Fertilizing Passifloras to get Flowers

21 years ago

I've seen some conflicting information and advice about fertilizing Passifloras. Most of what I've read suggests that I should not fertilize them, but I've had the opposite advice, too. What's been you all's experience?

I have 6 different varieties of Passiflora, all in pots on my deck -- incarnata, Lavender Lady, caerulea, vitifolia, Lady Margaret, and Incense. They had all flowered after bringing them home from the nursery (except vitifolia) because I specifically bought plants with buds, but then nothing -- no flowers, just growth. So, I decided to try a fertilizer. I've been using a 6-12-6 foliar feed by Medina once a week. Now, it may simply be coincidence, but within 2 weeks of starting the fertilizer, all of my passifloras took off (with one exception), and have been flowering freely. Additionally, my Incense and Lady Margaret have set fruit after being cross polinated with incarnata and caerulea. The only exception is incarnata, which seems to have stopped growing. The vitifolia buds are also still developing, but these are the first buds I've seen on vitifolia since bringing it home last May.

Is it coincidence, or is the fertilizer encouraging these plants to flower and set fruit? Personally, I think it's the fertilizer.

-Jon

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Comments (3)

Krstofer
21 years ago
Mine get a little fertilizer every time the water comes on (everyone's on a timer) and of 50 different varieties, fewer than 8 have flowered. Ever. Those that have continue to do so- But those who haven't don't, no matter what I do.
Bonbon_N_KS
21 years ago
Hmmm... I have put a banana peel in the pot when I repot from the original. And I have not. This year my usually big bloomer Caerulea has not set one bud. I have a micro climate going and I planted Caerulea there and in a pot... I've gotten continuous flowers from Lavendar Lady and Lady Margaret. New for me this year, Constance Elliot and Sunburst. No blooms, may be too hot, although we're experiencing a nice cool down this week. The sunburst won't have to bloom for me to be pleased, as the foliage is most unique. I guess I've been afraid to fertilize as I think it would produce more foliage and less blooms...
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kiwinut
21 years ago
From what I have read, a balanced fertilizer early on is fine, but too much nitrogen will eventually lead to rampant vegetative growth with little flowering. Something high in potassium and phosphorous, but low in nitrogen will probably encourage more flowering. I have a P. 'Elizabeth' that refuses to flower. The buds form, but abort quickly. I gave it some 2-1-6 and 0-5-4 a couple of days ago, so maybe it will start flowering soon.