Passion fruit plant: care

Passion fruit plant: care

There is no doubt that one of the most exotic fruits that we can consume is passion fruit. This comes from the passion fruit plant, whose care is quite easy to provide, and in exchange, 6 months later, he offers us a first harvest.

But what do you know about this plant? What are those cares? If you want to know in order to think about whether to put it on or not, here we tell you everything about it.

How is the passion fruit plant

passion fruit flower

Passion fruit, passion fruit, passion fruit, passion fruit, passion flower, passion fruit... The truth is that the passion fruit plant has many names. It is a climbing plant, that develops a fairly strong stem, although in no case is it usually straight. It has smooth, deep green evergreen leaves. May reach 9 meters in height, but for this it is necessary to give it a support since not having it would fall to the ground. That is why it almost always grows more in width than in length.

The most striking thing about this plant are its flowers, very different from what you may have known since they are between white, purple and yellow, with several different layers that come together to form a very characteristic flower.

Es native to South America although today it can be easily grown in Spain. In fact, you do not need much space for it to develop and in about 6 months it will offer the first fruits.

Yes, his life is only 10 years. Beyond those usually die.

Passion fruit plant: important care

cultivation of the passion fruit plant

Now that you know a little more about the passion fruit plant, its care will not be a problem for you. We start from the basis that This plant is very hardy and adapts well to almost anything you provide it with.

In addition, it is easy to obtain because it usually comes in supermarkets, and in nurseries, from March, they can have it for sale.

Focusing on care, these are:

Lighting design

The passion fruit plant needs a lot of sun. At least 12 hours a day. And it is that it loves to be in the sun, especially direct sun, it is how it will grow the most.

Also, it does not like water very much, and it can die if you plant it in a climate where it rains a lot, because it is as if it becomes depressed and allows itself to die. So if you live in a hot climate and where it doesn't rain much, it will surely fit perfectly.

Temperature

If you wanted to give this passion fruit plant the ideal temperature, then you would have to make them oscillate between 25 and 30 degrees. Below, it can withstand a few degrees less, just like above.

But you must provide it with protective care during the winter because it does not support them, nor does it tolerate frost, so it should be placed in a place with a temperate or warm climate and use thermal blankets for cultivation and plastic to cover it in winter.

Substratum

The land, whether you are going to put it in the garden or you want to have it in a pot, must always have good drainage. likes humidity, although we tell you that it usually adapts to what is given to it.

However, if what you want is to provide him with a good quality in terms of land and that is his ideal, bet on those that are slightly acidic and with a neutral pH. Also, add a bit of drainage (perlite, vermiculite…) and a bit of manure. With that you will be happy.

What you should keep in mind is that this plant is going to need a tutor, that is, some latticework or wires in the upper part so that its branches become entangled and the plant develops. This causes that, wherever you place it, in a matter of about 4 months, you will no longer be able to move it except by cutting all those grips that the plant has established in the area. What's more, if you don't want to do that, you should know that if the plant touches the ground, it ends up dying.

fruits of the passion fruit plant

Irrigation

The irrigation of the passion fruit plant is one of the most scarce. Yes, it likes water, and the experts talk about keeping the soil moist, but the truth is that it doesn't like it that much. If you give him little water several times, he will appreciate it much more. than if you offer it only once and too much.

Therefore, it is better to water it little but many times a week. Enough to maintain good hydration, little more.

In fact, it is better to install a drip irrigation system than to water with a hose.

As for humidity, he likes it, but you shouldn't go overboard either. In the first years, it is necessary to provide the usual care of an exotic plant; but little by little it adapts to the climate and is more permissive.

Fertilizer

If you provide it with fertilizer, for example in autumn to endure the summer, or in spring, to give it more energy in its floral and fruit development, it will thank you.

This plant needs organic compost, such as manure. But if there isn't, bet on a liquid fertilizer for fruit plants that usually comes in handy.

Transplant

If you have it in a pot, you will need to you transplant it every year to a larger pot because the plant will need space for its roots, more as it increases in size. As it is caught by its branches, it can be difficult to manipulate it to get it into another pot, which is why many choose to put it directly on the ground in the garden.

It is upholstery, so you can cover the fences or walls in a few months and at the same time enjoy its flowers and fruits.

Pruning

For the plant to be healthy, not have development or growth problems, and also not invade other plants, you will need to prune it.

can only be done before it blooms or bears fruit. In those moments do not touch it, it is better to wait for it to pass because the plant will lose energy in healing the cuts and it will not carry out neither the flowering nor the fruits.

Plagues and diseases

The truth is that it has many, and almost all of them related to humidity. That is why it is so important to take care of the irrigation and lighting of the passion fruit plant.

Among the latests Moravia's compositions pests that can endanger it, the main ones are red mites and trips.

Of diseases, the most common are those of rotting of roots or the plant itself and dieback.

You already know the care of the passion fruit plant, do you dare to have it at home?


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