This exotic flowering wonder is an evergreen, climbing ornamental shrub. With its rich blossoms, it enchants every terrace and balcony in the summer months. In the trade, this plant is very often offered as an annual container plant, but it can certainly be overwintered. Normally, the Dipladenia is quite easy to care for. Sometimes it can happen that the Dipladenia gets yellow leaves which then fall off. This is where quick action is called for.

causes

In order to identify the reason why the Dipladenia gets yellow leaves, it is always advisable to consider when the yellowing occurs, in winter or summer. The further treatment of the plant also depends on this. In general, however, it can be said that yellow leaves can occur depending on the location and the growth phase. Other causes are:

  • nutrient deficiency
  • lack of light
  • waterlogging
  • old leaves

nutrient deficiency

Nutrients are important for good and healthy growth, as well as for rich flowering. The Dipladenia is a real flowering miracle and also needs a lot of nutrients. A deficiency occurs when

  • too little or the wrong nutrients are used
  • the earth is consumed
  • no fertilization or incorrect fertilization

A nutrient deficiency is first visible on the leaves. They will gradually turn yellow and eventually fall off. The discoloration begins at the leaf tip or edge and spreads across the leaf.

Wrong location

Dipladenia originate from warm South America. They love the sun and only bloom when there is sufficient light and warmth. In dark places they take care of themselves, do not bloom and the foliage also suffers from discoloration.

waterlogging

Like all other plants, the Dipladenia is also very susceptible to waterlogging. This can have serious consequences for the plants

  • impairment of root function
  • Oxygen transport to other parts of the plant is restricted
  • Yellowing and eventual death of the leaves due to lack of oxygen
  • roots rot
  • finally the plant dies

tip: To avoid waterlogging, the excess water should be removed from the coaster no later than 30 minutes after the watering process.

old

However, not every yellowing leaf is equally dangerous for the plant. If only a few yellow leaves appear in this regard and then fall off, it is probably due to the age of the leaves. As with all evergreen plants, the leaves of the Dipladenia are rotated on a regular basis. Old ones turn yellow, fall off and new ones are formed at the same time. This is a completely normal process and nothing to worry about. On the other hand, it looks different when many leaves turn yellow at once and the plant becomes bare.

Yellow leaves in summer

As already mentioned, occasional yellowing of leaves in summer and autumn is quite normal. It can become more alarming if, despite a sunny location, yellow leaves appear more frequently in summer. Here then quick help to save the Dipladenia is requested. It should not be forgotten that the maintenance measures should always be adapted to the season. So the care in summer differs largely from that in the winter months. Particular attention should be paid to site selection, nutrient and water supply. This includes the following care measures during the summer months:

  • right choice of location
  • protected outside on the terrace and balcony
  • full sun
  • the more direct sunlight, the better the growth
  • Protection against the blazing midday sun (sunburn)
  • increased demands on nutrient supply through fertilization
  • Fertilize from May to August, every two weeks

tip: We recommend a liquid container plant fertilizer, for example "Planta's flower magic". It is very productive and has a favorable nutrient combination with everything that the Dipladenia needs.

Of course, regular watering is also necessary. Although the plants need more water in warm weather, the right balance must still be found.

  • Keep Dipladenia only moderately moist
  • Water when the top half of the soil has dried
  • Use a moisture meter to check
  • alternatively do a finger test
  • Avoiding waterlogging
  • Otherwise the roots will die
  • if the soil is already too wet, only repotting helps

Repot properly

Repotting the Dipladenia is not particularly difficult. Fresh, dry and nutrient-rich potting soil and a pot with drainage holes are required. However, it must be expected that the growth of the plant will be slowed down after repotting, as it requires a lot of strength for rooting. The procedure is as follows:

  • remove wet and rotten parts of the root ball
  • Place shards of pottery over the drainage holes in the pot
  • better still fill in a drainage layer, for example, expanded clay
  • Put plant in pot
  • Fill in the soil, press down firmly and water lightly

tip: For healthy growth and to avoid leaf discoloration despite regular fertilizer application, the Dipladenia should be repotted every two years.

leaf discoloration in winter

The Dipladenia is one not hardy Plant. For this reason, it needs a frost-free winter quarters in the house. Problems can often arise here due to unfavorable prevailing conditions. These can quickly lead to leaf discoloration in the subtropical plant when it is in its winter quarters

  • is too cool or
  • there is a lack of light

The most common cause in winter for the yellowing of the leaves is quite simply, in addition to care errors, lack of light. Sometimes the plant can completely bare. However, as long as there are still some green leaves and vines, losing a few yellow leaves isn't too bad. However, appropriate care should be taken to prevent it.

  • the right choice of location is very important
  • Temperatures between 10°C and 15°C
  • bright place
  • particularly suitable unheated stairwell or tempered conservatory
  • Seat close to the window
  • the further away from the window, the higher the risk of yellow leaves
  • Sunlight should fall directly on plant during winter months
  • Curtains or trees in front of the window disturbing
  • less watering than in summer
  • Root ball must never dry out
  • regular check whether soil is still moist or not
  • air regularly

tip: With a winter temperature of 10 °C, the Dipladenia should only be watered a little every month or every two months (finger test).

Check for pest infestation

Normally, dipladenia are rarely attacked by pests because they contain a slightly poisonous sap. This protects the plant from harmful insects. However, it can sometimes happen that spider mites, which also cause yellow leaves, appear due to unfavorable wintering conditions, for example a place that is too warm. The webs of the mites are located on the undersides of the leaves. Help must then be given quickly:

  • Move plant to a cooler place (10 to 15 °C)
  • Remove spider mites with a wet cloth
  • shower off the plant
  • then spray with soapy water for several days
  • alternatively use of natural predators, such as predatory mites
  • if necessary, the shoots can be cut back by a third after the winter

tip: Due to the mild toxicity of the plant, hands should be washed after working on the Dipladenia.

Category:

Garden plants