Colored Bifta Seeds - Vinca - Alonka (Catharanthus roseus)

Common name: Vinca flower - Baftha Scientific name: Catharanthus roseus Other names: Alonka - Bright eyes - Pink sea snail Vinca or Baftha is considered one of the strongest resistant outdoor plants, belonging to the Apocynaceae family and therefore 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 or Baftha flower: The flowers have five star-shaped, flat petals in various colors, arranged in opposite pairs, measuring between 2.5 cm and 3.5 cm. It blooms most days of the year. Vinca or Baftha seeds: The seeds are inside small pods about 3 cm long, and are small, black, oval-shaped. Germination season: In spring and late winter, but it can be cultivated year-round in greenhouses and enclosed or plastic places where temperature can be controlled, and where the plant receives sufficient sunlight or lighting. Suitable climate and soil for growing Vinca or Baftha: The Baftha plant is resistant to frost and extreme heat. It prefers sunny locations, tolerates moderate salinity and drought. It does not require much watering except during peak summer days when it needs daily watering. It grows in most soil types. How to cultivate Vinca or Baftha: It propagates easily through seeds planted 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: It is used to beautify gardens and decorate empty spaces in agricultural beds. It also has some medicinal uses. Original habitat: Its native habitats are Brazil, Madagascar, Southeast Asia, from where it spread to many parts of the world.