| I would like to know how to care for the Mandevilla plant. When should it be taken in for the winter in my area, what type of food does it need during the summer season? Any information would be helpful. |
| Except for the Chilean Jasmine (Mandevilla laxa), which is root-hardy to about 5F degrees, most mandevilla's are considered greenhouse or indoor plants in cold-winter areas. Bring your plant indoors, and place it in a brightly lit area where the minimum temperature will be above 55F degrees. Water sparingly, and don't feed, because growth will be minimal in the winter months. In the early spring begin watering often enough to keep the soil moist, and mist the leaves every few days (this is especially important when the plant is developing flower buds). When the weather warms in the spring, take your plant outdoors, where it should put on an attractive performance throughout the summer months. You can feed your plant every four weeks with a diluted liquid fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in the autumn when you take the plant indoors and begin fertilizing again next spring when new growth begins. |
