Passsionfruit

A fruit that is often forgotten until the purple-black round fruit are ready for harvest, and yet passionfruit is an undemanding, easy plant to grow. Not only are they valued for their fruit, but they are also used for ornamental reasons because of their glossy foliage and fragrant exotic flowers. If you have the space, why not give passionfruit a go. Passionfruit are a semi-evergreen tendril-climbing perennial vine native to Brazil. Purple passionfruit (Passiflora edulis), the golden passionfruit (Passiflora edulis flavicarpa) and hybrids of these two are the most commonly grown varieties. Purple passionfruit would be the most widely cultivated – the tangy pulp is used in desserts and other culinary dishes.

Planting

Passionfruit enjoy a warm, sheltered, frost-free sunny position. Light free-draining soil is best. In clay soils, plant into raised beds to improve drainage. You should also consider planting them in pots and tubs if the soil is not suitable or if winter frosts are a threat – they can easily be grown on a patio or deck.

Plant passionfruit vines in spring and summer. Autumn is also a good planting time in frost-free areas. Enrich the soil with generous quantities of peat, compost or any well-rotted organic material before planting. Add Magamp slow release fertiliser to the planting hole and mix into the soil. The vine is suitable for growing on trellis, along fences, or against a wall with adequate support such as wire or netting. Vines will bear fruit 15 months after planting. Vines are short lived, bearing fruit for 5-6 years, after this time, replant new vines.

Watering, Mulching and Feeding

For continuous flowering and fruiting, regular watering is essential. As fruit matures, water requirements are high to prevent fruit prematurely shriveling up and dropping off the vine. Mulch vines in autumn and spring with compost, peat or any well-rotted organic material to retain soil moisture and protect the shallow root system. Keep mulch away from the stem of the vine.

Because vines are vigorous and fast growing, they require regular feeding using a specially blended fertiliser – citrus fertiliser is ideal. Feed plants four times during the growing season. Avoid applying fertiliser in autumn. This will promote soft growth that will not be adequately hardened off before winter. Take care to apply fertiliser at the recommended rate and water-in after each application. A fertiliser high in nitrogen can be used until the vine has reached its desired height, then use a complete blended fertiliser to promote flowering – too much nitrogen will result in plenty of lush green growth, and not a lot of flowers.

Pruning

The climbing frame to support the vine does not need to be elaborate, but it does need to be strong. A framework needs to be established from which laterals will grow and bear fruit. Remove side shoots and train one central leader until it reaches the fence, trellis or support wire. Pinch the growing tip to encourage branching. Train these new laterals along the wire. Prune vines in spring, once the risk of frost has passed. Remove weak or dead growth, reduce vigorous laterals by one third and thin out overcrowded growth. Pruning maintains vigour and keeps plants productive. With good training a canopy can be formed that will protect vines in frost prone areas – only the outside foliage will be affected.

Harvest

Harvest purple passionfruit when the fruit turns from green to purple and falls to the ground. Yellow passionfruit can be harvested when it turns golden yellow. Fruit can either be picked off the vine when it colours up or from the ground when it drops. The fruit is sweetest when slightly shriveled. Harvested passionfruit will last for 2 – 3 weeks. The juice and pulp are suitable for freezing.

Protect Vines from Pests and Disease

Protect vines from slugs and snails. Regularly spray vines with Champion Copper to protect against fungus diseases. Passionvine hoppers are small sap-sucking moth-like insects that jump when disturbed. If they are left unchecked, they can cause reduced vigour, black sooty mould forms on the honeydew they excrete. Spray with a systemic insecticide such as Orthene.

Protecting Vines in Frost Areas

If you live in a region that experiences severe frosts, you may still be able to successfully grow passionfruit. They can be grown in containers which makes them moveable before frost sets in. Use a quality potting mix that contains a controlled release fertiliser such as Osmocote. Water plants regularly, especially during flowering and fruiting. Feed plants with Osmocote at three monthly intervals, liquid feed throughout the summer months with Thrive Flower and Fruit. Some passionfruit varieties are more frost hardy than others are. Your local garden centre will help you to select a variety suitable for your growing conditions.