Mandevilla, as Dipladenia is also called, is a tropical plant. This suggests that it is rather sensitive to cold and therefore cannot withstand the winter temperatures in our latitudes. Nevertheless, there are also exotic species that - partly thanks to breeding - cope surprisingly well with mild winters and then only need a certain amount of winter protection. Is that perhaps also the case here? Can you overwinter a Dipladenia outside?
Unfortunately, this is not the case with most varieties and they should definitely be added at some pointsuitable winter quarters. What requirements should it meet?
- Cool temperatures between 8 and 12 degrees.
- Lower temperatures damage the plant, while an area that is too warm prevents the plant from entering the dormant phase. This is very important for the next flowering because the flower should be able to recover. Accordingly, a lack of rest leads to sparser flowering.
- The winter quarters should be light.
- Place the plantnotin the direct sun.
- Try to maintain good humidity. To do this, you can regularly spray the leaves with water.
- Water rarely and sparingly, but be sure to prevent the roots from drying out.
The little exception to the rule (well, almost…)
We have already mentioned that specific breeding often spoils us with particular robustness. And we are happy to inform you that Mandevilla also has such a copy. The so-calledChilean jasmine(Mandevilla laxa)can easily tolerate temperatures of up to minus 5 degrees. This doesn't necessarily mean that you can overwinter the Dipladenia outside, but you can leave it outside longer and continue to decorate your balcony and terrace with it.
Exceptions are mild winters. If you live in such a region, the plant can also be left outside. Keep in mind that this variety is theirLoses leaves in autumn. This is important for their survival as it makes them less sensitive to cold. However, the Dipladenia no longer looks as attractive until it sprouts again.
Prepare the plant
Especially if you have already grown a larger specimen, it can be difficult to find enough space in the winter quarters. However, you can quickly solve this problem by pruning, which is necessary now anyway and will lead to lush blooms next season. Without all the foliage and the many shoots, you can easily find a suitable corner for the beautiful flower.
When can the Mandevilla go outside again?
Ted Balmer/ Unsplash
We remind you that the Dipladenia is very sensitive to frost, which means that the frost phases should definitely be over before wintering out. Make sure that the temperatures do not drop below 8 degrees at night, then the plant can safely be outside again. Usually it doesn't happen until mid-May. You can also base yourself on the Ice Saints.
Do not place the plant in the blazing sun immediately because the leaves are still too sensitive after winter rest. First choose a shady location, then a semi-shady one with a few hours of sunshine and gradually increase to the usual sunny location.
Avoid when overwinteringthese 5 mistakes.
