Encouraging new growth, darker leaves, less leaf drop

13 years ago

I have an unamed potted passion flower growing in a large ceramic planter that's about 20" high and 30" wide. It's actually two types (a classic white/purple kind and a solid violet) and the vine consists of three plants that were in a 3 gallon pot when I bought from the HomeDepot. It has grown really well and some vines are 15 feet long and there's even some fruit. I haven't had any problem with flowering but the problem I do have is the older leaves at the base of the plant have been yellowing and dropping and the only new growth is from the tip of the vines. Is there any way to encourage new grown from the base of the plant? Right now it's starting to look bare and dead and I want to fill it in. There's another passion vine 5 ft away growing in a larger planter and I don't have a problem with this plant. It's very very lush and green and full of flowers. The foliage is very green where as the one with the dropping leaves the foliage is lighter. I think it's a different variety and gets a little more shade and more room for the root so that's why I think it might be a little more lush. I water and fertilize all plants the same, yet the smaller potted one doesn't seem so healthy though it is growing and flowering.

Advice?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

eristal
13 years ago
Hello,

My advice:

I am guessing that you have P. caerulea and P. 'Amethyst', or some variation thereof. These are both sun-lovers, and in SF, you already have a strike against you with all that morning fog. Place them in the most sun you can give them.

Also, as vines get older and larger, it is natural for them to lose the lower leaves. That's what most vines just do. If you want to encourage lower growth, one thing you can do is tip prune. As you cut branches lower, you will begin to get more from lower down the stem. The only problem is this really should not be done this time of the year. You should wait till late winter/early spring, when new growth is first starting to show.

Good luck!
Eric Wortman
www.bloomingpassion.com
sf4023st
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Eric

Thanks so much for the response:) actually the one that gets a little more shade is much more lush and green and I don't have a problem with exposed stems or yellow dropping leaves. The vines that are dropping are the ones with the lighter color leaves and dropping ones. I'm not sure if it's just the variety or if they need to be put in a larger pot. I just planted this summer and it has taken off really well but I'm not so sure why it isn't as lush as the other. I also planted an all white flower nearby and it's doing pretty well but again it's not so lush and is starting to show signs of shedding leaves. I will try to get pictures up so maybe it will better describe.
Related Professionals
Clemson Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fitchburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Glen Ellyn Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Forest City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Elgin Landscape Contractors · Kahului Landscape Contractors · Lynchburg Landscape Contractors · Pomona Landscape Contractors · Merrifield Landscape Contractors · Bowling Green General Contractors · Chillicothe General Contractors · Henderson General Contractors · Jamestown General Contractors · Rancho Cordova General Contractors · Syosset General Contractors