Ever buy a plant for reasons OTHER than the plant?

[pavel]

I get some weird looks from people some times when they learn that I have purchased a plant for "ulterior motives". Take this recent addition:





Now don't get me wrong, the flowers of a Mandevilla are nice and all that, but it a rather expensive annual in my climate. Oh I know I could try to overwinter it indoors, but I really don't think I'll bother. Besides being a large unruly "beast", I suspect it would prove to be a mealybug and spidermite magnet -- and that I have little desire to deal with.

So why did I buy it? I wanted the metal trellis in the pot. Comparable trellises that I have seen normally go for around $20 US or more. Because it is the "end of the season" (or close enough to it) I got my trellis for about $8 -- oh and the weed ..er plant ... too.

Couple weeks prior I bought 3 broms for $1.49 each -- I wanted the copper colored ceramic pots they were in.

[gardenguysorchids]

You are not alone in this department --I do it all the time. You can find some really great pots and garden items for very little money this time of year. As for your Mandevilla they are fairly easy to over winter. I cut mine to the ground, put the pots in the basement and water them very little. Starting in March i start to water and fertilize and by may they are ready to go back outside. I have done this for several years and they just keep getting nicer. I do the same thing with a lot of my annual pots and have great success and more money in the spring to buy more orchids instead of replacing annuals.

[pavel]

You are not alone in this department --I do it all the time. You can find some really great pots and garden items for very little money this time of year. As for your Mandevilla they are fairly easy to over winter. I cut mine to the ground, put the pots in the basement and water them very little. Starting in March i start to water and fertilize and by may they are ready to go back outside. I have done this for several years and they just keep getting nicer. I do the same thing with a lot of my annual pots and have great success and more money in the spring to buy more orchids instead of replacing annuals.

Unfortunately, Bill, I live in an apt -- so there is no cool place to keep it. I imagine that a warm "rest" would not be possible.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

We over winter ours in a similar way to Bill. We cut them back and stick them in a cool storage building. By spring time, they are reaching out for the window and putting out leaves.

Oh, and yes, I have several times purchased a plant for the container.

Cheers,
BD

[stefpix]

Maybe you can cut it back and cut the roots too. keep it in a 6 inch pot against a window glass. probably you woudl have to keep it indoors 3 months... Or maybe keep it in the building hallway? I love thise flowers

[kiwiorchids]

i went the extra mile to do this-our neighbour had a pyracanthea in a lovely conical ceramic pot painted a creamy tan colour-my vrisea splendens would look nice in THAT i thought, because of its black striped leaves-so when she was putting out her rubbish, i offered her 10 dollars for it. I got the pot and i later sold the pyracanthea for 30 dollars anyway =)

[kiwiorchids]

here are some pics
OOH and one of my dogs

[catttan]

Calculating little minx, arent yo? Hahahaa.... That's good economics! I love mandevillas and have killed off a few because they don't do well at all in our hot lowlands.

[kiwiorchids]

Calculating little minx, arent yo? Hahahaa.... That's good economics! I love mandevillas and have killed off a few because they don't do well at all in our hot lowlands.

Who was that one directed at? either way i totally agree