| A student's family gave me a lovely plant last week. The name on the pot syas "Mandevilla". I put it on our deck, which gets some sun, but is shaded most of the time. I noticed that the tips of the leaves are turning crispy brown, and the 2 blossoms have holes in them. Can you help? |
| Mandevilla needs a soil that is rich, evenly moist and slightly acidic. The crispy edges could be an indication that it has been allowed to dry out. The blossoms may have been munched by slugs, so check the sides of the pot and the vine for slime trails. This plant is a tropical and prefers warm temperatures and plenty of sun, so set it in the sunniest spot you have. Provide it with some sort of trellis to climb. Give it a water soluble fertilizer for blooming plants according to the label instructions and possibly a top dressing of compost every few weeks as well. Enjoy your plant outdoors for the summer and then bring it indoors for the winter. With luck you will be able to enjoy it for many years. |
