Dipladenia - care at home, growing and propagation

Dipladenia, or Mandevilla, is a genus of vines in the Apocynaceae family. The plant is native to the American tropics. The flowers were brought to Europe by the British, who were working in Bolivia and noticed the unusual, beautifully flowering vines. The plant is also known as Chilean Jasmine, Brazilian Jasmine, Brazilian Impatiens, Bolivian Rose, and Mexican Love Tree. Florists are drawn to the vigorous growth and long blooming of Dipladenia.

Dipladenia care at home involves two distinct periods: the growing season and the dormant season, which differ significantly. If you follow all the rules and recommendations for growing the flower, it won't cause any problems.

Plant characteristics and species diversity

Dipladenia is an evergreen perennial. Its flexible, twining stems eventually become woody. They bear opposite, bright green, leathery leaflets. The leaflets are oval in shape and glossy. When broken, the leaves and stems release a poisonous milky sap.

The flowers are five-petaled, funnel-shaped. Colors range from white, pink, red, and burgundy. They are quite large, reaching up to 10 cm in diameter. Up to 80 buds can bloom simultaneously on a single plant.

Mandevilla Splendid has the following features:

1. Large size.
2. There is a fringe on young shoots.
3. The flower brush consists of 3 or 6 inflorescences.

The Brilliant Species flower has a two-toned tube: white on the outside and bright orange on the inside. The petals are a rich pink.

The following features are characteristic of Mandevilla Boliviana:

1. Elongated shoots with small leaves.
2. Axillary peduncles with 3-4 flowers.

The flowers of the Bolivian species are distinguished by their asymmetrical petals. Depending on the variety, they can be white or soft pink.

Mandevilla Superb is distinguished by its reddish stems. The flowers of this species are most often bright red, but pink hybrids do exist. The flowers are collected in racemes, each containing about 8 small flowers.

Dipladenia sanderiana is characterized by its ability to grow rapidly. Axillary racemes hold up to seven bright pink, almost red flowers. The petals of this species are distinguished by their unusually sharp edges.

Mandevilla Loose has the following features:

1. Warty shoots.
2. Pubescence on the underside of the leaves.
3. Large white-cream flowers, collected 5-6 pieces in one inflorescence.

Unlike other species of Dipladenia, the Loose Mandevilla sheds its leaves annually.

Rules for caring for dipladenia at home

Dipladenia is easy and pleasant to care for. However, you should wear gloves because the plant's sap is highly toxic.

Lighting

Dipladenia requires plenty of bright, indirect light. During the active growth period, the optimal daylight hours for the plant are 14-16 hours.

Growing Mandevilla on a south-facing site can be challenging. Strong sunlight can burn the plant's leaves. Therefore, the plant should be shaded with a translucent curtain or placed near a window. Growing Dipladenia on a north-facing site is only possible with supplemental lighting from phytolamps. Otherwise, the plant will begin to stretch its stems and produce significantly fewer buds.

Temperature and humidity

During the growing season, the flower is kept at a temperature of 18°C ​​to 25°C. The higher the temperature, the brighter and more saturated the color of the dipladenia's petals. The duration of flowering depends on the temperature. If the room where the flower is kept is kept at a constant 25°C, the dipladenia will bloom year-round.

Since the plant is native to the tropics, it requires high humidity. To achieve this, mist the plant regularly during the active growth period. It's best to point a humidifier at the pot. If you don't have one, you can place a container of water behind the pot to allow evaporation.

Watering and fertilizing

During the growing season, Mandevilla should be watered as the top layer of soil dries out. Allow the soil to dry 1-1.5 cm between waterings. Typically, watering is 2-3 times a week, but in hot weather, the plant may need to be watered every 2 days.

The plant requires fertilization. Fertilize weekly from March to August. For dipladenia, it's best to use liquid mineral fertilizers for indoor plants, applied during watering.

At the beginning of the growing season, it's preferable to use fertilizers with a high nitrogen concentration, which promotes the growth of green mass. Once the dipladenia begins to bud, nitrogen fertilizers are replaced with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, which promote flowering.

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Caring for Dipladenia in Winter

Dipladenias have a mild dormancy period. It occurs in winter, but preparations for stagnation begin as early as late August.

Caring for dipladenia in winter involves the following steps:

1. Temperature. In winter, the temperature is gradually lowered to +15°C.
2. Location. To prevent the Mandevilla from freezing, place it and its pot in a box lined with foam.
3. Watering. Water the plant no more than once a week with small amounts of water.
4. Top dressing.

   

5. Pruning. In the fall, the plant undergoes rejuvenation pruning. All old shoots are removed. Young stems are shortened by two-thirds of their length.
6. Air humidity. During dormancy, dipladenia doesn't require high humidity, so stop misting during this period. However, the air shouldn't be too dry either, so keep the plant away from heating appliances.
7. Repotting. The plant should not be repotted during its dormant period.

What does it mean when leaves turn yellow or fall off?

If your Mandevilla's leaves are turning yellow and falling off, it should be immediately isolated from other houseplants. These symptoms may indicate a disease or pest infestation.

Pests and control methods

Harmful insects such as whiteflies and spider mites cause significant damage to plants. Infestations with these pests can be identified by the following signs:

1. Whitefly. They are easily visible against green leaves. These are small white flies about the size of larvae. Whiteflies can attack flowers when they are aired outside. All above-ground parts of the plant should be thoroughly rinsed under running water. If an infestation cannot be avoided, treat the flower with an insecticide.

   

2. Spider mites. The mites themselves are almost impossible to spot, but the product of their activity—a fine web—is easily visible. They typically entangle the undersides of leaves and petioles. Spider mites thrive in dry air and can only be controlled with an insecticide.

Diseases and treatment

Mandevilla is most often affected by root rot and powdery mildew. Root rot occurs due to overwatering and stagnant moisture in the pot. The disease manifests itself as yellowing and drying of the leaves and stems. Affected flower buds fall off without opening. The plant's roots rot. Root rot can be treated in the early stages of its development. First, remove all affected parts of the plant, then treat it several times with a fungicide.

Powdery mildew is an equally unpleasant disease. It manifests as a white, powdery coating that eventually covers the entire leaf surface. In the early stages of the disease, experienced gardeners recommend wiping the affected leaves with lemon juice. If this doesn't help, fungicides are needed.

Propagation and transplantation of Dipladenia

The flower propagates in three ways: by cuttings, seeds, and runners. Cuttings are the most common method.

Landing and transplanting

Dipladenia requires a fertile, loose, moderately acidic soil. Experts recommend preparing the following soil mixture:

• turf soil - 2 parts;
• leaf soil – 1 part;
• humus – 1 part;
• sand (perlite, vermiculite) – 1 part.

Dipladenia is best planted and repotted in the spring. This is when the plant begins a new growth cycle. Repotting is only done when the plant begins to feel cramped in its current pot. This can be determined by roots protruding from the drainage holes. If the plant is comfortable in its pot, simply replace the top layer of soil annually.

Propagation by cuttings

Propagating Dipladenia by cuttings involves several steps. The cuttings algorithm:

1. From a mature plant, cut a section of a shoot with 2-3 leaves. It's best to choose young shoots.
2. Fill the rooting container with a mixture of peat and sand, taken in equal proportions. A little moss can also be added.
3. The cuttings are deepened to the first pair of leaves.

For successful rooting, a temperature of +25°C is required. The soil is misted daily. When the cuttings develop a couple of new leaves, they are transplanted into regular soil for dipladenia. The cuttings are best propagated in mid-spring to early summer. These layers have a better chance of rooting.

Propagation by seeds and runners

Dipladenia is propagated from seed using a specific method. The propagation procedure is:

1. The seeds are sown in a container with fertile, moist soil.
2. The container is covered with polyethylene.

The seeds are germinated in a warm, brightly lit place. They should be aired and misted daily. When the first leaves appear on the sprouts, they are pricked out. The growing conditions are the same as for cuttings.

Dipladenia can be propagated using a runner. It is rooted in soil so that the base remains on the mother plant and the tip is exposed to the air. Caring for the runner is no different from standard dipladenia care. After rooting, it is cut from the mother plant.

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Frequently asked questions about growing

Dipladenia is a beautiful flowering ornamental vine. It's easy to care for, but gardeners should exercise caution, as its sap is highly toxic.