🥭 Wabash - A Premier Peterson Selection with Massive Fruits and Complex Tropical Sweetness

Variety Description

Summary

Wabash is the heavyweight champion of the Peterson Pawpaws collection. Often nicknamed the "Wabash Cannonball" for its large, rounded fruit habit, it achieved the highest honors by winning Best Pawpaw at the prestigious 2023 Ohio Pawpaw Festival. It is defined by its decadent, high-sugar profile that layers notes of burnt caramel over a base of tropical mango. For the gourmet grower, it offers one of the best "eating experiences"—the pulp is dense yet melting, with a remarkably small seed footprint (only 6%). While it is a robust producer, its fruits have a thin, beautiful skin that requires gentle handling, identifying it as a premier cultivar for home orchards and specialty local markets where quality is prioritized over mass industrial shipping.

Foundations and Pedigree

Developed by world-renowned breeder Neal Peterson, Wabash represents decades of selective pressure for fruit size, texture, and flavor. It is a registered trademark variety, globally recognized for its consistent dessert excellence.

Fruit Specifications: The Gourmand's Choice

Physical Attributes: Fruits are famously round and heavy. The skin develops a beautiful golden-yellow hue when fully ripened on the tree. Palette: The sweetness is intense (measured at 24° Brix), balanced by a complex aromatic profile that persists on the palate. Texture: exceptionally smooth; it lacks any of the grittiness occasionally found in wild or northern-hardy varieties.

Orchard Integrity

Efficiency: Wabash is a productive tree, documented by Kentucky State University (KSU) as yielding approximately 65 fruits per mature specimen. Growth Habit: Reaches a mature height of 4 to 6 meters with a sturdy branching habit. While typically vigorous, it has been noted by some growers in the US Southeast to grow more slowly than other Peterson varieties, suggesting a preference for slightly cooler temperate zones (USDA 6 and below).

Management and Logistics

Maturity Timing: Tailored for the peak of the season—typically September. Pollination strategy: Performs optimally when paired with other Peterson selections like Shenandoah or Susquehanna. Harvest Note: In particularly wet seasons, fruits should be monitored for skin splitting; picking just as they begin to soften avoids this issue.

Environmental Adaptation

Hardy to USDA Zone 5. It thrives in the fertile, well-drained soils of the American Midwest and similar European climates. Its award-winning status has made it a priority for nurseries across the continent.

Conclusion

Wabash is the gold standard for those who believe a pawpaw should be as close to a tropical custard as possible. Its combination of massive size, round "cannonball" aesthetics, and an award-winning caramel flavor makes it an essential component of any world-class orchard. While it demands slightly more care in handling due to its delicate skin and specific terroir preferences, the reward is a harvest that represents the absolute peak of modern pawpaw hybridization. For the connoisseur who wants the very best of Neal Peterson’s life work, Wabash is a non-negotiable addition.