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How to Grow Passionfruit (Passiflora)
by Jill Black
Description: Information on growing Passionfruit, including recipe for Passionfruit jam.
Passionfruit, or passionflower, are a climbing vine with edible fruit
making it a welcome addition to the home garden. There are over 400
species of passiflora species cultivated for their intricate flowers
and wonderful fruit with flower colours ranging from white and pink
through to red and purple.
Passionfruit (P. edulis) is a very hardy vine and will grow well in a
warm, sunny or partially shaded site sheltered from the wind. They
are fast growing with showy flowers producing large numbers of black
or purple fruit. Passionfruit climb by tendrils and need the support
of a trellis, wires or fence.
Hawaiian or Golden Passionfruit (P. edulis var. flavicarpa) is a must
for tropical fruit growers. A vigorous, fast growing tropical vine
that produces loads of sweet fragrant flowers, followed by large,
golden passiflora fruits with a delicious sweet/tart taste. This
variety of Passionfruit produces more and larger fruit than
Passiflora edulis.
Banana Passionfruit (P. mollisima) is a hardy variety but the fruit
is not as flavoursome as P. edulis or P. flavicarpa.
Passionfruit will tolerate most soil types. Grow in well drained soil
to prevent problems with root rot. Soil can be enriched by adding
compost and/or manure as well as some complete fertiliser.
Plant in moist soil and keep well watered until established. Water
well during the growing season and protect from frosts when young.
Mulch annually with animal manure or compost, being careful to keep
the stem area free. This will help conserve water and help with
flower and fruit production. Ammonium Sulphate may also be beneficial
in the warmer months of the first year.
Mature vines may need pruning annually to improve crop size. Snails,
slugs and sap sucking insects can be a problem. Control any pests and
diseases as necessary.
Passionfruit Jam
This delicious jam can be used as a cheesecake topping, over icecream
or as a spread.
1 Cup Passionfruit pulp
1 Cup Sugar
Cut Passionfruit in half and scoop out the seeds and pulp. Put into a
saucepan with the sugar and bring to boiling point. Bottle in
sterilised jars and cork. If you use less sugar it is advisable to
boil the Passionfruit and sugar for 5 minutes before bottling.
Jill is the owner of Netwrite-Publish Home and Garden, For more home
and garden ideas log on to http://www.netwrite-publish.com
