How to look after passion fruit vines

Press, 25 July 1986, Page 12

How to look after passion fruit vines

The coloured filaments suggested to them the halo or crown of thorns, the 10 petals signified the crucifixion, five prominent stamens the five wounds, and the three broad styles the nails. The coiling tendrils of the plant inferred ropes or

GARDENING

by

Mike Lusty

Passion fruit vines provide us with some distinctively flavoured fruit and also give the opportunity to grow some of the most beautiful flowered, ornamental, evergreen climbers available.

Their often rampant growth makes them ideally suited for covering unsightly structures or whatever else will provide th< 'ith th'

aem w; me necessary support. However, few of the species of this very large genus are tolerant of more than light frosts or exposure to cold winds, especially if they are to be fruitful. The blue passion flower, Passiflora caerulea, has flowers which are amongst the largest of the genus, up to 100 mm or more across. Its prominent, greenishwhite petals are overlaid with a showy crown of filaments that are blue at the top and purple at the base. The white zone between these creates an unusual halo effect. It was this flower that gave rise to both generic and common names bestowed by early Italian and Spanish travellers in its country of origin, Brazil. They were convinced that the flower represented the crucifixion.

scourges, and the palmate leaves of this species denoted the hands of the persecutors. The slightly fragrant single flowers of this vine usually develop into large, ovoid, temptingly bright orange-coloured but unfortunately inedible fruit. The red flowered passion vine, P. coccinea, is perhaps even more spectacular with an almost year-round presence of some bloom, with most in the spring. It is probably not hardy enough for other than really sheltered places. It is the black passion fruit, P. edulis and its various hybrids, which is most generally in home gardens and is the most readily obtainable. P. antioquiensis "van Volexmii” is a very pleasantly flavoured form with pendant, scarlet flowers. It is somewhat like the more common banana passion fruit, which also produces yellow-skinned, orangefleshed fruit which has become a garden escapee in various parts of the country which have milder climates.

Passion fruit vines

respond to sound cultural attention. This pays dividends, as the vine produces better and more reliable crops. In this respect, a northerly aspect, full exposure to sun, shelter from damaging winds and frosts, a fertile, moisture-retentive but free-draining soil, good support and adequate training should not be overlooked.

Edible fruiting vines should also be given fertiliser at planting time, and after that twice annually — in September, and again in December, splitting the annual ration equally. An initial application of 225 g of 2:1:1 (N:P:K) should be made and thereafter increased progressively to a maximum of 1.5-2 kg for a mature plant.

. It is even more uncommon to see a well trained passion vine than it is a kiwi fruit. Six to eight leaders provide a readily manageable training system with annual pruning of established plants to be carried out in spring. This encourages the fruiting potential and keeps the plant open and controllable. All dead, diseased, weak, and excessive growth should be removed as a first step.

Fruited laterals should then be shortened back to two buds from the leader. The leaders should be renewed on a progressive and continuous basis by selecting suitable vigorous new shoots to take their place.