🥭 VE-9 - A High-Quality Lehman Selection for Northern Climates

Variety Description

Summary

VE-9 (Valley East 9) is a standout cultivar from the late Jerry Lehman’s extensive breeding work in Terre Haute, Indiana. While less famous than his named varieties like 'Shenandoah' (which he co-discovered), VE-9 is highly respected among specialists for its reliable production and exceptional fruit size. It is a "heavy producer" that matures its crop in the late season, making it an excellent partner for growers who want to extend their harvest window into late autumn. The flavor is classic Lehman—sweet, pure, and tropical, without the muskiness associated with wild selections. Its ability to produce fruits as large as 450g identifies it as a premier choice for those seeking the "big-fruit" experience in a home orchard setting.

Foundations and Pedigree

Selected from Lehman’s legacy plots between 1989 and 2019, VE-9 is thought to be a hybrid of Prolific and Overleese (or Davis/Prolific), combining the high yields of the former with the fruit size and flavor quality of the latter. It remains a benchmark for Michigan-Indiana germplasm.

Fruit Specifications: The Late Season Heavyweight

Physical Attributes: Light-green skin that holds its integrity well even as the fruit softens. Fruits are typically substantial, born singly or in pairs. Palette: The sweetness is deep and resonant, leaning more into vanilla and caramel tropical notes than citrus. Texture: uniform, high-density pulp with a silk-smooth consistency.

Orchard Integrity

Efficiency: VE-9 is a workhorse in the orchard. It is described by collectors as an "annually heavy producer," maintaining its yields even after stressful winters. Growth Habit: Reaches a mature height of 4 to 6 meters with a broad, vigorous canopy that responds well to standard pruning.

Management and Logistics

Maturity Timing: Unlike the ultra-early VE-21, VE-9 focuses its energy on a late harvest. In its native region, this window is typically October, though it may vary depending on summer heat units. Pollination Strategy: Benefits significantly from cross-pollination with other mid-to-late varieties like Potomac or Overleese.

Environmental Adaptation

Fully resilient in USDA Zones 5–8. Its late-ripening nature means northern growers should ensure it is planted in a location that receives maximum autumn sunlight to guarantee sugar development.

Conclusion

VE-9 is the "reliable giant" of the Lehman collection. It provides the gardener with consistent, heavy yields of massive fruits that define the modern dessert pawpaw. Its clean, sweet flavor and robust tree vigor make it an essential choice for any diverse collection, particularly those looking to maximize their late-season output. For those who value the legacy of Jerry Lehman’s breeding, VE-9 stands as a testament to his pursuit of the perfect northern-hardy, large-fruiting pawpaw.