Here Comes the Sun: How Much Sunlight Does a Mirliton Need?
Mirlitons evolved for 26,000,000 years in the full sun of the Mesoamerican mountain sides. They tolerate and flourish in both full shade and partial shade. They are “sunseekers” in the sense that they will always grow from shade to full light. You can plant them in partial shade, and as long as the trellis guides them toward more sun, they will follow that. I have seen them start in nearly full shade beneath a large oak, and they followed the fence trellis until they found full sun.
But, in these weather conditions of heat domes and intense heatwaves, we have found that it is absolutely necessary to use a 40% shade cloth when the temperature is excessively high–95℉ for several successive days. That is why we advise growers to build a structure along with the trellis where they can quickly and easily mount a shade cloth.
John White’s Militon vine growing in full sun.
Sister Morgan’s Mirliton vine growing under the shade of a large oak. It followed the fence toward greater sun.
Angela Joan’s shade cloth draped over the vine on support poles.
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