Passiflora(Passiflora), also called the martyr or the flower of the Passion, is an extremely interesting exotic climber. The attractive appearance and versatileuse of passion flowermade it appear more and more often in our homes and gardens. We suggest what requirements this plant has, what it looks like in a potpassion flowerand what species andpassion flower varietiesto choose.
Passion flower, passion flower
Fig. pixabay.com
Passiflora(Passiflora) belongs to the Passifloraceae family, which includes several hundred species, including climbers, shrubs and trees.Most of them occur naturally in tropical regions of North, Central and South America. Thanks to the Spanish missionaries, to whom the passion flower resembled the crown of Christ's thorns, the martyr came to Europe in the 18th century.
What does passion flower, passion flower look like?
Cultivated speciespassion flower are evergreen climbersclimbing over supports with sticky tendrils. The leaves, depending on the species, are single or 3-5 lobed, placed alternately. Adherent tendrils grow in the leaf axils. The greatest ornament of the passion flowerare unusual flowersof exotic beauty. Their interesting structure encourages visiting butterflies and bees.Passion flower blooms from June to SeptemberThe fruit is a berry that is edible in many species of passion flower.
It is worth paying attention tothe phenomenon of mimicry in passion flowers , i.e. the adaptation of plants for protective purposes. This phenomenon consists in plants resembling their surroundings.
Passion flower - application
Passion flowers do not tolerate low temperatures , therefore in our conditions they are grown as potted climbers and can decorate apartments, balconies and terraces. In addition to their decorative qualities , passion flowers have other uses .
Passion fruit(Passiflora edulis) known as passion fruit or granadilla is known for its extremely tasty sweet and sour fruit with a jelly-like consistency and pleasant aroma. Thepassion flower(Passiflora quadrangularis) produces large, yellowish fruit with a white, sour taste and an extremely strong aroma.Edible passion fruitare not only tasty, but also contain a number of beneficial substances. In addition to protein, fats and carbohydrates, they provide vitamins A and C as well as calcium, phosphorus and iron.
Passion fruit(Passiflora incarnata), apart from tasty fruit, also has numerous healing properties.For a long time, the indigenous peoples of South America have used passion flower extracts as a pain reliever and sedative. The flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, luteoins andpassion flower essential oils in the aerial parts of the plant are usedin the treatment of Parkinson's disease, asthma, bronchitis and diabetes. They also support the treatment of addiction to nicotine, alcohol, opioids and benzodiazepines.
Passion fruit extract is usedin the cosmetics industry. It has a relaxing and soothing effect on the skin, protects against aging. Passion flower seed oil in over 70%, consisting of unsaturated fatty acids, is included in cosmetics regenerating dry and mature skin.
Passion fruit
Fig. pixabay.com
Passiflora, passion flower - cultivation
Passiflora prefers a sunny position , and the substrate is fertile and permeable.The recommended temperature for growing passion fruit in summer is in the range of 20-25 ° C. In the period from March to October, passion fruit must have a constantly moist soil. It does not tolerate dry air in the apartment. It needs moisture and therefore should be sprinkled with water 2-3 times a week.
In winter, when passion fruit goes into a state of rest, we limit watering and move the plant to a bright and cool room.The temperature of passion flower cultivation in winterdepends on the species. Passion fruit requires a temperature of 15-18 ° C, passionfruit 8-12 ° C, and passionfruit 8-10 ° C.
In spring, we gradually get the passion flower used to higher temperatures, moving it to a warmer room, water more abundantly and cut the shoots in half. With the emergence of young leaves, we startfertilizing the passion flowerEvery week we feed the plants with multi-component fertilizer for flowering plants or biohumus.
In the summer we canput the pot with passion flower outside , on the terrace or in the garden.The plant needs a support.
Replanting passion flowershould be done in the spring. By replanting the passion flower, each year we provide it with a pot that is 1-2 cm larger than the previous one. We can also stop at the annual replacement of the top layer of the earth.
Passion flower, passion flower
Fig. pixabay.com
Passiflora, passion flower - varieties
The most commonly grown ornamental species is theblue passion flower(Passiflora caerulea). This fast-growing climber impresses with both heart-shaped, 4-5 lobed, shiny leaves and flowers growing in the leaf axils. Flowers with an original structure last from July to September. Currently, there are interestingvarieties of blue passion floweron the market, differing mainly in the color of the flowers. These are, among others :
Blue passion flower 'Victoria'- a unique variety with intense, dark pink flowers appearing in September and corrugated, light green heart-shaped leaves. Reaches a length of up to 2 m. Round, orange fruits are also decorative.
Blue Passion Flower 'Lavender Lady'- strong, evergreen climber with deeply lobed, dark green leaves. In late summer and fall, light purple flowers with green anthers appear. The flowers transform into oval orange fruits.
Passion flower 'Blue Bouquet'- a strong climber with large, 5-lobed leaves. A very floriferous variety. It has showy, slightly fragrant, powder blue, star-shaped flowers with purple eyes and purple anthers. Flowers are perfect for cutting. The fruit has no decorative value.
Blue passion flower 'Constance Eliot'- is a charming climber with unusual white flowers. Like other passion fruit, it has dark, shiny, lobed leaves and produces egg-shaped, orange fruit in late summer. This fast-growing plant is perfect for a south or west side wall and is easy to care for.
Passion flower 'Clear Sky'- is highly sought after because of its large blue-white flowers that last from mid-spring to late summer, and exude a delicate fragrance.With a fence, trellis or pergola that will support this beautiful climber, you can create a wonderful, durable composition.
Blue passion flower 'White Wedding'- is a particularly beautiful new variety that can be called truly white. It begins flowering at the end of June and may continue flowering until the first frost.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
