I posted this in the tropicals section, but no takers yet, so anybody here can answer these questions?
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
questions on passifloras
You'll need to hand pollinate in the greenhouse. You can do it with a paint brush or by plucking off an anther with tweezers and applying the pollen to the stigma of the flower. There are 3 stigmas and you want to apply pollen to all three... this is a good picture of the flower structure http://www.passionflow.co.uk/naming1.htm
And this is a good page about crossing different species http://www.passionflow.co.uk/naming1.htm
Kathy, it all depends upon the type of passiflora. Some are very hardy and may bloom in your greenhouse. Some tend to go near dormant with temps in the 40s. Some passies are hybrid and may not produce seed. Some passies must be hand pollinated from other passies to produce seed. Some fruit is edible, some are not. I am no expert on passies, but do have quite a few. Do you know which passies you have?
yes, I'll get a list together and post it here, thanks for the help guys, great information poppy sue.
kathy
ok, these are all new, and I know most won't produce flowers this year anyway, but just in case
constance elliot
biflora
lutea
trifasciata
lavender lady
blue crown
unknown red lost tag
st. rule
quadrangularus
citrina
serrifolia
maypops
foetida
lady margaret, I know I have this one, I couldn't find it anywhere, LOL lost amonst the forest around here.
kathy
Kathy,
"Maypops" is P. Incarnata, I believe, and will produce fruit on its own without pollination. See this link: http://www.floridata.com/ref/p/passiflo.cfm and http://davesgarden.com/pdb/go/1189/index.html This one is a fairly aggressive growing vine and is hardy to Zone 6.
P. Quadrangularis should also produce fruit on its own and should be protected from temperatures below 50: http://davesgarden.com/pdb/go/631/index.html
P. Lady Margaret is a sterile Passiflora, I believe, and the fruit, if produced, will be empty. It is hardy to Zone 8: http://davesgarden.com/pdb/go/57444/index.html
P. Caerulea "Constance Elliot" has edible fruit and is hardy to Zone 6: http://davesgarden.com/pdb/go/54128/index.html
P. foetida: http://davesgarden.com/pdb/go/1194/index.html
P. "Lavender Lady" is a sterile hybrid and hardy to zone 7: http://davesgarden.com/pdb/go/490/index.html
P. Caerulea "Blue Crown" is an aggressive grower and produces fruit which doesn't have much flavor: http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/blue_passion_flower.htm
P. Citrina is probably a sterile hybrid: http://davesgarden.com/pdb/go/1266/
Your passifloras only need to be in a greenhouse in the winter if they are not hardy in your area. Only a few should bloom occasionally indoors. Most passifloras bloom in the spring and summer and produce fruit following the blooms. If you keep your passifloras in a greenhouse during the spring and summer, they will flower in the greenhouse if given the proper amount of light. Passifloras are generally easy to grow and don't require much. You should get plenty of fruit without having to pollinate yourself.
You may want to do a google search on the other passifloras to find out what they need.
Temperatures drop into the 40's where I live in the wintertime, and all my Passifloras are outside. The only ones which seem to need protection in the low 40's are P. quadrangularis and P. edulis.
Thanks so much clare for all the help, it does get pretty cold here, sometimes in the teens.
kathy