A Passion For Fruit Of The Vine
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday November 14, 2000
If you want to plant with passion this summer, why not try your hand at growing passionfruit?
Passionfruit vines are an Australian backyard favourite and, with their attractive flowers, corkscrew tendrils, ease of growth and luscious fruit, it's not hard to see why.
Black passionfruit are the most widely grown, although some other varieties, such as golden or banana passionfruit, are more common in particular climates.
Judy Horton, from Yates, offered the following advice for those wanting to try growing the delicious fruit.
Where to Grow Passionfruit
* Most importantly the vines will need something to climb on - a fence or trellis are usually the best options.
* Passionfruit prefer a sheltered spot that is sunny and wind protected, although they are quite hardy and will cling to life in less than ideal conditions.
* Prepare the soil before planting by digging-in some old compost and a couple of handfuls of dynamic lifter.
* Plant in late spring so it has plenty of time to establish before the colder weather.
Fertilising and Growing
* Healthy passionfruit vines should be regularly fed. Feed with Gro-Plus citrus food in late winter and again in late summer. Applications of blood and bone will encourage friendly microbial activity in the soil.
* Use Zero to get rid of any grass growing at the base of the plant, making sure that the Zero doesn't directly contact the vine.
* Keep a good thick layer of organic mulch (made from old manure, compost and half-decomposed garden clippings) over the soil in the root area.
* Water regularly during dry periods. Good soakings are much more effective than light sprinklings.
Passionfruit Problems
* Wilt. This soil-borne disease causes the vine to literally wilt and droop very quickly. There's no cure other than to destroy the vine.
* Woodiness. A virus disease that causes the rind of the fruit to become thick and woody. There is no cure but to control aphids, which spread the disease, and replace the affected plant in another part of the garden.
* Failure to fruit. Just-planted vines can be slow to begin fruiting. Apart from good care and fertilising, patience is the best prescription.
© 2000 Illawarra Mercury
