How to Care for Corky Stem Passion Flower
- 1). Dig a hole two times the diameter of the root ball and just deep enough to plant the vine at its previous level.
- 2). Mix a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic compost with the soil that was removed from the planting hole.
- 3). Set the corky stem passion flower into the planting hole at its prior depth and place the amended soil around the roots. Pat down lightly to remove pockets of air and water until the soil feels thoroughly moistened to the roots.
- 4). Spread 2 inches of organic mulch under the vine, but don't allow it to rest against the stem or foliage.
- 5). Position a trellis 3 to 4 inches behind the vine, unless the plant is being grown as a ground cover.
- 6). Water deeply every week throughout the first growing season, unless there has been an inch or more of rain. No supplemental water is required after this, unless conditions are incredibly dry.
- 7). Feed with 10-5-20 fertilizer, at half the recommended rate, beginning in very early spring. Repeat the application every four weeks until early fall.
- 8). Remove caterpillars from the vine by hand as often as necessary. Corky stem passion flowers are popular host plants for zebra longwing and gulf fritillary butterflies, which can cause considerable damage if allowed to remain on the plant.
- 9). Trim the vines to the desired size during late winter. Also trim weak or dead foliage back to vigorous stems. Reduce the length of remaining stems by one-third of their length.
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