First bloom on passion vine I grew from seed

[WhiteRabbit]

Someone gave me a few loose passion vine seeds - I was expecting purple blooms. Buds initially started out purple when quite small, but became green as they became bigger, so I knew they wouldn't be purple - didn't know what to expect then color-wise. Holy smokes - I'm blown away by the coloring! I don't know how well the color will show on computer. The petals alternate having a subtle green tint, subtle purple tint - sort of opalescent.

I noticed the bloom late afternoon yesterday, and grabbed my phone to take pix (honestly, my phone camera is better than my very poor actual camera) I noticed the light was low, and did sort of wonder how that happened so quickly, and was it really so late ? Ha! Eclipse had started So, photos taken under odd eclipse light

I'm wondering if this plant might bear fruit ... Have to just wait and see, I guess...

It's a rather straggly looking vine, but I think the blooms will make it look much nicer!

Thanks for looking

[Bud]

that usually bear fruit in mid summer and when ripe my Mom cuts it in half and squeeze it in water and ice...like lemonade...very cool refreshing drink(the seeds are too tiny to even bother so we just nibble on it)

[bballr4567]

How long did it take?

It's beautiful.

[Leafmite]

I love these! My family calls them the UFO plants. I tried a maypop last year as they are said to be hardy and I also have one tropical that never blooms (still sulking after all these years because it was kidnapped from Hawaii). I hope you will give us an update if you get fruit. Good luck!

[tuvoc]

Cool. I love these guys.

Kim

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Bud

that usually bear fruit in mid summer and when ripe my Mom cuts it in half and squeeze it in water and ice...like lemonade...very cool refreshing drink(the seeds are too tiny to even bother so we just nibble on it)

cool - will have to just wait and see

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by bballr4567

How long did it take?

It's beautiful.

It's been about 3 years - I may have unintentionally set it back the first year - after the caterpillars ate every last leaf on it the first fall, I cut off a lot of the vines since they were leafless. The caterpillars did again eat every last leaf on it last fall, but I didn't cut anything off til just some clearly dead vines about a month ago. Don't know if cutting or not cutting made any difference or not.

Thanks - I think it's beautiful too!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I love these! My family calls them the UFO plants. I tried a maypop last year as they are said to be hardy and I also have one tropical that never blooms (still sulking after all these years because it was kidnapped from Hawaii). I hope you will give us an update if you get fruit. Good luck!

Lol - UFO plants! Perfect! Will let you know if there's any fruit, and how it tastes if there is some

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by tuvoc

Cool. I love these guys.

Kim

Thanks Kim - I have always liked them, but never tried growing one before. This one is potted, which is probably less than ideal, but don't know where I would put it in ground (and have read they can really take over), but seems to be doing ok anyway

[nutgirl]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

It's been about 3 years - I may have unintentionally set it back the first year - after the caterpillars ate every last leaf on it the first fall, I cut off a lot of the vines since they were leafless. The caterpillars did again eat every last leaf on it last fall, but I didn't cut anything off til just some clearly dead vines about a month ago. Don't know if cutting or not cutting made any difference or not.

I have one too and have decided to grow it for the butterflies and caterpillars. They strip it every year but it comes back better the next time.

My sister-in-law grows hers potted and it does well also.

A really cool plant

Maureen