Mandevilla Plant Indoor Care, Propagation and Common Problems with Solutions
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Mandevilla Plants require bright light with some direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Mandevilla are among the evergreen, climbing flowering plants whose stems are densely covered with glossy, dark-green oval leaves and bears brightly colored, large, trumpet-shaped flowers which come in white, pink, yellow, red or mixed colors.
The Mandevilla Plants grown nowadays are hybrids derived mainly from Mandevilla × amabilis, Mandevilla splendens, and Mandevilla sanderi, whereby, the cultivars Mandevilla × amabilis 'Alice du pont' and Sundaville Cream Pink have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Rocktrumpet is perfect for a hanging basket, a pedestal or a trellis where the beautiful leaves and vibrant flowers can be displayed for a spectacular sight.
Mandevilla Plants are tropical plants which require warm and humid conditions to thrive. They are not cold hardy, therefore, they are best grown as indoor plants in the cold temperate climates.
In climates with harsh winters, they can be grown outdoors as container plants during spring and summer which are brought inside when the temperatures drop to about 130C in fall.
Botanical name: Mandevilla
Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: Mandevilla, Rocktrumpet
Origin
Mandevilla also called Dipladenia is native to the tropical regions of Southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and South America. The genus name, 'Mandevilla', is named for Henry Mandeville, a British diplomat and gardener who lived from 1773 to 1861.
Size
Mandevilla Plant is a vining plant which can grow upto 10 feet long when grown indoors. It is one of the best flowering plants for hanging baskets.
Flowers
Mandevilla Plant bears fragrant flowers in a variety of colours, which include white, pink, yellow, and red from spring through fall. On account of its magnificent flowers, Rocktrumpets like Busy Lizzie (Impatiens wallerana) are among the best plants for the front porch or entrance.
Toxicity
Mandevilla Plants are toxic to humans and pets. Keep the plants away from the reach of kids and pets.
Where to Buy
Mandevilla are a spectacular addition to your plant collection. You may obtain these plants online Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Mandevilla Plant Care Indoors
Mandevilla Plants require bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 18-300C, humidity of 60-70%, and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Rocktrumpet requires regular trimming of the branches to encourage branching as flowers are borne at the tips of new branches. Repotting is only needed when the plant becomes potbound. Keep reading for more details on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Mandevilla Plant grows best in bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight to promote flowering. A spot infront of a brightly-lit window with some morning or late afternoon sunlight is ideal for this plant.
Mandevilla Plant can also be grown under grow lights where the natural light is not adequate. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly turn the pot to ensure the Mandevilla Vine receives adequate light on all sides to promote even growth and prevent the plant from getting leggy.
You can move the plant outdoors for some sun in summer but acclimate gradually to prevent scorching. Ensure to bring it back inside in winter when temperatures begin to drop, it can tolerate a drop to 130C.
Watering
Water Mandevilla Plant liberally during the growing season when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out and keep the soil consistently moist through out.
Decrease watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Make Sure that the pot has a drainage hole and drain excess water from the catch plate or saucer to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Mandevilla Plant prefers average warmth of 18-300C. Keep it away from cold and hot drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, air conditioning units, hot air vents and others to prevent sudden changes in temperature which may lead to leaf drop and stunted growth.
Mandevilla Plant requires above average humidity between 60-70% to thrive. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to increase humidity for the plant. Check out these techniques on how to raise raise humidity for houseplants.
Regularly clean the leaves with a damp soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest infestations. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal infestations.
Fertilizer
Feed Mandevilla Plant every 2 weeks during the growing season with a phosphorus-rich, water-soluble fertilizer to boost blooming and healthy growth of the plant.
Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding the plant at this time can lead to fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Mandevilla Plant should be rich in organic matter to provide the required nutrients and at an acidic to neutral PH for optimum growth of the plant. Well-drained, all purpose soils are recommended for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Mandevilla at the beginning of spring only when it becomes extremely pot-bound as it blooms best when slightly pot-bound. Do not repot a plant that is in flower as it can shorten the flowering period.
Repot the Rocktrumpet into a pot 1 size larger than the current one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot, shake off the old potting mix and trim the dead roots with clean and sterilized scissors. Place the plant in the center of the new pot and refill with fresh, free-draining potting mix.
Thoroughly wet the soil until water comes out through the drainage hole, empty the saucer and replace the plant infront of a brightly-lit window with some 6-8 hours of direct sunlight.
Pruning
Pruning Mandevilla involves removal of dead leaves and flowers to keep the plant neat and discourage pests and diseases. To encourage blooming trim the branches by 1/2 after flowering as flowers are borne at the tips of new branches.
Mandevilla Outdoor Care
Mandevilla are tropical plants which require warm and humid conditions to thrive. They are not cold hardy, therefore, they are best grown as houseplants in the temperate climates.
Nonetheless, in climates with harsh winters, Rocktrumpet can be grown outdoors as container plants during spring and summer which are brought inside when the temperatures drop to about 130C in fall.
Trim the plant by 1/3 and place it in a warm place where it can receive bright light and reduce watering to keep the soil slightly moist but do not let it dry out completely.
Do not feed it at this time as growth is reduced therefore does not require a lot of nutrients. Ensure that the humidity is above average and that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal infestations.
Once the temperatures warm up to 150C in spring, you can move the plant outdoors under bright sunlight but shield it from hot direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
Ensure that the soil remains consistently moist but not soggy by watering when the top 1-2 in. of soil feels dry and feed the plant every 2-3 weeks with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to boost blooming.
Propagation
Mandevilla Plant can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season (spring) from soft stem cuttings.
How to propagate Mandevilla Plant from soft stem cuttings
Take a 4-5 inches soft stem cuttings from a healthy Mandevilla Plant. Strip off the lower leaves and dip the lower cut end in rooting powder to hasten rooting.
Insert the lower cut end in moist, free-draining rooting mix while taking care not to brush off the rooting powder and firm the soil around the base of the cutting.
Cover the set up with a plastic sheet to create a greenhouse effect and place it in a warm, brightly-lit spot away from direct sunlight to avoid cooking the cuttings.
Maintain the soil moist through out until the new plants are well established. Allow the new plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
Mandevilla Plant Common Problems
Mandevilla Plant common growing problems include yellow leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, leaf drop, lack of blooms, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Pests
The common pests in Mandevilla are aphids, scales, whiteflies and spidermites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Leaf drop
Leaf drop in Mandevilla is caused by two possible reasons. One possible reason is incorrect watering; either underwatering or overwatering. Maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season but do not let the soil dry out completely.
Ensure that pot has a drainage hole and the soil is loose, free-draining to prevent from getting soggy as it can result in root-rot which can result in loss of leaves. Learn more on how to water houseplants correctly.
The second possible reason for leaf drop in Rocktrumpet is wrong temperature due to exposure to cold drafts. Keep the plant away from cold drafts to maintain an average temperature of 18-300C. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Lack of blooms
Lack of blooms in Mandevilla Plant may be due to three possible causes. One possible cause of lack of blooms is lack of essential soil nutrients. To encourage blooming, fertilize the plant with a phosphorus-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
The second possible cause of lack of blooms in Rocktrumpet is failure to trim the branches after flowering. Trim the branches by half after blooming to encourage growth of new branches as flowers are borne at the tips of new branches.
The third possible cause of lack of blooms in Mandevilla is too little light. Position the plant in a brightly-lit place where it will receive bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunshine. Where the natural lighting is not adequate consider investing in a grow light to supplement it. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Yellow leaves
One possible cause of yellow leaves in Rocktrumpet is underwatering. Maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season as growth is reduced at this time but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
The second cause of yellow leaves in Mandevilla is soggy soil brought about by poor soil drainage. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining. Always empty the saucer after watering and never allow the plant to sit in soggy soil.
The third cause of yellow leaves in Mandevilla is too little light. Move the plant to a place where it will receive bright light with 6-8 hours of morning or late afternoon direct sunlight. Alternatively, grow the plant under a grow light if the natural lighting is too low.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Mandevilla are due to two possible reasons. One possible reason for brown leaf tips and edges is dry air resulting in low air moisture. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity or use a cool mist humidifier.
The second possible reason for brown leaf tips and edges in Rocktrumpet is underwatering resulting in too little moisture in the soil. Maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Cut down on watering in the cold season as growth is reduced at this time but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
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