Propagating Mandevilla

Is there any way to propagate mandevilla? I really like them but they are expensive & I'd like more. I thought maybe if I cut it back this winter I could get more. Can I?? Do they have seeds & if so WHERE? We had one last summer but didn't bring it in & lost it. I never saw any seeds.
Sugar

I'm glad you asked these questions as I'm needing the same information.

Hello Sugar and Brugie - can't help you to obtain seed, but propagation is by seed sowing in pots, pans or bed of sandy-peaty compost during April. Just covering the seed, using light, finely sieved soil .

Firm cuttings of side shoots can be taken at a node and about 7cm long and inserted into a sandy rooting compost in a close case with a temp of 70-85F/21-30C any time during summer.

Peter.

Thanks Peter. Have you ever tried rooting them in any other medium? I'm having good luck rooting some tough to root plants in Perlite/water inside my 1 gallon lighted/covered aquarium. Thought maybe that might work too, but will sure try some by your method this summer.

url for mandevilla culture and propagation... http://www.botany.com/mandevilla.html , http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Apocynaceae/Mandevilla_splendens.html , http://www.floridata.com/ref/m/mandev.cfm

I use a 50/50 mix of perilite and vermiculite for rooting all cuttings. Using a rooting hormone will speed up the rooting process, but is not necessary with mandevilla. I use the 9oz "low-ball" clear plastic solo cups to hold the rooting medium.

Use a cutting about 4" to 6" long. Remove the lower leaves from at least one node at the base of the cutting. You can also remove 1/2 of all of the leaves to make the cuttings more manageable.(just use a scissors and cut the leaf in half). After putting the cuttings into the cup of rooting medium, water the cuttings in. Be careful not to add too much water. If you can see water in the bottom of the cup, put your finger on the edge of the cup to keep the rooting medium in the cup and pour off the excess water. Put the cup, with cuttings, in a zip-loc bag of the appropriate size and put under flourescent lights (preferred) or in a bright window with NO direct sun (if sun hits the sealed bag it will cook the cuttings). Warmth will speed rooting, but normal room temps. are fine.

Cutting should be rooted in 4 to 8 weeks. After 4 weeks, open the bag and give the cuttings a *gentle* tug. If they pull out easily, they need more time. If you can see roots in the cup (one benefit of using the clear plastic cups) your cuttings are ready to pot up. Before you pot them up, however, open the top of the bag to let the cuttings get used to the lower humidity outside of the sealed bag. After a couple of days they should be fine.

Don't forget to check the rooting medium for moisture, occasionally, since it will dry out over time. I add a small amount of water in the bottom of the bag (1/2 to 3/4 of a cup) before putting the cup of cuttings in the bag. Moisture will condense on the sides of the bag and that tends to dry the medium out faster.

Don't put too many cuttings per cup - they will rot.

Good luck!

Sugar, just look at the information we got because of your questions!! Thanks MVR and Treelover. I'm going to do my best to have lots of these ready for trades later this fall. I have a couple of really pretty ones. I appreciate all you help.

Shirley

u're very welcome Shirley :D!

Brugie,
We sure did. My DH (Greenwood) & I will sure try that.
BTW when U cut your brugs back for the winter be sure & put my name on your list for a couple of cuttings. I have one unnamed one now but it hasn't bloomed yet. It has many little leaves on the stem. I know nothing about them but trying to learn. I think it was U that told me how to get the ants out of the pot, it worked. Something was chewing on the leaves & even that seems better now. How often can I use it?
Thanks all of U.
Sugar

Sugar, I have a short memory. Ants in the pots doesn't ring a bell to me. Might just be having another senior moment though. Now that you know my brain is a little on the light side, you might want to e-me later this summer.

S.

OOOPS Brugie.. it wasn't U.. anyway it worked..
I'll try to remember to remind U..
Sugar