Passionfruit perfection

Grafted passionfruit

Passionfruit vines are often grafted onto a hardier root stock which makes them more pest and disease resistant. Remove any shoots below the graft or near the vine as these are suckers from the vigorous-growing root stock and can quickly take over the whole plant.

Add mulch around the root system to reduce evaporation and protect it from the hot sun but leave a bit of space around the stem to avoid collar-rot.

Fertilising and watering

Feed twice a year - once in early spring after pruning and again in autumn once the fruit has finished. Over-fertilising can prevent fruiting. Passionfruit vines have a shallow but wide root system so water your established plant by covering at least a metre around the base.

Harvesting and pruning

Leave the vine to climb in its first year, then pinch out the top bud to encourage lots of side shoots. It can take 12–18 months for a newly planted vine to reach fruiting size. Prune established vines in early spring. Cut back by a third and thin out the centre if it has become very dense. Fruit will appear on the current season’s growth. Pick when the skin is dark coloured & slightly wrinkly.

A note about pollination

Passionfruit rely on pollination from bees and other insects. Plant lavender to attract bees, or hand pollinate by transferring pollen from flower to flower with a small dry paintbrush.

Popular varieties

• Nellie Kelly Black
• Panama - Gold, Red, Purple
• Big Boppa
• Sweet Granadilla
• Banana

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