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| PASSION FLOWER TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BE REAL | |
| Published: June 21, 1997 | |
Named by Jesuit botanists who viewed flower parts as symbols of the CrucifixionQ:I have a passionflower vine that produces beautiful lavender-blue flowers. I would like to propagate it. Can you give me information?A:Your lavender-blue passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), also called maypop, may be propagated from both cuttings and seeds. Maypop cuttings may be taken between January and March. Seeds gathered in the fall from a ripe fruit and planted immediately should produce seedlings the following spring.Gardeners for centuries have been fascinated by the Christian symbolism in the naming of the plant. The five petals and five sepals in each bloom represented the ten apostles present at the death of Christ. The five stamens stood for the five wounds, while the crown symbolized the crown of thorns. The three styles in the center of the bloom represented the three nails of the Crucifixion. When the flowers fade, green egg-shaped fruits are produced. These contain the seeds and are considered by some to be edible. The vine, which prefers full sun or light shade, may grow to 25 feet in a year. It will die down in winter but return in spring. Common elephants ear no danger to parsleyQ:I planted parsley seeds in a large planter that already held an elephants ear plant. I was told by a friend that the elephants ear is very poisonous. Will this make the parsley poisonous?A:Although the underground tubers of common elephants ear (Colocasia esculenta) are used by people in many parts of the world to make a food called poi, the stems and leaves, when crushed or chewed, produce chemicals that cause severe irritation to the mouth, lips and eyes. According to the Louisiana Center for Poison Control, your parsley is not affected, so eat it and enjoy.Amending soil with earthworm castingsQ:I am very interested in learning more about using earthworm castings. Every year I buy some at Festival des Fleur, but am more or less guessing as to the amount to use.A:Worm Magic, which has been available at Festival des Fleur, and Wiggle Worm Soil Builder are both packed locally. Both products stress that the castings will not burn seedlings or plants, so too much wont cause damage.. The analysis is 1-.11- 0, so the primary benefit is the improved aeration of the soil accompanied by a low nitrogen source.In regard to amount to use, Gerald Freeman (318-837-1532, after 6 p.m.) with Wiggle Worm says that a little goes a long way and most people use more than necessary. The detailed recommendations printed on the Wiggle Worm bag require less of the product than Worm Magics recommendations printed below as taken from their brochure. Worm Magic (318-237-0671) recommends the following: for vegetables, till in one 40 qt. bag per 40 square feet of garden area; for transplants, use one quart at bottom of hole; for flowers, use two cups in bottom of hole; for pot plants, mix one part to two parts soil; and for trees and shrubs, as much as desired. |