The elegant and showy Alice du Pont mandevilla vine is a favorite among gardeners for its ability to quickly transform outdoor spaces with its abundant blooms and lush tropical flair. But just how fast does this beautiful plant grow? In this comprehensive guide, we will dive into the growth rate and stages of Alice du Pont mandevilla, along with tips for ensuring vigorous growth in your own garden.
An Overview of Growth Rate
Under ideal growing conditions, the Alice du Pont mandevilla is known to be a fast grower, capable of rapidly covering arbors, fences, and trellises with greenery and flowers. Here are some key factors influencing its growth rate:
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Climate Warm temperatures between 60-85°F are needed for optimal growth In tropical climates, this vine can grow at an astonishing rate all year round
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Sunlight Bright direct sunlight for at least 6 hours daily encourages faster growth. Locations that receive morning sun are ideal.
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Soil: Rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter provides essential nutrients for vigorous growth.
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Water: Consistent moisture is key, especially in hot conditions. Water thoroughly when topsoil is partly dry.
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Pruning & Training: Regular pruning and training vines on supports boosts growth rate.
The Growth Stages of Alice du Pont Mandevilla
To better understand this plant’s rapid growth, let’s examine the key stages of its development:
1. Germination
- Seeds sprout in 7-21 days in moist, warm conditions (70-75°F). Seedlings emerge from soil.
2. Seedling Establishment
- First true leaves form as roots anchor the plant. Seedlings are prone to damping off disease.
3. Vegetative Growth
- Abundant foliage fills out the vines. Regular pruning prevents leggy growth.
4. Flowering
- Showy trumpet-shaped blooms in pink, red or white appear. Deadheading prolongs bloom period.
5. Maturation
- Reaches full size by end of first growing season. Requires trellising for support.
6. Dormancy
- Dies back in winter. Store dormant vines indoors until spring.
Caring for Rapid Growth
Here are some tips to ensure your Alice du Pont mandevilla vine grows vigorously:
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Choose a sunny, protected location with rich soil. Amend with compost if needed.
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Water 1-2 inches per week, allowing soil to partly dry out between waterings.
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Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during growth season with balanced fertilizer.
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Prune lightly in early summer to shape; again in fall to prepare for overwintering.
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Train vines onto sturdy supports like trellises. Check attachments are secure.
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Monitor for pests and diseases. Treat promptly to avoid stunting growth.
Final Tips for Maximizing Growth
Follow these final suggestions for phenomenally fast growth from your Alice du Pont mandevilla:
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Start with younger, vigorous plants if possible. Avoid rootbound specimens.
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Plant in spring once the danger of frost has passed.
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Choose disease-resistant cultivars like ‘Blushing Bride’ or ‘Pink Parasol’.
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Grow in containers for ease of moving indoors or into sheltered areas.
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Remove spent blooms and yellowing foliage consistently to encourage new growth.
With its rapid growth ability, the Alice du Pont mandevilla makes a striking statement in any garden when properly cared for. Expect vines up to 12 feet long to unfurl within just one season! By providing this tropical beauty ideal growing conditions and attentive care, you’ll be rewarded with an incredible display of lush foliage and bountiful blooms.
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).
Mandevilla — a vine with tropical flair
One grower calls mandevilla “the fleur with allure.” Talk about truth in advertising! And even though it isn’t cold-hardy in most of North America, anyone can grow it as an annual and it’ll bloom from late spring to fall.
Mandevilla is a well-behaved twining vine. That means it won’t outgrow its space and strangle nearby plants. Give it some support or stems will twine around themselves and splay in different directions, making it look messy. Obelisks and trellises are perfect for keeping mandevilla looking neater.
Alice Dupont Mandevilla
FAQ
How fast does mandevilla grow?
How tall do Alice Dupont mandevilla get?
How can I make my mandevilla grow faster?
Do mandevilla plants like full sun or shade?
How long does a Mandevilla grow?
Initially, all mandevillas were climbing and vining plants, but now some of them have more of a shrub shape. This selection is a classic vining variety grown for its large pink blooms. It can grow as long as 20 feet. Zones 10-11. This variety of Mandevilla bears intense crimson-red blooms on a semi-bushy plant that can reach 15 feet. Zones 10-11.
How do you grow a Mandevilla plant?
Dip in rooting hormone and plant in a well-draining potting mix. When starting from seeds, use fresh seeds. Wait until they dry on the plant, then harvest the seeds, soak them in water overnight, and plant them in well-draining soil. Initially, all mandevillas were climbing and vining plants, but now some of them have more of a shrub shape.
Is Mandevilla a good vine?
A classic tropical vine, mandevilla (Mandevilla spp.) is a great way to add a splash of color to any sunny vertical space in your garden. With big, showy blooms that continue all summer and the fact that the plant is low-maintenance makes it a top vine choice.
What is a Mandevilla plant?
Mandevilla is a popular choice for containers, with its showy red, pink and white flowers giving a lush tropical vibe to patios, porches and decks that are a long way from the beach. Here’s what you need to know about growing a mandevilla plant. Mandevilla is native to Central and South America.