A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods for Variegated Periwinkle

Variegated periwinkle, also known as variegated ivy, is a variety of the periwinkle (Vinca major) in the dogbane family Apocynaceae. It is distributed in Jiangsu and other places in mainland China. Its dwarf branches grow creeping and trailing, reaching more than 2 m in length. The leaves are elliptical and opposite, with petioles, and the leaf margins are white with yellowish-white spots. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods for variegated periwinkle!

Growth Habits of Variegated Periwinkle

Variegated periwinkle likes light and tolerates shade, and it is also tolerant of low temperatures. At -7°C, open-ground planting shows no frost damage. It stays evergreen all year round. The tillering vines and the violet-blue small flowers that bloom in March cover the ground like a flower-studded green carpet, making a truly spectacular sight. It is a fairly ideal groundcover material for both foliage and flower appreciation, with strong adaptability, no strict requirements for soil, and fast growth.

Propagation Methods for Variegated Periwinkle

1. Division: Division propagation is best done in spring. At this time, cut off the old branches from the previous year, dig out the plant and separate it, replant the divisions separately, and water thoroughly.

2. Cuttings: Cutting propagation can be done all year round. Use perlite, vermiculite or sand, which have good water retention, as the cutting medium. Cuttings taken in autumn and winter should be done in a greenhouse or cold frame. In winter, cutting in an electrically heated hotbed inside a greenhouse gives a higher rooting rate.

Cultivation Methods for Variegated Periwinkle

1. Soil: Variegated periwinkle prefers fairly fertile, moist soil. For cultivation it requires loose, humus-rich sandy loam. For pot culture, a mix of leaf mold and river sand can be used as the substrate.

2. Pinching: Several plants can be planted in each pot at the same time and pinched back in good time, so it can quickly take shape. To encourage more branching, pinch back several times during the growing season. Piling soil at the nodes can produce more adventitious roots and promote vine growth.

3. Watering: When cultivating variegated periwinkle, water during dry spells, and pay attention to drainage in the rainy season. During the growing period, water thoroughly to keep the potting soil moist, and apply liquid fertilizer 1-3 times a month to ensure that the vines grow quickly and the leaves are dark green and glossy.

4. Light: Variegated periwinkle is suited to a bright environment, but in midsummer avoid direct strong light to prevent scorching the leaves. It must be shaded appropriately, and a semi-shaded environment is best.

5. Temperature: Although variegated periwinkle prefers warmth when growing, it is also cold-tolerant. In winter it can withstand low temperatures of around 0°C, and apart from severe cold it can maintain its perfect color all year round.

6. Diseases: Common diseases of variegated periwinkle include fusarium wilt, canker and leaf spot. They can be controlled by spraying with equal-strength Bordeaux mixture.

7. Pests: Pests of variegated periwinkle include scale insects and root-knot nematodes. Scale insects can be killed by spraying with 1000 times diluted 25% phosmet emulsifiable concentrate, and root-knot nematodes can be controlled with 3% carbofuran granules.