How to propagate长春花 (Catharanthus roseus) through cutting to root quickly
This article provides some tips and knowledge about how to propagate长春花 (Catharanthus roseus) through cutting to root quickly and the cultivation techniques for cutting and growing, hoping for corrections if there are any mistakes!
长春花 (Catharanthus roseus) is a perennial herb belonging to the Apocynaceae family, also known as pot marigold, four-seasons flower, swallowhead red, 30,000 flowers, daily spring, daily new, spring flower, four-seasons flower, five-petal plum, and swallow-come red, etc. It is used for potting and planter box ornamental purposes. Catharanthus roseus is also commonly used as a Chinese herb, with the whole plant being used for pain relief, anti-inflammatory, sleep aid, laxative, and diuretic effects.
The original habitat of Catharanthus roseus is the Mediterranean coast, India, and tropical America. It prefers high temperatures, high humidity, and can tolerate semi-shade but not severe cold. The optimal temperature is 20°C-33°C. It loves sunlight and dislikes moisture and waterlogging. It can be cultivated in general soil, but not in saline-alkaline soil. Well-drained, ventilated sandy soil or soil rich in humus is preferable. The flowering and fruiting periods are almost throughout the year. It is mainly cultivated in regions south of the Yangtze River, such as Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan provinces (autonomous regions). Many new varieties of Catharanthus roseus have been introduced from around the world and are used for potting and planter box ornamental purposes. In Hainan, Catharanthus roseus blooms almost all year round, with relatively simple cultivation and management, and is deeply loved by flower enthusiasts.
I. Propagation methods of Catharanthus roseus: There are two methods of propagation for Catharanthus roseus: seeding and cutting.
1. Cutting propagation: Cuttings are usually carried out from April to July, selecting healthy, disease-free young branches as cuttings. Cut into 8-10 cm sections, and use a mixture of sand, vermiculite, and peat as the cutting medium. Wrap a small mud ball at the base of the cutting and insert it into a cold frame. Maintain a room temperature of 20-24°C, and after about 20 days, the roots will grow. Once the cuttings have rooted and survived, they can be transplanted into pots. Since the seedlings from cutting propagation are not as vigorous as those from seed propagation, this method is rarely used in cultivation. To improve the rooting rate of cuttings, plant growth hormones can be used to treat the cuttings, which has a significant effect on root promotion. Common growth hormones include indole butyric acid, indole acetic acid, naphthylacetic acid, 2,4-D, and root powder, all of which have a good effect on promoting root growth.
2. Seeding propagation: The fruit of Catharanthus roseus matures at different times depending on the flowering time, and the skin easily cracks open, causing seed loss when the fruit turns black. Therefore, seeds must be harvested in a timely manner. When the fruit skin turns yellow and the black seeds inside can be seen faintly, it is time to harvest. Usually, sowing is done from March to May in the spring. A mixture of 75% peat or humus soil and 25% sand is used as the seedbed. Sufficient base fertilizer is applied to the seedbed. The common sowing methods include drilling, furrow broadcasting, or bed broadcasting. After sowing, cover the seeds with soil so they are not visible. Use straw or plastic film to keep the soil moist. The seeds usually germinate in about 7-10 days. Once about 10% of the seeds have germinated, remove the covering and thin out the weak, elongated, and杂 (mixed) seedlings. Maintain good air circulation and sufficient sunlight to allow the Catharanthus roseus seedlings to grow rapidly.
II. Cultivation
The best way to plant Catharanthus roseus is directly in the ground. It is usually transplanted in spring. Since the plant does not need to be tilled again after the first planting, it is necessary to deeply till the soil before transplanting to promote root development. Apply sufficient base fertilizer, about 2.5 kg of organic fertilizer per square meter, along with a moderate amount of human manure and phosphate fertilizer, applied to the planting trench. It is usually transplanted in spring, with one plant per hole. If using pots, there are limitations to growing Catharanthus roseus in pots. Pots create a unique small environment, and no single type of soil alone can meet the plant's needs. Therefore, artificial soil preparation is necessary for pot cultivation to replace natural soil and ensure the plant stays in the pot with good water retention, drainage, looseness, fertility, good drainage, and ventilation, rich in humus and not too alkaline.
The cultivation soil for Chinese chives usually consists of 60% garden soil, 20% yellow sand, and 20% decomposed leaf soil or household waste. A small amount of decomposed farm manure is applied as a base fertilizer at the bottom of the pot when potting. Then, move the young plants to the pot, first placing broken tiles at the bottom of the pot, followed by a small amount of matured cake fertilizer, bones, and fish bones as base fertilizer. Fill in the cultivation soil, place the Catharanthus roseus plant in the center of the pot, and plant about 3-5 seedlings per pot, ensuring the roots are spread out. Fill the soil to half the pot, then slightly lift and shake the plant to compact the soil. Do not plant too deep; the rootstock should be level with the pot opening. Too shallow may affect survival, and too deep may affect the plant's growth after transplanting. Water the plant thoroughly after planting. After planting, keep it in a shaded environment for about a week, then move it to a sunny place for care once the roots have recovered.
III. Management: Catharanthus roseus grows and propagates quickly, with relatively relaxed management. It has few diseases and pests. It dislikes dryness and waterlogging and does not require high water and fertilizer. During the growing period, follow the principle of "water thoroughly when dry." Avoid waterlogging. Reduce watering frequency after September and keep the soil slightly dry in winter. Apply a thin layer of decomposed cake fertilizer water every 20 days during the growing period to promote lush growth and abundant flowering. Apply sufficient base fertilizer before planting and frequently apply fast-acting fertilizer to promote abundant flowering.
Potted Catharanthus roseus should be placed in a sunny location and fertilized and watered more frequently. Long periods of shade and lack of water and fertilizer can lead to non-flowering. In addition to normal fertilizer and water management, the key is to pinch the tips to promote branching and control the flowering period. Generally, pinch the tips when there are 4-6 true leaves, and repeat the process 15-20 days later when new shoots have 4-6 leaves. The last pinching directly affects the flowering period. Generally, the last pinching in autumn (for National Day flowers) is 25 days before the initial flowering period, and in summer, it is 3-5 days earlier than in autumn.
The above information provides you with specific details on how to propagate Catharanthus roseus through cutting to root quickly and the cultivation techniques for cutting and growing, for your reference and operation.