Catharanthus is an evergreen flower and originates from the Kutraceae family. Despite the high development of modern science, no one can still understand which country became the birthplace of this special plant. For example, in the wild, catharanthus is found in the tropics and subtropics of African countries, in India and on various islands located in the tropical zones of our planet.
For a long time, the botanical community considered catharanthus to be a close relative of periwinkle. The plant was even called “pink periwinkle.”
In a similar way, these two plants managed to confuse botanists because of the great similarity between the species. And this is clearly visible in the photo of the catharanthus, if you look closely.
Care
Catharanthus can quickly grow up to one and a half meters in height, and therefore many gardeners recommend constantly pruning the plant, since this causes old shoots to become bare.
The flowers of the plant have several color variations, ranging from white to shades of lilac, and the leaves themselves, in addition to being beautifully shiny, are colored rich green. At home, catharanthus can bloom almost all year round.
general information
Catharanthus impress with their versatility and unpretentiousness. In the garden it is a wonderful seasonal annual, and in the room it is an amazing decoration for any apartment. Delicate flowers of 5 petals with a bright center are painted in all shades of pink.
In its natural environment, catharanthus grows as a perennial, so it manages to grow up to 1.5 m. In our latitudes it is much more compact - about 60 cm. It has been cultivated for several centuries, and during this time many ornamental varieties have appeared.
A powerful root system allows the plant to survive under unfavorable conditions, but requires space. Dark leaves with light veins are very graceful and beautiful. The diameter of the flowers ranges on average from 3 to 5 mm.
Photo: violet-bryansk.ru
Lighting
Catharanthus requires a lot of sunlight, but it is still better to avoid direct rays or reduce their amount to a minimum. A guideline when choosing a place for a flower can be a window sill on the west side of a room or building.
In summer, it is recommended to expose the plant to fresh air on the street or on the balcony, or immediately plant the catharanthus in open ground and carefully ensure that no precipitation gets on the flower.
Catharanthus species
There are about 8 varieties of catharanthus, but only one is cultivated for decorative purposes - pink. Based on it, different varieties and hybrids have been bred, and we have already figured out which of them are the most popular!
Aristocrat
This variety has very bright and large flowers up to 5 cm in diameter. This is a perennial that can be safely planted in the garden for the summer, and moved into the room for the winter.
Photo: fermaualberta.ru
Courage
The most delicate white and pink colors instantly attract attention. This is a compact bush up to 30 cm, but it is very moisture-loving even by the standards of catharanthus.
Photo: dizajninterer.ru
Sicily
The bright pink flowers are so pretty that Sicily is one of plant breeders' favorite varieties. And therefore there are already dozens of subvarieties that can be arranged into a luxurious palette according to the shades of the petals.
Photo: agbina.ru
Appleblossom
An elegant ampelous variety with long curly shoots was bred specifically for decorating balconies. In addition, it can be grown on supports.
Photo: tr.tricornmedals.com
Titanium
Another ampelous variety with unusual red and fragrant flowers. With shoots up to 1 m long, the height of the bush rarely exceeds 15 cm, because they spread almost from the ground.
Photo: pinterest.ru
Forget-me-nots (60 photos): types, care and cultivation in open ground
Priming
Catharanthus needs light soil, which also has a large supply of nutrients. The soil can be purchased at a flower shop, or you can make it yourself by combining different types of soil with sand and peat in equal quantities.
Description of the plant
The genus Catharanthus (lat. Catharanthus) belongs to the Apocynaceae family and includes annual or perennial herbaceous plants or subshrubs.
Catharanthus means "pure flower" in Greek. This is due to the plant’s ability to cleanse itself of faded flowers, shedding them before they dry out.
The most common species in our gardens is Catharanthus roseus, better known as pink periwinkle, native to the tropics. The popular name pink periwinkle is misleading and comes from Charles Linnaeus's original classification of the species into the genus Vinca (Vinca). Later the genus Catharanthus was isolated. It is an endangered species in the wild and is found in tropical and subtropical areas. As an ornamental potted and greenhouse plant, it is grown in temperate climates.
Carefully! The flower has toxic properties.
Morphology and biology
- Appearance - in natural conditions it is an evergreen shrub up to 80 cm high, with a woody lower part of the shoot, often forming entire thickets. The milky juice of catharanthus is very poisonous. In our climatic conditions, the form is similar to a highly branched subshrub, reaching 30-40 cm.
- The leaves are single, elliptical, shiny, with a clearly visible lighter central vein. Many side shoots develop from the leaf axils.
- Flowers - have 5 petals of different shades of pink or white; neither stamens nor pistil are visible in the center of the flower. There are varieties in cultivation with lilac, peach, and red flowers. Pacific series varieties have flowers with a diameter of 5 cm, Mediteranea has cascading growth. Flowers are pollinated by insects and can self-pollinate. Flowering period of catharanthus: from June to October. Flowers are pollinated by insects, but can also self-pollinate. Unfortunately, the flowers fall off the plant before they wither.
- The fruit is a green leaflet hidden under the leaves. The leaflets contain many grooved seeds. In Madagascar they are spread by ants.
- The root system is branched, with numerous lateral roots, about 30 cm long.
Catharanthus is a poisonous plant; consuming any part can cause hallucinations.
In countries with warm climates (frost hardiness zones 9-12) it is grown as a garden plant. In our country it is grown as a houseplant or potted plant.
Humidity
Since the catharanthus is native to the tropics, the plant requires high humidity. This will contribute to the normal development of the flower.
To increase humidity levels, gardeners recommend frequently spraying the leaves with a spray bottle and placing the pot on a large tray with pebbles or small crushed stone and pouring water into it.
Catharanthus – photo
There seems to be no shade of pink that cannot be found among the delicate catharanthus. Just look!
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Reproduction
Catharanthus is propagated by cutting apical stems, planting seeds or dividing the bush. In the spring, dividing an adult bush is easiest to do.
Diseases and pests
The main difficulty when growing ornamental plants is various diseases and pests. They can appear even with good care and affect healthy, viable bushes. The main thing is not to get lost and protect the flower beds with catharanthus in time. A disease or pest type can be identified by its symptoms.
It is optimal to treat catharanthus bushes regularly, according to the instructions. Purchased insecticides will protect plants from dangerous diseases.
Fungal diseases
The fungus can affect both the above-ground parts of the plant and the rhizome. The main reason for its spread is insufficient drainage during abundant watering or in rainy weather . It causes various diseases, including gray and brown spot. Light or dark spots with jagged edges appear on the leaves. They quickly increase in size and can merge into large spots. In addition, the bushes lag behind in growth, stop blooming and form new buds.
Beneficial features
Photo of catharanthus rosea
Despite the fact that all organs of the plant are poisonous, catharanthus has been used since ancient times in folk medicine, and in modern conditions, also in professional medicine. The juice contains biologically active substances - alkaloids, which are included in many medications. When used correctly under medical supervision, they:
- reduce blood sugar levels;
- have anti-cancer properties, reduce the size of tumors and polyps;
- heal wounds and ulcers, skin diseases;
- treat respiratory diseases, oral diseases, hypertension.
How to care?
Subsequent care of young plants after transplantation should include the following items:
- Regular weeding.
- Hydration. For this purpose, you should choose soft, filtered or rain water. During hot periods, it is necessary to additionally spray the bush or give it a warm shower. In order to prevent burns, it is recommended to hydrate in the evening.
- Daily watering. When there is a lack of moisture, the leaves of the plant curl into a tube. After watering, the shape of the leaves is restored within 30 minutes.
- Fertilizers. In spring, complex mineral fertilizers are introduced. During the flowering period - potassium-phosphorus. Catharanthus needs to be fed once every 2-3 weeks. During the dormant period, the shrub does not require feeding.
You can find more detailed information about growing and caring for catharanthus here.
Possible growing problems
You can always tell by the appearance of a plant whether it is healthy or something is wrong with it. Catharanthus itself signals unfavorable conditions of its maintenance by its appearance. You need to monitor the plant and, if necessary, take measures to correct your mistakes.
Let's look at the most common problems in growing catharanthus.
Diseases
- Small dark tubercles or spots appeared on the upper surface of the leaves. On the bottom there is something in the form of pustules. These are signs of a disease of many indoor flowers - leaf rust. The reason is frequent waterlogging of the soil at high air humidity. Or when replanting, heavy soil or soil contaminated with rust fungi was used. Treatment is carried out with fungicides (read about diseases of indoor flowers). Replant the treated plant in new soil.
- The leaves on the shoots became limp, turned yellow and fell off. This happens if the pot is on a windowsill unprotected from the sun. Place the flower further into the room or protect it from direct sunlight with blinds or curtains.
- The tips of the leaves have turned yellow. This happens when the humidity in the room is too low. In winter this is due to central heating. The pot must be placed in a high tray with wet expanded clay and kept away from heating appliances. You can place a wide container of water next to the flower. If there are no flowers on the catharanthus, its leaves should be sprayed with settled water at room temperature. All this should increase the humidity in the room. The tips of the leaves of the catharanthus will stop turning yellow.
- The lower leaves on the shoots turn yellow and fall off. This is a natural process for catharanthus. Remove them from the plant regularly so that the decorative appearance of the flower does not suffer.
- There are few flowers on your catharanthus. Poor flowering usually occurs if the catharanthus is cold. Move the flower pot to a warmer, bright place - and it will thank you with abundant flowering.
- The leaves begin to turn yellow and flowering stops. Examine the flower pot. If it is not large, if catharanthus roots appear from the drainage holes, it means that your pet has become cramped in this pot and it’s time to transplant it into a wider and deeper pot. A little time will pass and the plant will come to life and begin to bloom.
- Catharanthus began to drop its buds. This occurs when there is insufficient attention to the flower: poor lighting, lack of moisture in the soil or low air humidity.
- Young leaves are falling from the tops of the shoots. Perhaps you rarely water the flower, it lacks moisture. At the same time, check other nuances of care: is it warm, light, and whether any insects are biting it.
Insects - pests
Catharanthus juice is liked by sucking parasites such as aphids, scale insects and spider mites. They can get into your apartment with a new flower from the store, fly in from a neighbor’s balcony, or simply with the street breeze through an open window. Therefore, check your pets regularly. If found, first wash off the parasites in the bathroom under the shower. Most of them will be washed off with water. Then take a brush, soak it in alcohol and try to carefully remove the remaining pests. After this, it is advisable to spray the catharanthus leaves with a soap solution. If the disease is advanced and there are too many insects with their eggs and larvae, use special preparations - insecticides, such as actara, actellik or fitoverm. Carry out the treatment two or three times every 7 – 10 days until the pests are completely destroyed. Read the instructions for use on the packages carefully.
We introduced you to the indoor catharanthus flower. Believe me, you will spend less time caring for it than reading this article! This is a completely unpretentious plant, but so cute and responsive to any attention to it from the gardener. The good thing about catharanthus is that this small, compact bush blooms profusely with bright acrylic flowers from spring until October. At the same time, it grows quickly and reproduces easily. Knowing the simple rules of caring for it, you will always have a grateful plant in your home, ready to decorate the interior of your home all year round.
What should the soil be like?
The indoor plant will be well-groomed and will enchant with lush flowering if purchased fertile soil is used, or a mixture of turf, deciduous soil with peat. Of course, for intensive growth, catharanthus needs fertilizing so that the soil is not depleted. In spring and late summer, you can use fertilizers for blooming indoor flowers.
