How to fertilize Madagascar periwinkle? The complete guide to fertilizing methods teaches you to dilute the fertilizer first
Among the effects and uses of Madagascar periwinkle, its ornamental value is the most widely known. However, if you want Madagascar periwinkle to be ornamental, the care process cannot be careless at all. So how do you fertilize Madagascar periwinkle? What are the fertilizing methods for Madagascar periwinkle? Below, the editor will guide everyone to learn about it.
1. How to fertilize Madagascar periwinkle
As for how to fertilize Madagascar periwinkle, each stage is actually different. Whether it is the choice of fertilizer or the frequency of fertilization, there are particular requirements. These points are introduced in detail in the complete guide to Madagascar periwinkle fertilizing methods below. Let us continue reading.
2. Complete guide to Madagascar periwinkle fertilizing methods
1. Fertilizing before planting
Before planting Madagascar periwinkle, we need to first apply some humus-based base fertilizer to the soil. This allows Madagascar periwinkle to have sufficient nutrients after germination and avoids some care troubles caused by insufficient nutrients, so this step is very important.
2. Fertilizing during the growing period
Among Madagascar periwinkle fertilizing methods, the growing period is when the demand for fertilizer is greatest. At this time, we basically need to supplement fertilizer to Madagascar periwinkle about every 10 days so that it can grow quickly. In terms of fertilizer, we can choose water-soluble fertilizer.
3. Fertilizing before flowering
Madagascar periwinkle consumes a large amount of nutrients when flowering, so before flowering, fertilizer must be supplemented sufficiently. This allows Madagascar periwinkle to produce more flowers and also makes the flowering period longer.
4. Fertilizing in winter
Winter is the dormant period of Madagascar periwinkle, so there is no need to fertilize. However, before entering winter, we still need to apply a certain amount of fertilizer to Madagascar periwinkle. This can enhance its cold resistance and help it get through winter better.
3. Precautions for fertilizing Madagascar periwinkle
When fertilizing Madagascar periwinkle, you must be careful. Do not splash it onto the plant itself, as this can easily burn the plant and cause yellowing and other phenomena. Also, before fertilizing, it must first be diluted with water so that Madagascar periwinkle can absorb it better.
Madagascar periwinkle Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don Madagascar periwinkle illustrated guide: How to grow Madagascar periwinkle / How to propagate Madagascar periwinkle
Madagascar periwinkle profileMadagascar periwinkle Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don
Madagascar periwinkle cultivation methods and precautions Introduction to Madagascar periwinkle
Madagascar periwinkle, scientific name: Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, also known as golden cup grass, four-season spring, daily new, wild goose head red, and thirty-thousand flowers. Taiwan, China has bred multiple varieties, with the trend of breeding toward larger flowers. In terms of Chinese herbal medicine uses, the whole plant can be used as medicine to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, aid sleep, relieve constipation, and promote urination. Some physicians also compound it into prescriptions for treating cancer as one ingredient, possibly considering its antitumor components. The whole plant is toxic and requires careful attention. After accidental ingestion, it can cause symptoms such as reduced white blood cells, reduced platelets, muscle weakness, and paralysis 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.
Madagascar periwinkle is a perennial herbaceous plant. It has many flowers, a long flowering period, and lush blooming. It blooms continuously from spring to autumn, so it has the beautiful name "daily spring." Madagascar periwinkle contains more than 70 kinds of alkaloids and is a natural good medicine for preventing and treating cancer. Among them, vinblastine and vincristine have certain therapeutic effects on malignant tumors such as lung cancer, lymphosarcoma, and acute leukemia in children, and are the most widely used anticancer plant medicinal sources internationally.
Morphological characteristics of Madagascar periwinkle
Subshrub, slightly branched, up to 60 cm tall, with watery sap, whole plant hairless or only slightly hairy; stems nearly square, striped, gray-green; internodes 1-3.5 cm long.
Leaves membranous, obovate-oblong, 3-4 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm wide, apex rounded, with a short tip, base broadly cuneate to cuneate, gradually narrowed into the petiole; veins flat on the leaf surface, slightly raised on the back, lateral veins about 8 pairs.
Cymes axillary or terminal, with 2-3 flowers; calyx deeply 5-parted, inner surface without glands or glands inconspicuous, sepals lanceolate or subulate-acuminate, about 3 mm long; corolla red, salverform, corolla tube cylindrical, about 2.6 cm long, sparsely pubescent inside, throat constricted, with bristles; corolla lobes broadly obovate, about 1.5 cm long and wide; stamens inserted in the upper half of the corolla tube, but anthers hidden within the throat, free from the stigma; ovary and disk same as the characteristics of the genus.
Follicles paired, erect, parallel or slightly divergent, about 2.5 cm long, 3 mm in diameter; exocarp thickly papery, striped, pubescent; seeds black, oblong-cylindrical, truncate at both ends, with granular tubercles. Flowering and fruiting periods almost year-round.
Ecological habits of Madagascar periwinkle
It likes high temperature and high humidity, tolerates partial shade, and is not tolerant of severe cold. The most suitable temperature is 20°C-33°C. It likes sunlight, avoids wetness, and fears waterlogging. It can be cultivated in general soil, but saline-alkali soil is not suitable. Sandy or humus-rich soil with good drainage and ventilation is best. Flowering and fruiting periods are almost year-round.
Madagascar periwinkle likes a warm, slightly dry, and sunny environment. The suitable growth temperature is 18-24°C from March to July, 13-18°C from September to March of the following year, and the winter temperature should not be lower than 10°C.
Madagascar periwinkle avoids wetness and fears 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 likely to suffer cold damage. For open-field cultivation, during heavy summer rain showers, pay attention to timely drainage to avoid death of the entire patch caused by waterlogging.
Madagascar periwinkle is a light-loving plant. During the growing period, it must have sufficient sunlight so that the leaves are verdant and glossy and the flower colors are vivid. If it grows in shade for a long time, the leaves will turn yellow and fall.
Fertile and well-drained loam is suitable. It tolerates poor soil, but must absolutely avoid alkaline soil. Compacted clay soil with poor aeration will result in poor plant growth, yellowing leaves, and no flowering.
Cultivation techniques for Madagascar periwinkle: transplanting/potting
For those using plug trays for seedling raising, they should be transplanted into pots when they grow to 2-3 pairs of true leaves. Use 12 cm diameter nutrition pots and pot them in one step, without another repotting. If sowing and raising seedlings in open seedling trays, it is best to transplant the seedlings once at 1-2 pairs of true leaves using 72-cell or 128-cell trays, and then transplant them into pots.
Light regulation
Madagascar periwinkle is a sun-loving plant. Both growth and flowering require sufficient sunlight. Sufficient light also helps prevent the plant from becoming leggy. In winter, insufficient sunlight and lower temperatures are not conducive to growth.
Temperature control
Madagascar periwinkle is relatively sensitive to low temperatures, so temperature control is very important. In the Yangtze River Basin, protected cultivation must be used in winter. Growth stops below 15°C, and cold damage occurs below 5°C. Because Madagascar periwinkle is relatively tolerant of high temperatures, it is often used in summer and during high-temperature seasons such as National Day in the Yangtze River Basin and South China.
Water and fertilizer management
Madagascar periwinkle plants are prone to rotting after rain. In places with a lot of rainfall, greenhouse cultivation is needed, and the medium must have good drainage. For fully artificial cultivation, fertilization should use water-soluble fertilizers such as 20-10-20 and 14-0-14, applied alternately once every 7-10 days at a concentration of 200-250 ppm. When winter temperatures are low, reduce the use of 20-10-20 fertilizer. If ordinary soil is used as the medium, a compound fertilizer can be mixed in appropriately before potting as base fertilizer. When fertility is insufficient, then topdress with water-soluble fertilizer.
Cultivation management
In addition to normal fertilizer and water management, the key points for Madagascar periwinkle are pinching and the prevention and control of stem and leaf rot during the rainy season. The purpose of pinching is to promote branching and control the flowering period. Generally, pinching begins at 4-6 true leaves (8-10 cm). When new shoots grow 4-6 leaves (15-20 days after the first pinching), carry out the second pinching. It is best not to pinch more than 3 times (more than 3 pinchings will affect flower quality). The last pinching of Madagascar periwinkle directly affects the flowering period. Generally, for autumn flowers (used for National Day), the last pinching should be 25 days before the initial flowering period, and the last pinching in summer should be 3-5 days earlier than in autumn.
Madagascar periwinkle can be left unpinched, but to obtain a good plant shape, it needs to be pinched once or twice. The first time is at 3-4 pairs of true leaves; the second time, leave 1-2 pairs of true leaves on new branches. Madagascar periwinkle is a perennial herbaceous plant, so if finished plants cannot be sold, they can be pruned again, and when customers need them, they can be grown to the ideal height and plant shape. During cultivation, regulators can generally be used, but paclobutrazol must not be applied.
Cultivation methods for Madagascar periwinkle
When seedlings have 3 pairs of true leaves, transplant them into 10 cm pots, with 3 plants per pot. When seedlings are 7-8 cm tall, pinch once, and then pinch 2 more times to promote more branching and more flowering. During the growing period, fertilize once every half month or use special fertilizer for potted flowers. For pot cultivation or flowerbed planting after removing from pots, flowering lasts from late May to early November, more than 5 months. During the flowering period, remove spent flowers at any time to prevent them from becoming moldy and affecting plant growth and ornamental value. August to October is the seed collection period for Madagascar periwinkle. Seeds should be collected as they mature to prevent seed loss.
In routine management, also pay attention to ensuring that the plant receives sufficient light. Being in shade for a long time with insufficient light will cause the leaves to turn yellow. If the soil is alkaline, compacted, has poor water permeability, and poor aeration, it will also cause poor plant growth, yellowing leaves, and no flowering. In winter, move it indoors, keep the room temperature above 5°C, and control watering. The pot soil is better kept slightly dry. If the room temperature is maintained at around 15-20°C, it can continue to bloom continuously. After early spring, it can be moved outdoors for management. Madagascar periwinkle generally needs repotting once every two years of cultivation.
The fruit ripening period of Madagascar periwinkle is September-October. The fruits mature successively, and the fruit shells crack easily, so they must be collected in time. Madagascar periwinkle is mostly propagated by sowing. Sowing is generally carried out in early April and can be done in open fields or in pots. In addition, in spring, young shoots from old plants can also be taken for cutting propagation. After rooting, pinch the top to promote more branching.
Generally, pinching begins at 4-6 true leaves (8-10 cm). When new shoots grow 4-6 leaves (15-20 days after the first pinching), carry out the second pinching. It is best not to pinch more than 3 times (more than 3 pinchings will affect flower quality). The purpose of pinching is to promote branching and control the flowering period. The last pinching of Madagascar periwinkle directly affects the flowering period. Generally, the last pinching in autumn should be 25 days before the initial flowering period, and the last pinching in summer should be 3-5 days earlier than in autumn.
Propagation methods of Madagascar periwinkle
Commonly propagated by sowing, cutting, and propagation. In the Yangtze River Basin and areas to its north, sowing is usually in mid-April. The suitable germination temperature is 20-25°C. Transplant when seedlings have 3 pairs of true leaves. Management is simple with no special requirements, but water accumulation should be avoided. During the growing period, pinching can be done 1-3 times.
Sowing propagation
Sow in spring in April. Madagascar periwinkle has 750 seeds per gram, 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. Germination occurs 14-21 days after sowing. After emergence, shade for 2-3 hours at noon when the light is strong and the temperature is high. When seedlings are 5 cm tall and have 3 pairs of true leaves, they can be potted.
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, insert them into a sand bed or leaf mold, keep the cutting medium slightly moist, at room temperature 20-24°C. Roots form 15-20 days after cutting.
Tissue culture propagation
Use stem tips as explants. After sterilization, cut the 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 to 1/2 MS medium with kinetin 0.2 mg/L and indoleacetic acid 2 mg/L. After half a month, white roots begin to grow, forming complete plants.
Madagascar periwinkle is mostly raised from seed, and can also be raised from cuttings, but seedlings from cutting propagation are not as robust in growth vigor as seed-grown seedlings.
1. Sowing and seedling raising
① Seed collection time: The fruit ripening period of Madagascar periwinkle varies because flowering times differ, so seeds must be collected as they mature. After the fruit matures and the color turns black, the skin cracks easily and causes seed loss, so seeds need to be collected in time. When the fruit skin is seen turning yellow and the black seeds inside can be faintly seen, it is time to harvest.
② Sowing time: The suitable temperature for seed germination is 20-25°C. It is usually sown and propagated from March to May, mostly cultivated as an annual. To make it flower earlier, it can be sown and raised in a greenhouse in early spring, given a 20°C environment, and moved to open-field cultivation after the weather warms.
③ Seedbed preparation: Choose a place with high, well-drained terrain, facing south and sunny, and good drainage for the seedbed. The medium is best prepared with peat + perlite at 3:1, or leaf mold can also be used. Water thoroughly with 500-600 times carbendazim solution. After it dries slightly, loosen and level the soil, and make a seedbed 1.2 m wide.
④ Sowing technique: Sow by broadcasting, about 1000 seeds per square meter. After sowing, cover with fine thin sandy soil. Do not let the seeds be directly exposed to light. Water thoroughly with a fine watering can, cover with plastic film or straw curtains to keep the soil moist, and seedlings will emerge in 7-10 days. After emergence, remove the film or straw curtains and gradually increase light. Seedlings grow slowly in the early stage and faster after the temperature rises. Thin seedlings in time. To prevent damping-off of Madagascar periwinkle, spray or water once a week with 800 times chlorothalonil or thiophanate-methyl, for 2-3 consecutive weeks.
2. Cutting and seedling raising
Cutting is mostly carried out from April to July. For cutting propagation, select healthy, pest-free young shoots from mature plants as cuttings. Generally, select young shoots 10-12 cm long from the top of the plant, and the suitable cutting length is 5-7 cm. Use a mixed medium of plain sand, vermiculite, and peat as the cutting medium. Wrap a small mud ball around the base of the cuttings, insert them into a cold frame at room temperature 20-24°C. Roots form after about 20 days. After the cuttings take root and survive, they can be transplanted into pots. Because seedlings from cutting propagation grow less vigorously than seed-grown seedlings, it is rarely used in cultivation.
Madagascar periwinkle has 700-750 seeds per gram. Madagascar periwinkle is a perennial herbaceous plant and can bloom all year round under suitable conditions. However, in the Yangtze River Basin, because the climate is too cold, it is often cultivated as an annual, and sowing time is mainly concentrated from January to April. For sowing, relatively loose artificial medium should be used. Seedlings can be raised by bed sowing or box sowing, and plug tray seedling raising can be used if conditions permit. The medium requires a pH value of 5.8-6.2 and an EC value of 0.5-0.75. After disinfection treatment, maintain the medium temperature at about 22-25°C after sowing.
Seedling raising stages
First stage:
The radicle emerges 4-6 days after sowing. In the initial stage, keep the seedling medium moist, do not fertilize, and maintain the temperature at 25-26°C. Madagascar periwinkle seeds are photophobic and germinate better under dark conditions, so they need to be lightly covered with coarse vermiculite or black film.
Second stage:
Control the medium temperature at 22-24°C. Once the radicle emerges, control the moisture content. Watering after the medium dries slightly can promote germination and control disease. At this stage, strengthen light so that the daily light duration reaches 12-18 hours. The main root can grow to 1-2 cm, the cotyledons unfold, and the first true leaf grows. Control soil pH at 5.5-5.8 and EC less than 0.75. After the cotyledons fully unfold, fertilization can begin. Use 50-75 ppm of 14-0-14 and 20-10-20 water-soluble fertilizers, applied alternately every seven days. At this stage, after the embryo emerges from the medium and before the cotyledons unfold, special attention should be paid to maintaining air humidity to avoid the seed coat failing to fall off due to overly dry air, especially when the temperature is lower, when it is even more likely to occur. This stage lasts about 7-10 days.
Third stage:
Control the medium temperature at 20-25°C. If the temperature is below this range, the chance of disease increases and growth slows. Keep the medium alternating between dry and wet, but it must not wilt from lack of water. Madagascar periwinkle needs a warm and dry environment, which is beneficial to root development. Control soil pH at 5.5-5.8 and EC value less than 1. For fertilization, apply 100-150 ppm of 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 water-soluble fertilizers alternately every 5-7 days. This stage lasts about 14-21 days.
Fourth stage (7 days):
Control the medium temperature at 18-20°C. Water after the medium has appropriately dried out. Apply 100-150 ppm of 14-0-14 water-soluble fertilizer. Strengthen ventilation to prevent leggy growth. This stage lasts about 7 days.
Disease control of Madagascar periwinkle
The Madagascar periwinkle plant itself is toxic, so it is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. The main diseases during the seedling stage are damping-off, gray mold, etc. 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. The main pests are red spider mites, aphids, tea moths, etc. Long periods of rain are very unfavorable to Madagascar periwinkle and make it especially prone to disease. It must not be exposed to rain during production.
Basal rot
Symptoms: Mainly damages the base of the stem. The cortex and xylem of the root crown turn black-brown, the aboveground part wilts, and in severe cases the whole plant dies.
Disease characteristics: This disease is caused by fungi. The pathogen is Fusarium oxysporum. The pathogen overwinters in the soil, spreads through irrigation water or rainwater in spring of the second year, invades through wounds, and after onset produces conidia for secondary infection. Applying contaminated fertilizer makes the disease likely to occur, and continuous cropping or prolonged moisture retention makes the disease severe.
1. Promptly pull out diseased plants and burn them.
2. Replace with new pot soil or disinfected pot soil.
3. Avoid using soil mixed with diseased residues and incompletely decomposed farmyard manure as base fertilizer.
4. For initially diseased potted plants and field-planted diseased plants and neighboring healthy plants, control the spread of the disease by drenching with medicine plus spraying. You can use 500-1000 times potassium permanganate solution, or 300 times Shuangxiaoling aqueous solution, or 600 times 40% duosulfur suspension, or 500 times 50% carbendazim, or 1000 times 30% tu jun xiao aqueous solution, or 1000 times 45% triadimefon-carbendazim wettable powder, or 1000 times 56% Kaoshan dispersible granules, spraying and drenching continuously 4-5 times, with shorter intervals first and longer intervals later.
Black spot
Symptoms: Damages leaves and stems. Leaves initially show small black-brown spots, which soon expand into irregular large spots, reddish-brown, with the center turning gray-white and necrotic. As the spots increase and enlarge, the entire leaf turns brown and dies. The stem begins to develop disease from the base of the petiole and develops longitudinally into long strip-shaped black-brown spots.
Disease characteristics: This disease is caused by fungi. The pathogen is Alternaria. The pathogen overwinters on diseased plant residues. Seeds can transmit the pathogen, and both are primary infection sources. The disease is severe after high temperature and heavy rain. The pathogen spreads by wind and rain.
Control methods:
1. Horticultural control: Implement crop rotation, choose well-drained plots for planting, and promptly remove diseased leaves and stems.
2. Chemical control: Spray once with 600 times 65% zineb, or 600 times 70.5% mancozeb. When spraying, spray both the front and back of the leaves.
Yellowing disease
Symptoms: Leaves of affected plants turn yellow.
Pathogen: Phytoplasma. Its forms include spherical, oval, and irregular shapes. This pleomorphic organism generally has a diameter of 80-800 nm.
Control methods:
1. Pull out diseased plants.
2. Select healthy plants as propagation mother plants.
3. Control the leafhopper vector of transmission and reduce field spread. Commonly used pesticides include 800 times 50% phoxim, or 1000 times 50% dichlorvos, etc.
4. Treat diseased plants with tetracycline.
Mosaic disease
Symptoms: The whole plant is affected. Mosaic symptoms appear on the leaves. The plant grows poorly, and markings and deformities also appear on the flowers.
Pathogen: A disease caused by infection with cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). CMV also has a very wide host range and can infect 45 families and 124 species of plants. Its resistance is not as strong as TMV, and it is not tolerant of dryness. The lethal temperature is 70°C for 10 minutes, the dilution endpoint is more than ten thousand times, and the virus particles are spherical. In the field, it is mainly transmitted by aphids.
Transmission routes:
1. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) mainly overwinters on perennial perennial weeds, becoming the primary infection source for the coming year.
2. After these overwintering weeds sprout in spring, the virus is transmitted to affected plants through aphids (green peach aphids, cotton aphids, etc.). In the field, it is mainly transmitted by aphids, and contact transmission plays little role.
Control methods:
1. Eradicate weeds early and eliminate infection sources.
2. Control aphids in time and reduce transmission vectors.
Phytophthora blight
Symptoms: Leaves, stems, and flowers can all be affected. Diseased parts initially develop gray-brown oil-soaked small spots, which after expansion become irregular black-brown spots. Under humid conditions, white sparse mold layers grow on the diseased parts. In severe cases, stems bend and droop, and leaves and flowers become soft and rot.
Disease characteristics: This disease is caused by fungi. The pathogen is Phytophthora nicotianae. The pathogen overwinters in the soil with diseased residues. The suitable disease temperature is 28%, and relative humidity above 85% is favorable for spore formation. Relative humidity above 95% leads to vigorous mycelial growth. Therefore, high temperature and rainy weather with high humidity are conditions for the epidemic of this disease.
Control methods:
1. Horticultural control: Madagascar periwinkle likes a warm, sunny, and slightly dry environment, fears severe cold, and avoids water accumulation. If planting in the field, choose a plot with high, dry terrain and good drainage. It can also grow in shaded places, but watering should be strictly controlled, and the pot soil should be kept moderately dry as much as possible. When watering, avoid top watering and excessive watering. Change top watering to bottom irrigation or soaking the pot, or cover the base of the plant with grass to reduce the number of waterings. At low temperatures, pay attention to watering and do not let it become too wet.
2. Chemical control: After entering the rainy season, carry out preventive control before disease onset, and promptly spray 600 times 27% copper hydroxide suspension, or 1000 times 53.8% Kocide 2000 dry suspension, or 300-400 times 30% basic copper sulfate suspension; at the peak of disease onset, spray 600 times 72% Kelu or Keshuangqing, or cymoxanil-mancozeb wettable powder, or 500 times 70% fosetyl-aluminum-mancozeb wettable powder.
Distribution area of Madagascar periwinkle
Native to the Mediterranean coast, India, and tropical America. The history of cultivating Madagascar periwinkle in China is not long, mainly in areas south of the Yangtze River. Cultivation is relatively common in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other provinces (autonomous regions).
Various provinces and cities in China have introduced many new varieties of Madagascar periwinkle from around the world for pot cultivation and planting trough ornamentation.
Variety classification of Madagascar periwinkle
White Madagascar periwinkle
Latin scientific name: Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don cv. Albus
Flowers white, cultivated in Guangdong, Guangxi and other provinces and regions.
Yellow Madagascar Periwinkle
Latin scientific name: Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don cv. Flavus
Flowers yellow, produced in Huangliu, Hainan Province. Grows in open, barren places.
Common cultivars include:
1. Apricot Delight, plant height 25 cm, flowers pink, flower diameter 4 cm, red eye.
2. Blue Pearl, flowers blue, white eye.
3. Cooler series, among which Grape has rose-red flowers.
4. Poppermint, flowers white, red eye.
5. Icy Pink, flowers pink.
6. Raspberry Red, flowers deep red with white eye.
7. Heat Wave series is the earliest-blooming cultivar among Madagascar periwinkles, including Orchid with purple-red flowers and Grape with light purple-blue flowers.
8. Parasol, plant height 40 cm, flower diameter 5.5 cm, the largest flower among Madagascar periwinkles.
9. Passion, flowers deep purple, yellow eye, flower diameter 5 cm.
10. Pacificas, large flowers, flower diameter 5 cm, strong branching, only 60 days from sowing to flowering.
The newest cultivars include:
1. Balcony Lavender, flowers light purple
2. Cherry Kiss, flowers red
3. Caribbean Lavender, flowers light purple
The role and uses of Madagascar periwinkle: ornamental value
Madagascar periwinkle is suitable for potted plants, flower beds and rock garden display, especially suitable for large flower troughs. Whether white flowers with red centers or purple flowers with white, the decorative effect of flower troughs is excellent. In tropical regions, Madagascar periwinkle is used as a ground cover plant under forest, planted in large patches; when in bloom, a stretch of snow-white, blue-purple or deep red has its own unique style. Madagascar periwinkle is suitable for rotation with pot marigold; in summer and autumn Madagascar periwinkle produces delicate and beautiful pink flowers, and in spring pot marigold produces bright and dazzling yellow flowers. Tall-stemmed cultivars can also be used as cut flowers for display.
The dietary therapy or medicinal value of Madagascar periwinkle
The medical information and health dietary therapy information on Huahua Network is for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. For any health problem, consult professional medical personnel; for the treatment of any disease, please follow doctor's orders.
Ultimate flower-protecting mission: to love yourself, start from reality and strictly follow doctor's orders. Regarding illness, do not be careless, do not delay, do not give up hope, face it bravely, warm the silent world with love, and care for the flower field in your heart with your heart.
Medicinal value
Functions and indications
Cools the blood and lowers blood pressure, calms and soothes the nerves. Used for hypertension, fire and scald burns, malignant lymphoma, choriocarcinoma, and monocytic leukemia.
① Guangzhou Military Region "Handbook of Common Chinese Herbal Medicines": "Calms and soothes the nerves, calms the liver and lowers blood pressure. Treats hypertension."
② "Color Atlas of Common Chinese Herbal Medicines": "Treats Hodgkin's disease and malignant tumors."
③ "Guangxi Medicinal Plant Directory": "Treats leukemia, lung cancer, choriocarcinoma, and lymphatic tumors."
Usage and dosage
Internal use: decocted in water, 10-25 g; or extract made into injection.
Single prescriptions and proven recipes
1. Treating hypertension: (1) Madagascar periwinkle 12 g, Siegesbeckia herb (Xixiancao) 10 g, cassia seed 6 g, chrysanthemum 10 g, once daily, decocted in water. (2) Madagascar periwinkle, Prunella vulgaris, and Glehnia root 15 g each, decocted in water.
2. Treating burns: Madagascar periwinkle 6-15 g, decocted in water; fresh product pounded and applied externally to the affected area.
3. Treating Hodgkin's disease and leukemia: Madagascar periwinkle 30 g, Malva verticillata seeds, Camptotheca bark, and Isatis root 45 g each, decocted in water and mixed with 0.5 g indigo naturalis for oral administration.
4. Treating burns and scalds: Madagascar periwinkle 30 g, Ilex pubescens root bark 60 g, decocted in water; the decoction mixed with egg white, stirred well, applied externally to the affected area, reapplied when dry.
5. Treating mumps: Madagascar periwinkle 15 g, decocted in water and taken in 2 divided doses; part of the decoction mixed with 2 g indigo naturalis and applied to the affected area, reapplied when dry.
6. Treating leukemia: Madagascar periwinkle 6-15 g, decocted in water.
7. Treating lung cancer: Madagascar periwinkle 6-15 g, decocted in water.
The usual internal dosage of this product is 10-15 g of the whole herb. External use in appropriate amount.
Adverse reactions and treatment
After application of vinblastine, there is mostly varying degrees of leukocyte decrease, with some cases showing significant decrease, returning to normal only 1-2 weeks after discontinuation. Therefore, the white blood cell count should be checked before each injection; if below 4000, injection should not be given even if the interval has reached 1 week, and injection may only be given after recovery to above 4000. The effect on red blood cells and platelets is relatively small. A small number of patients may experience mild decrease in appetite and other gastrointestinal reactions (nausea, vomiting, constipation, etc.) after medication; some patients develop nervous system symptoms such as insomnia, dizziness, temporary mental depression, paresthesia, and loss of deep tendon reflexes. In addition, there are oral mucositis, urinary retention, sinus tachycardia, etc.; in animals it has obvious inhibitory effects on bone marrow and lymphoid tissue, spermatogenesis disorder, intestinal mucosal edema, intestinal epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis; large amounts used long-term can cause liver cell atrophy.
It has a certain irritating effect on veins, and temporary pain may occur at the injection site; if it leaks into the subcutaneous tissue, it can cause local necrosis. The clinical toxicity of vincristine is mainly manifested in the nervous system: paresthesia (numbness and tingling of the limbs), loss of deep tendon reflexes, general weakness, movement disorders, hoarseness, ptosis, diplopia; in addition, there are constipation, muscle pain, and abdominal pain (colicky type). About 20% of patients show hair loss; general side effects do not affect treatment, but individual cases develop more serious side effects and require temporary discontinuation. Peripheral nerve damage mostly appears after 6-10 weeks, and recovery after discontinuation is very slow. Injection can cause fever, which generally drops to normal within 3 days. This agent also has a certain inhibitory effect on the hematopoietic system; at 2-4 weeks of medication, hemoglobin, platelets and white blood cell counts drop to their lowest, then rise as the condition improves, but compared with other anticancer drugs the inhibitory effect is relatively small. It is also irritating to veins, so care must be taken not to let it leak into the subcutaneous tissue during intravenous injection.
Cultural background and related research of Madagascar periwinkle
In November 2012, Dr. Tang Kexuan, Distinguished Professor of the Ministry of Education's "Changjiang Scholars" Program at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Shanghai leading talent, led a team that spent 8 years solving the problem that had troubled the world for decades, the difficulty of achieving genetic transformation and plant regeneration in Madagascar periwinkle, greatly increasing the content of anticancer substances in Madagascar periwinkle. Within 3-5 years, the price of the anticancer drug vinorelbine injection is expected to drop from 220 yuan per vial to less than 100 yuan.
Through metabolic technology, Tang Kexuan's team overexpressed the transcriptional regulatory factors and key enzymes in the biosynthesis pathway of Madagascar periwinkle alkaloids, greatly increasing the content of substances that can treat cancer in Madagascar periwinkle.
The flower language of Madagascar periwinkle
The flower language of Madagascar periwinkle is: pleasant memories
Madagascar periwinkle pictures
How to grow Madagascar periwinkle, cultivation methods and precautions for Madagascar periwinkle/Four Seasons Spring/Daily New/Yantouhong
Madagascar periwinkle scientific name: Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, also known as Madagascar periwinkle, Four Seasons Spring, Daily New, Yantouhong, and Sanwanhua. Taiwan, China has bred multiple cultivars, with the trend of breeding toward larger flowers. In terms of Chinese herbal medicine use, the whole herb can be used as medicine to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, promote 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 requires careful attention. After accidental ingestion, it can cause symptoms such as decreased white blood cells, decreased platelets, muscle weakness, and limb paralysis. The alkaloids contained in its milky sap, such as vinblastine and vincristine, have been extracted and used as chemotherapy drugs for various cancers such as leukemia and Hodgkin's disease.
Growth habits of Madagascar periwinkle
It likes high temperature and high humidity, tolerates partial shade, and is not tolerant of severe cold. The most suitable temperature is 20°C-33°C. It likes sunlight, avoids wetness and fears waterlogging. It can be cultivated in general soil, but saline-alkali soil is not suitable. Sandy or humus-rich soil with good drainage and ventilation is best. The flowering and fruiting periods are almost year-round.
Cultivation management of Madagascar periwinkle
Transplanting/potting
For those raised in plug trays, they should be transplanted and potted when they grow to 2-3 pairs of true leaves. Use 12 cm diameter nutrient pots, potted in place in one step, without another repotting. If sowing and raising seedlings in open seedling trays, it is best to transplant once into 72- or 128-cell trays at 1-2 pairs of true leaves, and then transplant into pots.
Light regulation
Madagascar periwinkle is a sun-loving plant, and both growth and flowering require sufficient sunlight. Sufficient light also helps prevent leggy growth. In winter, insufficient sunlight and lower temperatures are not conducive to growth.
Temperature control
Madagascar periwinkle is relatively sensitive to low temperatures, so temperature control is very important. In the Yangtze River basin, protected cultivation must be used in winter; growth stops below 15°C, and frost damage occurs below 5°C. Because Madagascar periwinkle is relatively tolerant of high temperatures, it is often used in summer and during high-temperature seasons such as National Day in the Yangtze River basin and South China.
Water and fertilizer management
Madagascar periwinkle plants are prone to rot after rain, so areas with a lot of rainfall need greenhouse cultivation, and the medium must have good drainage. For those grown entirely under artificial cultivation, water-soluble fertilizers 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 should be used, applied alternately once every 7-10 days at a concentration of 200-250 ppm. When winter temperatures are relatively low, reduce the use of 20-10-20 fertilizer. If ordinary soil is used as the medium, compound fertilizer can be mixed in an appropriate amount as base fertilizer before potting the medium. When fertility is insufficient, apply water-soluble fertilizer as a top dressing.
Bonsai management of Madagascar periwinkle
In addition to normal fertilizer and water management, the key points for Madagascar periwinkle are pinching and prevention and control of stem and leaf rot during the rainy season. The purpose of pinching is to promote branching and control the flowering period. Generally, pinching begins at 4-6 true leaves (8-10 cm); when new shoots grow 4-6 leaves (15-20 days after the first pinching), carry out the second pinching. It is best not to pinch more than 3 times (more than 3 pinchings will affect flower quality). The last pinching of Madagascar periwinkle directly affects the flowering period. Generally, the last pinching in autumn (for National Day flowers) is 25 days before the initial flowering period, and the last pinching in summer is 3-5 days earlier than in autumn.
Madagascar periwinkle can be left unpinched, but to obtain a good plant shape, it needs to be pinched once or twice. The first time is at 3-4 pairs of true leaves; the second time, leave 1-2 pairs of true leaves on new branches. Madagascar periwinkle is a perennial herbaceous plant, so if finished products cannot be sold, they can be pruned again, and when customers need them, plants of ideal height and shape can be grown again. During cultivation, regulators can generally be used, but paclobutrazol must not be applied.
Pest and disease control of Madagascar periwinkle
The Madagascar periwinkle plant itself is toxic, so it is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. Seedling-stage diseases mainly include: seedling damping-off, gray mold, etc. In addition, fertilizer damage and pesticide damage at the seedling stage should be prevented. If they occur, immediately water thoroughly with clean water, strengthen ventilation, and reduce the damage. Pests mainly include: red spider mites, aphids, tea moths, etc. Prolonged rain is very unfavorable to Madagascar periwinkle and makes it especially prone to disease. It must not be exposed to rain during production.
Basal rot
Symptoms: Mainly harms the stem base; the cortex and xylem of the root crown turn black-brown, the aboveground part wilts, and in severe cases the whole plant dies.
Disease characteristics: This disease is caused by fungi. The pathogen is Fusarium oxysporum. The pathogen overwinters in the soil, spreads in spring of the following year through irrigation water or rainwater, invades through wounds, and after onset produces conidia for secondary infection. Applying contaminated fertilizer easily causes the disease; continuous cropping or retained moisture leads to severe disease.
Control methods:
1. Promptly pull out diseased plants and burn them.
2. Replace with new potting soil or disinfected potting soil.
3. Avoid applying diseased residues and incompletely decomposed soil-manure fertilizer as base fertilizer.
4. For initially affected potted diseased plants and field-planted diseased plants and their adjacent healthy plants, control disease spread by drenching with medicine plus spraying. Use potassium permanganate 500-1000 times solution, or Shuangxiaoling aqueous agent 300 times solution, or 40% sulfur-multiplier suspension 600 times solution, or 50% carbendazim 500 times solution, or 30% hymexazol aqueous agent 1000 times solution, or 45% triadimefon-carbendazim wettable powder 1000 times solution, or 56% Kaoshan dispersible granules 1000 times solution, continuously spray 4-5 times, with shorter intervals first and longer intervals later.
Black spot disease
Symptoms: Harms leaves and stems. Leaves initially show small black-brown spots, which soon expand into irregular large spots, red-brown, with the center turning gray-white and necrotic. As the spots increase and enlarge, the entire leaf turns brown and dies. Stems begin to develop disease from the base of the petiole, developing longitudinally into long strip-shaped black-brown spots.
Disease characteristics: This disease is caused by fungi. The pathogen is Alternaria. The pathogen overwinters on diseased plant residues; seeds can spread the pathogen, and both are primary infection sources. The disease is severe after high temperature and heavy rain. The pathogen spreads by wind and rain.
Control methods:
1. Horticultural control: implement crop rotation, choose plots with good drainage for planting, and promptly remove diseased leaves and stems.
2. Chemical control: spray once with 65% zineb 600 times solution, or 70.5% mancozeb 600 times solution; when spraying, spray both the front and back of the leaves.
Yellowing disease
Symptoms: Leaves of affected plants turn yellow.
Pathogen: Phytoplasma. Its forms include spherical, elliptical, and irregular shapes, etc. This pleomorphic body generally has a diameter of 80-800 nm.
Control methods:
1. Pull out diseased plants.
2. Select healthy plants as propagation mother plants.
3. Control the leafhopper vector to reduce field spread. Commonly used agents include 50% phoxim 800 times solution, or 50% dichlorvos 1000 times solution, etc.
4. Treat diseased plants with tetracycline.
Mosaic disease
Symptoms: The whole plant is affected. Mosaic symptoms appear on leaves. Plants grow poorly, and patterns and deformities also appear on flowers.
Pathogen: A disease caused by infection with cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). CMV also has a very wide host range and can infect 45 families and 124 species of plants. Its resistance is not as strong as TMV, and it is not tolerant of dryness. The lethal temperature is 70°C for 10 minutes, the dilution endpoint is more than ten thousand times, and the virus particles are spherical. In the field it is mainly spread by aphids.
Transmission routes:
1. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) mainly overwinters on perennial perennial-root weeds, becoming the primary infection source for the next year.
2. After these overwintering weeds sprout in spring, the virus is transmitted to affected plants through aphids (green peach aphid, cotton aphid, etc.). In the field it is mainly transmitted by aphids; contact transmission plays little role.
Control methods:
1. Eradicate weeds early and eliminate infection sources.
2. Control aphids promptly and reduce transmission vectors.
Phytophthora blight
Symptoms: Leaves, stems, and flowers can all be affected. Diseased parts initially develop gray-brown oil-soaked small spots, which after expansion become irregular black-brown spots. Under humid conditions, sparse white mold layers grow on the diseased parts; in severe cases, stems bend and droop, and leaves and flowers become soft-rotted.
Disease characteristics: This disease is caused by fungi. The pathogen is Phytophthora nicotianae. The pathogen overwinters in the soil with diseased residues. The suitable disease temperature is 28%, relative humidity above 85% favors spore formation, and relative humidity above 95% leads to vigorous mycelial growth. Therefore, high temperature and rainy weather with high humidity are conditions for the epidemic of this disease.
Control methods:
1. Horticultural control: Madagascar periwinkle likes a warm, sunny, and slightly dry environment, fears severe cold, and avoids waterlogging. If planted in the ground, choose a plot with high, dry terrain and good drainage. It can also grow in shady places, but watering should be strictly controlled, and the potting soil should be kept moderately dry as much as possible. When watering, avoid overhead watering and excessive watering. Change overhead watering to bottom irrigation or soak-watering by sitting the pot in water; grass can also be placed over the plant base to reduce the number of waterings. At low temperatures, pay attention to watering and do not let it become too wet.
2. Chemical control: After entering the rainy season, carry out preventive control before disease onset, and promptly spray 27% copper hydroxide suspension 600 times solution, or 53.8% Kocide 2000 dry suspension 1000 times solution, or 30% basic copper sulfate suspension 300-400 times solution; at the peak of disease, spray 72% Kelu or Keshuangqing, or cymoxanil-mancozeb wettable powder 600 times solution, or 70% fosetyl-aluminum-mancozeb wettable powder 500 times solution.