Passion Flowers

No, pete! I can never get over that they look so delicate and dainty but are so hardy and worse than weeds!

Now that you mention it, I can't remember seeing many (or any?) for sale over here this year either. I did notice that all sorts of clematis were to be had though.

 

I know that without masses of space, passion flowers under glass are a problem,but that first flower of a different kind makes it all worth while.

 

You don't need them for sale here ... I pull up a dozen seedlings a week 30-100cm tall a week ... aaaghhh ... in all places they shouldn't be SUDDENLY they appear like nightmares.

No wonder they are not popular any more ....

 

We also have found them growing in our Wintergarten where they should not be. But they are Oh, so beautiful!

 

There are many different kinds, I know caerulea can be a problem but there are so many others that are available that are not likely to get out of hand given a good space to grow in.

 

It's the caerulea that I'm talking about, pete, and I think with Sis also.

 

Yes, I am.

 

I love them, they look lovely and stay evergreen where I am. I even have one growing up my big tracky.

 

Hi everyone, I'm pleased to say our caerulea has gone rampant this year, we needed something to quickly cover our back fence. Unfortunately, I went out this morning to find that the one solitary fruit it had produced has dropped and is no where to be seen, the slugs must have got to it first :( This year we have planted a white caerulea also 'Constance Elliot'.
I think LOL may remember me telling her, Mr Mac has sucessfully grown a passiflora quadrangularis from seed...it is now approx. 4 ft in the small plastic greenhouse we have! Can anyone tell me if it will be ok to come and live in the house?

 

BekiMac, I've tried on quite a few occasions to grow Quadrangularis from seed without sucsess, never could get the seed to germinate, well done Mr Mac.
As far as I know it likes it really warm, a warm conservatory would be best I would think. Your going to need a minimum of 10C and then only for short periods, 15C would be better.
You may find the low light inside the house during the winter is a problem. A window sill would be the only place that the light level may be high enough I would think.
I wish you luck.

 

Pete, thankyou, and thanks for the advice.
Unfortunately, we don't have a conservatory, so we'll try putting in on a well lit windowsill. I'll use a thermometer to monitor the temp.
We've only been gardening a couple of years, and this is the first year we've tried to grow anything from seed (unless you count apple pips when I was a kid )
We didn't use any fancy seed compost, or special treatment, just kept the tray on our bedroom windowsill, only 1 seed germinated, and it took quite a few weeks. When it was big enough to handle, we gave it it's own pot with one of those plastic dome covers, and it didn't take long to outgrow that, that's when we transfered it to the green house. So, apart from Mr Mac swearing at it occasionally, no special treatment.

 

Am I allowed to digress on this topic?? :confused:

Pete, you're BOP on your profile are gorgeous. We have one, strelitzia reginae, in a pot, indoors. It's only a baby, bought early this year, about a foot tall, very leafy. It lives on our bedroom windowsill, and seems quite content.
I understand it will be a long time before it produces any flowers, but could you give me any usefull hints & tips please??

 

Well, they dont really like inhouse conditions, have you seen this thread
http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=000194;p=7

It will probably be OK on the window sill until it gets to big, then the problems begin.
What I would say is that its commonly stated that they like to be pot bound, but if your growing on a young plant I would say,pot it on as the roots fill the pot otherwise growth will be very slow.
You could try it outside in a very sunny position against a house wall if you have a suitable one, but wait until its too big for indoors.
Other than that, time is whats needed.

 

Thanks for the link to the thread Pete, I hadn't seen this previously, I've taken some notes.
We've been repotting when necessary as you suggested. I imagine it's a bit warmer where you are than us. We'll keep it inside for the time-being, and see how warm it gets next Summer.
Cheers again for taking to time to offer your advice, appreciated.

 

Pete - here I am back with my Passion Flowers!

Taken in front of a wall plaque that we bought in Fuerta Ventura in 2001.