Last summer I received several inquiries about the tropical mandevilla vine and the culture. It is seldom seen growing in the north as it is not hardy and only grows all year outdoors in the deep south.
The vine usually is grown as a potted plant with pink or rose trumpet-like flowers that last from June to September. When fall arrives, it stops blooming as soon as temperatures go below 60 degrees.
As for winter care, if you want to keep the plant there are two choices: either move the potted plant into a sunroom and let it bloom all winter, then move it back outdoors in late May. Or you can move the plant indoors in a cool area with bright light and barely keep it alive with gradual watering. You may have to move it to different places indoors to find which area works best.
Another choice is to let the plant be killed by frost and purchase a new vine each spring as it may be too difficult to move a large, heavy pot indoors at season’s end. The small cost per plant and the enjoyment derived during the summer and early fall may offset the cost of a new plant.
We visit a rural restaurant in Wayne County several times each summer. At the front entrance is a mandevilla vine growing in a large pot. The flowers are attractive and the same color each summer. It is likely the plant is stored indoors during winter.
I also see a mandevilla vine at a home on Trimble Road near First Presbyterian Church. A pink-flowered vine grows up a cord to the roof of the garage. It has a western exposure. Each time I pass there, the vine has grown taller.
If you grow other potted plants successfully, you should do well with a mandevilla. The only difference is the need for some vertical support.
Mandevilla culture
• Container: Grow in a pot so the vine can be moved indoors during winter. The larger the pot, the larger the vine and more flowers produced. Be aware that a large pot is difficult to move. The diamater of your put can range from 12 to 16 inches. A trellis can be attached to a support in back of the pot to provide a place of attachment for the vine.
• Soil: Soil mix should include a generous amount of organic matter. A mix of half soilless mix with half compost or other organic material works well. A 100 percent soilless mix should produce a healthy plant with many flowers if a regular feeding schedule is followed.
• Fertilizer: Add to the soil mix at potting time 3 or 4 tablespoons of Osmocote, a slow-release fertilizer with a balanced ratio of 14-14-14. In addition, feed with a water soluble fertilizer at half strength every three weeks. A large potted flowering vine needs regular feeding as the daily watering also drains out nutrients. If a vine is flowering well and has healthy green foliage, that is an indication it is “happy” with the culture methods.
• Watering: This tropical vine requires ample water, more on hot days. Such a tall growing plant has much vine tissue to feed and that requires more water than you think. On a hot summer day, you may need to water two or three times. Keep the soil evenly moist with good drainage. Mulch the soil in the pot with at least one inch of organic mulch to reduce evaporation of water from the upper soil.
• Location: Mandevilla likes sun, but a few hours of part-time sun is acceptable. The first year you may want to grow two plants at different sites in terms of sun. A site with hot late afternoon sun is undesirable.
• Temperature: A summer range of 75 to 80 degrees is very good. A lower temperature in the 60s is too cool for good flowering. On very hot days, frequent misting helps maintain higher humidity and cools the plant.
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