Tropicals - Mandevilla
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  (March) I would like to hear from you regarding the best way to procure healthy and profusely blooming Mandevilla plants which have wintered well in the garage with window light. Some of my Mandevilla plants are three years old and have done well each summer producing vines and flowers all season long. But a neighbor told me recently that the plants will be leggy this summer if I don't prune them back soon. They were cut back in November when I brought them inside, and now they have long vines reaching upward. 

  If the new growth on your Mandevilla now is full and lush, then pruning is not needed. If however, it is weak and spindly, your plant will not bloom as well. Keep in mind, that the summer blooming tropicals are blooming on their new or current growth -- if that is weak and thin, or if they are not growing well, then there won't be as many blooms.

  (June) I purchased two Mandevilla plants and they have been out in hanging pots for about 6 weeks and are not looking real well. What should be the proper care and do they have to be pot bound to bloom? Please give me some hints about the care of these plants. 

  Mandevilla's are normally easy tropical plants to care for. They like plenty of sunlight and room to grow, since they are vining plants. I haven't seen too many in hanging baskets--I wonder if they have enough soil to grow in. They do well in containers or planted in the ground and do not have to be pot-bound to bloom. Water when dry, fertilize regularly and if they are in sunlight, they should bloom all summer long.

  (July) Each year I overwinter my Mandevilla, but it waits until August to begin blooming. Any thoughts on how to get earlier blooms? I also have hibiscus plants that are green and healthy, but never have any flowers. They get plenty of sunlight, and I do water and fertilize regularly. 

  The biggest concern with these overwintered tropicals is getting them to put on new growth early enough to begin flowering. They bloom on the new growth. Often the plants get rootbound in their containers, and put on little to no new growth and we see less flowering in subsequent years. They can be nice green plants, but that is not why you bought them. To encourage new growth, consider repotting to a larger container, or at least removing old soil and cutting off some roots, then shearing back the plant by one third to one half in February or March. This should speed up the process and hopefully give you a blooming plant much earlier. Full sunlight, regular fertilization and water are also very helpful.

  (October) What can you tell me about the plant Mandivalla? Mine has beautiful flowers on it now. I have it planted in my yard. Will it winter over in the yard? I live near Mt. Ida, would like to here from you. 

  Mandevilla plants are summer tropicals. They will not survive outdoors. You basically have two choices. Enjoy this pretty blooming plant until frost, and then buy a new one next spring, or dig it up now, pot it up, and either move it indoors this month, or move it to a garage or other protected spot before frost.

  I have a mandevilla in my backyard. It is beautiful. Will this plant come back next spring, or should I bring it in for the winter? Please advise me on how to care for it. 

  Mandevilla’s are tropical plants and must be brought indoors for the winter. Bring it inside the first time you turn your heat on. If you leave them outside too late, they will suffer more of a transition shock once indoors. Mandevilla’s typically have large vines after a full season outside. Try to cut them as little as possible when you move them in. Put them in a sunny window in a cool room. Even with the best care, they often die back some from the tips due to the low humidity indoors. Cut them back in late February, and start fertilizing them monthly then. For the winter, water when they dry out.

  I bought a blooming mandevilla plant for my deck, and it was loaded with flowers at the time. I have left it in the smaller pot, to keep it pot-bound and blooming nicely, but the opposite has happened. It has really slowed down in the blooming, and is loosing a lot of lower leaves. What do I need to do to encourage constant blooms and keep it looking healthy? It gets full sun and I am watering daily. 

  Mandevillas don’t need to be root bound to bloom well like many other tropicals. Chances are the small container is either loaded with roots, or is still too small to retain enough moisture, especially in the intense heat we’ve had. Small pots often need water two or three times a day when it is this hot, especially when they are supporting a large plant. Either move it to a larger container, or sink the container in the ground. This should help conserve moisture, reduce the heat on the root system, and give you back flowers, and a healthier plant. Be sure to fertilize with a water soluble fertilizer every two to three weeks.

  My mom and I both bought a flowering vine called a mandevilla. Can you tell us when to bring it inside, and how much to cut it back this fall when we do? Will it stay healthy indoors for the winter. My mom lives in Stuttgart and I live in North Little Rock, if that makes a difference. 

  By now, your mandevilla (and all other tropicals) should be inside. My general rule, is the first time you turn your heater on, your plants had better be inside. They will take temperatures up to freezing, but if left outside too long, they have a much harder transition to dryer and warmer conditions inside. Try to get as much of your vine in as possible. If it is growing on a trellis or outside fence, you will have to cut it loose, but try to keep as much as possible. Many of our heat loving tropical plants, experience tip die back during the winter. Wait until the first of February to prune it back hard. By then, they should be acclimated to inside conditions and begin growing again. Move your plant to a sunny location, cut back slightly on your watering, and the plant should survive well. You may even have blooms all winter.

  I have this beautiful vine (See the enclosed leaf). Someone gave it to me and I have no idea what it is. The leaves are very shiny and is has a pink bugle flower. It has done great in all our heat. It is running up a trellis on my house. Will it make it ok outside this winter or do I have to do something?

  The vine in question is a tropical Mandevilla vine. It is not winter hardy. The only way to overwinter it, would be to pot it up and bring it indoors. You might also take cuttings and start some new plants for next year.

  I brought my mandevilla inside for the winter. It hasn’t died back much and I see new sprouts appearing on it, but the other day when I was watering it I noticed that something was all over the leaves. They are sticky to the touch and there are little stringy things on the stems. After taking all this trouble to keep it over the winter, I don’t want to lose it from bugs now. What can I spray with to kill the insects?

  You have a great case of spider mites. I would say from the levels you have, they probably came inside with the plant and have multiplied indoors. You may want to cut the plant back some now, and then spray with either insecticidal soap or a product with Resmethrin. Intercept is one brand name. Be sure to look on the label to make sure the product you buy is labeled for inside use. Again, because of the large number of insects, you will probably need to spray at least two or three times.

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