Granadilla de Quijos
Passiflora popenovii

Family: Passifloraceae

What it is like

Granadilla de Quijos, Passiflora popenovii, is an evergreen climbing shrub found in Colombia, Ecuador, and South America. It is known to be one of the best in the genus in terms of the flavor of the fruits. Often sold in local markets, the fruits can be eaten raw or made into drinks. The plant can be grown from seed or by cuttings, layering, and air-layering.

Passiflora popenovii is an evergreen Climber growing to 8 m (26ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 8

Where it is found

Not known

Western S. America - Ecuador

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Colombia, Ecuador, South America,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Fruit - eaten raw or made into drinks. The juicy fruit has a sweet pulp with a rich, penetrating aroma and an exquisite flavour. It is considered to be one of the best in the genus for eating out of hand.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Sweetener: includes sugar substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

Other Uses None known

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Plants require a temperature no lower than around 16c when they are flowering in order to ensure fruit set. Requires a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil and a position in dappled shade where it can grow up towards the sun. Prefers a circumneutral soil, disliking very acid or very alkaline conditions. Passiflora species tend to flower and fruit more freely when grown in soils of only moderate fertility. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut back to ground level if required to rejuvenate the plant. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe along with the pulp which will help break down the seed coat and speed up germination. Stored seed should be soaked for 24 hours in warm water and germination time can be reduced if the seed is then mixed with the juice of a fresh passion fruit (of any species). Even so, it can take 12 months for stored seed to germinate. Place the seed tray in a shady position, maintaining a temperature around 19 - 24c. Prick the seedlings out into individual containers as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when large enough. Cuttings of young shoots, taken at the nodes. The cuttings root best in a neutral to slightly acid compost, but 100% sharp sand also produces good results. Cuttings of fully mature wood taken at a node. They can take 3 months, but there is usually a high percentage. Layering. Very easy. Air layering.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Granadilla de Quijos

Synonyms

No synonyms are recorded for this name.