The lilikoi passion fruit plant is not a distinct species from the purple passion fruit but the lilikoi passion fruit is a slightly larger fruit, with bright yellow skin and tarter pulp. Major other aspects of the vine and fruit are similar to the purple passion fruit.
Passiflora edulis forma flavicarpa is the scientific name for the lilikoi Passion Fruit most often grown in Hawaii. It is a small roundish shape fruit that grows on a vine of various sizes.
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The lilikoi passion fruit has many seeds and is used most commonly to make juice. Passion Fruits are anywhere from 4 cm to 8 cm wide. It has smooth yet tough skin and ranges in various colors from dark purple with pumpkin, and white specks to pale yellow colored.
When you cut lilikoi passion fruit they are filled with little sacs including its pulpy juice as well as many, many black seeds. The taste of the lilikoi fruit ranges from sweet/tart – tart in flavor and is very fragrant.
The yellow form of the lilikoi passion fruit plant takes 1-3 years to start bearing fruit. Once the flowers of lilikoi have been pollinated it will take 70-80 days before you have fruit.
As the fruit fully ripens, it falls off the vine. The lilikoi fruit is still good when it starts to get wrinkled and has brown spots. Individually the yellow passion fruit holds from 1-3 tablespoons of tasty juice.
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Passion fruit plant is a tropical fruit plant originating from the Amazon and is prized for its sweet and sour flavor. This fruit grows in a country with Peru, Argentina, and, Paraguayan. The Spanish people call it the fruit of passion due to its similarity to a crown of thorns but it has different names according to the country in Uruguay, Paraguay, and northern Argentina it is called mburucuyá, in Puerto Rico, it is called parcha, in Venezuela partita and the Dominican Republic Shinola.
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Passion fruit or passion fruit comes from a climbing plant or a vine plant with the scientific name Passiflora edulis flavicarpa. The genus has about 400 species it belongs to the same family as Curuba P,malasina , Sweet Granadilla P, ligularia and Badea p, quadrangular other popular names for passion fruit include Shinola parcha , parchita, passionaria , curibo , tumbo and taxo among others .
How to Eat Lilikoi Passion Fruit
Lilikoi fruit is best eaten fresh when the fruit is completely ripe (as bright yellow and slightly wrinkled). Cut the fruit into the tough outer rind, slice the fruit in half, use a spoon to dig out the juicy pulp, and enjoy!
Lilikoi has a unique tangy-sweet aroma. Some fruits taste sweeter than others fruit. Inside the fruit, there are small, black seeds that are edible and have a crunchy texture.
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Passionflowers are commonly known for their calming sedative effects properties and are widely used as herbal supplements like teas, extracts to reduce mental stress and anxiety and help with insomnia.
Unripe fruits have a very dark green texture with white specks. As the fruits ripen, they slowly turn yellow and then fall off the vine, much to the delight of wild pigs and rats
The fruit is also packed with many nutrients, including vitamin A, antioxidants, carotenoids, and a high amount of both vitamin C and fiber.
You can make various bi-products from the Lilikoi Passion Fruit plant as mentioned below:-
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- Lilikoi Passion Fruit Butter
- Passion Fruit Cake
- Lilikoi Passion Fruit Fruit Jewels
- Lilikoi Passion Fruit Juice
- Lilikoi Passion Fruit Syrup
- Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) Black Fruit Tea
- Lilikoi Passion Fruit jams and jellies
- Lilikoi Passion Fruit desserts and snacks
Characters of lilikoi passion fruit
The lilikoi passion fruit is botanically the same species as the purple passion fruit but lilikoi has differing climatic requirements. It is a vigorous vine, usually growing over 20ft in a single year.
The lilikoi passion fruit is not nearly as hardy as the purple passion fruit and is very sensitive to frosts. It will not usually survive temperatures much below 40F.How to grow Blueberries Plants from Bought Blueberries
The most attractive thing about the passion fruit vine is the flower of lilikoi. These beautiful flowers are beyond explanation. The lilikoi flowers are up to three inches wide and grow separately all over the vine.
These aromatic flowers each have five white petals that originated from the base, which has on top a vivid purple striped and dotted center. Coming up from the center are five bright yellow stamens with large ends and shooting outwards from the center are very fine, whitish ‘hairs’ to complete this strange but very beautiful flower.
History of lilikoi passion fruit
In the era of 16th century, when Christian missionaries landed in South America, the passion fruit flower was the plant that symbolized their success. They named it “Flor de las cinco llagas” & “Flower of the Five Wounds” after its unique purple flower.
Christian missionaries believed that the flower represented the death of Christ; the five petals represented the disciples (minus Peter and Judas), the corona symbolized the crown of thorns around Christ’s head, and other features of the flower were a symbol of the whips, wounds, and nails used on Christ.
Today, various passion fruit varieties are grown nearly everywhere in the tropical region but are known by a variety of different names.
Passion Fruit was grown in Hawaii in 1880 and it quickly became popular in home gardens. It adapted to Hawaii’s almost perfect climate and, by 1930, could be seen wildly on all the various regions of islands of the Hawaiian chain.
How to grow Lilikoi Passion Fruit Plant
Seeds
- Seeds of Lilikoi can be planted directly in the ground or Pot. They will typically germinate within 7–10 days.
- Lilikoi Passion fruits are relatively difficult to grow from seeds, and can take years to flower and produce fruit this way, so be ready to be patient! choose to grow your Lilikoi passion fruit from cuttings for easier, faster results.
- To increase your chances of winning, soak Lilikoi seeds overnight in a bowl of warm water before planting them.
- If you’re not planting the seeds right away, put the seeds in an airtight plastic bag. Place the bag in the fridge, and plant them within six months.
Cuttings
- Take a cutting of Lilikoi passion fruit plant that’s at least 6 cm (2.4 in) long in length or has at least 2-3 leaf nodes. In the springtime, while the vines are in active growth, choose a mature, healthy passion fruit plant to take a cutting from—your own, a friend’s, or a wild plant will also work. With a pair of garden clippers, snip off a piece of the vine that contains at least 2 leaf nodes (the joints on the Lilikoi vine from which leaves appear), and which is at least 6 cm (2.4 in) long.
- Snip at the base of the shoot, and cut at a sharp angle.
- More recent growth is more active, so choose a newer portion of the vine (toward the ends or top portion) rather than an older portion.
- Trim away all but the top leaves and tendrils of the cutting to promote new growth.
- Place the cutting in a shallow plate of warm water while you set to work preparing a pot or field for it.
- To promote growth, dip the bottom of the cutting stick in a rooting hormone before you stick it in the soil.
- Water and keep the cutting in humid conditions for 3-4 months
- Lilikoi Passion fruit cuttings are tropical plants, and they usually grow slowly. Keep the soil damp, but not so wet as pooling. Moreover, cover the cutting stick in a plastic bag (with various small holes cut into it), a humidity dome, or mist it 2-3 times a day to keep the plant moisture level maintained.
- Keep the cutting stick plant in indirect sunlight (in other words, a bright room, but where the sun doesn’t shine straight on the plant), and keep the temperature around the plant at about 85 °F (29 °C).
- If you live in a dry area, run a humidifier or place containers of water-covered gravel around the base of the cutting stick to mimic the plant’s natural habitat.
- After 3-4 months, the cutting will have grown roots, meaning it’s ready to transplant on the ground or Pot!
Lilikoi Passion Fruit Plant vines prefer well-drained soil and a sunny location.
Lilikoi flowers are stunningly beautiful and possess a heady, intoxicating perfume. The flowers usually attract carpenter bees and nocturnal moths for pollination process.
Growing Environment of Lilikoi Passion Fruit Plant
We mainly have special agroclimatic conditions for the cultivation of Lilikoi passion fruit. According to phytosanitary conditions, Lilikoi is produced from 300 to 1,600 meters above sea level. the climate in which it develops requires alternating wet and dry seasons and 1000 to 1500 millimeters of rainfall.
It is also important to emphasize that the temperature cannot be higher than 32 degrees Celsius because otherwise, we have problems with the pollen which crystallizes and makes the fructification of the plants unfeasible.
Flowering happens from the month of April to November but may sometimes continue year-round if conditions are right. Every flower blooms for just 12-24 hours before closing. Except for the purple form, flowers will not self-pollinate.
You can choose hand pollination or bee pollination that works for successful crops. Fruits commonly ripen after 80 days of flowering. Pruning is very important to keep the vine healthy. Prune off less vigorous growth and occasionally prune back vigorous growth to divert nutrition toward flowering.
The long tendrils of Lilikoi need strong support for climbing. When established, and without care and management of plants, the lilikoi can easily surpass other garden plants, covering them from the sun. The vines of the Lilikoi Passion Fruit Plant love full sun except in climates where the temperature frequently overtakes 100F.
vines of lilikoi should be given shade. Water repeatedly and provide good drainage. Plants are short-lived, usually holding good productivity for 4-6 years. Harvest fruits when the fruit falls from the plant. Fruits are best eaten when wrinkles occur on their surface.
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Health Benefits Of Lilikoi Passion Fruit
It’s no wonder that lilikoi Fruit is considered a useful source of nutrients. The lilikoi fruit is a rich source of antioxidants, specifically Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Vitamin C helps a healthy and strong immune system and helps slow down the aging process, while Vitamin A is a crucial element for good eyesight.
On top of the high vitamin content, lilikoi is a good source of soluble fiber. Fiber keeps the gut healthy, helps with digestion, and controls spikes in blood sugar levels.
The nutritional value of lilikoi Passion Fruit is not only beneficial to the body but also beneficial for the skin. Antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin A are major keys to reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
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Moreover, nutrients like important riboflavin, fatty acids, and niacin round out lilikoi’s nutritional profile, securing its place as a skin care marvel and a shield against environmental stressors.