QuestionI have several mandevill and was instructed to: trip back in fall; place in cool (out of sun) little water till spring. You recommend warm temps. in the greenhouse and continuous growth? No rest period? I take cuttings of yhe "old" growth and place the parent plant in cool-out of light spot. Appreciate your help on best approach. Thanks
AnswerHi Roland,
In horticulture there are often multiple ways to achieve the same results. I don't claim to have the single correct answer, but I do report on methods that work for many people. If you have had success using a different technique, then by all means continue with that regardless of what anyone else suggests.
Mandevilles do have a rest period, but it is semi-dormant. That means that you cut back on the water, but you don't let it dry out completely. My reference to warm temps in winter was an addendum to a preferred temp range of 60-70 degrees through the year. Outside the tropics, that means cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Growth in winter will slow, but not necessarily stop. This is in part due to the shorter days which automatically reduce the available light, so I don't recommend putting it in an out-of-the-light location. That certainly does not happen in its native habitat.
It is best to take cuttings right after the flowers have finished and while it is still pushing out vegetative growth because flowers will appear on the new growth from this past summer (old growth), not on the new growth that emerges next spring.
I think that the seasonal changes are more subtle than you realize because full dormancy is not required. Avoid any extreme reductions in light, water, and temperature for best results.
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
If this information has been helpful, please take the time to give me a rating and nomination.
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
You can E-mail me directly at:
[email protected]
Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
