I've read that pawpaws need little or no pruning and training. I have two little Peterson pawpaws each about 2 ft tall planted last april. They did not grow much the first year in the ground. However, right now they are growing well. Both of them have a main "trunk" (more like a twig) that is growing well. They also both have one side branch that originates about 8-10" off the ground (well above the graft) and is also growing well, maybe too well. I am in the deep south US Z8a. My first question is should I prune that low side branch off so they put all growth into the top?

My second question is how should I fertilize? They are so tiny I really want to pump them up this year and maximize growth. I'm watering as needed to achieve 1-2 in of water per week and they are mulched well with leaves, twigs, compost in a 3-4 ft radius. I have been applying about 4 gal of half strength regular miracle grow per tree once per week. Half strength is 1 tbsp per 2 gals water. This rate should give around 500 ppm of N (MG is 26%N). Doing the math on that says it is over 200 lbN/ac/yr which seems excessive, but the trees seem ok so far. Is this a good recipe for maximizing growth or should I be doing something differently? More dillute MG? Full strength? Regular dry ferts? There isn't much specific fertilization info out there for pawpaw.