THE EDIBLE PASSION FRUIT IN HAWAII ' 7 
The soft fruit pulp and juice are easily removed from the seeds 
after soaking in water for 24 hours. After being washed clean, the 
seeds are dried in the shade sufficiently to prevent the growth of mold, 
then stored in an air-tight container until needed. The seeds, even 
when properly stored, lose their viability rapidly after the first year. 
In fact, they give the best germination if planted soon after having 
been removed from the fruit. At the Hawaii Experiment Station, 
they are usually germinated in an ordinary propagating box about 
14 by 20 inches and 3 inches deep, which will accommodate about 260 
seeds. 
Ordinary potting soil is generally used. It is gently pressed down 
to an even surface and the seed are scattered over it at about 1 
inch apart, then pressed with the flat surface of a block of wood 
about 1 by 4 by 8 inches, such as is commonly used in propagation 
work, and then covered with one-half inch of soil and firmed again. 
The box is labeled with name and date and then set in partial shade 
where it will get plenty of light, warmth, and fresh air. With a 
liberal watering to keep the soil damp, germination will take place 
in 3 to 4 weeks. After reaching a height of about 2 inches, the 
seedlings are transferred individually to 4-inch plant pots for further 
growth. After about 2 weeks in a partially shaded place, the seed- 
lings may be placed on benches outside in full sunlight. In 3 or 4 
months' time, the plants will be from 6 to 10 inches high and may be 
set in permanent place in the field. Winter or spring planting is 
satisfactory in Hawaii and makes but little difference in time of 
fruiting. Winter planting, however, generally gives larger plants. 
Raising of young plants in containers, in preference to the open 
nursery, avoids some loss in transplanting and produces a sun- 
hardened plant which makes more rapid growth in the field. In some 
countries the seedlings are germinated in nursery beds and when 
of sufficient size transplanted to the field. In Hawaii, conditions are 
generally such that the pot -grown methods of developing the young 
plants prove best. 
SOIL PREPARATION 
Thorough preparation of the land is very important for passion 
fruit culture. It should be cleared of all undesirable vegetation, 
stones, and the like and the soil deeply and thoroughly plowed and 
harrowed to as near a perfect tilth as possible. This gives a greater 
growing medium in which the passion fruit plants may develop ac- 
tive roots. It also increases the available plant food and insures bet- 
ter drainage. In the preparation of the soil, as in the cultivation 
to be done later, considerable organic matter, such as barnyard ma- 
nure, panicum grass, old straw, and leguminous plants, may be worked 
into the soil to improve and maintain fertility. 
TRELLISES AND PLANTING 
Previous to setting the plants, the prepared field should be marked 
off in rows 10 feet apart and the trellises erected. Some growers 
find more time for making the trellises after the plants are set ; how- 
ever, this method is more difficult because care must be taken to avoid 
injuring the young plants. 
There are several forms of trellises, the most satisfactory consisting 
of hardwood posts 8 feet long, set 2 feet in the ground at 15 feet apart 
