Can I grow passionfruit in North Queensland?
Yes, but it is not without its problems. Some of the hybrid varieties are not suited to the warmer climate and produce low yields and poorly coloured fruit. This is because prolonged temperatures above 30C cause vines to grow vegetatively at the expense of fruit production and quality. Heavy rainfall also affects pollen germination, reducing fruit set. It is therefore advisable to try hybrid varieties on a small scale initially to identify varieties that do best in your environment. The P. edulis f. flavicarpa or golden passionfruit selections such as Panama are better suited to the tropical conditions of North Queensland. Their dense foliage, however, favours pest and disease problems with the result that vineyards generally have a shorter life. Another problem is that North Queensland is a long way from the main processing outlets in south Queensland and northern New South Wales. This effectively removes the opportunity to dispose of fruit which is not up to fresh fruit market standa
