I was looking for a mandevilla to grow on a trellis I built, but they were $20 at a local greenhouse. So I was shopping at walmart yesterday, and found what sure looks like a mandevilla for $6. No label, but I thought, what a deal. So... Is it a mandevilla, and does anyone have some tips on overwintering indoors? Would it be ok to cut it all the way back off the trellis every fall?
That looks like a rubber plant. Ficus elastica.
Well, they had other mandevillas there, in bigger pots. This one came w/ the trellis, so I figured it was the same, only smaller. Ficus don't climb, do they?
Looking a little closer, it does look like mandevilla. The leaves open differently than F. elastica. Check PlantFiles and see what you think.
Trio,
A related plant to the Mandevilla is the Dipladania. I think those two are close--but a little different.
Where I work (a HD) the Mandevillas are sold with trellises--but the Dipladanias are sold as "bushes".....
Not sure it is either, though! There are many other flowering vines. I am sure someone will ID it in no time at all!
Gita
I'm not sure what the current accepted nomenclature is, but Dipladenia and Mandevilla either used to be all in genus Mandevilla and now they're separated, or they used to be different but are now combined in genus Mandevilla. Either way, the ones that are/used to be Dipladenia are a little shrubbier than the others. This one looks to me like one of the shrubbier ones. 'Red Riding Hood' is one of the more common cultivars, but you won't be able to tell which one you have until it blooms.
So the shrubby ones don't climb? That could be a problem... the trellis in the pic is supposed to be its new home...
They'll sort of climb, just might need a bit more help from you than the others one would, it'll probably have trouble sticking to the trellis on its own so you might have to attach the branches to it yourself.
trio,
have you thought of a Morning Glory or a Hyacynth Bean Vine for your trellis?
maybe a anice Clematis? Many vines out there.....
I DO understand how it is when you get your heart set on something......
Gita
Well, what I really wanted was one of the bell flowered clematis, but I already spent my allowance this season... :) I didn't want something as large as morning glory, and I had a Hyacinth bean vine before and wasn't too impressed. I do appreciate the suggestions though.
At any rate, does anyone know if I can cut the mandevilla back to the ground and bring it indoors this winter? (Assuming it ever even climbs?)
You can definitely bring it in for the winter--I'm not sure if you're supposed to cut it all the way back to the ground though or if you shouldn't cut it back quite that severely. I'm sure someone around here has brought them in for the winter and can advise you.
I have! I have! Raising my hand....I did it this past winter. I meant to tell you about it in my above post, but got side-tracked...
Last year, I bought one of the big, trellised Mandevillas. The one with the coarser-looking leaves. It grew and grew up my 8' trellis and bloomed nicely.
Now--I had read that you can cut it back to maybe 12" and bring it in to a dark, cool basement and leave it alone---with only scarce watering now and then. It not only survived--but was trying to grow leaves and new vines during the winter.
It has now been outside since 3rd week of April and is re-growing. I imagine it will take a bit of time before it grows to be as tall as it was and blooms. Hmmm...Maybe I should fertilize it? What do you think?????? (dumb question....)....
So, trio--I would say "YES" you can carry it over for the winter in a dormant state--but I would not cut it all the way down. Pick and choose the right place to cut the stems back to for new growth to come from.
Just went outside and took a picture of my Madevilla for you. NOT too bad for having slept through the Winter in a basement with no light!!
Gita
Awesome... Thanks so much for the advice!
