How to propagate Catharanthus roseus? A detailed introduction to the common propagation methods
Catharanthus roseus is a subshrub native to the Mediterranean coast, India and tropical America. Many new cultivars have now been introduced in China, and plant lovers also grow Catharanthus roseus in pots or planting troughs for ornament. Friends who like Catharanthus roseus often wonder how it is propagated, so here is a brief introduction to the common propagation methods of Catharanthus roseus.
Catharanthus roseus
I. Seed propagation
Sow in spring in April. Catharanthus roseus has 750 seeds per gram, and the suitable germination temperature is 18-24°C. Fill a sowing tray with a mixed soil of sterilized leaf mold, potting soil and fine sand, and the seeds germinate 14-21 days after sowing. After the seedlings emerge, shade them 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.
II. Cutting propagation
In spring or early summer, cut young shoots 8-10 cm long, 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, and they root 15-20 days after insertion.
III. Tissue culture propagation
Use stem tips as explants. Cut the sterilized stem tips into several segments, each 0.4-0.6 cm, and inoculate them on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine 5 mg/L and naphthaleneacetic acid 0.2 mg/L. After 1 month of culture, adventitious buds grow. Then transfer them to 1/2 MS medium with kinetin 0.2 mg/L and indoleacetic acid 2 mg/L added, and after half a month white roots begin to grow, forming complete plantlets.
Propagation methods of Catharanthus roseus and the flower language of Catharanthus roseus
Catharanthus roseus blooms all year round, so it has the fine name "daily spring". Today I will tell you about the propagation methods of Catharanthus roseus and the flower language of Catharanthus roseus.
Propagation methods of Catharanthus roseus:
1. Cutting propagation
The cutting time for Catharanthus roseus is generally spring. Try to cut a relatively tender branch as the cutting, which can be a tender shoot on a new branch or a newly grown tender shoot on an old branch; as long as it is tender, it is fine. It should be 8-10 cm long, with some leaves attached; remove the lower leaves and keep 2-3 pairs of leaves at the top. Then insert the base of the branch into moist sandy soil or leaf mold. During cutting, try to keep the temperature between 20 and 25°C. After watering, you can cover the potting soil and cuttings with a layer of film to keep in moisture, and place the pot in a ventilated and cool place to wait for rooting. Keep the cutting medium slightly moist at a room temperature of 20-24°C, pay attention to shading and maintaining humidity, and they root 15-20 days after insertion. When the seedlings are 10 cm tall, pinch off the growing tips to encourage bushy growth, then pot them in 3-inch pots and gradually move them up to 7-inch pots.
2. Water propagation
The selection of cuttings for the water propagation method of Catharanthus roseus is about the same as for ordinary cuttings, but it is done in summer. Just insert the cut branches directly into clean water, but you must persist in changing the water for the cuttings frequently; the best frequency is once every two days, to ensure the nutrient content and cleanliness of the clean water. When necessary, you can also add a few drops of nutrient solution in an appropriate amount to encourage the water-propagated branches to root. Generally, rooting takes about 20 days.
3. Seed propagation
Catharanthus roseus is mostly propagated by seed, generally sown around April in early spring. Catharanthus roseus has 750 seeds per gram, and the suitable germination temperature is 18-24°C. Fill a sowing tray with a mixed soil of sterilized leaf mold, potting soil and fine sand, and the seeds germinate 14-21 days after sowing. After the seedlings emerge, shade them 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, and when they have 6-8 pairs of true leaves, they can be planted out. If planted out in a flower bed in May and watered once every 3-5 days with appropriate topdressing of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, there will be many flowers and lush leaves.
4. Tissue culture propagation
Use stem tips as explants. Cut the sterilized stem tips into several segments, each 0.4-0.6 cm, and inoculate them on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine 5 mg/L and naphthaleneacetic acid 0.2 mg/L. After 1 month of culture, adventitious buds grow. Then transfer them to 1/2 MS medium with kinetin 0.2 mg/L and indoleacetic acid 2 mg/L added, and after half a month white roots begin to grow, forming complete plantlets.
The flower language of Catharanthus roseus:
The flower language of Catharanthus roseus: pleasant memories, eternal youth, steadfastness
Catharanthus roseus, also known as marigold herb, four-season spring, daily new, wild goose head red, thirty-thousand flowers, daily spring, spring day flower, four-season plum, five-petal plum, wild goose coming red, blooming every day, etc., belongs to the trailing type of flowers and grasses, twining or climbing on trees and stones. Once it starts growing, it propagates very quickly, and can cover the whole courtyard. It is very easy to transplant, and it is a plant that can take root anywhere, with quite strong adaptability. Therefore its flower language is also "adaptability", and people born under the blessing of this flower are not afraid of adversity and have a heart that can cope with any harsh environment and situation. Facing one or two breakups is not considered much of a setback.
Is Catharanthus roseus toxic? Cultivation methods for Catharanthus roseus
Catharanthus roseus has its own unique fragrance. This scent is not very strong, but once you smell it you will not forget it. So is Catharanthus roseus toxic? Below I will tell you about the cultivation methods for Catharanthus roseus.
A brief introduction to Catharanthus roseus:
Catharanthus roseus, scientific name: Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don, also known as marigold herb, four-season spring, daily new, wild goose head red, thirty-thousand flowers. Taiwan, China has bred multiple cultivars, and the breeding trend is toward larger flowers. In terms of Chinese herbal medicine use, the whole plant can be used as medicine to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, aid sleep, relieve constipation and promote urination, etc. Some physicians also include it in compound prescriptions for treating cancer as one of the medicinal ingredients, possibly considering its antitumor components. The whole plant is toxic and must be used with caution. After accidental ingestion, it can cause symptoms such as decreased white blood cells, decreased platelets, muscle weakness and numbness of the limbs. The alkaloids contained in its milky sap, such as vinblastine and vincristine, are extracted and used as chemotherapy drugs for various cancers such as leukemia and Hodgkin's disease.
Catharanthus roseus is an annual evergreen herbaceous plant, clump-forming, with slender stems that are decumbent or prostrate, reaching more than 1 m in length. The leaves are opposite, elliptical or ovate, with acute tips, green and glossy, and with golden yellow and grayish green markings between the leaf margins and veins. It generally blooms from April to May, with flowers solitary in the leaf axils, blue, and with a salverform corolla. The flowering period is very long, blooming continuously from spring to autumn, so it has the fine name "daily spring".
Is Catharanthus roseus toxic?
Catharanthus roseus is a plant in the Apocynaceae family, and like oleander, its sap is toxic, with the flowers being the most toxic part. However, under normal circumstances, poisoning occurs only when a wound comes into contact with the tree sap or when the sap is accidentally ingested. Lightly touching the flowers and leaves of Catharanthus roseus will not harm the human body. As long as everyone is usually careful and does not casually break the branches and leaves, there is no problem. If Catharanthus roseus is accidentally eaten, it will cause symptoms such as decreased white blood cells, decreased platelets, muscle weakness and numbness of the limbs. Therefore, it is recommended not to grow Catharanthus roseus indoors, as it is neither safe nor does it grow well.
Cultivation methods for Catharanthus roseus:
1. Sunlight: Catharanthus roseus is a light-loving plant. During the growing period it must have sufficient sunlight, so that the leaves are dark green and glossy and the flowers are brightly colored. If it grows in shade for a long time, the leaves turn yellow and fall off.
2. Soil: It prefers fertile and well-drained soil and tolerates poor soil, but must absolutely avoid alkaline soil. Compacted, poorly aerated clayey soil results in poor plant growth, yellowing leaves and no flowering.
3. Temperature: It likes a warm, slightly dry and 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. Fertilizing: When fertilizing, you can apply a compound fertilizer and a liquid fertilizer alternately once every ten days. A layer of base fertilizer should also be spread at the bottom of the pot soil for Catharanthus roseus as much as possible, to ensure the nutrient content of the potting soil.
5. Watering: Catharanthus roseus dislikes moisture and fears waterlogging, so the potting soil should not be watered too much; 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 likely to be damaged by cold. For open-field cultivation, pay attention to timely drainage during heavy summer rain showers, so as to avoid waterlogging causing the whole patch to die.
6. Pests: The Catharanthus roseus plant itself is toxic, so it is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. The main diseases at the seedling stage include seedling damping-off, gray mold, etc. In addition, prevent fertilizer damage and pesticide damage at the seedling stage. If they occur, immediately water thoroughly with clean water, strengthen ventilation, and reduce the harm.
7. Diseases: Stem and leaf rot of Catharanthus roseus mainly occurs in the rainy season, and its pathogen is Phytophthora. When the disease is severe, it causes a large number of deaths and seriously affects mass production. Chemical control methods: before rain, use 65% hymexazol 600-800 times or 1% equal-amount Bordeaux mixture for protection. If the disease occurs, promptly spray 72% Curzate 600-800 times or 25% Previcur 600-800 times, spraying once a week for a relatively good control effect.
8. Pruning: Catharanthus roseus is an herbaceous plant and is quite suitable for pot cultivation, but attention must be paid not to let the plant grow too tall, which would affect indoor decoration and ornament. Therefore, after the plant survives in the pot, pinch it several times to encourage more branching and more flowering, and after flowering, the spent flowers must be cut off.