I bought a porch plant this summer, passion flower 'caerulea blue' says the tag. We brought it in for the winter, and it's putting out new growth, with buds.
The plant is wa-ay overgrown, I think. it is even growing out the bottom of the pot. So do I cut it back now and root some? Or let it go for the winter and do something in spring?
Here is a picture of the whole plant:
This is a picture of the new growth
Julie, you can cut it back now (you better send me some of the clippings hehehe) or you can wait until spring it's not going to hurt it either way
gotcha.. I think Bill wants to leave it and see how big it grows!
passies only flower on new growth though, so best to trim it before you put it back outside this spring then...have fun with mom
P.caerulea is a vigorous vine that will set many blooms in spring and some throughout the summer. I have large vines in the ground. It can make a fine large pot if given enough sun. This shot is spring bloom of a vine that is several years old.
Johanna
Johanna, that is beautiful! Zone envy, zone envy....
I am thinking of obtaining a huge pot next year and trying growing up instead of down. Right now it is in your typical garden variety hanging pot, but will definitely need to be put in a larger pot next year.
You certainly did something right to get such a healthy looking vine in a small pot. As you can see, caerulea produces zillions of flowers when it gets treated well. It is one of the hardiest passiflora but 6a is just too cold, I think.
How did you fertilize your vine?
I used miracle grow once every couple weeks. It was outside on the porch all summer. it didn't nearly as many flowers as yours does, and some buds dropped. (I tossed them over by the neighbors gas meter).
I don't think it would survive the winter, that's why we brought it in. DH loves an impressive porch plant (our porch is small) so I bought it for him for Fathers Day @ $35. So I didn't want to lose it.
I also think my plants know I love them.
Several flowers on such a young small plant is great. Try rooting the growth tips that you prune off.
You may learn a lot by googling passiflora caerulea. There is interesting info on this plant since it has been in cultivation for so long. Caerulea is often used to hybridize passies since it flowers well and is one of the hardier species..
thanks for the info, I'll do that.
