I'm realy new to passifloras, and have acquired a few say 8 for the greenhouse this winter, have questions:
l. Will they flower in the greenhouse this winter? Their small vines, was just wondering, if they were big enough would they flower in the greenhouse.
2. If I want them to produce seeds, what do I do?
3. they won't cross will they, ? if the bees etc... are allowed in the greenhouse. won't need heat till december probably, maybe later. but nights will get in to the 40's in december
4. this is part of question 3, If I have to pollinate them to get them to produce seed, how do I do this.
thanks for all the help guys. I have tomatoes i'm doing in the greenhouse too, going over to the veggie forum to ask about polinating them in the greenhouse this winter too, this is my first time growing things in the greenhouse.
I just want certain things to produce seeds.
I also have a few other tropicals, I was wondering about if they flower and seed on their own in the greenhouse. going to get a list now.
kathy_ann
question on passifloras
I have several varieties that I overwinter under lights. I have found that the flowers are too few... except the 2 I purchased this year. I am also looking for tips - to produce blossoms. I feed them, but still no blossoms from the older plants. Experts out there?
i'm gonna send this over to the vines forum too to se if they can help some
kathy
JRush, passifloras bloom in the spring and summer and flower best when given no fertilizer at all. See this same link over at the vines forum: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/454500/
I have got to be honest and tell you that mine are so neglected I never do anything with them except water and they just flower all summer [covered in butterflies too]
However, some new plants I purchased recently will not take frosts [ we do get some frost in San Diego County] so I am not sure about these ones, except that they will have to go outside there is no room in my conservatory for them. I did purchase a wonderful book recently titled 'Passion Flowers' author John Vanderplank, he is a British grower, and has many plants, my own view is to overwinter mine outside [ I realise that we are a lot warmer than most states] but I know for sure that 2 of them will not take frost, perhaps they will surprise me..also if I can keep the crowns well protected possibly the roots will still be intact. I do not know if the author of the book overwinters his inside, I will have to check on what he does. [ and it does get very cold in the UK]..also pollination.. will have to read the chapters to find outif he mentions this, I have had to hand pollinate some of my tropical fruit trees this year, quite a thrill to see the fruit developing but not sure if I would care to do that every year.....
Well -I guess I now know why I have so few flowers - I have been feeding them in vain! Thanks for the information - this is one of my new ones I purchased this year, Clear Skies.
And this one is Sapphire. Even though I have only gotten a dozen blossoms, it is so worth it to see these strange & beautiful flowers! I am in seventh heaven when they bloom.
I found this site to have a tremendous amount of useful information http://www.passionflow.co.uk/ I just planted my first one about two months ago and have at least a 1/2 dozen fruit ripening. I am looking forward to a tasty treat.
Pot em up...one of the reasons I purchase new passifloras is because of the sweetness of the fruit [ and the wonderful flowers]
I use my fruit [ tons of it] but years ago I planted some seeds outside in the off-chance that they ''may'' grow....those passion flowers had the best tasting, sweetest fruit..I thought all of them tasted like that WRONG some of them are a little bitter...not having taken much notice of the seeds I planted have no idea what I planted...I am growing the very large P. Quarangularis not only to see the wonderful flowers, but the giant sized fruit...however, takes very little frost...so we will see...????