[nafex] Re: Maypops (Passiflora incarnata)

["Christopher Mauchline" <mauch1@aol.com>]

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I would be interested in a MayPop interest group.

I too am interested in growing and breeding the maypop for its edible 
fruit (have been growing it for 6-7 years, but have become 
discouraged in the last few years and distracted by other 
interests).  

MayPop is hardy in zone 6, but does not appear to naturally propagate 
itself in PA (since Passiflora seem to need heat to sprout, my 
suspicion is that it does not get hot enough, long enough for 
growth.) although they DO spread. 

I have not found the species samples that I've obtained to be all 
that delicious, and had not found a good way to process it.  
Suggestions would be appreciated.

I did succeed in a cross-"species" breeding of P. Incense X 
incarnata, but either the seeds were sterile, or I mishandled them 
and they did not sprout (I suspect they needed stratification, and I 
did not do that).  One of my frustrations has been trying to winter 
over non-MayPop plant (can do it but the plants are less than healthy 
by the end of winter).

There is an international Passiflora listserv I recently withdrew 
from (non-egroup).

Let me know what you want to do.

Chris Mauchline
SE PA, zone 6

--- In nafex@egroups.com, Christopher McGuire <cmmcguire@s...> wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I am very interested in growing and breeding the maypop for its 
edible fruit
> (Passiflora incarnata).  The maypop is a perennial vine native to 
the
> southeastern U.S. and is related to the more tropical 
passionfruit.  It bears a
> truly delicious fruit.  
> 
> I have spoken to Lon Rombaugh about starting a NAFEX interest group 
for the
> maypop.  I am writing this email to learn whether others of you are 
interested
> in the maypop and to hear what your experiences have been.  Below I 
have
> included a brief description of maypops gleaned from my own 
experience, my
> reading, and my conversations with other growers.  I hope to hear 
from some of
> you.