Passionfruit · Nellie Kelly

Passifloraceae · Passiflora edulis

Native to: Southern Brazil

Characteristics

Perennial

Grafted Black will cover an area of 6-8sqm during its lifespan. It produces attractive purple and white flowers, followed by round, medium-sized fruit, with a juicy tanginess that sweetens as it matures. Expect up to 400 passionfruit during summer and autumn to enjoy in salads, cakes, yoghurt and juice.

This vine will fruit well for up to 10 years.

The basics

Position: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Water: Water widely around the base of your passionfruit vine while fruit is ripening, especially on hotter days. Lack of sufficient water during this period results in fruit with poor quality pulp and little juice.

Position

Care

When watering ensure a wide area around the base of the vine is covered, this will promote healthy growth and delicious juicy fruit.
It is important to cut off any shoot that appears below the graft with a sharp knife or blade.

Feed

Feed in Spring
For developed plants spread the fertiliser over a wide area around the base of the vine in spring after pruning, and again once the fruit has been picked. Superphosphate around the base of your vine will encourage flower growth.

Pruning

When to prune: Prune annually during early spring by removing last years growth.

Prune your vine each spring to promote new growth and optimum fruit production. Remove a third of the previous year’s growth and leave the major runners and laterals on the trellis. Fertilise after pruning.

Harvest

When to harvest: Mid to Late Summer

The passion fruit will turn from green to deep purple or yellow when ripe. Pick them when they reach full colour, or gather fruits that have dropped to the ground.

Flowers in: Mid-spring days

Journal

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