Q. I put a passionfruit
tree on the north side of our house. I noticed many flowers but later on after
self-pollination the flowers fall off. What do I do to prevent it?
tree on the north side of our house. I noticed many flowers but later on after
self-pollination the flowers fall off. What do I do to prevent it?
A. Passionfruit is tropical and at best a semi tropical vine that bears a delicious, seedy fruit
with very little care under tropical conditions. It is not a tree so it does
need to be supported by a trellis of some sort. This is the cold desert so this
plant is handled a little bit differently here.
with very little care under tropical conditions. It is not a tree so it does
need to be supported by a trellis of some sort. This is the cold desert so this
plant is handled a little bit differently here.
 |
| Intercropping passionfruit, strawberries and kale in Kenya |
In
the desert, passionfruit requires more care than it does in the tropics and it
will most likely freeze back to the ground every year. But if the roots are
protected from winter cold it will grow again in the spring.
the desert, passionfruit requires more care than it does in the tropics and it
will most likely freeze back to the ground every year. But if the roots are
protected from winter cold it will grow again in the spring.
It
is good you planted it on the north side of a building but the East side would
be even better so that it gets light in the morning and shade from the late
afternoon sun. It likes a lot of compost added to the soil at the time of
planting and to the top of the soil each year.
is good you planted it on the north side of a building but the East side would
be even better so that it gets light in the morning and shade from the late
afternoon sun. It likes a lot of compost added to the soil at the time of
planting and to the top of the soil each year.
 |
| Giant passionfruit growing on a trellis over aquaculture in the Philippines |
Wood
chip mulch applied to the surface helps keep the heat off of the roots and
preserve moisture in the soil. Drip irrigation works but this plant may perform
better if rooted in a large basin or donut that fills with water.
chip mulch applied to the surface helps keep the heat off of the roots and
preserve moisture in the soil. Drip irrigation works but this plant may perform
better if rooted in a large basin or donut that fills with water.
There
are many different types and varieties of passionfruit and some perform better
than others in the desert. Varieties that have performed in the Phoenix,
Arizona, area include Frederick, Incense and Blue Crown. More can be read about
their care in Phoenix at http://www.phoenixtropicals.com/passionFruit.html
are many different types and varieties of passionfruit and some perform better
than others in the desert. Varieties that have performed in the Phoenix,
Arizona, area include Frederick, Incense and Blue Crown. More can be read about
their care in Phoenix at http://www.phoenixtropicals.com/passionFruit.html
Just
remember that Phoenix has warmer winters than we have so we must apply better
winter protection. They generally have better soils than we have as well.
remember that Phoenix has warmer winters than we have so we must apply better
winter protection. They generally have better soils than we have as well.
Passionfruit
is a heavy feeder so fertilize them frequently. They set fruit easiest during
the cooler times of late spring and early summer but may have difficulty during
the heat.
is a heavy feeder so fertilize them frequently. They set fruit easiest during
the cooler times of late spring and early summer but may have difficulty during
the heat.
They
may need to be hand pollinated if they fail to set fruit by themselves.
may need to be hand pollinated if they fail to set fruit by themselves.