Mandevilla vine pruning advice

8 years ago

Hello! I live in coastal southern California's Zone 10. I have a pink mandevilla vine (not sure whether it's possibly a pretty pink or an Alice Du Pont), that's a little over a year old, in my balcony. I had bought the vine during fall of last year, and brought it with me when I moved to my new apartment. It already had about 3' long branches when I moved it into my new balcony, and it grew and bloomed profusely over the last year. Right now, it has 6'-8' long branches everywhere, and looks quite messy. My question is, can I prune the branches back close to the ground, maybe a foot from the base? That way, I can better train them when they grow back, and I also want more branches to grow out from the base itself. But I don't know whether this would be okay, since it would mean trimming into old wood. Would really appreciate any suggestions!

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Comments (3)

stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
8 years ago
If its the soft leafed Alice Dupont I would wait until spring. But,for you and total frost free weather- and this warm winter- you could do that. In the bay area that is very marginal. The other "Little Red Riding Hood" often confused with Alice Dupont does great here-hardy to 10a.

If you want that Alice Dupont though to climb,you should just tie the branches up neatly until longer days gets it going. I mean,cutting it back will just cost you a nice show all summer.

A photo would help!
nish11an thanked stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
nish11an
Original Author
8 years ago
@stanofh Thanks for the info! I'm attaching a photo here. Not sure whether it's an Alice Dupont or some other variety.
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stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
8 years ago
That's Alice. If it was mine? Get a taller trellis..they really are a dainty viner and the flowers from top to bottom make a splash. I'm sure when February rolls around in soucal- it will thank you for the patience and sprout new shiny leafs at the nodes.
nish11an thanked stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area