How to Grow Potted Madagascar Periwinkle? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Care Methods
Madagascar periwinkle, also known as rose periwinkle, periwinkle, and mountain alum flower, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Catharanthus in the Apocynaceae family. It has a long flowering period, bright flower colors, and graceful form. In recent years, the cultivated varieties have produced increasingly larger flowers, making it very suitable as a potted ornamental plant. Used in home decor, it has unexpected effects. Now let us take a look at how to grow potted Madagascar periwinkle!
Growth Habits of Madagascar Periwinkle
Madagascar periwinkle originates from the Mediterranean coast, India, and tropical America. Its cultivation history in China is not long, mainly in areas south of the Yangtze River, with cultivation being relatively common in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and other places. It likes high temperature and high humidity, tolerates partial shade, and is not tolerant of severe cold. The most suitable temperature is 20-33°C. It likes sunlight, is averse to moisture and afraid of waterlogging. It can be grown in general soil, but saline-alkali soil is not suitable. Sandy soil or soil rich in humus with good drainage and ventilation is best. Its flowering period and fruiting period span almost the entire year.
Propagation Methods of Madagascar Periwinkle
1. Sowing: Madagascar periwinkle is mostly propagated by sowing, generally sown around April in early spring. Each gram contains 750 seeds, and the suitable germination temperature is 18-24°C. Use a sowing tray filled with a mixed soil of sterilized leaf mold, culture soil, and fine sand. After sowing, germination occurs in 14-21 days. After seedlings emerge, shade for 2-3 hours at noon when the light is strong and the temperature is high. When the seedlings are 5 cm tall and have 3 pairs of true leaves, they can be potted. When they have 6-8 pairs of true leaves, they can be planted out.
2. Cuttings: In spring or early summer, cut young shoots from old overwintered plants, 8-10 cm long, with some leaves attached. Remove the lower leaves, keep 2-3 pairs of leaves at the top, and insert them into a sand bed or leaf mold. Keep the cutting medium slightly moist, at a room temperature of 20-24°C. Pay attention to shading and maintaining humidity. Roots form 15-20 days after insertion. When the seedlings are 10 cm tall, pinch the tips to encourage bushing, then move them into three-inch pots, gradually transferring to seven-inch pots.
3. Tissue culture: Use stem tips as explants. Cut sterilized stem tips into several segments, each 0.4-0.6 cm, and inoculate them on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine at 5 mg/L and naphthaleneacetic acid at 0.2 mg/L. After 1 month of culture, adventitious buds grow. Then transfer to 1/2 MS medium supplemented with kinetin at 0.2 mg/L and indoleacetic acid at 2 mg/L. After half a month, white roots begin to grow, forming complete plantlets.
How to Grow Potted Madagascar Periwinkle?
1. Soil: Madagascar periwinkle prefers fertile and well-drained soil and tolerates poor soil, but must not be alkaline. Compacted, poorly aerated clay soil results in poor plant growth, yellowing leaves, and no flowering.
2. Sunlight: Madagascar periwinkle is a light-loving plant. During the growing period, it must have sufficient sunlight for the leaves to be verdant and glossy and the flowers to be brightly colored. If grown in shade for a long time, the leaves turn yellow and fall off.
3. Temperature: Madagascar periwinkle likes warmth, slightly dry conditions, and a sunny environment. The suitable growing temperature is 18-24°C from March to July, and 13-18°C from September to March of the following year. The winter temperature should not be lower than 10°C.
4. Watering: Madagascar periwinkle is averse to moisture and afraid of waterlogging. Do not water the pot soil too much, as excessive moisture affects growth and development. Especially for plants overwintering indoors, watering should be strictly controlled, and it is better to keep them dry, otherwise they are very prone to frost damage. For open-field cultivation, during heavy summer showers, pay attention to timely drainage to avoid waterlogging causing the entire patch to die.
5. Fertilizing: When fertilizing Madagascar periwinkle, every ten days you can apply compound fertilizer and liquid fertilizer alternately. A layer of base fertilizer should also be spread at the bottom of the pot as much as possible to ensure the nutrient content of the pot soil.
6. Pruning: Madagascar periwinkle is a herbaceous plant and is quite suitable for potting, but care must be taken not to let the plant grow too tall, which would affect indoor decoration and ornamental value. Therefore, after the plants survive in pots, pinch them several times to promote more branching and more flowering. After flowering, remove the spent flowers.
7. Pests and diseases: The Madagascar periwinkle plant itself is toxic, so it is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. The main diseases during the seedling stage include: damping-off and gray mold, among others. In addition, prevent fertilizer damage and pesticide damage during the seedling stage. If they occur, immediately water thoroughly with clean water, strengthen ventilation, and reduce the damage.