Granadillas, also called passion fruit, have lately become a very popular choice for home gardens. This could be due to their high levels of essential nutrients, in particular, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. They also contain other nutrients like potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron and are known to be immune- boosting and rich in anti-oxidants.
Granadilla vines can be planted in late winter to mid-spring and need a warm, sunny position in the garden. Originally from tropical South America, these vines are vigorous growers that need very good drainage. They resent being planted in water-logged soil conditions and consequently don’t grow well in clay soil. They also need shelter from strong winds and grow best with regular, ample water so that they flower and fruit consistently.
Granadillas are heavy feeders so prepare the soil deeply when planting, mixing in bonemeal, compost and a general fertilizer. Deep soil preparation (around 80cm deep) is necessary so that your granadilla plants develop a deep, rather than a shallow root system. Space individual plants 1.5m apart.
Granadillas are climbing vines so they need a trellis or fence for support. Make sure that the support structure is very sturdy as they can grow up to 6m tall and become quite heavy over time. Because they are such vigorous growers, they tend to grow in between other plants and are considered invasive by some gardeners as a result.
They are pollinated by insects such as bees so grow bee-attracting herbs like lavender, rosemary, sage or thyme nearby. The presence of insects will ensure that the flowers are pollinated so that an ample harvest of fruit develops. The first fruit will begin to develop after 6 months. Once a granadilla vine is mature, you can expect both a summer and a smaller winter crop.
Garden with Tracy 