8; withstands deep continental winters.
- Logistics: Boasts excellent "marketability" due to its thicker skin and superior storage life.
Variety Description
Summary
Susquehanna® is widely regarded as the crown jewel of Neal Peterson's historic breeding program. This cultivar represents the pinnacle of pawpaw refinement, offering an unparalleled combination of fruit size, elite sweetness, and minimal seed count. The fruits are giants in the pawpaw world, frequently reaching weights that challenge the tree's structural integrity. Its flavor is intense and saturated, often compared to a gourmet caramel-mango custard. With a thick, durable skin and a long shelf life compared to wild selections, Susquehanna is a top choice for both professional growers and serious backyard enthusiasts who demand the absolute best in fruit quality.
Foundations and Pedigree
Neal Peterson spent decades selecting from thousands of wild and historic seedlings to find the parents of Susquehanna. It has since become a global benchmark in academic trials, consistently ranking among the top varieties for overall dessert quality and commercial potential.
Fruit Specifications: The Buttery Giant
Physical Attributes: Susquehanna regularly produces fruits in the 200–360g range. In optimized environments, it is not uncommon to see cluster-breaking specimens exceeding 1 lb (450g). Palette: This is one of the highest-brix varieties available, often reaching a staggering 26 °Brix. The flavor is a concentrated tropical medley, devoid of the "wild" or "funky" aftertastes sometimes found in lesser selections. Consistency: The pulp is uniquely dense and smooth, offering a decadent, buttery mouthfeel that is remarkably similar to high-quality avocado.
Orchard Productivity
Efficiency: While it can be slower-growing in its youth, a mature Susquehanna tree is a reliable producer, yielding approximately 40 large fruits per season in standardized KSU trials. Growth Habit: The tree forms a stately, ornamental structure. Due to its slow initial growth, it is recommended to maintain a rigorous mulching and fertilizing schedule in its first five years.
Management and Logistics
Maturity Timing: Being a late-season selection, it requires a significant amount of heat units to reach its full flavor potential. In northern zones, place it in the warmest part of the landscape. Pollination Strategy: It is an excellent partner for mid-to-late season varieties like Sunflower or Atwood. Its blossoms are large and attractive to pollinators.
Environmental Adaptation
Proven hardy in USDA Zones 5–8 (-29°C to -32°C). While robust, growers in high-humidity regions should ensure good canopy airflow to minimize Phyllosticta (leaf spot) during exceptionally wet summers.
Conclusion
If you only have space for one late-season variety and want the absolute "best of the best," Susquehanna® is the undeniable choice. It is a masterpiece of plant breeding that delivers a true gourmet experience. Its giant, sweet fruits and buttery texture make it the ultimate showpiece for any orchard. For those who prioritize flavor intensity and edible pulp ratio above all else, Susquehanna remains the undefeated champion of the Peterson collection.
Breed Performance Summary
| Indicator | Cultivar Metric |
|---|---|
| Heritage Line | Peterson Pawpaw Selection (Neal Peterson) |
| Average Fruit Mass | Giant (≈201 g avg; up to >450 g) |
| Yield Est. | Moderate (≈40 giant fruits per tree) |
| Flavor Class | Exceptional Sweetness (24–26 °Brix) |
| Flesh consistency | Dense Buttery / Melting Custard |
| Seed Ratio | Ultra-Low (2.9–6% Seed Mass) |
| Maturity window | Late Season (September–October) |
| Hardiness Grade | USDA Zones 5–8 |