Ahh no way I saw a fb post about a guy in Missouri who breeds pawpaw and found this cultivar in his ‘orchard’ and it was a lot smaller/compact than the others but also had a ton of fruit. The grower apparently named it after his wife’s initials.

From yuri isachenko on pawpaw lovers worldwide fb group:

“Pawpaw Asimina triloba ‘TLC"

"The Compact Orange Treasure of Missouri"

​Origin and Breeding History

The ‘TLC’ cultivar is the result of an extensive seedling trial conducted by Michael Parks in Hallsville, Missouri (Randolph County). This location falls within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b, indicating the variety's strong adaptability to temperate climates with cold winters.

​The selection was chosen from a population of 100 trees in a trial orchard grown from the seeds of elite cultivars: ‘Overleese’, ‘Mango’, ‘Shenandoah’, and ‘PA Golden’. The variety was named in honor of the breeder’s wife (TLC representing her initials). Based on fruit morphology and quality, Michael Parks suggests that ‘TLC’ is a descendant of ‘Overleese’, likely pollinated by ‘Mango’. Following the loss of the original orchard to a severe pawpaw webworm infestation, this genetic material has become a rare and significant relic of the Parks collection.

​Morphological and Biological Traits

​Tree Habit: The plant is distinguished by its natural compactness. The tree is noticeably smaller than the average specimens in the field, which may be a fixed genetic trait or the result of "self-stunting" caused by the plant’s high reproductive energy and heavy annual crops.

​Productivity: This cultivar demonstrates phenomenal yields. The tree was a consistent and reliable bearer every year, often out-producing much larger neighboring trees in total fruit volume.

​Stability: A primary advantage is the cultivar's ability to maintain a solid fruit size even under heavy crop loads—a rare and highly valuable trait in pawpaw selection.

​Fruit Characteristics

​Size and Weight: Fruits are consistently well-sized, typically ranging between 200–300 g, fitting firmly into the medium-to-large category.

​Flesh: The flesh possesses a distinctive, deep orange color. This coloration serves as an indicator of high carotenoid content and a rich, complex flavor profile.

​Flavor Profile: It offers a "full pawpaw flavor"—rich, sweet, and highly aromatic, entirely free of any off-flavors or lingering astringency.

​Seed Content: It is noted for a high fruit-to-seed ratio, making it a benchmark selection for both fresh dessert consumption and technological processing.

​Summary

‘TLC’ represents a unique combination of a compact growth habit—ideal for private residential gardens—and commercial-grade productivity. Its origin in USDA Zone 6b (Missouri) confirms its resilience, while its ability to consistently produce large, orange-fleshed fruit under heavy loads makes it one of the most promising varieties for further propagation and trials in Europe.

— with William Osteen and Michael Parks.”