I have mandevilla in large pots, too heavy to up-end to add fresh potting mix. How can I replenish with new or add mix to the pot. They still produce flowers but feel they need some sustenance. Thank you.

Hi Kay, there are several ways to replenish the potting mix. You can drill down into the soil around the plant with a dibbler and add Pot Power or Tui Outdoor Container mix into the holes, the drilled holes don't need to be too big, index finger size is plenty. If drilling holes into the mix is not possible then apply the mix on the surface of the pot around the plant. Once plants get pot bound it is a good idea to sprinkle Saturaid re-wetting agent around the base of the plant along with a controlled release fertiliser such as Tui Enrich Pots and Containers. Saturaid breaks up soil surface tension and helps water penetrate down into the root ball, a controlled release fertiliser releases nutrients over 6 months, nutrient release is dependent upon moisture and temperature. Apply a controlled release fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer, early autumn. An application of Tui Mulch & Feed around the plant would also be beneficial for summer, this contains sheep pellets, blood and Bone, mulching straw and Saturaid, adding nutrients and organic matter back into the potting mix. You can also place sheep pellets around plants in pots, Tui recommends Tui Mini Sheep pellets, they are great for pots and containers. Lianne.