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Missouri Botanical Garden
Oldest botanical garden in the U.S. and center for botanical research and science education
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EDIS
Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles
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It's best in a summer garden but can be grown indoors in a sunny, hot window. It has shiny green leaves and has either pink, white or red flowers depending on which variety you purchase. Over the last 30 years, breeders have increased the flower size and introduced many colors.
Purchase plants from a local garden store. It's best to purchase plants each spring for the garden because this plant requires hot conditions in a greenhouse to get them started. However, you may grow these plants from seed but wait until summer and warm conditions to get them started. Vinca are susceptible to diseases in cool rainy weather. This plant can be grown from cuttings but plants from seed dominate the market.
Use a standard potting soil for pots. Vinca is excellent in patio pots because it is more drought resistant than most plants.
Place the Madagascar periwinkle in direct sun indoors. A sunny windowsill is ideal or a south-facing room (northern hemisphere) or a north-facing room (southern hemisphere). Avoid growing the plant in conditions under 15C (60ºF).
Water regularly. Don't over-water or water log it though because this plant is susceptible to over-watering. Be sure to lift the pot regularly to know when it is light in weight and needs water. New leaves will be yellowish when it is overwatered, be sure to let the plant dry out before watering again.
Apply standard water soluble fertilizer every 7-14 days in the summer. This is important to keep the soil on the acid side for Vinca. Many yellowing leaves on the plant indicate the need for fertilizer.
Vinca is a summer plant, not a winter plant. So, consider whether to keep it indoors over the winter and treat it as an annual.
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