Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as Madagascar periwinkle or annual vinca, is a versatile and stunning flowering plant that can be grown from seed. Vinca seeds can be collected from mature plants and used to grow new plants.
Key Facts
- Look for long, narrow, green seedpods hidden on the stems beneath blooming flowers.
- Snip or pinch the pods when the petals drop from the blooms and the pods are turning from yellow to brown.
- Place the pods in a paper sack or shallow pan in a warm, dry spot until they are completely dry.
- Shake the bag every day or two to help the pods dry evenly.
- Once the pods are completely dry, carefully open them and remove the tiny black seeds.
- Store the seeds in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location until planting time.
When to plant annual vinca seeds:
- Start planting vinca seeds indoors three to four months before the last frost of the season.
- Cover the seeds lightly with soil and then lay a damp newspaper over the tray to provide total darkness, as vinca seeds require darkness to germinate.
- Place the seeds where temperatures are around 80 degrees F (27 C).
- Remove the newspaper as soon as seedlings emerge, usually within two to nine days.
- Move the seedlings into bright sunlight and maintain a room temperature of at least 75 degrees F (24 C).
Important facts about vinca seeds:
- Vinca seeds can be collected from mature plants by harvesting the seedpods when they turn from yellow to brown.
- Germinating vinca seeds require a period of dormancy, so freshly harvested seeds may not perform well.
- Vinca seeds need darkness to germinate, so cover the tray with a damp newspaper or place it inside a black plastic bag until the seeds sprout.
- Vinca plants grow best in well-drained soil with average to low fertility and tolerate drought and high heat.
- Vinca flowers attract butterflies and are deer and rabbit resistant.
- Vinca seeds can be started indoors and transplanted into the garden when soil and air temperatures are consistently above 65°F.
Collecting Vinca Seeds
To collect vinca seeds, follow these steps:
- Look for long, narrow, green seedpods hidden on the stems beneath blooming flowers.
- Snip or pinch the pods when the petals drop from the blooms and the pods are turning from yellow to brown.
- Place the pods in a paper sack or shallow pan in a warm, dry spot until they are completely dry.
- Shake the bag every day or two to help the pods dry evenly.
- Once the pods are completely dry, carefully open them and remove the tiny black seeds.
- Store the seeds in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location until planting time.
Planting Vinca Seeds
To plant vinca seeds, follow these steps:
- Start planting vinca seeds indoors three to four months before the last frost of the season.
- Cover the seeds lightly with soil and then lay a damp newspaper over the tray to provide total darkness, as vinca seeds require darkness to germinate.
- Place the seeds where temperatures are around 80 degrees F (27 C).
- Remove the newspaper as soon as seedlings emerge, usually within two to nine days.
- Move the seedlings into bright sunlight and maintain a room temperature of at least 75 degrees F (24 C).
Important Facts About Vinca Seeds
- Vinca seeds can be collected from mature plants by harvesting the seedpods when they turn from yellow to brown.
- Germinating vinca seeds require a period of dormancy, so freshly harvested seeds may not perform well.
- Vinca seeds need darkness to germinate, so cover the tray with a damp newspaper or place it inside a black plastic bag until the seeds sprout.
- Vinca plants grow best in well-drained soil with average to low fertility and tolerate drought and high heat.
- Vinca flowers attract butterflies and are deer and rabbit resistant.
- Vinca seeds can be started indoors and transplanted into the garden when soil and air temperatures are consistently above 65°F.
Sources
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/annual-vinca/growing-annual-vinca-seeds.htm
- https://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/annuals/vinca.html
- https://parkseed.com/vinca/c/vinca/
FAQs
How can I collect vinca seeds from my plants?
To collect vinca seeds, look for long, narrow, green seedpods hidden on the stems beneath blooming flowers. Snip or pinch the pods when the petals drop from the blooms and the pods are turning from yellow to brown. Place the pods in a paper sack or shallow pan in a warm, dry spot until they are completely dry. Shake the bag every day or two to help the pods dry evenly. Once the pods are completely dry, carefully open them and remove the tiny black seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location until planting time.
When is the best time to plant vinca seeds?
Start planting vinca seeds indoors three to four months before the last frost of the season.
What conditions do vinca seeds need to germinate?
Vinca seeds need darkness to germinate, so cover the tray with a damp newspaper or place it inside a black plastic bag until the seeds sprout. Keep the seeds at a temperature of around 80 degrees F (27 C).
How do I care for vinca seedlings?
Once the vinca seedlings emerge, remove the newspaper or plastic bag and move the seedlings into bright sunlight. Maintain a room temperature of at least 75 degrees F (24 C).
When can I transplant vinca seedlings outdoors?
Vinca seedlings can be transplanted outdoors when soil and air temperatures are consistently above 65°F.
What kind of soil do vinca plants prefer?
Vinca plants grow best in well-drained soil with average to low fertility.
How much sunlight do vinca plants need?
Vinca plants prefer full sun, but can also tolerate partial shade.
Are vinca plants deer and rabbit resistant?
Yes, vinca plants are deer and rabbit resistant.