Catharanthus is a representative of evergreen perennial plants belonging to the Kutrov family. It is actively cultivated in decorative floriculture and landscaping. Externally, the perennial varieties resemble periwinkle creeping along the ground, and their flowers also resemble garden phlox. Abundantly blooming ornamental culture can be seen not only in flower beds and front gardens, it decorates the balconies and window sills of many apartments. It is not difficult to grow catharanthus from seeds at home; the main thing is to follow the recommendations of expert flower growers.

The name catharanthus covers about a dozen plant species growing in tropical climate zones. They are found in Madagascar, India, Indonesia. Today, based on the perennial shrub Catharanthus roseus, breeders have developed interspecific, abundantly flowering hybrids, which are planted by amateur gardeners in the open ground, in winter gardens, greenhouses and ordinary apartments. These are bush and hanging varieties, the flowers of which differ in different colors from white, bright pink to various shades of lilac, purple and burgundy. Catharanthus flowers are five-petaled and have a flat corolla. They reach 3–5 centimeters in diameter. The leaves are dark green, lanceolate: in the shape of an oblong plate, pointed at the top and base, shiny, glossy.

The fruits of the plant in the apartment are set even without artificial pollination and are horns containing about ten oblong-shaped seeds. When growing a catharanthus flower at home, the seeds of the tropical plant ripen well and can be used for propagation.

Catharanthus is a poisonous plant because it contains alkaloid substances. Therefore, it is included in the list of medicinal crops and is used in medical practice.

Plant care

Catharanthus is one of the low-maintenance indoor plants. However, in order for it to grow well, develop and bloom luxuriantly, it needs to create favorable conditions and care:

• proper level of illumination;
• temperature and humidity conditions, which are ensured by regular watering and spraying;
• pruning in spring;
• annual transplant;
• fertilizing

What you need to know about lighting

The plant requires bright but diffused light. When there is insufficient lighting, the stems of the plant become very elongated and the flowers become small. On windows facing south, it is advisable to shade young bushes to prevent possible burns on the leaves from direct sunlight. It is better to place pots with catharanthus on window sills located in the western and eastern parts of the apartment.

Temperature requirements

Since the plant comes from the tropics, it is heat-loving, and it needs to create a certain microclimate. During the period of growth and flowering, the temperature should be 20–25 degrees, in winter – 18. Abundant watering and systematic spraying (using warm water in winter) will provide the indoor catharanthus with the required level of soil and air humidity. If the soil dries out, this can cause problems for the plant. For example, when there is a lack of moisture on some plant varieties, the leaves curl. But as soon as the flower is watered abundantly, it comes to life again. But there is no need to allow flooding. In the winter and early spring months, watering is limited to avoid waterlogging.

Information about pruning and replanting

An important element of caring for catharanthus when growing in an apartment is pruning the bush. This procedure rejuvenates the plant, and it blooms more luxuriantly and bushes better. The shoots are pruned in the spring, shortening the branches by about a third, since the bush becomes very elongated during the winter. If you want to give the crown the correct beautiful shape, you can carry out decorative pruning in the summer, but only as an exception. It is advisable to use cut stems for propagating catharanthus by cuttings.

Annual replanting is another condition for the healthy state of the plant, which will delight you with the beauty of flowering, since catharanthus is a fast-growing crop. Spring is the most favorable period for replanting it. It is necessary to lay a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot, for which fine expanded clay would be an excellent option. The nutrient substrate is prepared from the following components: peat, leaf humus, sand, turf soil, which are taken in equal proportions.

Be carefull! When pruning and replanting a plant, wear gloves and be extremely careful and careful, because all parts of the bush are poisonous.

One of the conditions for the abundant flowering of indoor catharanthus is regular feeding. Depleted soil is not able to provide ornamental crops with all the necessary substances, so they feed it at least twice a month. For this purpose, complex types of fertilizers intended for flowering plants are used.

How to grow catharanthus from seeds

If the fruits of the plant are ripe, then why not sow them? Growing catharanthus from seeds is not difficult even for novice gardeners. To do this, you need loose nutritious soil, cups or other small containers. The optimal sowing period is early spring. Planting material is immersed in the ground to a depth of one to two centimeters. In order for the seeds to germinate, they need to be provided with a temperature in the range of 22–24 degrees Celsius and placed in a dark place. After germination, it is recommended to reduce the temperature to 18 degrees. This approach is needed so that the sprouts do not stretch out, lacking light. You can feed the seedlings no earlier than after three weeks. Plants dive when at least four leaves appear on them. Strong, viable bushes grow from the seeds.

An alternative way to propagate catharanthus is by cuttings. When pruning a plant, select the apical part, remove the leaves, leaving only the crown leaves. The cuttings can be placed in water; after three to four weeks they take root. Beforehand, the cuttings are left in water for a day, to which a biostimulator, for example, epin, is added. This will speed up the process of formation of the root system and activate the protective functions of the plant. The rooted cuttings are planted in a light and nutritious soil mixture.

Propagation by cuttings is good because the gardener will get exactly the color of the plant that he has chosen, which is not always the case when growing catharanthus from seeds. Sometimes, by sowing seeds collected independently, the gardener will find bushes with flowers of a different shade. But this also has its own charm.

Why doesn't catharanthus bloom?

One of the reasons why catharanthus does not bloom may be a lack of space in the pot or depleted soil. Replanting and regular feeding will correct the situation. In the wild, the flower slows down its growth during the rainy season due to excess moisture in the soil. At home, you need to ensure that watering is regular, the soil should not dry out, but flooding the bush also does not create a comfortable living environment, although the plant is moisture-loving. Lack of light can also cause the absence of flowers, since lush flowering of catharanthus is possible only in bright light; this is a southern plant, accustomed to an abundance of sun.

The catharanthus flower is a perennial flower; it is very convenient because there is no need to purchase seeds for planting every year. But just like many other perennials, this flower has its own specific care rules.

When growing in the wild, catharanthus can reach a height of one and a half meters. If you grow a flower in a room, then it will have to be trimmed periodically, since its stems will become bare as it ages. But at the same time, a flower growing at home will delight you with its bloom all year round. The leaves of the catharanthus are shiny and dark green in color. Its flowers can have more than one color. These are, for example, colors such as:

• white;
• light lilac;
• pink.

The diameter of the flower is 3 cm, in the middle there is a yellow or crimson eye.

Catharanthus ampelous: growing from seeds

There is such a form of this plant as ampelous catharanthus. Growing this species from seeds is no different from any other species, but it still has its own specific characteristics. Ampelous forms have a high stem. The ampelous catharanthus must be planted in a pot and suspended at a height.

Care

Anyone can grow catharanthus if they adhere to simple propagation, planting and proper care technologies.

This flower doesn't like salty soil. To prepare the mixture for growing it yourself, you will need to take equal proportions of humus, peat, sand and turf, and mix it all. You also need to take into account the fact that the roots of the plant will grow very rapidly, so you need to choose a container with a large volume of soil.

Exists several methods of reproduction catharanthus:

• Growing from seeds at home. Currently, there is a very large selection of seeds of this plant on the market. They look large and have an almost black color, or more precisely, dark brown. They need to be planted in early spring. Place the seed 1-2 cm deep in a container with soil and cover it with film. Next, the container is placed in a dark place for a period of 7 to 10 days, the seed should germinate during this time.
• Cuttings. In this case, the material for planting is cut from the top of the mother catharanthus, best in the spring. With warm weather and proper watering, the shoots take root very quickly and produce roots.
• Dividing the bush. It is carried out in the spring; already mature bushes can be easily divided. Small separated bushes grow quickly and take to their new planting location very well. Delenki can then be grown both outdoors and at home.

If you decide to grow it at home, then you need to put it in a bright place. It's better for him when there is more light. Otherwise, the stems will become thin, elongated, and the number of flowers on it will decrease and they will become smaller. The most optimal place for their location is the western and eastern windows. It is also necessary to remember the temperature in the room, it should not be lower than 5-8 degrees, and the best for growing is 15-30 degrees. Particular care must be taken to ensure that direct sunlight does not fall on the flower, because it can burn its leaves.

Catharanthus should be watered abundantly. It is impossible to allow the soil to dry out, but at the same time there should not be stagnation of water in the soil, this all leads to the death of the plant. The flower also likes regular spraying.

This plant requires fertilize the soil every 10 days. At the moment of the first flowering it is necessary to start fertilizing. Catharanthus grows very rapidly, so it often becomes necessary to transplant it into a larger flower pot.

The plant is heavily pruned. In the spring, you can leave only a small cutting about 15 centimeters high. The ampelous species is not subject to this pruning; only those branches that will spoil the appearance require removal. It is worth knowing that when pruning you must use special tools and gloves for this, since the flower is poisonous.

Pests and diseases

This plant is resistant to pests and diseases. Eat possibility of developing fungal diseases with abundant watering. In this case, brown spots begin to appear on the leaves.

And if the flower does not have enough moisture in the air, then it may be attacked by spider mites and scale insects, and if the plant sprouts outdoors, then by aphids. It will be necessary to carry out pest control operations.

Another disease is leaf rust. It appears in the form of ulcers on the underside of the leaf and disfigures it.

Atypical diseases can also appear if you do not follow the rules of care. Such diseases include elongated stems, yellowing and curling leaves, and dark spots on the leaves. Stems stretch out when there is a lack of light. The leaves will curl and turn yellow if the flower lacks moisture. And dark spots on the leaves will appear with poor soil, insufficient lighting and poor feeding.

In order to get rid of possible diseases, catharanthus seeds are soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate, prepared at the rate of 2 grams per liter of water. And so that the seeds are completely saturated with water, they are wrapped in gauze, folded in two or three layers. In 40 minutes, the seeds will be completely saturated, then they will need to be removed from the solution and dried for 1-2 hours, but under no circumstances in direct sunlight, as the seeds may burn.

The ampelous type of catharanthus should be immediately planted in the container in which it will constantly grow, since he doesn't like transplants. Therefore, you should immediately think about whether the chosen pot will suit him after 2-3 years. And since the plant’s similarity is high, 2-3 seeds are enough for one flower pot.

Catharanthus will need to be sown at the end of March. As for the rest of the care, the ampel type means everything the same as the regular look.

As a result, we can say that catharanthus will not bring you much trouble in caring for yourself. It has taken root well in our climate due to its unpretentiousness.

Catharanthus is a tropical perennial shrub, better known to Russian gardeners as pink periwinkle or cayenne jasmine. A representative of the genus of evergreen plants from the Kutrov family. Its name translated from Greek means “pure, clear flower.” It is not possible to accurately determine its homeland, since in the wild it is found in the forests of Indonesia, Cuba, China, India, and the Philippines. Most scientists agree that catharanthus came to us from the island of Madagascar, where there are 7 of its species. In wild subtropical forests, the catharanthus bush grows up to 1.5 meters in height. In our climate, the maximum growth of this shrub is 60 cm.

Catharanthus has erect stems that branch at the tops. The leaves are oblong, dark green with a white longitudinal vein. The leaf length is about 7 cm. During the flowering period, the bush is covered with wheel-shaped flowers. Catharanthus blooms 60-70 days after germination. Flowering lasts until cold weather sets in. After flowering, a double-leafed fruit with elongated seeds is formed.

IMPORTANT. Parts of catharanthus contain alkaloids, so you should work with it with gloves to avoid allergies or poisoning.

Popular varieties of catharanthus and their photographs

As a result of interspecific hybridization, breeders have created decorative series of catharanthus varieties. The most popular are the following variety series:

• Albus is a variety with snow-white flowers.
• Ocellatus – in the center of a white flower there is a red eye.
• Cooler - the series is distinguished by a variety of flower shades from pink to bright red.
• Parasol is a low-growing variety (up to 40 cm). It is distinguished by large white flowers with a dark red eye.

Rules for growing catharanthus in open ground

To plant catharanthus, you need to choose a place that is as lit and warm as possible.

In temperate climates, catharanthus is considered a houseplant, but recently it can be found more and more often in garden plots. The plant is quite unpretentious, and if you follow some rules of caring for it, you can get a fairly ornamental plant to decorate the landscape.

Where to grow a flower

The place for the shrub should be chosen as bright and warm as possible, but it should not be exposed to direct sunlight for a long time. It is important to choose an area protected from the winds.

IMPORTANT. Do not plant catharanthus in places where moisture stagnates; in such conditions it will die.

The shrub prefers light and nutritious soil. The ideal composition would be sand, peat, humus and earth in equal parts.

ATTENTION. If the site has acidic soil, be sure to lime it or add wood ash.

Time for sowing and planting catharanthus in the ground

Catharanthus is grown by seedlings. Sowing of seedlings is carried out in February. Seeds are sown in shallow boxes to a depth of 1-2 cm. The containers are covered with glass and placed in a warm place, at least 25 degrees. Seedlings appear in 2-3 weeks. At this time they need to be placed in a cooler place. If there is insufficient lighting, seedlings need to be illuminated with phytolamps. In the phase of 3 leaves, the sprouts dive into separate containers.

Seedlings need to be hardened by walking on the balcony when it gets warm. To form compact, lush bushes, ten-centimeter sprouts are pinched.

Planting in open ground is carried out in late spring, after the onset of real warmth. The air temperature for disembarkation must be at least 20 degrees Celsius.

Correct fit

Before planting catharanthus, dig up the planting site well.

Before planting, the flowerbed should be dug well. It is advisable to add a little expanded clay or fine gravel to it. To plant, dig a hole and lay a layer of drainage on its bottom. A little soil is poured over the drainage layer.

Caring for the catharanthus plant after planting

Catharanthus care consists of watering, fertilizing, and pruning. In the initial period after planting, you also need to remove weeds around the bush. As the bush grows, it will be able to fight them on its own.

Required watering and air humidity

The plant should be watered regularly, avoiding drying out the soil. If you notice that the leaves have begun to curl, it means that the plant does not have enough moisture. In this case, excess moisture in the soil is contraindicated for the plant. At the same time, it is very important to maintain a high level of humidity in the air. During dry periods, catharanthus should be sprayed daily, and on especially hot days in the morning and evening.

Cold weather and rain are contraindicated for catharanthus. If cold, rainy weather sets in after planting, the plant takes on a depressed appearance: the stems droop and the flowers begin to fall off. Help him by installing a rain shelter over him in the form of an awning.

Rules for feeding plants

It is good to feed catharanthus with ash solution

In spring, catharanthus needs plenty of nutrition. It should be fertilized with universal mixtures for ornamental flowering plants. Fertilizing is carried out throughout the growing season every 2 weeks. The solution with fertilizer is poured under the root of the bush after watering.

Fertilizing with a solution of ash (100 g per 10 liters) has a beneficial effect on the plant. For foliar feeding, the drug Epin-Extra is suitable. The bush is sprayed with it instead of one of the root dressings once a month. With the beginning of autumn, feeding is stopped.

IMPORTANT. Do not exceed the dose of minerals in the fertilizing solution, as this may cause root burns.

Shrub pruning

The shrub does not need formative pruning in the summer, since varietal catharanthus independently form a compact, lush bush. At the same time, you need to regularly trim yellowed, broken shoots. This sanitary pruning stimulates the growth of new stems, and the plant quickly regains its shape.

In the spring, when replanting a plant that has overwintered in an apartment, the tips of the shoots are cut off in order to stimulate growth for the formation of additional stems. This way you get a beautiful plant shape that it will maintain all summer.

Pests, diseases and control measures

Like many garden plants, catharanthus is affected by the following pests: aphids, whiteflies. scale insect, mealybug. They are easy to detect by the condition of the leaves. If a white coating or spots appear on the leaves, or they suddenly begin to curl and dry out, it means that the plant has been attacked by insects. They should be controlled by spraying with insecticides.

Sometimes catharanthus is affected by brown rust. Then spots appear on the leaves - pustules. The cause of the disease is too high soil or air humidity combined with low temperature. An additional reason is a lack of nitrogen in the soil. Spray the bush with Bordeaux mixture and feed it with nitrogen fertilizer or mullein solution.

Methods for propagating the catharanthus flower

Catharanthus can be propagated by seeds, dividing the bush and cuttings

The shrub reproduces in three ways:

1. Dividing the bush. It is carried out in the spring when the plant is transferred from the room to the ground. Depending on the size of the root, it can be easily divided into 2-3 parts and each specimen can be planted separately.
2. Cuttings. The tops of shoots obtained during spring pruning of shrubs are used. The blanks are placed in moist soil and rooted.
3. Sowing seeds. During the summer period, catharanthus seeds do not ripen. To obtain material suitable for sowing, the bush is grown indoors. Full-fledged seeds ripen by spring. It is at this time that they are sown in flat boxes filled with nutritious soil. You need to sprinkle the seeds in a layer of no more than 1 cm. After sowing, the container is covered with film or glass and kept at a temperature of 25-30 degrees. Sprouts appear after 20-25 days.

Organization of wintering

Catharanthus is a heat-loving plant and cannot survive harsh winters. In the second half of October, the bushes are dug up, having previously trimmed the branches, and placed in large pots. The containers are filled with a mixture of sand and earth.

Wintering of catharthus takes place in a room with a temperature of 15-17 degrees. There is no need to water it in winter. In such conditions, the bush is kept until the onset of heat. In spring, the rhizome is planted in a flower bed.

Catharanthus as a garden decoration

Catharanthus will be perfectly erased in the flowerbed and in the garden

The appearance of this plant is so attractive that it can decorate any corner of the site. Catharanthus looks great in a flowerbed, as a border. Ampel varieties look impressive in hanging flowerpots. Low-growing species can be grown in containers or flowerpots.

You can add annual flowers as neighbors to the catharanthus. Both matching and contrasting combinations are created.

When grown indoors, this perennial becomes an ever-blooming plant. It should be kept in a bright place, but out of direct sunlight. The most suitable place is western or eastern windows. There will not be enough light on the north window. If the windows in the house are oriented to the south, then you cannot keep the catharanthus on the windowsill.

Immediately select a large pot for growing, since this flower grows quickly. To plant, a layer of drainage is poured onto the bottom of the container, then it is filled with a substrate consisting of soil, peat and sand in equal quantities. For nutritional value, you can add a little humus.

ATTENTION. If there are children or pets in the house, it is better to avoid growing catharanthus. All parts of the flower are poisonous and can cause severe poisoning or serious allergic reactions.

Home care consists of watering, spraying and fertilizing. Do not allow the soil in the pot to dry out, as this will slow down the plant’s growth and flowering. Lack of moisture immediately affects the appearance of the catharanthus - the leaves instantly curl. If this happens, water the flower thoroughly and spray. Water for irrigation and spraying should be settled and at room temperature.

Don't let the soil dry out

IMPORTANT. Be sure to drain excess water from the pan when watering so that the roots of the flower do not rot.

The plant is replanted annually. When replanting, formative pruning must be carried out. Every 4-5 years the plant needs to be “rejuvenated”, that is, the central lignified shoot must be cut off and rooted. Without this procedure, the stems stretch and the catharanthus loses its decorative effect.

The day before transplanting, do not water the flower so that the earthen ball dries out and becomes stronger. It is moved into a new pot using a careful transfer method so that the soil does not crumble from the roots. The flower is placed in a new pot, and the free space of the pot (it should be 5-6 cm) is filled with new soil and compacted.

In summer, it is better to take the catharanthus out onto the balcony or loggia. At the same time, the plant needs active feeding - once every two weeks. Any fertilizer for indoor plants will do.

IMPORTANT. When growing indoors, the bush requires mandatory pruning so that it does not grow into one vine.

Possible problems when growing catharanthus

Catharanthus signals inappropriate conditions of its maintenance or non-compliance with the rules of caring for its appearance. Monitor the plant carefully and correct your mistakes in time.

• Soft, yellowing leaves– too much sun. In open ground, you need to build some kind of awning for the plant, but it is better to transplant the plant to a place where the rays are scattered. In the house you need to move the flower away from the window.
• The tips of the leaves turn yellow– low air humidity. In indoor conditions, placing the pot in a tray with expanded clay, onto which water is poured, will help solve the problem. In the garden, catharanthus needs to be sprayed.
• Yellowing and falling of the lower leaves, provided the color of the rest of the foliage is preserved - a natural process. There is no need to take any action in this case.
• Minimum number of flowers- the plant is cold. The problem can only be solved indoors by moving the catharanthus to a warmer place. In open ground conditions you will have to wait for warming.
• When grown at home, the plant may stop blooming, and the foliage will begin to turn yellow. This phenomenon indicates that the catharanthus is cramped in the pot and there is no room for growth and development. Taking the flower out of the pot, you will see that the roots have entwined the entire earthen ball. Transplant the catharanthus into a large pot and the plant will come to life.

As you can see, caring for catharanthus is not that difficult. If you know and take into account all these nuances when growing, you will get a spectacular, long-flowering plant to decorate your garden plot or apartment interior.

In countries with a tropical climate - in Indonesia, Cuba, the Philippines, and Indochina - the catharanthus flower is found. This plant, which requires virtually no maintenance - catharanthus, does not lose its decorative effect all year round, since it is classified as evergreen.

A little about catharanthus

This flower has been cultivated since the 18th century, and for a very long time it was considered a relative of the periwinkle. Indeed, the plant called catharanthus and the periwinkle flower are very similar, but still they are two completely different species. Although both plants belong to the extensive Kurt family.

Catharanthus can be grown at home, and then the plant will grow by about 50-60 cm. The plant is one of the flowers that can be safely forgotten immediately after planting, because catharanthus is not demanding of care.

The foliage of the flower is very decorative - dark green, glossy, slightly elongated. The flower is very decorative even in a short dormant period. The flowering of catharanthus can last almost the whole year. The flowers of the plant are not too large (up to 5 cm), and in appearance they somewhat resemble a phlox flower. The color of the flowers can be different, and there is white catharanthus, pink catharanthus, blue-violet, lilac, blue...

The plant blooms very profusely and has no aroma at all. When growing this flower, you should take into account that all its parts are poisonous.

Most common varieties

This flower can be grown as a bush or as an hanging plant. But in any case, with the help of formative pruning, the plant can be given the desired shape. The ancestor of all the fairly numerous varieties and hybrids of this plant is catharanthus rosea.

• Aristocrat

The plant of this variety is a small bush - only about 50 cm in height. When sown in spring, this catharanthus will bloom by mid-summer. The flowers of this variety are quite large - up to 5 cm in diameter. The color range of flowers is very extensive - from soft cream and white to dark red shades. The middle of the flowers usually has a contrasting color. In the garden, this variety can be used to decorate borders very beautifully. In winter, the plant is grown indoors.

• Pacifica

This variety is characterized by very early and abundant flowering. This catharanthus is easily grown from seeds. The bushes of the variety are very compact, up to 30 cm in height. The flowers are very large, with an eye in the center. The color of the flowers can be either wine red or soft pink.

• Cooper

Plants of this variety are very branched and can reach up to 40 cm in length. The flowers are quite large, up to 5 cm in diameter. The color of the flowers can be either pink or red with a characteristic eye in the center of a contrasting color.

Before buying catharanthus

This flower can be easily grown from seeds, or you can buy a seedling in a store. If you purchase a seedling, carefully inspect it before purchasing - it must have a lot of buds, but not yet blossomed. If the seedling has yellow leaves at the bottom, it means that flowering is in full swing, and you should not buy such a flower.

Be sure to find out what soil the flower is planted in. If there is transport soil in the pot, then you will have to replant the plant. If the flower is planted in good soil, then it can be left untouched.

Care when growing indoors

This flower, when grown in a room, prefers bright light, but in no case direct sunlight. You should not keep the pot on the north window. South windows should also be avoided. The best windows are eastern and western. Although it is not at all necessary to place the catharanthus on the windowsill. The flower will perfectly tolerate light shade and will feel great on a shelf or stand, on a table where there is diffused light.

Read also: Serrated buzulnik - a favorite shady corner in your garden

If there is too little light for a flower, you will immediately understand this by the elongated shoots and small flowers. In this case, the pot will need to be moved closer to the window.

Comfortable temperature for the plant is about +20-25 degrees. In winter, the plant stops flowering for a short period. During the dormant period, the catharanthus will need a temperature of +18 degrees. At this time, it is better to place the pot in a cooler place and not keep it on the windowsill next to heating radiators.

Catharanthus, like any tropical plant, loves watering. But it should be remembered that excess moisture is detrimental to this flower. The plant should be watered only when the earthen ball in the pot dries out. The main sign that a flower lacks moisture is curling leaves.

Catharanthus in open ground

In the middle zone, catharanthus is most often grown as a houseplant. But now it can also be found as a garden flower in personal plots. This flower is very unpretentious, and caring for catharanthus will not be difficult even for the most inexperienced gardeners. By following simple care rules, you can easily grow a very beautiful garden plant - an unpretentious catharanthus.

Site selection

Since this flower comes from the tropics, the area for it should be chosen to be warm and light. But immediately keep in mind that the plant will not grow well under the scorching rays of the sun. It is also very important to plant catharanthus in an area protected from wind and drafts.

Under no circumstances should you plant this flower in areas where water stagnates. Due to excessive humidity, catharanthus may even die.

If we talk about preferences for soil composition, this plant loves light, nutritious soil. It is ideal if the soil contains sand, peat, humus and turf soil. If the selected area has acidic soil, then it is worth adding lime or wood ash when digging.

Planting seeds

It is very easy to grow catharanthus from seeds. The seeds of this plant are small, almost black in color. An important condition for sowing seeds is that the soil must be fertile. To sow seeds in boxes, you can use soil for planting flowering indoor plants, for example, geraniums.

But you can also make your own substrate for sowing seeds. To do this, mix sand, humus, leaf and turf soil, and peat, taken in equal parts. The acidity of the soil for sowing seeds should be in the range of 5.5-5.9. Avoid sowing seeds in heavy, clay soil. Catharanthus grows very poorly in acidic and salty soils.

The best time for sowing is the end of February. The seedling boxes can be placed on the windowsill so that the sprouts receive more light. If you sow seeds directly into open ground, it is better to do this at the end of May, when the air and soil have warmed up enough and the threat of spring frosts has passed.

Immediately before sowing, the seeds should be soaked for half an hour in a weak solution of manganese. Then the seeds are dried and sown. Friendly shoots should appear in about 7-10 days. Seeds and sprouts should be watered every 4 days. To create a greenhouse effect and speed up seed germination, the boxes can be covered with transparent film.

Read also: Blood-red hawthorn - a healing garden decoration

The first couple of weeks the seedlings will grow very slowly. The fact is that young plants will actively grow roots. But when the root system of the sprouts becomes stronger, the above-ground part of the plant will also begin to grow. In order for young plants to grow faster, it is necessary to control soil moisture and constantly spray the plant with a spray bottle. A few weeks after the first shoots appear, the plants need to be fed for the first time.

When the first pair of true leaves appear on the sprouts, they need to be plucked. Once your seedlings reach a height of about 7 cm, they should be transplanted into separate pots. You can plant two or three plants in one container. This way you will immediately get lush bushes in a pot, which in the summer can be put on the veranda, balcony, or placed in the garden.

But, if you want to propagate a plant on your site without hassle, then propagating catharanthus by cuttings is better for you. After spring pruning of the plant, there is no need to throw away the apical shoots - they can be used for cuttings. Cuttings take root very easily in nutritious soil, and in warm regions, catharanthus is most often propagated by cuttings.

When cutting from a plant such as catharanthus, it is important to take non-lignified shoots. Catharanthus flowers grown using cuttings are more adapted to the environment and grow faster. Cuttings take root well in water. Place sufficiently chopped shoots in a jar of water, into which you need to drop a little growth stimulator, and roots will soon appear. You can simply stick the cuttings into damp sand, which should be mixed with fertile soil. When cuttings in the ground, the cuttings must be covered with a jar. Cuttings can be carried out both in the spring, immediately after pruning, and in the fall. For successful rooting of cuttings, the optimal temperature is about +20 degrees.

Care

Planting and caring for catharanthus in open ground is very simple. After the hole is dug, drainage is placed at its bottom. A little soil is poured over the drainage and the plant is planted. Caring for this flower comes down to watering, fertilizing and pruning. Immediately after planting, pull out weeds around the plants. As it grows, the catharanthus itself will suppress the weeds.

Watering and air humidity

This flower loves regular and abundant watering, although at the same time it does not tolerate stagnant water. Under no circumstances should the earthen ball around the bushes be allowed to dry out. You will understand that a flower needs more abundant watering by its leaves - if they begin to curl, it means that the flower does not have enough moisture.

At the same time, catharanthus loves high levels of air humidity. Plants must be sprayed every day, and therefore the bushes must be watered from above with a diffuse stream. During dry, hot periods, you should water the flower in the morning and evening.

Catharanthus really does not like cool, rainy weather. During periods of rain, the bushes look very depressed - due to low temperatures and excessive humidity, the stems begin to droop and the flowers fall off. To prevent this from happening, you can install a rain shelter, for example, an awning.

Feeding

It is necessary to frequently fertilize catharanthus, since this flower is very responsive to fertilizing. Catharanthus needs nutrients, and it can be fertilized with universal mixtures for flowering plants. The bushes should be fed every two weeks throughout the season. Nutrient solutions are applied at the root.
Catharanthus is very fond of fertilizing with ash, 100 grams of which should be diluted in a bucket of water. You can also fertilize the bushes with Epin-Extra, which is used for foliar feeding. The bushes are fertilized with this preparation once a month. It is very important not to exceed the concentration of fertilizer solutions, so as not to cause burns to the roots.

Apr 02 2017

Catharanthus - care and reproduction at home

Anyone who has seen the indoor catharanthus plant will agree that this spectacular bush, strewn with numerous delightful flowers, clearly brings the comfort and warmth of the southern Mediterranean islands into the house. Its name is translated from Greek as “pure, clear or flawless flower.” In this article you will read about growing catharanthus and caring for it at home. Many gardeners consider it the king of indoor flowering bushes, because catharanthus pleases its owners with endless flowering almost all year round, and requires minimal care from them after planting.

The catharanthus flower belongs to the evergreen herbaceous and subshrub plants of the Apocynaceae family. In the wild, it can be found everywhere in tropical countries. This is Cuba, Java, Africa, Indochina, Indonesia - it’s impossible to list everything. It is not possible to accurately determine its homeland, although many scientists are inclined to Madagascar, where it is most often found. There are seven or eight of its species. In the subtropics, catharanthus grows up to one and a half meters in height. At home, this bush does not exceed 60 cm. Catharanthus has been bred as a houseplant since the mid-18th century.

For a long time, catharanthus was considered one of the varieties of another flower - pink periwinkle. These plants are very similar. Both belong to the Kutrov family. Only since 1937, after lengthy debates, botanists began to classify rose catharanthus (Catharanthus roseus), as a species of evergreen perennial subshrubs, to a separate genus Catharanthus.

The indoor catharanthus flower is a perennial plant, often grown as an annual. At home, it grows no higher than 50–60 cm in height. Its erect stems are fleshy, branch at the tops, and become woody over time. The roots are powerful and taprooted. The central root reaches a depth of 20 - 30 cm, there are many lateral adventitious roots that have a strong specific odor. Young roots have no root hairs. Catharanthus leaves have an oblong shape, pointed at both ends, and a length of up to 7 cm. They are glossy, dark green in color, with a white longitudinal vein. During flowering, the bush is completely covered with many wheel-shaped flowers. Catharanthus flowers range from 3 to 5 cm in diameter. They have a regular shape of five petals with a flat corolla, the throat of which is covered with thyroid hairs. In the center of each flower there is an eye, usually in a bright contrasting color. There are hybrids with white, orange, light lilac, blue-violet petals. Catharanthus flowers are very similar to phlox flowers, but they are solitary, while in phlox they are collected in inflorescences. But, during active flowering, from May to October, such a lush cap is formed from individually blooming flowers that the decorative effect of the flower at this time is beyond all praise. Long flowering ends with the onset of cold weather. After flowering, the catharanthus fruit is formed, which is a crescent-shaped bileaflet, inside which about a dozen elongated seeds are formed.

Medicinal properties

The catharanthus plant is valued not only for its spectacular appearance and decorative effect. Its medicinal properties have been known since ancient times. Healers and healers of Madagascar and Indonesia used catharanthus to treat diabetes, cough and various tumors. The green parts of the plant contain up to 60 biologically active alkaloids. Modern research has shown that this flower actually contains substances that lower blood sugar. And the alkaloids vinblastine and vincristine formed the basis of anticancer drugs that are used in modern medicine. All kinds of infusions and decoctions are prepared from the leaves and shoots of catharanthus, which treat many diseases, such as:

• poorly healing wounds and trophic ulcers;
• fibroids, polyps, prostate adenomas;
• diseases of teeth and gums;
• bronchopulmonary diseases;
• hypertension and diabetes.

It is important to know that all parts of the catharanthus are poisonous. It is not recommended to prepare any medicine from it yourself! Side effects, allergic reactions, and burns may occur. There are contraindications. You can use drugs from catharanthus only under supervision and on the recommendation of doctors.

Types and varieties

All decorative series of varieties and hybrids of this flower are a variety of pink catharanthus. They differ from it in the size of the bush and different shades of petals. We will introduce you to the most popular of them.

This is a low bush, 50 cm in height. The flowers are relatively large - up to 5 cm in diameter. The color range is varied - from pure white to dark red. A contrasting eye usually sparkles in the middle. This flower is grown not only as a houseplant, but also as a garden plant, decorating borders in flower beds and paths with it.

This is a low compact bush, 25 - 30 cm in height, and 15 - 20 cm in crown diameter. Characterized by early flowering and ease of care. The flowers are large, the characteristic eye in the middle stands out clearly.

Depending on the shade of the petals, the Pacifica variety has its own varieties:

• Pacifica Burgundy - has flowers of a rich wine color with a white eye;
• Pacifica White - has white flowers with a red eye;
• Pacifica Apricot - has apricot-colored flowers with a red center;
• Pacifica Ice Pink - has soft pink flowers with a red eye.

In the eighties of the last century, a number of new spectacular varieties of catharanthus appeared. Here are some of them that are still popular:

Variety series Cooler. Small, strongly branching bushes, up to 40 cm in height, united here. Their flowers are round, large, up to 5 cm in diameter. With a bright contrasting eye in the center.

The varieties in this series include the following:

• Grape Cooler - lavender-pink flowers with a red center;
• Peppermint Cooler - white flowers with a bright red center;
• Red Cooler - red flowers.

Sortoseries First Kiss (First Kiss, First Kiss). Low, 30 - 40 cm in height, neat bushes, have a beautiful crown and at least 13 shades of flowers. This is the most popular and titled series of catharanthus. At flower growing competitions in North American countries, catharanthus of this variety series won prestigious prizes, in particular, the blue-violet cultivar First Kiss Blueberry won high awards in the USA and Canada.

Variety series Cascade. Here are ampelous catharanthus, up to 15 cm high and with long flexible shoots that either creep or hang down. It blooms with large flowers, up to 5 cm in diameter. The most popular varieties of this variety series:

Catharanthus ampelous Titan. The long lashes hanging down reach 75 cm in length. Numerous bright red flowers glow brightly on the dark green glossy leaves. This variety is great for growing in pots.

• White - with snow-white flowers;
• Deep Rose - with pink flowers;
• Cascade Cherry bark - with cherry flowers;
• Bark Cascade Shelf Dot – with white flowers;
• Bark cascade Medgenta - with flowers of lilac and burgundy color.

Home care

When growing catharanthus at home, it is important to follow some simple rules so that you grow a wonderful evergreen bush.

All parts of catharanthus are poisonous and contain alkaloids. Work with it must be carried out with gloves to avoid allergies or poisoning.

Humidity, spraying, watering

Catharanthus is a moisture-loving crop. Abundant flowering directly depends on the sufficiently high humidity of the surrounding air and substrate. Catharanthus prefer high air humidity. If humidity levels drop below 60%, it is necessary to spray the surrounding air and, with caution, the plants themselves. Moreover, the leaves can be sprayed, but the flowers are not advisable! To increase the humidity in the room, place containers of water next to the catharanthus plantings, and place the pots themselves in trays with wet expanded clay or wet pebbles.

Water your flowers regularly. The root system should not be allowed to dry out! You will immediately know about insufficient watering by the curling leaves of the plant. If you notice quickly and water soon, they will straighten out.

But there should be no stagnation of water in the pan and waterlogging of the soil. Try to choose the frequency of watering so that the soil moisture is consistently average. Water no earlier than the top layer of soil dries to a depth of 2 - 3 cm. If you plan to save the plant until next year, significantly reduce watering in the autumn-winter period. Keep the earthen ball slightly moist. If the air in the room is dry, spray the leaves constantly.

Lighting

The plant prefers diffused light. He will be most comfortable on the windowsills of eastern and western directions. Although, even on the south side, provided the pot is protected from direct sunlight at midday, the catharanthus will feel excellent. It is not necessary to place the flower pot on the windowsill itself. It grows well in slight shade and looks great on a shelf lit by diffused sunlight. If it winters indoors, it will also need good lighting. Otherwise, the stems will stretch upward, and the decorative effect of the flower will suffer. If there is insufficient lighting, use fluorescent lamps.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for growing catharanthus at home is considered to be 20 - 25 degrees Celsius. This is in the spring-summer period for long-term maintenance of the flower. In winter, you need to find a cooler place for it and maintain the temperature there within 15 degrees, because there is no place for it on the windowsill, next to heating devices. Perhaps you have an insulated loggia. But you need to make sure that the temperature does not drop at all - the catharanthus may not tolerate a prolonged drop below 10 degrees.

If you are not going to save the flower in the winter and plan to throw it away in the fall, after flowering, then the warmer the location, the more abundantly it will bloom. Moreover, the flower feels great in the warm season outdoors. In the spring, as soon as the air outside warms up above 18 degrees, a pot of catharanthus can be placed on a balcony or veranda, preferably under a roof, because flower plantings must be protected from precipitation, drafts and direct sun. With the first cold snap, in August-September, it is better to bring the catharanthus into the living room. Until October, it will still delight you with its magnificent flowering on the windowsill.

Soil and fertilizing

Catharanthus will grow well in loose, light, fertile soil. Purchased soil for flowering indoor plants, for example, geraniums, is suitable for it. It is also not difficult to prepare a soil mixture yourself from leaf and turf soil, adding a little peat and coarse river sand.

In order for the catharanthus to bloom long and abundantly, it needs constant, fairly intense feeding. If your flower is an annual one, feed it once a week by adding liquid fertilizer for flowering indoor plants to the watering water. Liquid fertilizer for indoor roses is suitable. But don’t overdo it, read the doses on the package.

If the catharanthus will remain as a perennial after flowering, its strength must be conserved. Therefore, fertilizing should be done less frequently during flowering, once every 2 weeks, and in a dose reduced by half. After flowering, from October to February, fertilizing should be stopped completely.

Suitable size pot

Catharanthus is a fast-growing flower. If you plant it in a small pot, it will very quickly outgrow it, the roots will not fit in and will block the drainage holes. Therefore, immediately choose a large pot so that it will last for a year of the flower’s life. As we already wrote above, the root system develops well, the roots grow up to 20 - 35 cm in length. Place a good layer of drainage, 3 - 4 cm, at the bottom of the planting container. Use expanded clay, pebbles or other suitable material. And then fill the pot with the prepared soil mixture. Don't forget to add a little humus for nutritional value. During the annual transplantation of perennial catharanthus, each time choose a pot 3–5 cm larger and wider than the previous one.

Pruning and shaping the bush

For such a fast-growing plant as catharanthus, pruning the shoots is a necessary procedure. In a perennial crop, after a period of winter rest, shoots that have elongated during the winter are cut off by a third of their length. Remove damaged and dried branches and give the bush the desired shape. This pruning at the beginning of spring will rejuvenate the flower and give it strength for new growth.

Pinching the ends of the shoots will help to form a compact, beautiful crown of young catharanthus. Their upward growth will stop, and the growth of lateral branches will make the crown thicker and more decorative.

But you will have to constantly monitor the decorative appearance of your pet during flowering. Wilted flowers and yellowed leaves at the bottom of the shoots must be removed regularly - they greatly spoil the appearance of the plant.

Transfer

If you grow catharanthus as a perennial, then it will need an annual replanting in early spring, in March.

Return the flower to a warm, bright room. Inspect. Make the necessary trimming. Select a pot for replanting that is 3–5 cm larger than before. Place drainage there - it should be at least 4 cm. Replant by transferring the flower along with the soil. Try not to injure the root system. Add soil of the same composition to the pot in which the catharanthus grew last season. If the soil is very different in composition, the flower may not bloom. According to the reaction, neutral or slightly acidic soil is suitable. Remember this and always use one type of soil, for example, for flowering geraniums.

You may need to replant your flower more than once a year. If during the active flowering phase the lower leaves suddenly begin to turn yellow and the flowers fall off, it is possible that the root system no longer has enough space in the pot. You can see the roots poking out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. This is a signal that the catharanthus urgently needs to be transplanted into a larger container.

If the catharanthus is difficult to remove from the pot, try watering it. The plastic pot may need to be cut or broken, but when removing the flower, be careful not to damage its delicate root system. Otherwise, the catharanthus will stop blooming.

If you regularly follow all the rules for good flower care, then the catharanthus will also try and stun you with its fantastic flowering!

We recommend not keeping your perennial for more than three years. Any catharanthus of this age begins to grow, its flowers become small, its shoots become clumsy. The plant loses its attractiveness and decorativeness. It is better to part with him, taking care in advance about his descendants, that is, about reproduction.

Reproduction

After the enchanting flowering, the powers of the catharanthus are depleted, and you need to try to make it bloom again next year. For this reason, flower growers often grow catharanthus as an annual plant, and after it finishes flowering, they simply throw it away. After all, the difficulties of preserving a flower in winter, problems with temperature, humidity, lighting of its wintering place, cannot be compared with the rooting of its shoots or cuttings. By the beginning of the new season, you will have a new flower, full of strength and desire to bloom, without any problems.

Catharanthus is propagated in three ways: by growing from seeds, rooting cuttings and dividing the bush.

Growing from seeds

Buy catharanthus seeds in special stores. Their seeds will not have time to ripen during the summer flowering. Their natural ripening is possible only in tropical conditions. If you still set out to get your seeds, be patient. The bush will have to be grown all autumn and winter indoors, maintaining constant temperature, humidity and good lighting, as in the tropics. Your seeds will probably only ripen in the spring.

Seeds can be sown at any time of the year. Just keep in mind that catharanthus blooms after germination in 60 - 70 days, that is, young bushes will bloom in two to three months. Therefore, it is better, from the point of view of caring for them - in terms of temperature, humidity and lighting, to do this in early spring.

Prepared seeds (treated with potassium permanganate and epin) are sown in containers with nutrient soil to a depth of no more than 1 cm. The soil is carefully moistened using a spray bottle with warm, settled water, and the container lid is closed. You can use any containers that are convenient for you, but be sure to cover them with something transparent - glass or polyethylene. Germination will be best done in a warm, dark place. In a week or two, shoots will appear. The containers are taken out to a lighted place. The temperature is maintained at 23 – 26 degrees Celsius. Ventilate once a day, preferably in the morning. The sprouts sit at the same level for a long time, about a month, growing roots. When three or four leaves appear on the seedlings, the catharanthus are planted in separate pots. Do not forget about the rapid growth of young plants; immediately take a larger pot than you would like, so that soon, during flowering, you do not have to replant the flower again.

Pay special attention to preparing the soil mixture. An excellent option is a mixture of peat, humus, turf soil and coarse sand in equal parts. If you use ready-made soil, select a substrate suitable for blooming indoor flowers.

Propagation by cuttings

To propagate by cuttings (cuttings), green cuttings are cut from the tops of the shoots of catharanthus. Choose a method for rooting the cuttings - in water or in a substrate.

Water for rooting should be settled or boiled with the addition of some growth stimulant. Place the glass in a bright, warm place. They are waiting for the spine to appear. Add water as needed. The roots will appear very soon. Then the cuttings are planted in a pot with a regular substrate. Care for it like an adult plant.

You can root the cuttings in a container with moist soil under a film. Ventilate the plantings from time to time and water them as the soil dries out. When the cutting shows signs of new growth, the film can be removed. Root cuttings with reserve in case of their death.

It is best to harvest and plant cuttings in the spring, after pruning the old bush. But it is possible in the fall. The optimal temperature for rooting catharanthus cuttings is 22 - 25 degrees Celsius.

Video: how to propagate catharanthus from cuttings.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

This propagation method is used when transplanting an adult plant into new pots. Usually this happens in early spring. Depending on the size of the root system, catharanthus can be easily divided into two or three parts. Remove the flower from the pot and try to gently shake off the soil from the roots. Decide where to divide the root system. Use a sharp, well-disinfected tool to divide the bush. Treat the cut areas with crushed activated carbon. Plant each specimen in a separate pot according to all the rules.

Organization of wintering

If you plant your indoor flower in a flowerbed at the dacha for the summer, then you need to think about how to preserve the catharanthus in the winter. After all, your sissy will not survive winter, even a mild one, outside. Carefully dig up the plant in early October. Cut its branches to two-thirds of the length. Place the flower in a spacious pot to accommodate the entire root system. Fill the pot to the top with a mixture of sand and soil. Place in a cool room with a temperature of 15 - 17 degrees. Try to find one for wintering in an apartment. Let it stand there until the onset of spring and warmth. There is no need to water it in winter. When the air outside warms up above 18 degrees, you can plant the catharanthus rhizome again in the flowerbed.

Possible growing problems

You can always tell by the appearance of a plant whether it is healthy or something is wrong with it. Catharanthus itself signals unfavorable conditions of its maintenance by its appearance. You need to monitor the plant and, if necessary, take measures to correct your mistakes.

Let's look at the most common problems in growing catharanthus.

Diseases

• Small dark tubercles or spots appeared on the upper surface of the leaves. On the bottom there is something in the form of pustules. These are signs of a disease of many indoor flowers - leaf rust. The reason is frequent waterlogging of the soil at high air humidity. Or when replanting, heavy soil or soil contaminated with rust fungi was used. Treatment is carried out with fungicides (read about). Replant the treated plant in new soil.
• The leaves on the shoots became limp, turned yellow and fell off. This happens if the pot is on a windowsill unprotected from the sun. Place the flower further into the room or protect it from direct sunlight with blinds or curtains.
• The tips of the leaves have turned yellow. This happens when the humidity in the room is too low. In winter this is due to central heating. The pot must be placed in a high tray with wet expanded clay and kept away from heating appliances. You can place a wide container of water next to the flower. If there are no flowers on the catharanthus, its leaves should be sprayed with settled water at room temperature. All this should increase the humidity in the room. The tips of the leaves of the catharanthus will stop turning yellow.
• The lower leaves on the shoots turn yellow and fall off. This is a natural process for catharanthus. Remove them from the plant regularly so that the decorative appearance of the flower does not suffer.
• There are few flowers on your catharanthus. Poor flowering usually occurs if the catharanthus is cold. Move the flower pot to a warmer, bright place - and it will thank you with abundant flowering.
• The leaves begin to turn yellow and flowering stops. Examine the flower pot. If it is not large, if catharanthus roots appear from the drainage holes, it means that your pet has become cramped in this pot and it’s time to transplant it into a wider and deeper pot. A little time will pass and the plant will come to life and begin to bloom.
• Catharanthus began to drop its buds. This occurs when there is insufficient attention to the flower: poor lighting, lack of moisture in the soil or low air humidity.
• Young leaves are falling from the tops of the shoots. Perhaps you rarely water the flower, it lacks moisture. At the same time, check other nuances of care: is it warm, light, and whether any insects are biting it.

Insects - pests

We introduced you to the indoor catharanthus flower. Believe me, you will spend less time caring for it than reading this article! This is a completely unpretentious plant, but so cute and responsive to any attention to it from the gardener. The good thing about catharanthus is that this small, compact bush blooms profusely with bright acrylic flowers from spring until October. At the same time, it grows quickly and reproduces easily. Knowing the simple rules of caring for it, you will always have a grateful plant in your home, ready to decorate the interior of your home all year round.

This message has no labels