Mandevilla – Rock Trumpet Plant

Mandevillas or Rock trumpet plants mostly suffer from pest problem. This is because they have fragrant flowers that attract pests. Though some pests help to transfer pollen, other damages the plant growth and is mostly seen in all rock trumpet varieties.

Pests like aphids, spider mites may fall on plant leaves and eat, forming holes in it. Due to this the leaf cannot receive the sufficient nutrients and may fade away. Other symptoms like leaf curling, drooping, yellow leaves, browning edges are due to the insufficient or excess amounts of nutrients supplied to the plants.

Here in this article we completely explained about the growing conditions for mandevillas and how to deal with problems like pests, diseases, nutrient deficiency, overwatering and lack of sunlight. If your beautiful mandevillas suffer with the same pest problem, we come up with a solution for you. Read the article completely and get benefitted.

Companion Planting

Plant mandevillas with tropical hibiscus, dipladenia, coleus and lantana plants near its vine. These Companions plants protect the mandevillas from cold winds and weather. It also helps to live stronger and bloom flowers vigorously throughout its growing season.

Mandevilla Varieties

There are almost 120 species of mandevilla varieties out of which only few species are cultivated worldwide for its commercial usage as decorative flowers.Here is the list of some popular varieties you can grow in your home and garden.

S. No Variety Height Specification 1 Mandevilla Boliviensis 7 feet White flowers with yellow centers 2 Mandevilla Sanderi 2-7 feet Dense foliage, flowers in white, pink or red 3 Mandevilla Splendens 15 feet Lovely pink flowers with pink center 4 Mandevilla Amabilis 10 feet Dark green leaves with pale pink flowers 5 Mandevilla Laxa 16 feet Fragrant flowers in white to deep cream color

Below table illustrates the some other varieties and its growing region…..

S. No Variety Origin 1 Mandevilla Albifolia Venezuela 2 Mandevilla Andina Peru 3 Mandevilla Arcuata Bolivia 4 Mandevilla Bracteata Ecuador 5 Mandevilla Callista Colombia 6 Mandevilla Fragrans Brazil 7 Mandevilla Grata Argentina 8 Mandevilla Hatschbachii Bahia 9 Mandevilla Urceolata Rio de Janeiro

How to Grow Mandevilla from Seeds?

Mandevilla is a flowering vine that belongs to the dogbane family. These plants are native to United States, West Indies, Mexico, Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. To grow mandevilla vine from seeds is easy but take much time and the cultivators need patience to care for these plants.

Selecting Seeds

Take the seeds that are brown in color from the plant and soak them in water for 12 hours. When the seeds are dry, place them directly into the pot as they have the capability to germinate quickly.

Pot & Soil

Choose a small pot of size 6-8 inches to insert seeds. Use clay or ceramic pot that has enough holes at the bottom for proper drainage. When plant grows to a certain height prefer bigger pots or containers because it should have enough space to spread the roots.

Mandevillas are not acid loving plants but can thrive in neutral to slightly acidic or alkaline soils.They generally prefer a well drain fertile soil with pH between 6.6 and 7.5.

Water & Sunlight

Water the plant on regular basis when the soil is dry. When roots establishes completely you can increase the amount of water supply to the plants. Avoid overwatering as the plant may result in root rot.

Place mandevilla vine where it gets bright indirect sunlight when planted indoors. When matures you can place the plant in sunlight for a minimum of 8 hours a day. When the temperature drops below 50F in winter season you can bring the pot indoors.

Flowering

Plant produces fragrant flowers in warm climatic conditions which come in a variety of colors like white, yellow, red and pink. As a climber, they rail on walls, trellis to provide the beauty of leafy green and beautiful flowers to attract insects, honeybees for pollination purpose.

Pruning

Pinch off the leafy vines throughout the spring to ensure a new branch and vines. When the plant matures prune only the dead vines that damage the growth. Protecting the plants from strong winds also helps for a healthy flower production.

Nutrient Deficiency

S. No Element Deficiency Symptom 1 Nitrogen Spindle yellow leaves 2 Phosphorus Yellow foliage, slow growth 3 Potassium Purple or yellow color leaves, poor flowering 4 Magnesium Yellow leaf veins, browning of leaf edges 5 Molybdenum Elongated twisted leaves

Pests & Diseases

Pests Diseases Aphids Root rot Mealy bugs Botrytis blight Honeydew Fusarium rot Scales Powdery mildew Whiteflies Leaf spot

Fertilizers

To deter pests & diseases and nutrient deficiency problem, use Neem oil or insecticidal soaps. Now feed mandevilla plant with N-P-K fertilizers in the ratio of (10:10:10) to encourage faster growth. During summer season when the flower production is at its peak replace the balanced N-P-K fertilizer with high phosphorus content in the ratio of (10:20:10).

Harvesting

Harvest commercially grown mandevilla flowers in late summer. To harvest fragrant mandevilla flowers Use sharp knife or scissors. After harvesting pour some water on flowers to stay fresh or you can store them in refrigerator for a week and use them as ornamental purposes.

How can you Propagate Mandevilla from Cuttings?

Mandevilla vine is very easy to propagate from cuttings. For this method the best time to cut the stem cuttings is spring or late summer season. Cuttings should be made from tips about 6 inches long and trim off the bottom leaves.

Place the stem cutting in a jar of water. Change the water in jar for every 2-3 days. Keep the jar near window location to receive indirect light. Within 2-3 weeks root develops completely and now you can place the cuttings into the rooting hormone added with sandy, peat moss soil. Plant reaches to a height of 20feet tall when you provide sufficient growing conditions. Propagation from cuttings is mostly preferred at outdoors or landscape only.

How do you Care for Mandevilla plant?

Here are few caring tips for mandevilla plant that are listed below…..

Mandevilla plants cannot survive in extreme hot conditions.

Use sharp knife or scissors to harvest beautiful fragrant flowers.

Fertilize the mandevilla plant only in spring and summer seasons.

Make sure the plant receives sunlight for a minimum of 6-8 hrs a day.

Follow instructions & warning labels on fertilizers before applying them.

The pot must have holes at the bottom for better air circulation and proper drainage.

Add mulch at the base of the plant to provide nutrient and to retain soil moisture levels.

Keep children and pets like dogs & cats away from plants as they can spoil the beautiful flower buds from blooming.

Can mandevilla survive in winter season? Mandevilla vine can grow up to 10 feet height in a single growing season. These plants can even survive in winter season of fine shape if the tropical climate falls within the USDA regions of 9 to 11. Can you cut back mandevilla? You can actually cut back the mandevilla during its growing season. Never prune new growth which results in few flowers. Also pinch off the ends of new growth early in spring once it reaches to a height of few inches in length. Is mandevilla toxic to pets? Mandevilla is a member of dogbane family in which some parts of the plant are toxic when ingested. These plants are mostly dangerous for cats when they consume leaves and may result in vomiting, allergies and diarrhea. Can you grow a mandevilla inside? Mandevilla plants are not hardy in winter regions. To grow as a houseplant, you need to maintain a temperature of 45-50F in tropical regions. But it take some space to grow mandevillas in right growing conditions at homes as it is a climbing vine plant.

Start growing these wonderful decorative mandevilla plants in pots or outdoors that brings beauty to your home and garden. If you have amazing ideas about growing mandevillas in your home, please share your experience with us.

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