Re: Passiflora edulis, and citrus

---

• To: Mediterannean Plants List <m*@ucdavis.edu>
• Subject: Re: Passiflora edulis, and citrus
• From: T* &* M* R* <t*@xtra.co.nz>
• Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1998 19:51:39 +1300
• References: <3.0.5.32.19981014234119.007a9b00@pop.ozemail.com.au>

Liz Runciman wrote:
> 
> I've always thought of this as a tropical or
> sub-tropical plant.  However it seems to thrive
> here in Adelaide (South Australia) with our very
> hot dry summers (we have week-long spells of 40C
> plus) I have just planted my first one, it is a
> grafted variety called 'Nelly Kelly'.  I'd be
> interested to know if people in other Medit.
> regions grow 'passion fruit' or 'granadilla'
> as we called it in South Africa.  If so, which
> ones, and with what results?

Hi Liz
Passiflora edulis is  a popular crop in all frost-free sites in NZ and
will also survive in mildly frosty conditions if suitably sheltered. P.
molissima (Banana Passion fruit) is slightly tougher and has become a
rampant weed in some northern areas. There is a tendency for P edulis to
be short lived. It seems to crop itself to death, often after only two
or three years. On the whole seedlings seem to last better than grafted
forms under conditions here.
> 
> Lemons are the quintessential (well, one of them
> anyway) Medit. fruits.  In Australia there are
> several popular varieties available at all
> nurseries - I wonder whether these are sold in
> other countries as well, and if so, whether they
> perform well in similiar climates.  The most
> popular ones here are 'Lisbon', 'Eureka' and
> 'Myer'.  I have the latter, it seems to have
> a shortish fruiting season.  

In our garden we commonly get a few frosts of -3 C most winters, very
occasionally colder. All three of the lemons you mention are common in
NZ, but only the Meyer (not Myer) is happy in my garden. I am surprised
though, that you find its fruiting season short, as mine crops just
about all year round. I wonder if your hot Adelaide summers have
something to do with this. Possibly it is a variety better adapted to
cooler conditions such as I can offer it (summer temps rarely over 25C).

Moira

-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand

• References:
  • Passiflora edulis, and citrus
    • From: L* R* &*

• Prev by Date: thanks
• Next by Date: citrus
• Prev by thread: Passiflora edulis, and citrus
• Next by thread: Re: Passiflora edulis, and citrus