Mandevilla

The most common types of Mandevilla are:

* Mandevilla boliviensis

This type of Mandevilla can only be found in Ecuador and Bolivia. It reaches a heights of 13 feet (4 meters). It usually develops white flowers with a yellow center.

* Mandevilla sanderi (Dipladenia sanderi), Brazilian jasmine
The above plant is found only in Brasilia. It can grow up to 15 feet tall (4.5 meters). With its huge pink flowers and 6 cm (2.5") long dark green leaves, this is a truly beautiful plant to enjoy! Mandevilla sanderi include "My Fair Lady" with flowers of pink and white color, "Little Red Riding Hood" with pink flowers, and "Scarlet Pimpernel" with red flowers of a yellow center.

* Mandevilla splendens, Dipladenia splendens
The Mandevilla above evergeen vine belonging to the Mandevilla genus and native to Brazil.

* Mandevilla suaveolens, also known as Mandevilla laxa, or Chilean jasmine is an ornamental plant in the Mandevilla genus of Apocynaceae family found only in Argentina and Chile. It grows as a vine and is deciduous in cool climates. It can grow to 6 meters (20 feet) tall. Its beautiful white flowers have a heavy, sweet scent similar to orange blossoms.

I purcahsed one of these beautiful climbing plants this year with pink flower buds, early Spring. It had only two buds, and now it has grown into a gorgeous, frequently flowering plant, covering half of the arbor behind it!

Indoors

Indoors, mandevillas need curtain-filtered or bright indirect sunlight. Provide night temperatures of 60 to 65 ° F and day temperatures above 70 ° F. Plant in a mixture of equal parts peat moss, potting mix and builder's sand. In spring and summer, feed every two weeks with a fertilizer high in phosphorus such as 10-20-10.

Outdoors, grow mandevillas in partial shade. They need rich, well-drained, sandy soil with humus added. Provide a frame, trellis or stake for support. Pinch young plants to induce bushiness.

Since 45 to 50 ° F is the minimum temperature that can be tolerated by mandevilla, plants should be moved indoors for the winter. Before bringing them indoors, examine them carefully for pests. Look under the leaves, in the leaf axils, and in every conceivable nook and cranny for insects and their eggs. Remove any diseased or dead leaves by hand. Insect-infested plants can be doused with a forceful spray of water to dislodge the pests, or you can use insecticidal soaps or other appropriate insecticides labelled for use on your plant. You may have to prune some of the plant to compensate for any root loss.

Move the plants to a lighted location where the temperature is above 45 to 50 ° F. Reduce the frequency of watering to coincide with the plants' rest periods induced by the cooler temperatures and reduced light.

In late winter or early spring before growth begins, prune by removing old, crowded stems and shortening others. Even if mandevilla is pruned almost to the ground, it will bloom the same summer on the new shoots, which develop from the base of the plants.

Outdoors

In warmer climate, you don't need to bring it in in the fall, so it can be permanently planted in the ground. In colder climate, plant it in a flower pot and bring it in before the first frost after you cut it back to a maximum of 6" high. Store it in a cool room at a temperature of 55 F.

The most common pests endangering Mandevilla plants are mealybugs, scales, whiteflies and red spider mites.

Outdoors, the organic gardener's best friend in fighting insects attacking the sensitive plants, are ladybugs! You can buy ladybugs by the hundreds and release them, preferably just before sunset. They will stay close, lay new eggs and you will never run out of your garden police!

White flies are usually attacking indoor plants, and you can fight them by soapy water.

The pictures with the white flowering Mandevilla show the Mandevilla laxa.