Passionflower

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Passionflower, or Passionflower (Latin Passiflora) - a genus of flowering herbaceous plants or climbing shrubs of the Passionaceae family. The genus has 400 species, according to other sources - 500 species. In nature, passion flowers are found in the Mediterranean, Brazil, Peru, Australia, the island of Madagascar and the countries of tropical Asia. In Russia, the culture is cultivated mainly in regions with a subtropical climate, in particular in the Transcaucasus and Krasnodar Territory.

Characteristics of culture

Passionflower is an ornamental climbing shrub or herb with simple, lobed or whole leaves. The flowers are large, brightly colored, axillary, fragrant, up to 10 cm in diameter, sitting on long peduncles. The calyx is five-petal, each petal is provided with a small process on the midrib. Bracts are large. Between the stamens and the perianth, in the process of growth, a number of scales or filaments of a rich color are formed, which form a "crown".

The leaves and petioles of the plant are equipped with glands filled with a special liquid that attracts ants when they release their aroma, which protect the passion flower from the negative effects of the caterpillars of Heliconia butterflies. For each species, the location and shape of the glands is unique, some of them, in the process of evolution, began to form egg-shaped outgrowths that frighten off butterflies.

The subtleties of cultivation and reproduction

The most important requirement for passionflower cultivation is sufficient illumination. The optimum temperature for growth and development is 18-24C; at elevated temperatures, the leaves of the plant acquire a yellowish color, and subsequently dry out and fall off. The number of buds forming is significantly reduced, as a result, the plant loses its decorative appearance and dies.

Passion flower is propagated mainly by seeds. Seeds are sown in seedling containers in late February - early March. The first shoots appear in 2-2, 5 weeks. It is important to provide crops with optimal temperature and humidity. To accelerate germination, scarification is performed, which allows the seed coat to soften, and soaking in warm water for 24 hours.

Sowing is carried out in separate pots filled with soil consisting of peat, humus and leafy soil and sand, taken in equal proportions. Before sowing, the soil mixture is disinfected. Containers with crops are covered with foil and placed in a warm room. Crops are systematically aired and watered. With the emergence of seedlings, the seedling containers are transferred to window sills or other well-lit places without drafts.

Passion flower propagation by cuttings is not prohibited. This procedure is carried out in the summer. Cuttings containing two nodes and leaves are cut from lignified shoots. Germinate cuttings in water. Cuttings take root in about 1, 5-2 months. The water in the container cannot be changed; a small piece of charcoal is added to it.

Care

Passion flower is moisture-loving and needs frequent and abundant watering. Waterlogging should not be allowed. Spraying is also encouraged, especially for indoor specimens grown in rooms with low humidity. This procedure is carried out late in the evening, direct sunlight should not fall on micro-drops of moisture, otherwise burns and other troubles cannot be avoided.

Top dressing for the culture is required. During the season, it is necessary to carry out at least 4-5 fertilizing with complex mineral fertilizers. Shrub species require a special support on which the strongest shoots are fixed.

Pruning is desirable. Secondary shoots are annually shortened by 1/3. Pruning is performed from the second year of life. For the winter, garden specimens are dug up, transplanted into containers and brought into a room with a temperature of 13-16C. In the southern regions of Russia, passion flower hibernates directly in the ground, but only under cover in the form of straw or fallen leaves.

Application

For Russian gardeners, the stratoflower is a real exotic, which is associated with the unusual structure of flowers. The culture is used most often for decorative purposes, some species are suitable for food. Passion flower is grown not only in personal backyard plots, but also as a houseplant. Cultivation of a plant in Russia is somewhat difficult, since it puts forward special requirements for growing conditions, although the cultivation of some species, for example, Stinky Passionflower and Meat-Red Passionflower, is subject to even inexperienced gardeners.

Most of the herbaceous species of the genus are used in folk medicine. They are useful for eye diseases and nervous system problems. Also, the plant is used as a laxative. Shrub species are widely used in ornamental gardening, they look great under the crowns of openwork trees, along the trunks of which they climb with their climbing shoots.