Growing and caring for dipladenia at home, methods of reproduction

Dipladeniya, thanks to its elegance and beauty, is one of the favorites among flower growers. This flower can bloom both in the garden and on the balcony in the form of a lush bush or graceful vine. In order for the plant to be strong and attractive, you need to consider all the nuances of growing dipladenia and caring for it. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the brightest and most popular varieties and their distinctive features.

What is characteristic of dipladenia?

Dipladenia belongs to the Kutraceae family of plants. It is also known as mandevilla. Its countries of origin are South and Central America.

Biological description

Diplodenium is a flower that is a fast-growing flowering vine with smooth shoots. It is grown in gardens and greenhouses, as well as at home. On strong and climbing stems, reaching a length of 3-4 meters, there are dark green leaves with an expressive shine.

The plant is characterized by high growth intensity. Every year its height increases by 60-90 centimeters.

How does the plant bloom and how long does it live?

Being a perennial plant, dipladenia, with proper care, can delight with luxurious flowers for more than one year. Its flowering period is long - from late spring to early autumn. The flowers are funnel-shaped and consist of five petals that are not completely separated. The color is white, pink and red. The lifespan of each flower is approximately 12-15 days.

Popular varieties

In total, there are more than four dozen varieties and varieties of this tropical plant in nature. You should familiarize yourself with the most popular ones in detail.

Loose

A distinctive feature of loose dipladenia is the presence of numerous short shoots on the sides of the trunk. The leaves are medium in size and have a grayish-green tint.Loose apical inflorescences consist of snow-white or soft cream flowers with pointed petals. The plant is highly resistant to temperature changes and is able to quickly grow green mass.

Sandera

The average height of the plant is three meters. Each inflorescence contains 3-5 flowers of rich yellow-pink color. The leaves are small in size and pointed in shape.

Excellent

This is the most elegant and delicate variety of Dipladenia. The thin stem of the vine with slight pubescence has a pink color. The flowers of an expressive pink hue, collected in a brush, contrast effectively with the medium-sized green leaves.

Bolivian

A variety of vines for indoor growing. The stem has slight hairiness. Dark green leaves of miniature size with a shiny, attractive surface. Fragrant white flowers are collected in brushes.

Brilliant

A plant with tall shoots and large oval leaves with shine. The color of the flowers is very expressive - deep pink with a contrasting crimson core.

Red

A characteristic feature of this variety is the rich red color of the inflorescences against the background of dark green foliage. The plant is large, hardy and resistant to temperature changes.

Culture propagation

Dipladenia can be propagated using cuttings, seeds and tendrils.

Cuttings

Propagation by cuttings is a simple and affordable option that gardeners choose most often. You can collect cuttings in the spring, while the shoots are very young, or in the summer - from lignified plants. It is better to do this in the spring, so that the vine has time to get stronger over the winter. The cut parts of the stems must have a node and 2-3 leaves.

The following steps are required:

1. Plant the cuttings evenly in the peat-sand mixture.
2. Cover the container with protective glass or polyethylene. To ensure proper air circulation, raise the shelter every day.
3. To speed up root formation, use phytohormones and bottom heating of the container with seedlings.
4. Maintain the temperature at +25 °C.
5. After 1-1.5 months, the first roots will appear, after which the young vines can be transplanted into separate small flowerpots.

Mustache

Tendrils regularly appear on the upper parts of the shoots of the vine, suitable for reproduction. The shoot bends down to the soil surface and is securely attached at the point where the tendril forms. As soon as the new seedling takes root, it must be separated from the mother plant and replanted.

Seeds

This method is the most time-consuming and labor-intensive, so it is suitable only for patient and enthusiastic gardeners. Dipladenia seeds should be collected for subsequent propagation after the seed capsule has fully ripened. It is first recommended to soak them in a solution of a growth stimulator for one day.

After this you need:

1. Fill the growing box with a mixture of sand and peat in equal proportions.
2. Moisten the soil and plant the seeds at a shallow depth.
3. Cover the crops with plastic wrap.
4. Ensure the air temperature in the room is +25-28 °C. Additionally, you can heat the drawer from below.
5. To get rid of condensation, regularly ventilate the greenhouse.
6. Moisten the soil with a spray bottle as needed.

In 4-5 weeks the first shoots will appear. In order for them to become stronger, you need to properly care for them - protect them from direct sunlight and drafts, and also regularly moisten the soil.When each seedling has formed 2 full leaves, you can pick using pots with a diameter of at least 7 centimeters.

Necessary conditions for the growth of dipladenia

In order for a plant to enjoy abundant flowering, it is necessary to create suitable conditions for it.

Location and lighting

For dipladenia, you should select places on the eastern side, where the morning sun has a gentle effect. Lighting should be moderately bright and intense. The plant should be protected from direct sunlight, as this can cause the leaves to burn. On a hot summer afternoon, it is recommended to shade the flower with a light transparent curtain.

Lack of light has an adverse effect on plant growth. The stem of Dipladenia begins to become very elongated and loses its decorative appeal. Flowering becomes very weak or stops completely.

Temperature indicators

This tropical plant is heat-loving, so it needs a temperature within +21-+26 °C. Easily tolerates temperatures up to +30 °C, but only in shady conditions.

In the cold season, the temperature for a houseplant should not fall below +12 °C. Otherwise, dipladenia risks stopping developing and blooming.

Air humidity

The air in the room where dipladenia is grown must be humid. The optimal level is 60-70%. Ideally, heating devices should not be located nearby. If this is not possible, you need to constantly use air humidifiers, or place containers filled with water around the flowerpot.

To achieve the optimal humidity level, you can place the pot with dipladenia in a tray filled with expanded clay or damp moss.

Required soil composition

Mandatory conditions for the soil are fertility, looseness, moderate acidity, easy passage of air and water.

The most favorable soil composition for dipladenia:

• 2 parts of turf land;
• 1 part leaf soil;
• 1 part sand;
• 1 part humus;
• 1 part peat.

All components must be sterilized before planting. This is a reliable prevention against root pests.

Pot size

An adult plant requires a container reaching 30 centimeters in diameter and 15 centimeters in height. An important requirement is the presence of drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

How to plant and care for indoor flowers

Indoor dipladenia will grow beautiful and healthy if you follow all the rules of planting and care.

Planting dates and technology

It is best to plant Dipladenia in early spring. Place a drainage layer on the bottom of the pot. Sprinkle 1/3 of the soil mixture on top. Place a seedling with roots and a lump of earth in the center of the container. Then fill the remaining space with a nutrient substrate and compact it.

Watering

During the period of growth and flowering, this cultivated plant requires abundant watering - at least twice a week. The maximum frequency is three times to prevent excessive moisture, which leads to rotting of the rhizome.

A sure signal for the next watering is a slightly dried top layer of soil.

To water the plant, use soft water at room temperature. It is recommended to periodically add citric acid in small quantities - 2-3 grains are enough for one liter of water.

Plant nutrition

From March to October, twice a month, Dipladenia needs to be fed with universal liquid fertilizers, which are suitable for most flowering cultivated plants. Nitrogen-containing products can only be used from March to April. After this period, they negatively affect the quality of flowering.

In winter, the plant does not require fertilizing. It resumes in the spring, after the end of the dormant period.

Trimming

For abundant flowering next season, the plant needs pruning. This procedure is carried out annually in October-November. Using a sharp knife, cut off two-thirds of the dipladenia shoot.

Tying to supports

A young plant requires support for the correct direction of growth. To tie up flexible shoots, you can use a shaped plastic base or a lattice or trellis made of wood.

Diseases and pests: treatment and protection

Dipladeniya is susceptible to root rot due to waterlogging of the soil. The development of the disease is indicated by wilting of leaves and flowers. In this case, it is necessary to carefully dig out the roots of the plant from the pot, wash them, and then treat them with a fungicidal solution. Suitable drugs are “Vitaros”, “Baktofit”, “Previkur Energy”, which must be used strictly according to the instructions.

For preventive purposes, it is necessary to sterilize the soil before planting the plant, and also to prevent excess moisture.

The main pests of Dipladenia, like many other plants, are root mealybugs, spider mites and whiteflies. Solutions of “Aktara”, “Karbofos”, “Aktellika” and other insecticides help get rid of insects.

Bloom

If all care recommendations are followed, dipladia blooms spectacularly before the onset of autumn days.It is important to know how to care for an elegant plant during dormancy and wintering.

Rest from flowering

From autumn to spring, mandevilla has a dormant period. At this time, it is necessary to reduce the amount of watering to stop the growth of plant shoots. Before wintering, be sure to prune dipladenia.

Nuances of care in winter

Before the onset of winter, the pot with dipladenia must be moved to a room with a temperature of +15 degrees. Hypothermia is detrimental to the roots. The plant needs watering only when the soil dries out. Feeding and spraying are not carried out until next spring.