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Dipladenia Brazillian Jasmine

Dipladenia
Carreglefn Nurseries

Dipladenia is a tender, evergreen vine from the periwinkle family, which bears clusters of white, rose, crimson, pink or purple trumpet-shaped flowers in the summer months, although one species has salmon-pink flowers which bloom throughout the year. It adds beauty to your home indoors or out, but does require special care.

1. There is some confusion as to whether this plant should be called dipladenia or mandevilla, but most growers use the name dipladenia to differentiate this more bush-like plant from its cousin, the mandevilla. It has moderately vigorous vines that do well on a trellis or in a hanging basket. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. Unfortunately, it is also a target for aphids, spider mites and scale. If you see any evidence of harmful insects, you can try washing them off with a stiff spray from a hose. If they persist, try a little neem oil on the leaves. Note that parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested, so keep the plant away from children and pets.
Water
2. Keep the soil evenly moist during the spring and summer growing season, but allow it to dry between waterings during the dormant seasons of fall and winter. Use warm water and make sure the pot has a drainage hole with pebbles or gravel in a dish underneath to hold in the water and humidity (being sure the pot is sitting on gravel and not in the water). It is also important to mist the plant regularly, particularly while it is in bud and flowering.
Light
3. Dipladenia does well in sun to partial shade but must have bright indirect light and not direct sun. A good indoor location is a curtain-filtered window. In warmer climates, the plant can be grown outdoors, but in colder climates, it is best treated as a houseplant. The optimal temperatures for dipladenia are 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 70 to 85 degrees during the day. Dipladenias are sensitive to frost, so cover and mulch outdoor plants or move containers onto a porch when frost threatens.
Soil
4. The best soil for a dipladenia is two parts peat moss, one part packaged potting mix or loam, and one part sharp sand or perlite, with a small amount of crushed charcoal. You should fertilize the plant every two weeks during the growing season with a fertilizer high in phosphorous like 10-20-10. As an alternative, you can use a granular slow release fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring. Avoid using fertilizer in the winter.