My experience with Vinca major is as an invasive nuisance. It grows on the bank of a small creek from about a half mile from our property and follows it up into our forest. It will bloom a little when it gets enough sun through the trees. It stops when overcome by wild blackberry. Not a pretty sight. Al

Do you mean:
-Vinca major (vine groundcover)
-Vinca minor (vine groundcover)
-Vinca rosea/Catharanthus rosea (annual flower)

I'm assuming you mean the pretty and tough flower, Madagascar Periwinkle aka Vinca, Catharanthus rosea.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vinca the Annual Garden Plant

I'm also going to assume that she means Catharanthus roseus, commonly called 'Vinca' to everyone's confusion, lol. My hint is that her plants don't like a lot of water, which certainly fits this plant, but not the true Vincas.

Though I've never grown this plant from seed, I do know that I pinch them back when I purchase young plants, and it does respond with more branching. I wouldn't do it unless necessary, though.

Be conservative with the fertilization, especially since you'll be watering this plant less frequently.

I'm talking about annual Vinca - the bedding flower, not perennial vinca vine. Sorry I didn't specify - I thought everyone would assume it was the annual, since this is the annual forum. Probably shouldn't assume that though, since sometimes people post in the wrong forum!

Deanna

In my garden, vinca is a reseeding annual that doesn't like cool soil or too much water. I use rich compost rather than fertilizer. I don't pinch.

{{gwi:4000}}

Nell

Nice picture, Nell :)

I love annual Vinca, they always look neat, never scraggly. They like full sun, hot and on the drier side. Don't overwater, but seems you are already aware of that. I don't pinch. I don't start seeds too early, though, because Vinca does not like cool soil. If planted in cool soil, a lot of times they will rot out, especially if it is a "normal" moist spring. I just sowed my seeds a few days ago, they should be ready to go by 3rd week of May, that's plenty of time.

Those are gorgeous! How fun to have something so pretty with no effort. :-) I love it when that happens!

Deanna