Growing stunning Alice du Pont mandevilla vines from seeds can seem daunting, but follow this comprehensive guide and you’ll be rewarded with vibrant, tropical blooms.
The Alice du Pont mandevilla vine produces some of the most impressive flowers you’ll find on any climbing plant With huge pink blooms and glossy green foliage, it transforms fences, arbors, and trellises into showstoppers
While you can buy young Alice du Pont mandevilla vines from nurseries, starting these beauties from seeds allows you to grow an abundance for a fraction of the cost. Plus, it’s deeply satisfying to nurture them from seed to bloom.
In this guide I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about harvesting storing, sowing, and germinating Alice du Pont mandevilla vine seeds. Follow these steps and growing these sensational vines will be a breeze!
Harvesting Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vine Seeds
The first step is harvesting fresh seeds from an existing Alice du Pont mandevilla vine. Here’s how:
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Wait for the flowers to fade shrivel and form seed pods. The pods will turn brown and become slightly brittle when ready.
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Pluck the ripe seed pods by hand, taking care not to damage the rest of the plant.
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Place the pods in a dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sun for 1-2 weeks. This ensures they dry thoroughly.
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Open the pods carefully and extract the small brown seeds inside. Discard any debris.
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Store the cleaned seeds in a glass jar or ziplock bag in a cool, dark place.
Storing Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vine Seeds
To maintain viability, stored Alice du Pont mandevilla vine seeds need the right conditions:
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Cool temperature – Store seeds around 40°-45° F to prevent premature germination. The fridge is ideal.
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Dry environment – Prevent mold growth by keeping seeds in an airtight container in a dry spot. Add silica packs for extra protection.
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Dark conditions – Light degrades seeds, so keep them in an opaque container in a dark area.
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Limited airflow – Exposure to excess oxygen also decreases seed viability over time. Seal containers tightly.
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Labeling – Label jars with the seed type and harvest date for easy identification later.
Stored properly, Alice du Pont mandevilla vine seeds remain viable for around one year.
Sowing Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vine Seeds
Once you’ve harvested and stored some seeds, it’s time to sow them! Follow these tips:
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Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. They need warm soil to germinate.
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Fill starter trays or pots with a well-draining seed starting mix. Gently water it.
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Scarify seeds by scratching their coating with sandpaper. This kickstarts germination.
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Plant seeds 1⁄4 inch deep and water thoroughly. Cover trays with plastic domes to retain moisture.
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Place seeded trays in a warm (70°-80° F) spot with lots of bright, indirect light.
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Maintain consistent moisture and humidity while seeds germinate over 10-30 days.
Caring for Germinating Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vine Seeds
As your Alice du Pont mandevilla vine seeds begin to sprout, they need attentive care for healthy growth:
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Transplant seedlings into individual pots once 2-3 true leaves emerge.
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Water whenever the top inch of soil dries out. Allow good drainage.
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Fertilize seedlings with balanced liquid fertilizer starting at 4 weeks old.
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Give seedlings 6-8 hours of sunlight or supplement with grow lights.
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Gradually expose seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting outside.
With the proper harvesting, storage, sowing, and germination techniques, growing vigorous Alice du Pont mandevilla vines from seeds is totally doable. Just provide warm temps, bright light, and ample moisture and you’ll have exotic blooms in no time.
The key is having patience – mandevilla vines grow slowly at first but the payoff of cascading colorful flowers is well worth it. Before you know it, you’ll have the tropics in your own backyard!
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vines from Seed
If you’re new to growing mandevilla vines, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common queries:
What’s the best time to harvest Alice du Pont mandevilla vine seeds?
Wait until the seed pods dry and turn brown on the vine. This indicates the seeds are mature. Harvest promptly before pods break open.
How long is the germination period for these seeds?
Depending on conditions, Alice du Pont mandevilla vine seeds can take anywhere from 10-30 days to germinate. Have patience!
Should I start Alice du Pont mandevilla vine seeds indoors or outdoors?
Starting the seeds indoors gives you more control over conditions. Sow them 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost for best results.
How much sunlight do young Alice du Pont mandevilla vine plants need?
Seedlings need at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. An unobstructed south-facing window is ideal. Supplement with grow lights if needed.
When can I transplant Alice du Pont mandevilla vine seedlings outside?
After the seedlings have 2-3 sets of true leaves, begin acclimating them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Then transplant into the garden after all danger of frost has passed.
How do I trellis Alice du Pont mandevilla vines?
These vigorous vines can grow up to 20 feet long and benefit greatly from trellising. Provide sturdy structures like arbors, pergolas, or chain link fencing for support.
Growing your own Alice du Pont mandevilla vines from seeds might seem difficult but have no fear! Follow this guide and you’ll have exotic, flowering vines in no time. Happy gardening!
Use mandevilla in entries
Witness the twin urn-grown specimens making a display on these entryway columns in the photo above. Fishing line tied loosely along the columns helps the mandevilla navigate its way up the pillars. (This step isn’t necessary when mandevilla is grown on a narrow post or a gridlike structure because it will twine easily around a smaller support.) To get this much growth in a single season, start with the biggest plants you can find.
Grow mandevilla in a colorful container
When your flower border starts to fade, add color fast with a flashy container of mandevilla. Train it on a small obelisk and it’ll give you height and color. Look how this blue pot of Sun Parasol® Giant White mandevilla takes your attention away from the fading spirea (Spiraea spp. & hybrids) blooms behind it and adds height to the lower growing salvias (Salvia farinacea).