Is your Dipladenia losing leaves in winter quarters and you are worried about the health of the plant? We explain what could be the problem and give tips so that the Mandevilla sprouts again in spring.
The Dipladenia (Mandeville) is a tropical plant that in our latitudes only survives the winter in suitable winter quarters. As long as the conditions are right, the plant will get through the cold season healthy and bloom every year. However, if you notice a lot of yellow leaves and severe leaf loss, then you should investigate the causes. The Dipladenia loses leaves for various reasons, but in winter the wrong location is usually responsible.
Why do Dipladenia leaves turn yellow and fall off?
If you notice that the Dipladenia has yellow leaves that then recently fall off, you need to investigate the possible reasons. First, it is important to understand that individual yellow leaves can be a natural process and are not always a problem. However, if the yellow leaves pile up, a...Overwintering errorsbe responsible. It is often a question of the location in the winter quarters, where insufficient light or temperatures that are too low can cause problems for the plants.
Natural leaf loss
A note in advance: It is completely okay if the Mandevilla sheds some leaves during the winter. Plants renew their leaves regularly without this being a cause for concern. If the leaf loss is not excessive and all site conditions for the winter quarters are met, you can breathe in calmly. New leaves usually grow with new growth in spring.
Unfavorable conditions in winter quarters
If the plant suddenly sheds half or even more of its leaves, then something went wrong with the overwintering. It's usually about the right location that offers the necessary temperature and light conditions. Common mistakes that lead to yellow leaves and leaf loss in winter quarters include:
- Lack of light
- Too cool
- Too warm and dry
Now let's take a closer look at the individual problems.
Lack of light
Lack of sunlight in winter is one of the most common reasons for leaf loss. A Dipladenia that overwinters in a dark room such as a garage or basement with little or no daylight may even drop all of its leaves. Furthermore, in spring it sprouts much more sparingly or not at all. The plant must receive sufficient light and at the same time not be in full sun. A spot directly by the window (except the south window) is optimal. Make sure there are no large shadow casters nearby.
Low temperatures
Heating the winter quarters is not necessary, but the plant cannot tolerate temperatures below 8 °C well. Dipladenias are sensitive to frost and should not be exposed to temperatures that are too low in winter. Otherwise you can not only lose leaves, but also get frost damage. Keep an eye on the temperature in the winter quarters and regulate it if necessary.
A warm, dry location
Many hobby gardeners try to overwinter the Mandevilla in the living room or somewhere else in the house. However, the plant needs a rest period in winter in order to bloom again next year. The warm, dry air at home can cause severe leaf loss and yellowing of leaves.
Additional tip: Dipladenias are evergreen plants that need light and moisture all year round. Do not completely forego watering during winter rest. Water once a month to keep the soil moist. If the plant has lost the majority of its leaves, you can water even less frequently.
Also read:Why does my Dipladenia get yellow leaves in summer? These are the most common causes + solutions!
Dipladenia care after winter
Have you successfully gotten your Dipladenia through the winter? Congratulations! Now there are a few things to consider so that the Mandevilla starts the new season healthy.
- Overwintered dipladenias should only be cleared out after the Ice Saints in May, when frosts are no longer expected.
- To stimulate new growth, you can prune at the beginning of the season. This is especially necessary if you did not cut back the Dipladenia before overwintering or only cut it back sparsely. You can carry out the maintenance cut at the end of February or March. Remove all dead shoots. Sick shoots are easiest to identify and remove at this time. Shorten the main shoots and the side shoots by about half. For smaller specimens, you can only cut back the side shoots to maintain the height of the plant.
- In winter the Mandevilla does not need fertilizer. You can start fertilizing again from May. Add organic liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water every two weeks to support flower formation and growth. Also adjust the watering accordingly and do not let the soil dry out completely.
You can find out more about pruning Dipladeniain this article.
