Description

Grafted Passion Fruit Seedlings

Embark on a lucrative farming venture with Organic Farm’s certified grafted passion fruit seedlings (Passiflora edulis), featuring premium purple and yellow varieties. These tangy, nutrient-rich fruits, high in vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants, are Kenya’s third most popular fruit, with soaring demand in local and export markets. Organically propagated in Muranga, Kenya, our KEPHIS-certified seedlings are grafted onto disease-resistant yellow rootstocks for enhanced vigor, early fruiting, and high yields, making them ideal for commercial farmers and home gardeners.

Benefits of Grafted Passion Fruit Farming

• Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, passion fruits boost immunity, digestion, and heart health, appealing to health-conscious consumers.

• Versatile Uses: Enjoy fresh, in juices, smoothies, desserts, or processed into jams and concentrates; ideal for culinary and industrial applications.

• High Profitability: Yields up to 15 tonnes per acre, fetching KSh 50–150/kg locally and higher for exports, generating KSh 800,000–1,050,000 annually per acre.

• Disease Resistance: Grafted onto yellow rootstocks, seedlings resist soil-borne diseases like Fusarium wilt, nematodes, and root rot, reducing chemical use.

Favorable Climates for Passion Fruits in Kenya

Passion fruits thrive in warm, tropical to subtropical climates with temperatures of 18–30°C and annual rainfall of 900–2,000mm, supplemented by irrigation in drier areas.

Suitable Regions in Kenya

• Central Kenya: Murang’a, Nyeri, Kiambu, Thika, Kirinyaga

• Rift Valley: Nakuru, Kericho, Uasin Gishu

• Western Kenya: Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, Siaya

• Eastern Kenya: Embu, Meru, Machakos

• Nyanza: Kisii, Nyamira

Soil Requirements

• Soil Type: Well-drained sandy loam rich in organic matter

• Soil pH: 5.5–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral); amend with lime if too acidic

• Nutrients: High organic content; avoid waterlogged soils

• Altitude: 1,200–2,000 meters above sea level for purple passion; 0–1,500m for yellow

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Grafted Passion Fruits

Site Preparation

• Select a sunny site with 6–8 hours of sunlight, protected from strong winds; install windbreaks if needed.

• Clear weeds and debris; plow and harrow to a fine texture.

• Sterilize soil via solarization (wet soil, cover with polythene for 4–6 weeks) to eliminate nematodes and soil-borne pathogens like Fusarium.

Hole Preparation

• Dig holes 45cm x 45cm x 45cm (1.5 ft x 1.5 ft x 1.5 ft), spaced 2m within rows and 3m between rows.

• Mix topsoil with 10–16kg well-decomposed manure and 125g double superphosphate per hole, prepared 2–3 months before planting.

Planting Seedlings

• Use KEPHIS-certified grafted seedlings (purple scion on yellow rootstock) for disease resistance and high yields, sourced from reputable nurseries like Organic Farm.

• Transplant at the onset of rains, early morning or late afternoon, placing seedlings at the same depth as in nursery bags, with the graft union 5–10cm above soil to prevent fungal infection.

• Water thoroughly to reduce transplant shock and firm soil around roots.

Mulching

• Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch (e.g., straw, dry grass) around the base to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and enrich soil, keeping mulch 5cm from the vine base.

Caring for Grafted Passion Fruit Vines

• Irrigation: Water young plants every 2–3 days (60 liters per vine weekly) during dry seasons, using drip irrigation to prevent root rot; avoid overwatering.

• Fertilization: Apply 150g CAN per plant one month after transplanting and again at the start of the next rainy season (300g/year total); spray foliar fertilizers with trace elements every 3 months.

• Trellising: Install trellises before planting (2.7m high, with 15cm diameter wooden posts and galvanized wires) to support climbing vines; train 2 healthy shoots above the graft union using sisal strings.

• Pruning: Prune regularly to remove old, unproductive shoots, entangled tendrils, and dead wood, enhancing aeration and light penetration; spray pruned areas with copper-based fungicides.

• Pest and Disease Control: Manage pests (aphids, mealybugs, nematodes) with KINGCODE ELITE 50EC (10ml/20L) or neem oil; control diseases (Fusarium wilt, brown spot, woodiness virus) with resistant rootstocks, RANSOM 600WP (15g/20L) for brown spot, or PYRAMID 700WP (100g/20L) for root rot.

Plant Population and Spacing

• Spacing: 2m x 3m (hand cultivation) or 3m x 3m (mechanized); commercial plantations use 1.2–1.8m between rows and 3m within rows.

• Population: 800–2,700 vines per hectare (300–1,000 per acre), depending on spacing.

Expected Production

• Per Vine: 1,500–2,500 fruits (50kg minimum) annually for grafted purple passion.

• Per Acre: 15 tonnes per year with 300 vines, yielding KSh 800,000–1,050,000 at KSh 50–150/kg, with peak harvests from 10 months to 5 years.

• Fruiting Timeline: Flowering begins 6 months after transplanting; first harvest at 8–10 months; fruits are harvested when purple (slightly black) or yellow (deep golden).

Why Choose Organic Farm’s Grafted Passion Fruit Seedlings?

Organic Farm is a leading provider of sustainable agricultural solutions in Kenya. Our grafted passion fruit seedlings offer:

• KEPHIS-Certified Quality: Grafted purple passion scions on yellow rootstocks for resistance to Fusarium wilt, nematodes, and root rot, ensuring high yields and quality, certified by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service.

• Superior Performance: Early fruiting (8–10 months), higher yields (up to 50kg per vine), and extended productive lifespan (up to 5 years) compared to ungrafted seedlings.

• Expert Support: Agronomic guidance on planting, trellising, pest control, and market linkages, tailored to Kenya’s regions.

• Eco-Friendly Practices: Organic propagation promotes soil health and sustainable farming.

• Nationwide Delivery: Reliable shipping across Kenya, including Murang’a, Nakuru, and Kisii, with options for East Africa.

Join Kenya’s thriving passion fruit industry, exporting to the UK, Netherlands, and UAE, with Organic Farm’s grafted seedlings. Order now to establish a productive orchard that delivers juicy, profitable harvests for years

Contact: oxfarmorganic@gmail.com