How to grow Madagascar periwinkle? Detailed guide to cultivation methods and precautions

  Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is a flowering plant we see often, visible in roadside flower beds and other places, with very vivid flowers forming a lively red mass. In fact, Madagascar periwinkle is very suitable for growing in pots to decorate the home. Below, let's look at the cultivation methods and precautions for Madagascar periwinkle:

  1. Soil:

  Fertile, well-drained soil is ideal. It tolerates poor soil, but must absolutely not be alkaline. In compacted, poorly aerated clay soil, plants grow poorly, leaves turn yellow, and no flowers form.

  2. Sunlight:

  Madagascar periwinkle is a light-loving plant. During the growing period it must have sufficient sunlight, so the leaves are deep green and glossy and the flowers are brightly colored. If grown in shade for a long time, the leaves turn yellow and drop.

  3. Temperature:

  It prefers a warm, slightly dry environment with plenty of sunlight. The suitable growing temperature is 18-24°C from March to July, and 13-18°C from September to March of the following year, with winter temperatures not lower than 10°C. When the temperature is above 5°C, Madagascar periwinkle is in a dormant state, and the potting soil should be kept dry rather than parched. In the second spring, prune the old plant and repot it, pay attention to water and fertilizer management, and it will send out new branches and bloom again.

  4. Watering:

  Madagascar periwinkle dislikes wetness 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 prone to frost damage. For open-ground cultivation, during midsummer rain showers, pay attention to timely drainage to avoid waterlogging that causes the whole patch to die.

  5. Fertilizing:

  When fertilizing, a compound fertilizer and a liquid fertilizer can be applied alternately every ten days. A layer of base fertilizer should also be spread at the bottom of the pot for Madagascar periwinkle as much as possible, to ensure the nutrient content of the potting soil.

  6. Pruning:

  Madagascar periwinkle is an herbaceous plant and is quite suitable for potting, but be careful not to let the plant grow too tall, which would affect indoor decoration and ornamental value. Therefore, after the plant is established in the pot, pinch it back several times to promote more branching and more flowers, and after flowering, cut off the spent flowers. For pruning and transplanting, at the initial stage after potting, pinch the top 2-3 times to suppress plant height and encourage more branching, forming a full plant shape.

  If the plant after flowering is relatively tall and large and unsuitable for home display, it can be heavily pruned to reduce its height; ensure sufficient light and a supply of water and fertilizer, and it will sprout new branches and bloom again.

  7. Pests and diseases:

  The Madagascar periwinkle plant itself is toxic, so it is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. The main diseases at the seedling stage include: damping-off at the seedling stage, gray mold, etc. In addition, prevent fertilizer burn and pesticide burn at the seedling stage. If these occur, immediately water thoroughly with clean water, strengthen ventilation, and reduce the damage.

  Four-season care tips:

  1. Sow in early April in spring. For the potting soil, it is best to use loose, fertile loam. When the seedlings grow to 8-10 cm, transplant them into pots. When transplanting, keep the original soil around the roots. After transplanting and establishment, place them in a spot with light for cultivation. Pinch the top 2-3 times. After each of the first 2 pinchings, apply a thin fertilizer once. Do not apply too much fertilizer; too much easily causes excessive growth and lodging. After the side branches from the last pinching grow out, slightly control water so the potting soil is on the dry side, and stop fertilizing to suppress its growth height. After buds appear, keep the potting soil moist again and apply a thin fertilizer once to favor flowering.

  2. In summer, Madagascar periwinkle likes high temperatures and tolerates strong sun, so in summer it should be placed in a spot with light for cultivation. Summer is the peak season for Madagascar periwinkle growth and flowering, so pay attention to watering and keep the soil moist; generally water once in the morning and once in the evening. Apply thin fertilizer frequently.

  3. In autumn, management in early autumn is the same as in summer. Madagascar periwinkle is not tolerant of low temperatures. After the autumn temperature turns cool, Madagascar periwinkle blooms less, so ensure sufficient light and stop fertilizing. As the temperature drops, the growth vigor of Madagascar periwinkle gradually weakens, so reduce the amount of watering and just keep the potting soil moist. Before the temperature drops in late autumn, promptly move it into a closed balcony with light, which can prolong the flowering period. If the temperature on the balcony is not high in winter, it can be discarded after Madagascar periwinkle stops flowering.

  4. In winter, if the light and temperature conditions on the balcony are fairly good (minimum temperature above 15°C), Madagascar periwinkle can continue to grow and bloom. The potting soil should not be too wet; moist is better. Do not fertilize, otherwise it easily causes rot.

  Precautions:

  When potting Madagascar periwinkle, use loose soil rich in humus, and pot the seedlings when they have grown 6-7 true leaves. When the seedlings are 7-8 cm tall, pinch the top once, and it can be pinched back twice more afterward, to promote more branching and more flowering. Usually, Madagascar periwinkle should not be watered too much; too wet affects growth and development. During the growing period of Madagascar periwinkle, apply some nitrogen fertilizer, and at the bud stage, increase the application of some phosphorus fertilizer. After flowering, cut off the spent flowers.

  Madagascar periwinkle dislikes wetness 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 prone to frost damage. For open-ground cultivation, during midsummer rain showers, pay attention to timely drainage to avoid waterlogging that causes the whole patch to die.