Passiflora tarminiana Seeds (banana passionfruit)

🌱 Passiflora tarminiana Seeds (Banana Passionfruit)

💰 Price: Package of 5 seeds

🌸 🌿 Origin & History: Passiflora tarminiana, commonly known as banana passionfruit, is a high-climbing tropical vine native to the uplands of South America. It is widely cultivated for its delicious and nutritious fruit, second only in cultivation popularity to Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima. Its edible yellow-orange fruits contain sweet orange pulp and small black seeds, which are enjoyed fresh or in various culinary preparations. The plant has now spread globally, cultivated in Hawaii, New Zealand, and other tropical regions, although in some areas it is considered invasive. Local names vary greatly: curuba, curuba de Castilla, or curuba sabanera blanca in Colombia; taxo, tacso, tagso, tauso in Ecuador; parcha, taxo in Venezuela; tumbo or curuba in Bolivia; and tacso, tumbo del norte, trompos, tintin, or purpur in Peru.

🌱 Plant Characteristics:
This vigorous climber features hairy stems and petioles, with small stipules (4–7 × 2–3 mm) at the leaf axils that are quickly deciduous. Leaves are typically three-lobed, hairy on the underside but often smooth above. The flowers are solitary, pendulous, and highly ornamental. Each flower has pale green bracts at its base that enclose a swollen nectary chamber, a floral tube (hypanthium) measuring 6–8 × 0.7–1 cm, and reflexed sepals and petals that are pink, 3–6 cm long, arranged perpendicularly to the floral tube. This striking floral structure not only attracts pollinators but also contributes to the vine’s ornamental appeal.

🍊 Fruit Appearance & Taste:
The banana passionfruit is named for its elongated yellow fruits, tapering at both ends, typically 10–14 cm long and 3.5–4.5 cm wide. When ripe, the fruits turn bright yellow or light orange and contain numerous small black seeds embedded in a sweet, edible orange aril. The pulp is highly aromatic and flavorful, suitable for fresh consumption, juicing, desserts, and even culinary sauces. The flavor profile is a delightful mix of tropical sweetness and subtle acidity.

🌿 Cultivation & Care:
Passiflora tarminiana thrives in tropical and subtropical climates but can also grow in temperate zones with protection. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil rich in organic matter. As a climbing vine, it requires trellises or fences for support. Regular watering is essential, particularly during the growing and fruiting seasons, while moderate fertilization promotes vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Being more disease-resistant than P. tripartita var. mollissima, it is an excellent choice for home gardeners seeking a robust tropical fruit vine.

🌱 Propagation & Sowing Instructions:

• Propagation: Seeds

• Pre-Treatment: Optional soaking for 12–24 hours to enhance germination

• Sowing Mix: Loose, fertile soil with good drainage, optionally mixed with sand or perlite

• Germination Temperature: 20–28 °C

• Germination Time: 2–4 weeks

• Location: Bright, well-ventilated area; avoid waterlogging

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, reduce during dormancy

🌟 Uses & Benefits:
The banana passionfruit is not only visually appealing in gardens but also highly nutritious. Rich in vitamins and minerals, it supports digestion, boosts immunity, and adds vibrant flavor to dishes. The vine’s rapid growth, impressive flowers, and delicious fruit make it a must-have for tropical fruit enthusiasts and ornamental gardeners alike.