Mandevilla Sky

This is one of the plants that recently scored a new pot and trellis. We originally got this vine and one other to feed the butterflies in the back yard. The butterflies (and resulting caterpillars) almost got the best of them. But they have come back strong. A couple of weekends ago I spent about two hours unraveling the two vines from each other and putting them on their new trellises. It was like an elaborate living puzzle.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Mandevilla in the Garden

This was another one of those "break from my computer" images. I had to go out back and wander around the flowers for a while.

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Glowing Mandevilla

The light was particularly nice in the backyard so I had to take a break from my computer and wander around with my camera.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Mandevilla Buds

We've been setting up new misters in the yard for the plants and that made for some excellent photo opportunities.

Monday, June 19, 2006

Misty Mandevilla

It was hot here today. REALLY HOT! Fortunately we got this little mister thing from the hardware store. We hooked it up to our hose and made our little back yard a little cooler. After it was on for a while I noticed a nice effect on some of the plants near it.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Variegated Mandevilla

There's more rainy weather comin'! I like the rain. :-D

This was taken last week during a rainstorm. This is another vine we got to attract butterflies along with our Passion Flower. Incidentally, the tendrils in that passion flower photo are actually wrapped around this Mandevilla plant. My botanist (my lovely wife) tells me that some plants bloom like crazy when they feel threatened. Makes sense, the kids can carry on the species. And that explains all the beautiful blossoms on this plant!

The other interesting thing is this plant had solid pink flowers last year. I like the stripes!

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Backlit Buds

This is another flower from my backyard. We got this one and a Passion Flower vine to attract butterflies. I think they liked the Passion Flowers better. The caterpillars almost them out wiped out.

Feedback for Mandevilla splendens photos:

Patty	January 4, 2007 4:05 pm

Hi........just stumbled across your website & your pictures are beautiful. We just moved to Florida last spring from Maine. I've always loved to garden & one of the first things I wanted to plant in our new yard was a mandevilla vine. I planted it on a column in my front yard & have had MANY compliments on it. However, I have the worst time with yellowing leaves with spots on them which fall off & leave the bottom of the plant barren. I've picked off the leaves & thrown them away, I've sprayed with fungicide (thinking it might be a fungus, I've sprayed for insects & just a few weeks ago, I cut it back to about a foot off the ground to start over....it already has new growth on it, but I'm hoping someone can tell me what to do to prevent the problem in the future......can you help me? Also, I've been contemplating buying a dipladenia......do they have similar problems? I love the pics of your flowers, but I'd love to see some of the entire plants.........also, if I had your e-mail address I'd send you a picture of mine...........Patty

Angela	January 12, 2008 5:10 pm
Where are my blooms?
Hi there, I can't believe how beautiful your plants are. I miss mine so badly. All of your pictures of the buds ready to burst out with life are my favourites. They give you a bit of excitement because you get a different design inside of every bloom. Every flower is like a fingerprint- they each have their own trademark in this world. I was actually looking up different reasons why my poor girl just hasn't bloomed since I brought her home. I actually live in Edmonton, Alberta and I keep my mandevilla splendens inside during the winter months and it is on my front steps all summer long. The plant soaks in the sun and grows so well. The summers are very warm and dry here so I water it lots- during the winter there is a lot less watering. It took me all of last winter to learn the proper watering for winter. It is growing strong but I just can't seem to get any blooms and I have had it for just over 2 years. I remember how beautiful it was when I brought it home. Those beautiful pink flowers were what drew me to it to begin with. The leaves are so lovely and it is such a sturdy plant. I would hate to see it never bloom again. Am I not fertilizing it properly? Is it a plant that just can not live in Alberta's harsh climate? Is there anyway someone can help me with this or have any idea where I can get some help? Thank you for all of the fabulous pictures. I have enjoyed them so much.

Bill Heller	January 12, 2008 7:54 pm
RE: Where are my blooms?
Hi Angela! Thank you! I'm so glad you like my images! It sounds like your girl is hungry, they crave a particular thing when it is time to bloom... Phosphorus. Phosphorus is the second number when you look at fertilizer packages. You'll see something like 10-10-10 on the box which would be a general balanced fertilizer. You want one where the middle number is higher, and you should only feed this in the spring or summer when it is time for the plant to bloom. You will need to give the plant a chance to grow and recuperate from blooming since it take a lot of energy to create such beauty. I would look for something that is labeled as a "bloom food" and has instructions for plants in containers because it's easy to overdo and burn the plant if you give it too much. Incidentally, the first number is Nitrogen, which is for foliage and chlorophyll development. If you are feeding it something with a high first number right now that would explain why it's growing strong but not blooming. The last number is Potassium, which is good for roots. Both very important for the overall health of the plant, but as a general rule most plants can't bloom and grow at the same time. As far as your location, I've talked to some people who successfully grow Epiphyllums (http://www.BillsPhotoOfTheDay.com/Epiphyllum/) in Canada. They are basically South American jungle plants. With a little care anything is possible, and it sounds like you are taking very good care of your girl. Hope this helps, I'd love to see some pictures once you see some blooms! -Bill Heller

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A Photo a Day by Bill Heller