How to grow ampelous catharanthus from seeds
Content:
Catharanthus is an evergreen perennial plant, belongs to the family circle of shrubs, looks like a shrub. Has about eight varieties. The homeland is considered to be tropical countries: Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar Cuba, Java, Africa, Indochina, Indonesia. The exact place of origin cannot be determined.
Description
Katarantus is a flower about 50 centimeters high. At the ends are inflorescences, as well as glossy dense foliage covered with pimples. The plant loves warmth very much. Growing is possible both in the garden and in a pot. There is nothing difficult in the process, even an inexperienced florist can handle it. In subtropical conditions, a plant of this type grows by 150 cm. The beauty of flowers redeems the effort and increased attention.
Catharanthus flowers
Observing the rules, you can easily grow a whole gallery of flowers of this type. Catharanthus ampelous is a perennial evergreen, ideal for growing in pots and pots, as shown in the picture. The leaves are elongated, dark green in color and elongated. The maximum length that they can reach is 1.5 meters in height with the stems. The flowers themselves are 8 cm in diameter. There are 5 petals in the inflorescences. They come in white, pink colors with a purple or yellow heart.
Catharanthus are often sold in stores. You can grow these beautiful flowers yourself. Such a process will bring a lot of pleasure to its owner and will be rewarded with positive emotions thanks to the flowering bushes.
Option for decorating the facade of the house with a planter
Ampelous catharanthus: growing from seeds
Seed preparation
To get mature seeds, you need to grow the bush in room conditions, at the right temperature, humidity, lighting, reminiscent of the tropics. The result can be achieved only in six months.
It is not difficult to grow ampelous catharanthus from seeds. Before sowing, it is necessary to disinfect the seeds. They are wrapped in a piece of gauze and dipped in a weak solution of manganese (ratio of 2 grams per 1 liter of water) for 30-40 minutes. Planting is done in late winter - early spring. An ordinary wooden box serves as a container for seedlings.
The optimum temperature is 23 degrees. After the appearance of shoots, films are removed from the pots and the temperature is lowered to 20 degrees. After 2 weeks, add a small amount of fertilizer (phosphorus). As the leaves appear on the trunk, the catharanthus is planted 3-4 shoots in one pot. All this is done to obtain a voluminous and lush bush. In the future, the flower is kept on the windowsill, but not in direct sunlight.
Reproduction of the ampelous catharanthus is also possible:
- Cuttings
- By dividing the bush
Reproduction of catharanthus by cuttings
A simple method is used by ordinary gardeners. Branches are taken as cuttings after pruning with buds on the trunk. They are placed in a glass of water or directly in damp ground. They are also covered with a black bag and the temperature regime in the room is observed at 23 degrees.After a few days, rooting occurs. The probability of such a plant reproduction is 97 percent.
Dividing the bush
In mid-spring, independent shoots with a root system are separated from the main stem. Each sprout is placed in a separate pot and watered abundantly. It is important to remember that the bright sun can harm the plant. After several days, the roots take root, and successful growth occurs. The next steps after growing are proper care and attention.
Reproduction at home
Growing and caring for a catharanthus at home
Katarantus ampelous is unpretentious, but you still have to take care of it. It needs to be watered on time, to monitor the temperature.
Optimal light and comfortable room temperature
The required temperature should be between 18 and 23 degrees. Do not forget about the pedigree of the flower (tropics). In springtime, you should regularly take the plant out into the garden or just outside. An important condition for this plant: warm, light weather.
The flower is most often placed on the windowsill. If there is no window in the room or there is little sunlight, artificial lighting is created. You need to use a regular 150 watt light bulb per square meter. This is quite enough for such a light-loving creature.
Watering and humidity
Correct and timely moistening of soil and air is in second place after sunlight. Abundant watering is done in hot weather 2 times a day. It is very important to monitor the moisture in the soil.
With an excess of water, the root system decays and the flower dies. The humidity level in the room can be controlled using a special apparatus (humidifier). If this is not possible, then you should spray the plant with water from a spray bottle every day.
Indoor catharanthus needs an increased amount of moisture.
A flower in the right conditions.
Typical diseases and pests
A beautiful appearance is a sign of a healthy plant. Lethargy, dry leaves, pale color - all this indicates improper care and conditions of detention.
- The appearance of spots and bumps on the surface of the leaves, as well as abscesses on the lower part. The reason for this is the increased humidity of the air and soil.
- Yellow or dry ends of the leaves - lack of moisture.
- A small number of flowers. It happens very often during the cold season.
- Increased root activity - time for transplant.
- Parasites, ticks, spider spiders are dangerous enemies. They are carried by the wind, transferred from other plants. The best way to deal with them is disinfection. It is necessary to moisten the brush in an alcohol solution and treat all affected areas once a week.
Catharanthus Ampelny in the wild
Possible problems when growing catharanthus
Ampelous catharanthus is a heat-loving plant. His main need is a comfortable temperature in the room or outside the window. Depends on the location of the flower. With proper observance of all points for flower care, problems should not arise. Having dismissed the flowers, the catharanthus as a token of gratitude will present its owner with beautiful brown flowers, as well as a dense shrub. It will hang majestically from a 2 meter height or from an ordinary window sill. In the southern regions, the ampelous catharanthus can be safely bred right in the open air, since cultivation and care in such a warm climate will benefit the flower, and will not become a burden to its owner.
Such a unique flower is a wonderful interior decoration not only for a house or apartment, but also for the facade of a building.
