Description

Overview This listing is for 50 seeds of the plant species Passiflora incarnata, commonly known as purple passionflower, maypop, wild apricot and/or wild passion vine. My passionflower seeds are collected from fruit harvested from plants grown 100% organically, without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Basic Growing Information Category: Perennial, edible Water Requirements: Low to medium; Prefers slightly moist (not wet), well-draining soil that is allowed to occasionally dry out Sun Exposure: Full sun; part shade Soil Type: Can tolerate clay, silt, and loams; Grows in soils ranging from low/average to nutrient-rich Maximum Height: 24+ feet (7+ meters) Plant Spacing: Depends; See more detailed information below Hardiness: USDA Zone 5 to Zone 9 (range of -20° F to 30° F / -30° C to -1° C) Seed Planting Depth: 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) Germination Time: 3 days to several months Stratification/Scarification: 2 weeks of stratification in refrigerator, then use heat mat to germinate; Alternatively, winter sow seeds outdoors Bloom Time: Summer Propagation: Seeds, root division; Also spreads via underground runners Additional Note: According to the North Carolina Extension service, Passiflora incarnata is extremely flammable and SHOULD NOT be planted next to your home. Detailed Information Purple passionflower is a fast-growing perennial vine that produces interesting flowers and small fruit with an edible, sweet-tasting flesh inside of it. When the plant reaches maturity, each plant can produce dozens of these tasty fruit that can be eaten raw, or processed into jelly, juice, or used in desserts. Passionflower seeds have a reputation for being difficult to germinate. However, fresh stock seeds (less than one year old) can be reliably germinated in as little as three days by first placing the seeds in or on top of a moist paper towel, which is then placed inside a plastic zip-lock bag and sealed. The plastic bag should then be put in the refrigerator to chill for two weeks. After two weeks in the cool, moist environment of the refrigerator, the plastic bag can then be placed on top of a heat mat. The seeds should germinate within three days to a week of placing them on the heat mat. The key to getting them to sprout seems to be freshness and heat. This listing includes a picture of the germinated seeds so you can buy with confidence, knowing that these are tested viable seed stock. Alternatively, or a more hands-off approach, passionflowers can sometimes germinate in a "winter sowing" container. A quick google search can demonstrate how to make a winter sowing container, but this method tends to be more sporadic, less reliable and takes longer than using a heat mat. Once the seeds germinate, they can be planted in a pot or a sheltered location outdoors where they can get as much sun as possible. The plant prefers a soil that is nutrient-rich and fast draining. Although passionflower likes consistent and plentiful watering, it also can tolerate having the roots drying out a bit. The vine is not a good fit for soils that are constantly waterlogged, as the roots are very prone to rot from prolonged moisture contact. Passionflower vines will grow very slowly in the first year and may only have few blooms (possibly none). By the second year, the vine will start growing a little more quickly and aggressively, and it will most likely produce several blooms, although it probably will not set fruit. At this point, it will probably also begin sending underground runners to other spots in the garden. By the third year, the vine will have several large "stalks" that branch off into several smaller vines, which will aggressively climb and cover any other vegetation that grows slower than it does. It will likely produce a significant amount of blooms and potentially several dozen fruits. The underground runners will also begin popping up almost everywhere within a 10 foot radius of the main vine. Be prepared to have a sturdy trellis that the vine can grow on, or else it will smother the other plants in your garden. In the fall, the foliage will turn yellow and eventually fall to the ground. The plant will go dormant until the following spring. Old vines can be cut down to the ground and composted. The fruits of passionflower can be tricky to determine their ripeness. Conventional wisdom says that the fruits reach peak ripeness when they become yellow and wrinkled, but I personally feel that they are over-ripe and somewhat bland at that point. I harvested a few fruits just as they were beginning to turn from green to yellow and the skin was still smooth, and I thought the taste was much better at that stage. The flavor seems reminiscent of an apple jolly rancher candy. The ripe fruits can be eaten raw, seeds and all, or the flesh can be scooped out and separated from the seeds, using a strainer. The strained pulp can be used for making jellies or toppings for desserts. The pulp can also be juiced, although it will take quite a few fruit to produce a significant amount of juice. The blooms of passionflower are quite showy and intriguing to the eye, and they also attract pollinators like bumblebees to the garden. This species is also the host plant (food) of caterpillars of Dione vanillae , commonly known as the gulf fritillary butterfly. The blooms can also be harvested and chopped finely to brew a nice tea. Shipping & Tax Information I offer free shipping on all of my seed products. Because of the relatively light weight of passionflower seeds, your order will be sent in a standard envelope with first-class postage. Your order will arrive within 7-10 days after your purchase. A tracking number will be provided. Additionally, these seeds are sold as "semi-cleaned" seeds, meaning you may receive a small amount of non-seed plant material in the packet with your seeds. Removing every scrap of non-seed plant material is extremely time-consuming and tedious, and I solely do all the work to germinate, grow, harvest and preserve all of the products I offer to sell. I try to remove as much non-seed material as possible, but I like to make buyers aware that their seed packet may contain bits of leaves, soil or fruit that was not fully removed before shipping. It will not affect the seeds in any way, and buyers will always receive the amount of seeds specified in the listing. These policies allow me to offer the lowest possible price, including free shipping, without sacrificing product quality. If you order multiple packets of this product or any other of my other products, I will combine all orders into one package. As a resident of North Carolina, under current NC law, I am also required to charge 7% sales tax on all purchases. Thank you for looking at my listing!