My Edibles: Vine QLD

Passionfruit - Panama Gold (Seedling)

Comments: -

I used to grow this variety previously - tastes fantastic! Opted for seedling - technically a graft should be superior, but my previous vine fruited abundantly for 10 years (until drought killed it) and it was a seedling too.

Planted: 2012

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Passionfruit - Panama Red (Seedling)

Comments: -

I bought this as both a comparison to Panama Gold for taste, and aesthetics, (should be attractive as the two plants will inter-mingle).

Growing: In a Pot

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Pitaya - Yellow Dragon Fruit (Cutting) ^9/10

Comments: -

I have to say as I write this I am yet to taste a yellow dragon fruit from my plant but I have tasted the fruit before (from the local markets) and the taste is why I started growing it in my own garden. I think the fruit tastes like a mild melon with a flesh texture similar to a kiwi fruit (only white).

The yellow dragon fruit is smaller than the red variety but sweeter tasting - I think they are both good. However, care needs to be taken when picking or handling the fruit as the fruit proudly displays many 1/2 inch - inch long thin thorns. I'm thinking a wire brush or kitchen shears will be good at removing the spikes - we'll see.

The plant is also spikey (being a cactus) so I have grouped my pitayas in a separate garden with my other thorny edibles like raspberries and pineapples.

Growth was pretty fast reaching 2.5 metres in 2 years. I trained the plant up a post and then left it "droop" from the top. It was this "drooping" that resulted in small bend fractures which triggered the plants to start branching at the top and then flowering this season.

Flowering is spectacular! My wife first saw the flowers in the early morning when she opened the curtains and gasped at the display telling me to come quickly. The plants were 50 metres away but the flowers were easily visible at about 7-8 inches across. Normally, dragon fruit flower at night so catching the flowers in the morning before they closed was a great treat. The large flowers quickly die-off and the fruit forms from the base - mine are still swelling and are probably several weeks away from harvest (currently the date is 17 Mar 12).

Naturally shed branches or cuttings root easily to make new plants and the plants survive on little water. In fact, I would be careful not to over-water this plant as it seems to enjoy "dryer feet".

Recommendation? Yes, the yellow dragon fruit is a top specimen to have in the garden. The fruit certainly looks more remarkable than it tastes but it's still good eating and I'll definately be growing a couple more.  

Fruiting Months February, March, April, May

Planted: 2010

Height 2.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Fruit Harvest: 4 kilograms per Year

First Fruited: 2 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Summer and Winter

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Some chook poo

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pest Control:

Nothing seems to touch this plant. Can get a few minor rust spots through humid summers but recovers easily.

Organic Status:Organic

Passionfruit -Hawaiian Yellow ^7/10

Comments: - Has been the best tasting variety under local conditions for me so far. Beautifully sweet and moderately fragranced.

Planted: 2012

Height 3 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Passionfruit - Panama Gold Grafted (Grafted) ^9/10

Comments: - Fruiting already...waiting for them to ripen.

Fruiting Months February and March

Height 4 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 2

First Fruited: 6 Months from Purchase in Pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pitaya - Yellow Dragon Fruit (Cutting) ^8/10

Comments: - Superb flavour, refreshing, far better than dragonfruit. Has grown 1m this rainy spring and summer. 3 plants against fence

Height 1 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 3

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Winter

Question: Advice on options for supporting the vine?

Passionfruit - Granadilla (Seedling)

Comments: - Passiflora quadrangularis Growing on an east facing fence. Much better this year, has  been allowed to grow into neighbouring trees, harvesting now a problem, no hand pollination needed. Flesh is mildly sweet. Not hand pollinated.

Fruiting Months January, February, March, April, May, June

Planted: 2008

Growing: In the Ground

Fruit Harvest: 10 kilograms per Year

Sun/Shade: Low Sun

Water Given in: Autumn

Pollination: Cross Pollination

Cross Pollinator Variety: various

Comments

Can you tell me what your cross pollinator is? Coralie

Hi Coralie, I have Lilikoi, Red and also Yellow Panama. As I do not pollinate by hand, I can't really tell you, but I suspect you may be able to self pollinate it with a small camel hair brush.

Hi Again, Yes we have been hand pollinating - but it hasnt worked at all. keen to try lilikoi, so this just gives me an excuse.. Coralie

I tried pollinating by hand from Lilikoi in teh second year of the Granadilla, but it didn't work. However I suspect the age and size of the Granadilla may play a part, I have three Granadilla planted in close proximity (ca. 2 metres).

Passionfruit - Panama Gold Grafted ^5/10

Comments: -

The fruit are actually red and not the yellow like the tag says . Bought from a local nursery (not daleys) .

Planted: 2011

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Grape - Golden Muscat (Cutting) ^8/10

Comments: -

love the taste

Planted: 2011

Height 2 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Water Given in: Summer

Pruned By: 30% in Autumn, Winter, Spring

Pollination: No

Pest Control:

Hand-pick caterpillars

Organic Status:Organic

Question:

I don't like using poisonous sprays.  Can I get fruit without spraying?

Passionfruit - Panama Red

Comments: -

Vigorous and yummy. Red panama has done best out of the several varieties I have tried on the fence.

Planted: 2010

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: No

Pitaya - Vietnam Dragon Fruit

Comments: -

One in the front and one in back yard. Also a red dragonfruit.  Flowering December - March, but no fruit.

Planted: 2009

Height 3 metres

Growing: In the Ground

First Fruited: 2 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: compost and worm water, blood and bone

Grape - Carolina Black Rose ^10/10

Comments: -

A fantastic shade plant, it looks beautiful. Does not go dormant until early August, and only for a month. About 15 bunches of grapes in it's first year, 30 second year, only six in its third year. I also have a Maroo seedless on an archway, which fruits about three weeks earlier than the Carolina Black Rose. Maroo seedless is sweet, Carolina Black Rose is quite sour.

Fruiting Months December

Planted: 2008

Height 3 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Fruit Harvest: 5 kilograms per Year

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: occasional seaweed spray

Comments

Wow Diana, fabulous picture of your grapes. I also bought one from daleys and had it in the ground...first season. Do you happen to have more pictures of it? I would like to learn how you train it onto the roof? Can you send your pics to au0rey @hotmail.com I am having a bit of headache how i can do it. It is grown against the patio support pole. Has it been disease free since you had it? The young new leaves of mine come out curling and distorted. Do you have any idea why it is like that? Thanks!

Thanks, au0rey, I have answered your questions in the passionfruit thread of the forum.

Hi Diana, this spring my vine finally put on flower clusters and loads of them. I am sure yours do as yours seem to grow very similarly to mine, on the roof beams. Do you trim off any extra shoots so that fewer clusters can have better fruit development or do you just leave them alone? Thanks!

Hi Diana, can you tell me what colour your CBR grapes are when they first appear? If green, when do they turn black? And are your grapes oval or round when young? I have a funny feeling that mine may not be carolina black rose.

Hi au0rey, I prune off excess growth of leaves and shoots during summer as it is very vigorous. The grapes start off green and go black when ripe. Mine are just starting to turn. I have a Maroo seedless (a seedless sibling of the Carolina Black Rose apparently), which is already all ripe. They are both pretty round.

Thanks Diana, hopefully mine will turn round and black and be CBR.

Passionfruit - Panama Red ^5/10

Planted: 2012

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Passionfruit - Grafted Black ^5/10

Planted: 2012

Growing: In the Ground

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Passionfruit - Sweet Lilikoi

Passionfruit - Sweet Lilikoi

Grape - Carolina Black Rose

Comments: - Fat growing and hardy to the humidity here. Sets long bunches of grapes.

Planted: 2010

Height 10 Feet

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Comments

i transplanted a huge mature black grape vine thriving locally in north Brisbane, so I think it is a CBR. Grows extremely well and sets huge amounts of long bunches of grapes without much care other than pruning and training. Can transplant any time of the year, they will just wait until the following spring to rebound.

Passionfruit - Panama Red ^8/10

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: at planting

Pest Control:

not required yet

Organic Status:Certified

Passionfruit - Panama Gold Grafted ^10/10

Comments: -

Growing like a weed!

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Self Pollination

Fertiliser or Organics Used: at planting

Pest Control:

not needed yet

Organic Status:Certified

Passionfruit - Granadilla ^8/10

Comments: -

Third attempt to grow Granadillas. This time it is enclosed and growing in a big pot for individual control. I have my Grannie's recipe waiting.

Fruiting Months October

Height 3 metres

Growing: In a Pot

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: Hand Pollination

When I Fertilise: Winter

Organic Status:Organic

Passionfruit - Grafted Black ^5/10

Comments: -

Growing in big planterbox. Notlookingl as good as the Panama Red but fruiting well. Critters seem to attack the Black more than the Red for some reason. Foilage not as dense?

Height 3 metres

Growing: In a Pot

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Spring

Pollination: No

Fertiliser or Organics Used: Organic compost

When I Fertilise: Yearly

Pitaya - Red Dragon Fruit

Comments: - I'm looking forward to night blooming flowers and the amazing shape and colour of the fruit - and the taste too!

Planted: 2010

Height 0.5 metres

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Medium Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Fertiliser or Organics Used: manure

Organic Status:Organic

Grape - Black Muscat

Comments: -

The grapes are very tasty (though they have leathery skins).

The fun of having a grape vine climbing a hot red wall!

Planted: 2006

Growing: In the Ground

Qty: 1

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Never

Organic Status:Organic

Grape - Golden Muscat

Grape - Pink Iona

Grape - Carolina Black Rose

Grape - Isabella Black

Grape - Golden Muscat (Grafted)

Comments: -

This is a seeded grape.

I had quite good growth in the first year and two small bunches of grapes.  I did not treat it well initially and replanted it twice.  I was suprised that it survived.

I am happy that it survived and really happy with the taste.

I hate that the posums appear to get to it before me thought!

Fruiting Months March and April

Planted: 2008

Height 1 metres

Qty: 1

Fruit Harvest: 0.5 kilograms per Year

First Fruited: 1 Years from purchase in pot

Sun/Shade: Full Sun

Water Given in: Summer

Pruned By: 90% in After Fruiting

Pollination: No

When I Fertilise: Never

Pest Control:

Nil

Grape - Carolina Black Rose

Passionfruit - Banana