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View Full Version : Passiflora in containers, not what I expected.


Want Them All
08-10-2010, 02:45 PM
Several months ago, I bought 3. I wasn't in the mood to dig holes on a hot day, I put them in wooden containers (about 30" diameter, 24" deep). Up to about 3 weeks ago, they were growing well, putting out leaves, climbing all over the trellis, I was happy. Then, with the same watering schedule (twice a day, 5 minutes each). I check the pots for moisture content with a gauge. Now they're all wilted, leaves dried and crumble to finger pressure. Soil is still moist. So I pulled them out of the containers, couldn't believe the amount of roots these things put out in such a short time. NUMEROUS fine roots all over the pot. Maybe they're dying due to being too root bound? Maybe I should've put them in ground. Time to start over. Sunfish told me that the cultivars I bought aren't edible, so this time I'll look for one that is.

sunfish
08-10-2010, 03:10 PM
I've got Passiflora 15' long in 12" pots.Some have been in pots for over a year.

Want Them All
08-10-2010, 04:01 PM
I've got Passiflora 15' long in 12" pots.Some have been in pots for over a year.

Do you keep the soil moist, or do you let it dry out between waterings?

sunfish
08-10-2010, 04:07 PM
They dry out between watering. Planting in ground is always better just watch which variety you put in the ground unless you don't mind runners coming up in your yard.

saltydad
08-10-2010, 05:15 PM
Considering how my Passiflora incarnata has taken over one side of my garden (and the neighbor's on the other side of the fence), I echo Tony's advice above!

Want Them All
08-10-2010, 05:29 PM
I actually want as much coverage as I can get, for shade, since it's a lattice fence I built, facing the south. There's really no place for the runners to go. To either end of the lattice fence is empty space.

Tony: I'll be visiting San Diego this Labor Day's weekend, do you know of any place to get an edible passiflora cultivar? I'll also be picking up more fertilizers from Richard.

sunfish
08-10-2010, 07:49 PM
When I say runners I am talking about the roots. They will travel twenty feet or more and come up in places you don't want them. Most all Passiflora will get big enough to cover any amount of fence you have. Lowe's in Mission Valley usually has Passiflora Frederick's

The Hollyberry Lady
08-12-2010, 09:44 PM
I let my passiflora in a pot dry out between waterings as well.


"Caerulea" is a great variety for a pot and it's actually recommended for container growing. Here was my seed-grown vine from last season...


http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/426-3.jpg


I just stuck a trellis in behind the pot for the vine to climb and I kept pruning the shoots repeatedly and it became very dense and full. The same vine is still in a pot growing outside this season also and I'll show a shot later...

I had it growing outside last year but brought it into the sunporch in late Fall and cut it back to about 6 inches, bringing it inside to spend the winter in my south window. It came back this Spring full force. Looking forward to flowers and fruits this season...


: )

Richard
08-12-2010, 09:50 PM
I have Passiflora "Frederick" planted in the ground for 4 years now. The trunk is easily 5 inches in diameter at the base.