Please someone help me save my Mandevilla!

9 years ago

Hi everyone,

I am in no way an experienced "home plant keeper". I have a dying Mandevilla that is really important to me, and to helplessly see it dying day by day is really making me so sad and desperate. Maybe some context:
It really all started in a rather strange way three weeks ago. I've been pretty devastated these past few months because my relationship ended. Three weeks ago I went for a run in Old Montreal to try and let out my feelings in an active way, and on my way home I noticed someone had left a potted Mandevilla with beautiful white flowers on the side of the road next to the garbage. It had a few yellow/browned leaves, but other than that looked very healthy. At that moment, I identified myself as the plant (I know, this sounds really silly) because I felt thrown away as well...Anyway, I decided to carry it home with me and I promised myself that I would nurture it back to prime condition, just as I hoped that I would be able remove the dead leaves left in my heart from my break up and find a way to thrive again.

But for the past week or so, the plant has started lose its form, no flowers are left on the plant, and its leaves are falling at a scary rate. When I first noticed the leaves start to shrivel I immediately looked on the internet for some help. I found that leaves could start to shrivel and crisp because of over exposure to sun, so I slanted the shades. I also put drainage holes in the bottom of the pot and suspended it so that there would be no standing water, and I bought fertilizer. There are no pests on it that I can see. I've misted it because it is quite dry here in Montreal. I've removed dead branches and pruned it down. I've done all that I can think of doing, and yet it continues to die! I don't know what to do anymore, but I am desperate to save this Mandevilla, not only because it is so symbollic to me but also because I feel terrible having something die under my care. Right now I am very scared that it's already too late, but I want to believe that it isn't.

So please if any of you have any suggestions for me, please do write! I cannot express how thankful I would be for any help.

-Anna

Comments (4)

RioSeven
9 years ago
Hey Anna, post a picture of the plant. Even a couple pictures if you can, it helps everyone get a sense of what you are dealing with. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words :-)
grubby_AZ Tucson Z9
9 years ago
Besides the drainage holes, could you write about how you water (do you keep it wet, keep it moist, barely not dry?), what the old soil seems like, and any new soil or repotting? That's most likely very important info to know.
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Dzitmoidonc
9 years ago
myplant, you do realize that for the most part these are dormant in the north? They will lose all their leaves and only have stems left for most of the winter. The root is like a bunch of carrots, storing nutrients to make new leaves in the spring. Place it in a spot where you can watch it and allow it to go almost completely dry for the winter. Water it only after the dirt is dry for a week or more.

Long about late Feb, you should see green sprouts starting on the stems. At this time, prune it hard, place it in good sun, and water it. After this, never allow it to go dry until next fall.

The plant needs a rest so that it can come back in better shape next growing season. Might be advice for you too. Take care.
lynngun
9 years ago
I found a link that supports what Dzitmoidonc said. Also, is there any chance it could have frozen when left on the curb? I have no experience with this kind of plant but from what I read they do not like freezing. This could potentially cause the plant to go dormant and lose it's leaves, or just lose it's leaves and then regrow them.
I found some good information be searching online for 'Mandevilla do they freeze.'
I wish you luck with your plant. LG

Here is a link that might be useful: Mandevilla