Vinca (Catharanthus roseus)

Discussion in 'Tropical Gardening' started by Victoria, Apr 21, 2025.

  1. Victoria

    Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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    Just learned these are Tropical/Sub-Tropical ...

    I have tried twice to do these from seed without success and my favourite Garden Center had them in toda so bought three today to put in one large pot ...

    Vinca Catharanthus roseus 21 Apr 25.jpg
     
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      I've grown the species in the past but this year I'm also growing the bedding type as a trial in our dodgy climate.:biggrin:
      Mine are still a lot smaller than yours.
      If they come good I think they are a plant that should be grown more, never seen them in a garden centre here.
       
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      • Michael Hewett

        Michael Hewett Total Gardener

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        Very pretty ... I've never heard of these -
         
      • Plantminded

        Plantminded Total Gardener

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        It grows in Barbados @Victoria, known there as African periwinkle. We had some in our garden, the flowers are slightly scented if I remember correctly. It has medicinal properties but is also toxic.
         
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          Last edited: Apr 21, 2025
        • Victoria

          Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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          Oh, dear, I will have to keep them out of the garden entirely!!! ... most of my plants are noxious to cats!!!
           
        • Alisa

          Alisa Super Gardener

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          Wow, I just sown them to try growing the first time.
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            Not quite as compact as the bedding ones and more like a small shrubby plant, only seem to get pink and a few white ones as well, this is from 2023. I've yet to find a pest that attacks these, even immune to RSM. DSC04298.JPG DSC04299.JPG
             
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            • Victoria

              Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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              It is yours that got me interested in them Pete. :)
               
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              • Plantminded

                Plantminded Total Gardener

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                The chemical compounds they contain should keep them pest free. A possible slug proof plant then :yay:.
                 
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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  Probably.

                  Worth bearing in mind they are perennial so if you over winter some on the window sill they get off to a flying start the following year.
                  Probably survive outside for you @Victoria or with just some slight protection .
                   
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                  • Victoria

                    Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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                    So far I have never frost protected anything, not even the Hibiscus. But I do put the Adeniums in The Baffa in the Winter. The last frost I remember was 2009.
                     
                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                    Yes, I'd give these the same treatment as the adeniums, I've not tried over wintering in my greenhouse which is just frost free, I keep them in the conservatory which is a minimum of around 10c over night.
                    They are quite tender regarding temperature.
                     
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