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Passiflora parritae

Please be careful removing your plant from its packaging.

Getting started -- Your plant was grown in filtered sunlight, so plan on acclimating it to direct sun slowly.  I recommend giving it 80% shade (bright shade) the first week or two after transplanting, then add 10% every 2 weeks. 

Pot size -- You can transfer your plant to a 1 to 5 gallon container, and transplant again to a bigger pot whenever the roots reach the bottom, or after 2-4 months.  Within 12-18 months, it should have approximately 5 gallons, and after 2 years it should be in a 10-15 gallon pot or larger.

Soil -- Like most Passiflora, this one likes moist, fairly rich soil that drains well.  Most high-quality potting soils should work, along with 40-50% perlite or pumice rock for extra drainage.

Potting up -- Transplant carefully to avoid disturbing the fragile roots.  Don't compact the soil down after transplanting - simply water it thoroughly.  Do not fertilize the first 10 days after transplanting.

Watering --  P. parritae likes regular watering, so that the soil is consistently moist, but not soggy. For the first month, please ensure that the original soil ball remains moist all the times. You may use a moisture meter probe to monitor moisture levels deep in the root zone. 

The tap water in many parts of the country may overly alkaline or have unwanted chemicals, so i recommend using either a good water filter, or bottled water or rain water.  Avoid "ion exchange" water filters that add sodium to the water, like Brita or Pur.

Temperature & humidity -- This species is happiest between 45 and 75 degrees.  It will lag when temperatures rise into the upper 80s and 90s, and might be injured from warmer temps.  Unless you live along the coast of California, it's best to grow it in a an air-conditioned room that's kept in the 60s or 70s during the day, and 50s-60s at night.  Over 50% humidity is recommended.  Outdoors, protect the plant from all frost.

Light -- P. parritae prefers filtered sunlight, so that it gets around 50% sun.  The vine likes to weave in and out of a tree, trellis, or similar structure so that it can choose how much sunlight it gets.  Protect it from strong afternoon sun.  Also keep the pot shaded, to avoid overheating of the roots.

Trellising -- The vine can potentially grow quite long, however it is easily trained along a trellis or other structure as it grows.  You may grow the vine horizontally if necessary, such as along the roof of a shaded greenhouse, with wires strung across the roof to give the vine something to attach to.  You can prune your vine if it gets too long, but if possible, simply turn the stems around and send them in another direction. 

Fertilizing -- After the first month, give monthly feedings during periods of active growth with a complete fertilizer that has micronutrients.  It's best if it has approximately equal amounts of N, P, and K, such as 8-10-10, or 10-12-10, etc.  One experienced grower of it recommends using MaxSea 14-18-14 for acid-loving plants. 

It's normal for older leaves to occasionally turn yellow and drop, but if it seems excessive, the plant might need more nitrogen, or the soil may be too wet or too dry.  By the way, it's normal for the leaf blades to curl under, as if the plant is overfertlized!

Flowering and fruiting --  P. parritae can start flowering after it's grown for about 2 years.  The plant is not self-fertile and no pollinator is available.  However it may be crossed with Passiflora antioquiensis, and possibly other Tasconias.  

Pests to watch for -- spider mites (tiny "dots" under the leaves), snails & slugs.

Good luck with it!

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