Passiflora tetrandra
| Passiflora tetrandra | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 30' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Passiflora tetrandra
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. If sown in January and grown on fast it can flower and fruit in its first year[1]. The seed germinates in 1 - 12 months at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. It you are intending to grow the plants outdoors, it is probably best to keep them in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Mulch the roots well in late autumn to protect them from the cold.
Cuttings of young shoots, 15cm with a heel, in spring[2].
Leaf bud cuttings in spring.
Cuttings of fully mature wood in early summer. Takes 3 months. High percentage[3].
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. However, judging by its native range, it is likely to succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Requires a well-drained soil with plenty of moisture in the growing season, otherwise it is not fussy[2][4]. Dislikes highly alkaline soils[5].
If plants are cut down to the ground by frost they can often regenerate from the base[4]. It is best to apply a good mulch to the roots each winter in order to protect them from the cold[6].
Roots of outdoor grown plants should be restricted to encourage fruiting[2]. Plants produce tendrils and climb by attaching these to other plants.
If fruit is required, especially when the plant is grown indoors, it is best to hand pollinate using pollen from a flower that has been open for 12 hours to pollinate a newly opened flower before midday[1][4]. The flowers open in sunny weather and do not open on dull cloudy days[7].
Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut back to ground level if required to rejuvenate the plant[5]. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring[7].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Lowland forest[8], to the montane zone[9], in North and South Islands, south to 44°south.
Edibility: Fruit[9].
An edible gum is obtained from the stem[9].
Usage: The plant can be used as a slow match[10].
A fragrant body oil can be obtained from the seed[9].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 RHS. The Garden Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Simmons, Alan. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles, 1972.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ Vanderplank, John. Passion Flowers. Cassell London, 1991.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ Laing, Robert. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd, 1907.