The way to Grow Two distinct Kinds of Passion Plants

The passion plant, a vigorous member of the Passifloraceae family that contains over 500 species, which is a perennial vine grown in tropical and subtropical locales all over the world. Producing stunning, colorful flowers and its 12-foot-long vine in addition to aromatic fruit used in jellies, juices and pies, that plant is a helpful, attractive garden addition in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10. The most commonly grown species, Passiflora edulis, includes the standard purple selection and a yellow variety (Passiflora edulis flavicarpa), also known as golden passion fruit. Yellow passion fruit pies won’t take the pollen of the purple selection, along with the pair don’t typically produce flowers at precisely the same time, so they could grow side by side without side cross pollination.

Choose healthy young plots for planting including at least 2 yellow vines for pollination purposes.

Plant passion fruit vines in early spring in a sunny area with wind safety and sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Dig holes 10 to 15 feet apart along a fence or strong, reinforced trellis so that the vines can grow either vertically or horizontally. Plants may also be instructed to grow up tall trees, which provide wind protection.

Cover the base of each plant with soil and water each plant thoroughly. Water frequently throughout the year, keeping the soil moist, but well drained.

Fertilize the plants four times each year with 3 lbs of 10-5-20 balanced fertilizer. Apply fertilizer once after winter pruning, from the spring, at midsummer and late in the summer, watering heavily following each program.

Train vines to grow together along their support structures. Tie young stems to the support structures with fabric ties.

Encourage carpenter bees to pollinate plants by placing hollow, decayed logs and other wooden objects close to the vines when they are flowering. Hand pollinate the flowers if bees are in short supply.

Harvest the fruit of purple Eyes early in the summertime, once the fruit turns dark purple or purple falls off the vine and of yellow vines periodically throughout the summer.

Prune plants at the dormant winter season, or only after the first harvest, if winters are mild. Prune back to healthy stems, removing all dead and diseased wood.

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