We are delighted to present in Gardenprue, a great climber that we have the privilege of enjoying in our garden. We know it as a passionflower, but it is usually known as a passion flower. Surely you have a hole somewhere in the garden for Passiflora to climb. Go ahead!
Index
GROWING A GREAT CLIMBER, PASSIFLORA OR PASSION FLOWER
When we mention Passiflora we are referring to the genus of plants to which it belongs, for example, the passion flower. This climber is scientifically known as Passiflora incarnata. It develops magnificent and very showy flowers, which contrast very well with the greenness of its leaves.
It is a great climber that can reach more than 6 to 9 meters in length. It uses its tendrils, a kind of non-woody branch that coils itself into holes and gaps in fences and walls. In addition, as if that were not enough, Passiflora incarnata has also been attributed medicinal properties, which we will comment at the end of this article. Now we are going to give you some tips and indications to grow it.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS
Of the genus Passiflora , the passionflower or passion flower is the one that best resists environmental conditions. It supports a wide range of temperatures that reach -5º below zero, although predictably, at this temperature there will be frost damage. If you have just planted your Passiflora incarnata, its adaptation to cold is slower so it will not withstand such low temperatures. You can make a padding bed for it and cover it with plastic stuffed with straw or grass. It will work and will endure the winter.
As for the light, it needs enough light to reach it on the wall or fence where it grows and climbs. For this reason, you should avoid planting it if the house generates a lot of excess in the place where you plan to plant it.
WHAT SOIL IS THE MOST SUITABLE?
It requires soils of medium texture, that is , loam . Nothing happens if it goes a little loamy or sandy. They should contain a good percentage of organic matter that you can add yourself periodically. In addition, they must be humid and, therefore, have good drainage to avoid flooding .
IRRIGATION AND FERTILIZER CHARACTERISTICS
Especially in the flowering season and when the plant is young it requires generous amounts of watering . It is necessary to constantly maintain the humidity in the soil, but always avoiding excesses that can rot the plant. You can also use the padding technique to ensure greater retention of moisture in the soil for a longer time.
As for the subscriber should provide periodically and around the stem, a generous amount of manure, compost or v ermicompost . With the irrigation it will be able to infiltrate until it is assimilated by the roots of the Passiflora.
PASSIONFLOWER MULTIPLICATION
A very common and successful way to multiply this climber is through the cutting. In spring you can pick a stem that retains a few leaves and place it in a pot indoors (average temperature of 20 ºC) with a mixture of peat and sand.
If you have a small home greenhouse, all the better. This moisture will improve the rooting capacity, although you can always use rooting gels.
With seeds , a similar procedure is followed. They are planted under the same conditions (a seedbed for example) also in spring.
SOME MEDICINAL REMEDIES FROM PASSIFLORA
For a long time, the American Indians used this plant to make poultices in order to heal wounds and burns, very common at the time. In addition, it has been found that through infusions blood pressure can be regulated, as well as treating mild anxiety problems or cases of insomnia.