Passiflora INCARNATA

Passiflora INCARNATA - Purple passionflower, Maypop, Apricot vine.

Passiflora is a genus of liana-like plants in the Passifloraceae family, growing in tropical and subtropical climates of Australia, Asia, the Americas - particularly in Peru and Brazil - in the Mediterranean, with one species native to Madagascar. The genus includes around 500 species of visually unique plants. There are annual and perennial varieties, growing as herbaceous plants or evergreen climbing shrubs and lianas, with dissected pinnate or simple fleshy dark green leaves up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long that can change shape as they mature. In most species, petioles and leaves bear specifically situated glands that secrete liquid, which in nature serves to attract ants that protect the plant against caterpillars. Simple, unbranched tendrils emerge from the leaf axils, reaching toward support on their own. The stems of the plant become woody as they grow.

Each species blooms with beautiful, solitary, axillary, fragrant star-shaped flowers on long pedicels. Large flowers up to 10-12 cm (3.9-4.7 in) in diameter consist of five petals and five sepals with large bracts framing an ovary of three stigmas surrounded by five stamens with prominent anthers. Between the stamens and perianth are filaments colored in vivid tones, forming a violet-blue corona. Varieties with red, white, purple, pink, and green flowers are encountered less frequently. Flowering can be observed from July to October. In the American tropics, hummingbirds pollinate the flowers; in other settings, this process is done by hand. After flowering, Passiflora forms berry fruits up to 6 cm (2.4 in) in length containing black seeds. Edible, tart-tasting, fragrant fruits such as passionfruit (maracuja) and granadilla are widely known. Unripe fruits of all Passiflora species contain cyanides.

Purple passionflower is an unpretentious and cold-hardy vine reaching 6-10 m (20-33 ft) in length. Flowers occur in various colors. The lemon-yellow, slightly tart fruits are very pleasant to the taste. While many passifloras possess medicinal properties, this species is of the greatest interest from a medical standpoint.

Seeds are pre-scarified (lightly rubbed with sandpaper), soaked in warm water for 24 hours, and sown in a prepared mixture of equal parts sod soil, peat, humus, and sand without burying them deeply. Moisten with a spray bottle, cover with glass or film, and germinate in light at a temperature of 22-25 °C (72-77 °F). Crops need ventilation. It is essential to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the seeds. Seeds germinate in anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months, and occasionally up to 9 months. The cover is removed after seedlings emerge. Seedlings are pricked out into individual small pots after a pair of true leaves develops.

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Passiflora is very popular among plant growers due to its unpretentious nature and rapid growth. It prefers bright lighting; however, during midday summer hours, it is best to shade the plant from direct sunlight to avoid burns. On south-facing windows, it displays maximum flowering; it grows splendidly on western and eastern sills, while on northern windowsills and in light shade it will grow but bloom very sparsely. It can be moved outdoors in the warm season. During winter, supplementary grow lamps are desirable. It requires a constant supply of fresh air but does not tolerate drafts. In summer, the comfortable temperature is 20-25 °C (68-77 °F); in heat exceeding 30 °C (86 °F), the plant quickly loses its ornamental value, yellows, dries out, and blooms poorly. In winter during dormancy, it needs a cool rest at 10-15 °C (50-59 °F); without these conditions, it may lose its leaves or even perish.

Watering must be systematic and abundant from early spring until late autumn. The soil should remain consistently moist without waiting for it to dry out, though stagnant water in the tray must also be avoided. In winter, watering is reduced to 3-4 times per month. During summer, it needs daily misting with soft water. It is important that direct sunlight does not hit the plant while misting, to prevent leaf scorch, so the procedure is best performed in the evening. A gentle warm shower can also be given every 7-10 days, taking care not to damage fragile stems. Low air humidity may encourage red spider mites and cause flower buds to drop.

During the spring and summer period of vigorous growth, Passiflora is fed every two weeks, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers for indoor flowering plants at half the recommended dose. The optimal nutrient ratio is: 4 parts potassium, 2 parts nitrogen, and 1 part phosphorus. The soil must always be moistened prior to feeding. Applying foliar feeding every six weeks is also recommended. Do not fertilize the plant in winter or when it is under unaccustomed environmental conditions.

Repotting of young plants is performed annually in spring, while mature specimens are repotted once every 2-3 years. It is advisable to increase the container size only slightly, because more root space yields a longer and bushier vine at the expense of flowering. A potting soil composed of equal parts sod soil, leaf mold, peat, and sand is used. It is best to pot the plant on into the new container by transferring the root ball intact. Pruning is carried out during repotting, watering is temporarily reduced, and misting is suspended.

The shoots require sturdy support and prompt guiding, as they grow quickly and become woody just as fast. During the first year, Passiflora develops primary stems that form the backbone of the future vine. Flowers appear only on new growth; therefore, starting from three years of age, annual spring pruning of basal suckers and one-third of the bare secondary branches carried over from the previous year is recommended. After flowering and fruiting, main branches are shortened by three-quarters of their length, and bare secondary shoots are cut back completely. It is important not to prune flush with the main stem, leaving 4-5 cm (1.6-2.0 in) of shoot. Pruning should be carried out gradually over several sessions; this prevents mass dieback of fine roots and reduces the risk of root rot and plant loss.