[HansA]

Petrea volubilis is for sure a fantastic climber - I am growing it now for three or four years but it did not produce any flower. The plant I got was a young plant - does anybody know with which age flowers can be expected?

[John J]

I took this photo in the Soller Botanical Gardens in Mallorca last month. Obviously, I have no idea how old the plant is.

[JTh]

I was intrigued by this climber as well, I had never before seen it and thought the blue flowers were fantastic. I wish i could grow it in Halkidiki, but I doubt if it is hardy enough, it says that it will survive temperatures in the lower 30's to upper 20's for short periods of time. I spent a lot of time looking at the same plant that John showed in his photo, and I discovered that there were only a few flowers, what you see are mainly the sepals which remain on the plant for weeks, while the flower lasts only a few days, but I found some that I got a shot of.

[Alevin]

Well, the first one I got was a three year old plant, already in what they call here "flowering force" and it actually flowered the same year, and then every year more. . It climbs on a very sunny and warm rock face. As for the others, one is in a half shade position, and it does bloom less, even though the plant  is quite big; another is in a big pot, and it blooms on top of the upper branches, where it receives direct sun. So, I woudl say, make sure your plant gets a lot of sun rays, and wait just a little more!

[Umbrian]

Beautiful photo Jorun, this is definitely going on my "wants" list,

[HansA]

Thanks a lot Alessandra! The first two years it hardly grow and lost some leaves in winter but this year it made a shoot of 4 meters - it is growing at a southeast facing wall so it should get enough sun and flowering may start next year. I wondered if it behaves like Wisteria where the seedlings need many years before starting to flower.

Thanks John and Jorun - exactly the same plant in the botanical garden of Soller was the reason I wanted to try it when I saw it a few years ago - had my doubts earlier as it always is mentioned as tropical species.
(Unfortunately I could not participate in the MGS meeting this year, apart of seeing this beautiful plant in the bg it would have been very interesting to meet so many forumist.)

[HansA]

The plant suffered because of the strong winter, but finally it started to flower.

[MikeHardman]

Hans - it is good to know it survived the hard winter, even if it did suffer. For me, that makes all the difference in deciding whether to get one or not. You must be pleased, and looking forward to more of those lovely blue flowers.

[oron peri]

Hans, seems that you manage to grow every thing in your garden

A few years ago i was on a visit to Burle Marx house in Rio D.J..
The southern part of his house was covered by both color forms of Petrea, white and purple, growing together, a stunning combination!

[oron peri]

Mike, it should do very well in Polis. it just prefer a place protected from strong winds.

[MikeHardman]

Thanks Oron.

Actually, I am just connecting steel cables to my car port to help stabilize it in the future gales
We get some very strong winds here (Coptic storms, etc.)

But I do have a relatively sheltered ugly grey block wall partly surrounding an agricultural water tank (retaining a bank), where the Petraea might be happy and do a good job of improving the aesthetics.... I just wonder about the wisdom of planting it close to a water tank: would the roots search out the tank and rupture the (concrete) base?

[oron peri]

But I do have a relatively sheltered ugly grey block wall partly surrounding an agricultural water tank (retaining a bank), where the Petraea might be happy and do a good job of improving the aesthetics.... I just wonder about the wisdom of planting it close to a water tank: would the roots search out the tank and rupture the (concrete) base?

Mike, sounds like a perfect place,
In my experience this species is not agressive at all!

[MikeHardman]

Thank you again, Oron.
Now I just need to get some...

[HansA]

Thanks a lot for your comments Mike and Oron!

It grows here very protected from winds at a southeast facing wall - first years it grew very slowly. Now something faster (but much slower than Parthenocissus, Clematis or other climber. It normally looses the leaves in winter here. 
Oron, I wish you would be right - unfortunately it is not the case 
Hope to be able to visit the House of Burle Max in future (not only because of Petrea) -

[pamela]

I collected some seeds in the Seychelles in February and now I have some ( about 10) strong seedlings coming through.  They do need heat and a nick in the seed to germinate.  It is a beautiful plant and I hope they will do well for me......... I have some more seeds if anyone would like some.