How to grow vinca roseus

Soil requirements

Catharanthus roseus is native to tropical Asia. It likes warmth, cannot tolerate severe cold, and is afraid of moisture and waterlogging. Catharanthus roseus can be grown in most soils, but saline-alkali soil is not suitable. Sandy soil with good drainage and air permeability is better.

When potting vinca, use loose soil rich in humus, and plant the seedlings in pots when they have 6-7 true leaves. Pinch the tops of the seedlings once when they are 7-8 cm tall, and you can pinch them twice later to promote more branches and flowering. Normally, do not water Catharanthus roseus too much, as too much moisture will affect its growth and development. Apply some nitrogen fertilizer during the growth period of Changchun flowers, and some phosphorus fertilizer during the bud formation period. After flowering, the remaining flowers must be cut off.

Water requirements

Catharanthus roseus is afraid of moisture and waterlogging. Do not water the potting soil too much, as excessive moisture will affect its growth and development. In particular, watering of plants that spend the winter indoors should be strictly controlled, and it is better to keep them dry, otherwise they will be easily frozen. When cultivating in the open field, pay attention to timely drainage during midsummer showers to avoid waterlogging that may cause the entire area to die.

Reproduction method

Catharanthus roseus is mostly propagated by sowing.

Sow in early spring, the seedlings grow slowly in the early stage, and when the seedlings grow 3-4 true leaves, start transplanting them, and they can be transplanted when they have 6-8 pairs of true leaves.

Plant in the flower bed in May, water every 3-5 days, and apply appropriate phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to produce more flowers and lush leaves. Cutting propagation: In spring, you can take young branches from overwintering old plants, cut them into 8 cm long pieces with some leaves attached, and insert them into moist sandy loam. The rooting temperature is 20℃-25℃. Pay attention to shade and maintain humidity.

When the seedlings are 10 cm tall, top them to promote growth, then put them in a three-inch pot and gradually turn them into a seven-inch pot. The mature fruits of Catharanthus roseus can crack and scatter seeds on their own. You should pay attention to the fruits and pick them in time when they turn yellow, otherwise it will be difficult to collect the seeds. Three crops can be planted a year, with an annual yield of more than 1,300 kilograms of hay per acre.

Apply top dressing fertilizer once every 30 days or so during the growing season. Remember to water the plants at all times, but do not allow water to accumulate. Pay attention to drainage during the rainy season.

To promote branching, pinching should be done 2-3 times from planting to mid-August, so that the flowers will bloom and the leaves will be lush.

The wintering temperature is 10-12℃. Catharanthus roseus should be sown when the temperature rises to around 10°C. The seedlings should be transplanted once they have grown 4-5 pairs of true leaves. You can also take young branches from overwintering old plants for cuttings in spring.

Maintenance Tips

When managing Catharanthus roseus, you should also pay attention to ensuring that the plant is given sufficient light. If it is kept in the shade for a long time and lacks light, the leaves will turn yellow.

If the soil is alkaline and compacted, with poor aeration and water infiltration, the plant will grow poorly, with yellow leaves and no flowering.

Move it indoors in winter, keep the room temperature above 5 degrees, control watering, and keep the soil in the pot dry.

If the home room temperature is kept at around 15-20 degrees, it can continue to bloom. After the spring, vinca can be moved outdoors for management. Catharanthus roseus is usually repotted every two years.

The fruit ripening period of Catharanthus jasminoides is from September to October. The fruits ripen one after another and must be collected in time. Catharanthus roseus is mostly propagated by sowing.

Sowing is usually carried out in early April, either in the open field or in pots. In addition, you can also take young branches from old plants for cuttings and propagate in spring. After the Catharanthus roseus survives, top it to promote more branches.