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Turquoise Puya

 

Passiflora antioquiensis

Red Banana Passionfruit

  Growing tips

 

Getting started -- It's normal for this plant to drop a few leaves during shipping.  Once it is established, it will quickly grow new ones.  The first week, keep it in moderate temperatures in a bright spot with no direct sun. 

Pot size -- You can transfer it to a pot about 50% wider than its currently in.  Transplant carefully to avoid breaking apart the soil ball.

Soil -- Like most Passiflora, this one likes moist, fertile soil that drains well.  A typical soil mix is 2 parts potting soil to 1 part perlite or coarse horticultural sand.

Watering --  Aim to keep the soil evenly moist all the time, but not constantly saturated.

Light -- Established plants like about a half day of sun.  But start your plant in bright shade or dappled sun and increase the sun a little each week over 1-2 months, watching for any burning.  In warmer climates, give it some protection from strong afternoon sun.

 It likes to weave in and out of a trellis, bush, or similar structure so that it chooses how much sunlight it gets. 

Temperature & humidity -- This Passiflora does best between about 45 and 80 degrees, with cool nights.  It reportedly can survive brief, light frosts, but i recommend protecting it from all frost.  I'm not sure how much heat it can tolerate, but if it is like some related Tacsonias, it may drop its summer flowers if temperatures rise above 85 or 90 degrees.  In hot conditions, keep the pot shaded, perhaps by placing it inside a second pot made of play.

 Indoors, between about 40 and 80% humidity is best.  This species flowers best with cooler nights, so if you grow it indoors in a warmer part of the country, try to lower the temps below 64 degrees at night when the plant nears maturity.

Trellising -- Since the blooms hang down by long stems, it's best to grow the vine at least 5 feet off the ground, so the blooms can be appreciated at eye level.  You may grow it along an arbor or pergola, covered by a shade cloth or translucent plastic.  You can also grow it along the roof of a shaded greenhouse, with wires strung across the roof to give the vine something to attach to. 

 The shoots tend to grow at least 12 feet long.  If any stems grow too long, simply turn them and send them in another direction.. although you can prune them shorter if necessary.

Fertilizing -- About every 2-3 months, give an all-purpose fertilizer that contains micronutrients, following the dose on the package. 

Flowering and fruiting --  If you want fruit, and you don't have hummingbirds nearby, pollinate the flowers manually using a small brush, or your finger.  You may cross-pollinate it with other Passiflora species in the Tacsonia section, to create hybrids. 

If you have questions, feel free to contact me.

Enjoy your plant!

- Jeff

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