Vinca Mediterranean
The Only Full Series of Trailing Vincas…Easy to Grow!

-Mediterranean varieties make terrific hanging baskets & containers for late season sales!
-These bench-friendly plants will not tangle in production – the trailing habit starts just before shipping.
-Lush, free-flowering plants bloom and cascade vigorously over the side of the container for great consumer appeal!
-Outstanding in sunny, hot and dry conditions.
-Vigorous basal branching.
-Big, high-impact blooms with overlapping petals.
-Mediterranean series vincas are available as raw seed and plugs.
Catharanthus roseus:Approximate seed count: 12,200 to 24,100 S./oz. (430 to 850 S./g)

Plug Production
Plug Tray Size:Mediterranean vinca plugs are best produced in 392-cell plug trays.

Media:Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.8 to 6.0 and a medium initial nutrient charge (EC) of 0.75 mmhos/cm (1:2 extraction).

Sowing:Cover the seed with coarse vermiculite. Allow 3 to 5 days for germination.

Temperature:
Germination: 75 to 78°F (24 to 25°C), Cotyledon stage: 72°F (22°C), True leaves: 70 to 72°F (21 to 22°C)

Light
Stage 1: Light is not required for germination
After germination: 2,500 to 3,000 f.c. (25,000 to 30,000 Lux)
Seedling maturity: Up to 5,000 f.c. (50,000 Lux)

Humidity:Maintain 95 to 97% relative humidity (RH) until cotyledons emerge.

Soil Moisture:Keep soil moisture high at radicle emergence, then reduce moisture levels after cotyledon development. Do not allow seedlings to wilt.

Fertilizer
Stages 1 & 2: Maintain an EC of 0.75 mmhos/cm and pH of 5.8 to 6.0.
Stages 3 & 4: Maintain an EC of 1 mmhos/cm and pH of 5.8 to 6.0.

Growth Regulators:Not required.

Growing On to Finish
Container Size:10 to 12-in. (25 to 30-cm) basket: 5 to 6 plants per basket

Media:Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.8 to 6.0 and medium initial nutrient charge.

Temperature
Night: 65° to 68°F (18° to 20°C), Day: 75°F (24°C) or above

Light:Keep light levels high.

Irrigation:Maintain even moisture. Avoid excessive wetness.

Fertilizer:Feed plants weekly with 200 to 300 ppm N in a complete fertilizer, again maintaining a pH of 6.0 or less.

Growth Regulators:None required.

Crop Scheduling
Sow to transplant (392-cell plug): 5 weeks
Transplant to finish in a 3-in. (7-cm) pot: 6 to 8 weeks
Transplant 3-in. (7-cm) pot to 10 to 12-in. (25 to
30-cm) container: Approximately 5 to 7 weeks with 5 to 6 plants per container
Total crop time from sow to finished large
container: 17 to 20 weeks. The timing is dependent on the temperature and light provided.

Common Problems
Diseases: Incorporate a preventative fungicide program for Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Theleviopsis, BotrytisInsects: Thrips, aphids