Red Bifta Seeds - Vinca - Alonka (Catharanthus roseus)

Common name: Vinca flower - Red periwinkle Scientific name: Catharanthus roseus Other names: Bright eyes - Pink sea snail Vinca or periwinkle is considered one of the most resilient outdoor plants, belonging to the Apocynaceae family and therefore it is toxic. It is evergreen and lives for years. Its branched stems reach up to 80 cm in height. Its leaves are thick, green, and oval-shaped. It is considered an easy-to-propagate plant and resistant to insects. It has been successfully cultivated in the central region of Saudi Arabia, where it spreads densely in gardens because it tolerates hot and dry weather. Vinca flower or red periwinkle: flowers with five star-shaped, flat petals in a deep red color, arranged in opposite pairs, with a size between 2.5 cm and 3.5 cm. It blooms most days of the year. Vinca or red periwinkle seeds: seeds are inside small pods about 3 cm in size, and are small, black, oval-shaped. Germination season: in spring and late winter. It can also be cultivated year-round in protected agricultural environments, enclosed or plastic places where temperature can be controlled and where the plant receives sunlight or adequate lighting. Suitable climate and soil for growing Vinca or red periwinkle: the periwinkle plant is resistant to frost and extreme heat. It prefers sunny locations. It tolerates moderate salinity and drought. It does not require much watering except during hot summer days when it needs daily watering. It grows in most soil types. How to cultivate Vinca or red periwinkle: it propagates easily through seeds planted about 1 cm deep in the soil surface. It can be fertilized with organic fertilizer at least once during flowering. It does not require much care. Its benefits and uses: used to beautify gardens and decorate empty spaces in agricultural beds. It also has some medicinal uses. Original homeland: its original homeland is Brazil, Madagascar, Southeast Asia, from where it spread to many parts of the world.