Granadilla Season in South Africa

 The optimum production age of a granadilla vine is 18 months, but the first granadillas may be ready between six and nine months after transplanting the seedlings. The optimum production age of a granadilla vine is 18 months, but the first granadillas may be ready between six and nine months after transplanting the seedlings.

What season does granadilla grow?

Granadilla vine, from its second year onwards should produce atleast two crops annually, an abundant summer crop from November to January and a lighter winter crop in June and July. Then, you can pick the fruits when fully developed and dark purple in colour. It should fall from the plant when you shake it gently.

How long does a granadilla plant live?

According to Study, the average lifespan of a healthy granadilla plantation is about 3 years. Bearing in mind the effect of viruses and soil-borne diseases, plant spacing of about 1 m could ensure high production over the short term. Erecting a trellising system is the main initial expense.

What is the difference between passion fruit and granadilla?

Bear in mind, that the major difference between passion fruit and granadilla, is that, passion fruit are smaller, and they start with a green skin that ripen into a dark reddish-purple. In Addition, the skin of the granadilla is yellow tinged with orange. The pulp colour varies as well passion fruit have bright orange pulp, and granadillas have a translucent, colourless pulp.

How do you pick a granadilla in South Africa?

In South Africa, you will know it is time to harvest when fruits are plump, have a slight give, and are fully colored. In the yellow forms, the color is deeply golden and the purple fruits will be nearly black. Slightly wrinkled fruits are super ripe and will have a sweeter taste than the smooth skinned passion fruit.

How do you know when a granadilla is ripe in South Africa?

The following things are to be checked to know when granadilla is ripe:

• The shell is hard and shiny when it is ripe.
• Granadillas have the size and shape of a plum.
• The fruit contains a yellow, jelly-like pulp with a scattering of black edible seeds.

 Why do South Africans call a passion fruit a granadilla?

The main reason for the name ‘passion fruit’ is presumably inspired by the shape of the plant’s flowers which resembled Christ’s crown of thorns. It may have been invented by Spanish missionaries in South America. Granadillas are also called maracuja in South Africa.