Among the abundance of elegant decorative species, a special place among plant growers is periwinkle. This plant is one of the first to bloom in the garden and allows you to decorate the site after a full spring thaw. The article provides a detailed description of the periwinkle small, as one of the most popular species, and also considers a short list of requirements for the successful growth and reproduction of a flower.
Description, characteristics and structure
Periwinkle (Vinca minor) is a representative of the genus Periwinkle (Vinca), a member of the Apocynaceae family. It is a flowering species, the natural habitat of which is considered the temperate climatic zones of North America and Asia. Today it can be found almost throughout the planet, as the best object for landscaping garden plots, terraces, etc.
Periwinkle is a perennial species, with a flowering grassy, creeping stalk of a shrub type. The crown is spreading type, up to 40 cm high, but in the natural environment the plant height often does not exceed 20 cm. Two types of shoots are observed at the bush, the main (flowering) and secondary, they are covered with thin green or reddish-green bark. The root system of the fibrous type is located in the upper horizons of the soil, up to 70 cm long.
The shoots are abundantly covered with opposite, petiole, leathery leaves, ovoid or oval. Each leaf is distinguished by a saturated green shade of the front side, while the reverse has gray-green shades. The surface of the leaves is smooth, with a characteristic glossy sheen. Leaves are collected in small whorls, 3 pcs. The average sheet length is 2–5 cm, while the width does not exceed 2.5 cm.
Flowering periwinkle is observed during May-June. During this period, the crown is covered with single axial flowers, up to 3 cm in diameter. They are located on pedicels about 2-3 cm long. Each flower consists of bare, lanceolate-triangular lobes up to 4 mm long. After flowering, the periwinkle forms the so-called double-leafed fruit, with elongated, cylindrical brown seeds.
Landing
Compliance with a special planting technology is the main rule for the successful cultivation of any ornamental plant. Thanks to this, it is possible to create not only the most favorable microclimate for growth and reproduction, but also to ensure long-term and efficient flowering. For this, first of all, it will be necessary to determine the right place on the site, as well as to skillfully prepare the substrate.
Seat selection
Periwinkle is not picky about the place to plant. The plant perfectly develops on almost any soil with a neutral or slightly acidic pH reaction. Moreover, it can be safely grown in the sun or partial shade, in the lower tier of tree plantations or in an open area, but protected from drafts. The plant looks best on slopes or plains, it is not recommended to plant it in the lowland, as this often leads to overmoistening of the crown and the appearance of fungal infections.
Soil preparation
The first thing to remember when growing periwinkle, this species needs cultivated and well-fertilized soils. To do this, about 2 weeks before planting at the chosen place, weed and all kinds of contaminants should be cleaned and then plowed to a depth of at least 30 cm. After this, peat, humus, rotted manure or compost (5 kg / m²) should be added to the site, and then plow the soil again.
If clay soils predominate in the garden, it is recommended to lighten them; for this, 1-3 kg of fresh river sand should be added to 1 m² of area. Before planting, the soil is left alone, so that the introduced components are well distributed over the substrate.
Important! The most demanding view is the moisture capacity of the soil, periwinkle grows poorly in places with moisture stagnation. That is why it is strongly not recommended to grow it on clay soils.
Landing rules
Often, the periwinkle planting does not require specific skills and knowledge, the plant roots well and is unpretentious. However, for further successful growth, some strict rules must be observed.
First of all, you should:
- perform the procedure in early spring (April) or before winter (in the second half of October);
- place the planting holes at a distance of at least 30–35 cm, the species is perennial, so the place under the bushes should be allocated with a margin;
- at the bottom of the pits place a drainage layer of fine gravel, crushed stone or broken brick, about 10 cm thick;
- be sure to add any nitrogen and phosphorus mineral fertilizer to the planting hole, this will stimulate the growth of green mass and the root system;
- at the end of the procedure, it is good to water the stands.
Outdoor Care
In order to achieve high-quality flowering, as well as to avoid any problems with periwinkle, it is imperative that both young and mature bushes provide specific care. The procedure involves the creation of a special irrigation system, top dressing, as well as protection against damage by all kinds of pests, etc.
Watering
Periwinkle small tolerates drought, so it can develop even with minimal substrate moisture. However, growth activity and its decorative properties directly depend on high-quality watering. Therefore, this procedure should be resorted to with special care.
Watering young seedlings
In spring, young seedlings are watered about 1 time per week, for no more than 1 month. If the planting was carried out in the fall, a single wetting of the substrate after planting the seedling will be enough to provide it with the necessary humidity until the next season.
Watering 1-4 year old plants
Young plants are watered no more than once every 2 weeks, during periods of summer drought, the frequency of the procedure is increased. Bushes are watered most abundantly during prolonged summer drought; during this period, the periwinkle needs to be moistened once a week.
Important! Watering the periwinkle is performed under the root. The plant’s crown does not need sprinkling, since often this leads to all kinds of damage to shoots and leaves by fungi.
Watering adult plants
Watering adult plants is no different from hydrating young ones. The procedure is carried out with the same multiplicity and other features. However, adult plants require at least 5 l / shrub for optimal hydration, while for young this rate can be reduced to 2-3 l / shrub.
Mulching
To provide the optimum microclimate for the periwinkle, each bush should be mulched. To do this, the trunk circle must be covered with hay, straw, pine needles, wood bark, sawdust, etc. At the same time, the thickness of the mulching layer should be at least 10 cm. Update the mulch periodically, as it is used up, about 1 time per month.
Fertilizer and fertilizer
Throughout the active vegetation, periwinkle needs regular feeding. Perform this procedure approximately every 14-20 days, after abundant watering of the soil. Often the plant needs abundant fertilizing with nitrogen and phosphorus. In early spring, in the second half of summer and autumn, bushes are fed with mullein solutions (1:13), with a flow rate of 5 l / m². During flowering, “Superphosphate” (40-60 g / plant) or any other alternative mineral fertilizer is applied to the soil.
Winter preparations
Only young plants, up to 3 years old, need specific preparation for winter. Despite their winter hardiness, such seedlings can freeze out during snowy and cold winters, so it is recommended to mulch them well in the first half of November. To preserve the decorativeness of the bush, young plants are recommended and cover. To do this, cover the crown with hay or straw (a layer of at least 10 cm), spruce or pine spruce branches, spanbond, dense burlap or any other vapor-permeable material.
Did you know? Spanbond was first made in 1965. The technology of its production was invented by the German scientist Ludwig Hartmann.
Breeding
Periwinkle small lends itself well to reproduction, regardless of the age and size of the bush. The procedure can be performed in two main ways: vegetative (parts of the bush and their appendages) and generative (by seeds). At the same time, the vegetative method is considered the most effective, only it allows you to save all the properties of the mother plant. In addition, the periwinkles grown from seeds begin to bloom no earlier than for 2-3 season after the first shoots.
Scions
They begin this procedure in the early spring or in the first half of September. To get a full-fledged seedling from the lateral processes, you should dig 2-3 lower shoots into the ground (top down), to a depth of about 10 cm. To root the cuttings, it takes about 5-6 months, respectively, at the end of the season or next spring they need to be separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a new place. Trim the shoots so as to form a small seedling, about 15 cm high.
Cuttings
The procedure is carried out in the second half of spring, after the appearance of leaves or in the summer, after flowering. For cuttings from a young bush, several apical or lateral shoots are cut, with at least 2-3 nodes. Next, cuttings should be soaked in a solution of "Heteroauxin" (1 tablet / 2 l of water) for about 20 minutes.
Rooted cuttings in special soil for indoor plants, under a plastic wrap, in a warm and well-lit place, providing moderate watering (the soil should always be slightly moist). After the appearance of a new pair of leaves, the shelter is removed. Seedlings are ready for planting on the site for the next season. But, if the cuttings were selected no later than June, they should be planted in the same season, no later than the end of August.
Dividing the bush
Periwinkle is most often propagated by dividing the bush. The procedure is especially popular not only for growing new flower beds, but also for rejuvenating old plants. Spend it in the early spring, no later than mid-April and only with mature bushes, at least 5 years old. Otherwise, the procedure will negatively affect the viability of the plant.
For propagation by dividing, you should dig out the bush together with the root system, and then divide it into 2-3 parts. This is done so that on each small fragment there remains a small fragment of the stem, with at least 2-3 pairs of leaves. Each seedling should be treated with Fitosporin solution, and then planted in a new place.
Sowing seeds
The most time-consuming method of propagation of periwinkle is the germination of seeds, they are collected after flowering plants and the fruit is fully ripened. The collected seed is stored in a dry and cool place until spring. Around the end of March, they are sown in common boxes in a row-wise manner with 10 cm row spacing, to a depth of no more than 2-3 cm. Any substrate for indoor plants is used for this.
Did you know? In ancient times, many peoples of Europe used periwinkle for magical purposes. In Austria and Germany, for example, the flower was used for fortune telling, as well as the search for witches.
Germinate seeds under cover of transparent polyethylene, at a temperature of at least + 23 ° C, in a well-lit place. After emergence, the tank can be opened. Once the seedlings form 2-3 pairs of full leaves and reaches a height of 9 cm, it can be transplanted to the site.
Diseases and Pests
Due to the increased content of alkaloids, periwinkle small is resistant to all kinds of pests and specific infections. But, in some cases, in case of non-compliance with the agricultural technique of growing plants, bushes can be affected by powdery mildew and other fungal infections. They are struggled with using two sprayings of the crown (with a gap of 14 days) with any complex fungicide.
Of pests, foliage and shoots can sometimes affect aphids or scale insects. To cope with them, the plant should be sprayed with soapy water 2-3 times. It is prepared from 200 g of laundry soap grated on a fine grater and 10 l of warm water.
Landscape design application
In the bulk of cases, periwinkle is used in landscape design as a breeding species. They plant greenery on the lower tier of tall flower beds, as well as tree-like vegetation, including planting of fruit trees. Planting of plants on artificial or natural slopes, as well as in garden containers, also has a sufficiently large decorative effect.
In this case, the periwinkle can successfully decorate the veranda or arbor. In addition, all sorts of varieties of this species can be used as the central object of the flower bed, including in combination with all kinds of herbaceous plants and shrubs.
Periwinkle small is a unique medicinal species that has unsurpassed decorative qualities. This allows you to use it quite widely for landscaping the lower tier of tall vegetation, as well as creating elegant flower beds. The plant is unpretentious, however, in order to successfully cultivate it for more than one year, you will need to follow not only the specific planting procedure, but also propagate the bush on time.