When we think about Passion flower, it come in mind a beautiful flower with blue colour and fragrance. In Indian mythology, Mahabharata is well known literature. In this, Lord Shri Krishna is described as one with blue body. Due to this fact, this flower is called as Krishna Kamal. Due to this analogy, structure of this flower symbolizes 100 Kauravas as 100 petals of it, and 5 stamens of it as 5 Pandavas, and in the centre Draupadi, with Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh as supreme Gods.
As Hindus have symbolized it and related it to Mahabharata, similar to it, Christians have correlated it to Jesus Christ. They relate it to Lord Jesus Christ and relate it to the phenomenon of crusification of him as Passion for Suffering.
Friends in this article, we will understand some important things about growing Passion flower plant. This is plant of vine category. This plant has scientific name as Passiflora incarnata. This plant has around 24 varieties in world. It is native of South America. Out of these varieties, 5-6 varieties occur in India. As this is vine, it requires support to grow. In my balcony, this plant has grown up to 6 feet in height. This flowering plant occurs different colors such as Red, Purple, Saffron and Blue.
How to cultivate?
As this plant is of vine category, it can grow to height whatever you want to. However, if you cut or prune it regularly, you can get desired shape of the plant and maintain the same. For support, you need to use a stick or iron wire. In the 4 inch pot to 10 inch pot, you can grow passion flower vine. Take pot of either soil or plastic. Drill around 5 to 6 holes at bottom of pot for better drainage of water. Excess water is harmful for plant. After this, spread layer of stones or medium sized sand. Then add mixture of soil, neem cake powder, river sand, etc. This will prevent fungal attack to roots of plant. After this, remove the plant from plastic bag which you got from nursery and without disturbing roots, keep on the layer mentioned above in pot. Then add soil, fine sand, cow dung manure or compost, vermicompost, and fill the pot. Keep at least 1 inch distance from top of pot and soil so that water spillage will not occur.
Propagation of passion flower vine
This can be done with cutting and layering methods. Within 40 to 45 days you will get new plant.
Climate
Climate is most important factor. Since this plant is originated from tropical zone, hot and humid climate is favorable to grow passion flower in pot or ground. In order to get best bloom you should place where temperature remain 15-35 degrees. It requires minimum 4 hours of sunlight to get flowers. Maximum sunlight maximum flowers.
Watering
When passion flower vine is in blooming stage, they require large amounts of water. Your plant will need daily watering in warm weather. But once the weather cools, your vine needs far less water, and too much water can kill it. Too much water has risk of fungal attack on the roots and plant may die.
Fertilizer
Fertilize the passion flower plant every two weeks. Use a water-soluble fertilizer in combination with a slow-release type. You can use N-P-K fertilizer high in last number to encourage more bloom. Or else bone meal, ran meal, dry banana or onion peel fertilizer to encourage more bloom.
Pest and Disease control
Passion flower vine is usually disease free vine. Spider mides, aphids, white flies, mealy bug, affect this plant. You can get rid of all these simply washing off the entire plant with alternate days until plant seems to be healthy or you can use neem oil with liquid detergent to get rid of insects every week till you get visible result.
Pruning
Pruning means trimming or cutting branches to give bushier and healthier look to your plant.
Plants respond well to pruning during warm weather as it will actively push to plant to produce more branches. Remember one equation I.e. More branches means More flowers
Medicinal Benefits of Passion Flower
Some people take passion flower by mouth for sleep problems (insomnia), anxiety, adjustment disorder, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), pain, fibromyalgia, relieving opioid withdrawal symptoms, reducing anxiety and nervousness before surgery, and heart failure. Some people apply passion flower directly to the skin for hemorrhoids, burns, and swelling (inflammation). In foods and beverages, passion flower extract is used as a flavoring. Passion flower was formerly approved as an over-the-counter sedative and sleep aid in the U.S
Important tips
The more branches, more the flowers. Hence pruning passion flower vine will give you more flowers.
Usually you get flowering of this plant from January to June. Hence avoid pruning in this season.
Adequate sunlight of at least 4 hours is essential for passion flower vine
Watering regularly is essential. Stop or reduce watering in rainy season or winter.
Use neem oil and detergent as insecticide
In every 15 days, fertilize the plant with onion or banana peel fertilizer so that plat gets enough potassium and phosphorus.
So, friends follow above tips to grow healthy passion flower vine & enjoy colorful blooms throughout year with humming birds, butterflies and honey bees roaming around it.
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