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Passiflora bogotensis

Germinating the seeds

When to plant -- Plant your seeds right away for the best results.

Getting started -- Since your seeds will be sent moist, a small amount of harmless mold might form in the envelope.  Simply rinse off the seeds and soak them in a cup of water for 4 to 6 hours (not more than 12 hours).

Soil -- Use a soil that is high in organic matter/humus but that also drains well.  A good mix is 2 parts potting soil to 1 part perlite or coarse horticultural sand.  If your potting soil contains nutrients (check the label) there is no need to mix in additional fertilizer.

Pot size - You may use small pots about 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm) wide and 3 or 4 inches tall (7-10 cm).  The pots should have drainage holes.

 Fill the pots with the soil mix and water it until it is evenly moist (but not soggy).  Place 1 seed on top in each pot, and sprinkle about 1/4 inch (7 mm) of soil over it.  Carefully moisten the top soil layer.

 Until the seeds sprout, it's important not to let the surface soil dry out.  If you place the pots in a plastic container or bag to maintain moisture, leave it open a crack to allow fresh air to enter.

Temperature -- A good temperature range is 68-77° F (20-25°C), both day and night.  I have no experience outside outside this range and recommend staying within this range.  I suggest placing a thermometer near the pots, since the temperature can vary in different parts of a room.

 Keep them in a bright spot out of direct sun.  They should begin sprouting after 6 weeks, but allow up to 15 weeks for any slow ones, especially at cooler temperatures.

Lighting the seedlings -- Once your seeds sprout, move them to a bright spot, with protection from afternoon sun.  You may use a fluorescent light kept a few inches (10 cm) away while your plants are young.

Watering:  Once the seedlings are 3 weeks old, you may allow the surface soil to dry out, but aim to keep the rest of the soil evenly moist most of the time.  Never let it dry out completely, but also don't keep it constantly soggy. 

 If your water supply is very high in minerals (= "hard water"), it's best to use bottled water or rainwater.

Feeding -- This plant has average fertilizer requirements.  Feed about every 2 months with a slow release (pelleted) fertilizer.  If your potting soil contains nutrients (check the label) your seedlings shouldn't need feeding the first 3 weeks of growth.

 It's normal for an older leaf to occasionally turn yellow and drop, but if it seems excessive, the plant may need more fertilizer.  Or the soil may be too dry down in the root zone. 

Climate -- There isn't much information on Passiflora bogotensis, but some other Passifloras from the same altitude range resent temperatures above about 85 F (29°C), especially if nights are warm.  I don't know if it has any frost tolerance.  Indoors, over about 40% humidity is recommended.

Lighting -- Adult plants like part-sun.  They can handle full sun in cool climates, and should be given some shade from strong afternoon sun elsewhere.

Repotting -- Once your seedlings are at least 3 inches tall (7 cm), you may repot them to larger containers about 1 quart (1 liter) in size.  Repot gently and avoid letting the soil ball break apart, which can damage the roots.  Water the soil before repotting to keep the soil together.  For the first week after repotting, shade from sun and give no fertilizer.

 Repot again after 4 to 6 months.  The final pot size depends on how large you choose to let it grow, with a 15 gallon (60 liter) pot being suitable for a full-sized, unpruned plant.  You may prune your plant to any size that is convenient, or wrap the shoots around the trellis.

If you have any questions or problems, please contact me.

Have fun growing them!

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