VINCA VICTORY

Plug Culture – 6 weeks

Stage One (days 1-7) Select a sterile, soiless media to ensure a disease-free start with a pH between 5.5 and 5.8. Lightly cover the seed with vermiculite and maintain uniform moisture and a temperature of 75-80 °F/24-27 °C. Vinca seed tends to germinate more uniformly in total darkness.

Stage Two (days 8-14) Remove the seedlings from the germination area and place them in warm, bright and wellventilated greenhouse. Reduce the temperature to 70-75 °F/21-24 °C. Apply a light feed of 50-75 ppm nitrogen using a well-balanced calcium-nitrate-based fertilizer as the first true leaves start to appear. Supplemental lighting is beneficial in promoting strong healthy plugs; especially in the north.

Stage Three (days 15-30) As plants develop additional leaves, maintain warm temperatures, and fertilize with 100- 150 ppm of nitrogen as needed to maintain E.C. levels between 0.7 and 0.8. mmhos (2:1 slurry). Allowing the plugs to dry slightly between irrigations will promote a healthy and strong root system. It is best to water early in the morning to allow the foliage to dry before sundown.

Stage Four (days 31-42) The plugs are reaching maturation. Reduce fertilizer and irrigations to prepare the plugs for transplanting or shipping. Do not reduce the temperature too much as Vinca responds negatively to temperatures below 65 °F/18 °C. Transplanting to flower – 5-6 weeks

Transplanting: Select a well-drained soiless media with a pH between 5.5 and 5.8 and a low nutrient charge. Carefully dislodge the plants from the plug tray in order to avoid root and stem damage. Also, be careful not to bury the plants too deeply as this encourages rhizoctonia.

Fertilizer: Vinca is not a heavy feeder, and E.C. levels should not exceed 1.0 mhos. Fertilize with 100-150 ppm nitrogen using a well-balanced calcium-nitrate-based fertilizer. Like pansies, vinca has a higher requirement for some trace elements. Pansy Special fertilizers with higher boron levels work well. The use of ammonium nitrate is not recommended.

Temperature: Vinca does best grown warm with high light. Ideal temperatures are 75-80 °F /24-27 °C, during the day and 68-72 °F / 20-22 °C, at night. Avoid growing Vinca at lower temperatures, (less than 65°F / 18°C), as this promotes leaf rolling and leaf chlorosis. Lower temperatures (< 60 °F / 15 °C) can also promote flower spotting.

Diseases: Vinca has very few pest problems but can be seriously affected by disease. Thielaviopsis (black root rot) and Pythium are major greenhouse problems that are best controlled by practicing good sanitation. Fungicidal drenches can be applied as a preventive measure. However, good cultural practices, (growing the crop warm, providing good air movement, optimum meida pH and allowing the media to dry slightly between irrigations), is the best defense.

Growth Regulators: Vinca usually does not require growth regulators. In areas of very high heat and humidity, growth regulators, particularly Bonzi, may be used at very low rates. Avoid applying growth regulators on very warm days and be forewarned that the use of Bonzi can cause black spots to develop on older leaves. Moisture stress, moderate fertilizer rates and high light levels are the best tools for controlling height.

Crop Timing:
Cell packs: 5 weeks from transplanting
4 inch/10 cm pots: 6 weeks from transplanting