All You Should Know About Growing Vinca Seeds
Growing Vinca Seeds
Vinca Seeds |
Vinca flowering plant is also known as rose periwinkle and more other names in different places. It is an annual plant that is so versatile and is a must-have in everyone’s flower collection. Its flower structure includes green foliage and blooming petals of various shades of pink, white, rose, red, salmon, and purple. As charming as it looks, this plant is a little trickier to grow from the seed. Although, you can collect the vinca seeds from a matured plant or can easily buy them online.
Which is the right time to plant vinca seeds?
Vinca seeds should be planted indoors for three to
four months prior to the last frost of the season. They are annual plants, but
vinca seeds need warmth and moisture to grow. Cover the seeds slightly with
soil in the seed tray and cover them with a wet newspaper. The germination of vinca seeds
requires complete darkness and a temperature of about 27 degrees Celcius. Check
the seed tray daily for enough moisture.
You can remove the newspaper once the seedlings
start to emerge. It can take anywhere between 14 to 21 days or more. Once the
seedlings start to grow, move them into bright sunlight for a few hours a day
with room temperature up to 24 degrees Celcius.
How to plant vinca seedlings into a bigger pot?
As the seedlings start to grow, keep increasing
their time of exposure to sunlight. Seedlings do not need fertilizers. You need
to feed them only when the seedlings are 3-4 weeks old using a starter
solution.
Once the seedlings have shown at least two pairs of
true leaves, you can start preparing to transfer them. You need to follow all
instructions very carefully to avoid giving transplant shock to the plant.
Choose at least a 3-4 inch deep pot for transplantation. At the initial stages
of transplant, you will need to protect the plant from extreme winds or hot
sun.
Use a rich, moist, organic, well-drained growth
medium and a pot with sufficient drainage holes. Now, gently loosen the root
ball using your hands and fingers without breaking the roots. It will encourage
good root growth. Now fill the pot with the soil and press firmly with your
fingers without exerting too much pressure. Last but not the least, water the
plant thoroughly.
Final words
Vinca looks very charming and blooms throughout the
year except for extreme frost. Keep your plants clear of the growing weeds.
They take the water and necessary nutrients from the soil, that your plant
needs to grow. Mulches are a good option for your plant to help retain moisture
and the soil temperature. Don’t forget to remove the spent flower head to
facilitate flowering till the fall.
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