Re: Mandevilla care
- Subject: Re: Mandevilla care
- From: &* a* M* <t*@xtra.co.nz>
- Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 20:35:46 +1300
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christine Caliandro" <ckc@sonic.net>
Last year, I bought a Mandevilla hybrid 'Alice Dupont'. It is growing in
a pot. Much to my delight, it survived the winter outdoors in zone 14
under an overhang. Now, I need to know if and how to prune it and what
kind of fertilizer to use on it. Any suggestions?
Hi Christine
Nice to have a climate which will allow you to grow this beautuful climber
outdoors. I had one in my glasshouse for many years, but eventually it died.
It seesms even if it should catch an unexpected frost it will shoot again in
spring provided the tuberous roots survive.
With age this vine may become defoliated on the lower stems, so it pays to
prune back regularly after flowering ceases to encourage new growth from
near the base.
Incidently I hope your overhang still allows the vine to get plenty of
sunshine during the growing season. It likes sunny conditions and will stsnd
a moderately dry situation once established.
Recommending a fertilizer is very difficult or me at such a distance and not
even knowing exactly where you are living, but my inclination would be I
think to use a slow-release type applied in spring. If it does well your
climber probably will need moving on to a bigger pot as time goes on and
certainly it will appreciate some fresh mix from time to time.
Possibly the nurseryman from which you bought it could give you some advice
on its regular care.
Moira.
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata,
Central New Zealand
