Grower Facts Vinca Mediterranean Xp
(Catharanthus roseus)

Germination
Germination takes 3 to 5 days.
-Soil Temperature: 75 to 78°F (24 to 25°C)
-Light: Not required
-Moisture: Keep soil wet (level 4) during Stage
-Humidity: Maintain 95% relative humidity (RH) until the cotyledons emerge.

Plug Production
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 0.75 mmhos/cm)

Sowing
-Can be produced in 392, 288, or similar cell size plug trays. Cover the seed with vermiculite.
-Allow 3 to 5 days for germination.

Stage 1 – Germination takes 3 to 5 days.
Soil Temperature: 75 to 78°F (24 to 25°C)
Light: Not required
Moisture: Keep soil wet (level 4) during Stage 1.
Humidity: Maintain 95% relative humidity (RH) until the cotyledons emerge.

Stage 2
Soil temperature: 70 to 72°F (21 to 22°C)
Light: Up to 2,500 f.c. (26,900 Lux)
Moisture: Reduce soil moisture slightly (level 3 to 4) to allow the roots to penetrate into the media.
Fertilizer: Apply fertilizer at rate 1 (less than 100 ppm N/less than 0.7 mS/cm EC) from nitrateform fertilizers with low phosphorous.

Stage 3
Soil temperature: 70 to 72°F (21 to 22°C)
Light: Up to 2,500 f.c. (26,900 Lux)
Moisture: Allow media to dry further until the surface becomes light brown (level 2) before watering. Keep the moisture to wet-dry cycle (moisture level 4 to 2).
Fertilizer: Increase fertilizer to rate 2 (100 to 175 ppm N/0.7 to 1.2 mS/cm EC). Maintain medium pH of 5.8 to 6.0 and EC between 1.0 and 1.5 mS/cm (1:2 extraction).

Stage 4
Soil temperature: 70 to 72°F (21 to 22°C)
Light: Up to 5,000 f.c. (53,800 Lux) if temperature can be controlled.
Moisture: Same as Stage 3.
Fertilizer: Same as Stage 3.
Growth Regulators: Not needed.

Growing On to Finish
Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless media with a pH of 5.5 to 6.0 and a medium initial nutrient charge (EC 0.75 mmhos/cm).

Temperature
Nights: 65 to 68°F (18 to 20°C)
Days: 75°F (24°C) or above

Light
As high as possible while maintaining optimal production temperatures.

Irrigation
Maintain even moisture. Avoid excessive media and foliage wetness as these conditions are favorable for disease incidence.

Fertilizer
Starting a week after transplant, apply fertilizer at rate 4 (225 to 300 ppm N/1.5 to 2.0 mS/cm) once a week using predominately a nitrate-form fertilizer with low phosphorus and high potassium. Maintain the media EC at 1.5 to 2.0 mS/cm and pH at 5.5 to 6.0. For constant fertilizer program, can apply fertilizer at rate 3 (175 to 225 ppm N/1.2 to 1.5 mS/cm) while maintaining the above recommended EC and pH ranges.

Growth Regulators Not required.
Crop Scheduling
Sow to transplant (392, 288, or similar cell plug size): 5 weeks

Total crop time from sow:

Common Problems
Diseases: Incorporate a preventative fungicide program for Rhizoctonia, Botrytis and Phytophthora