Madagascar Periwinkle-Vinca rosea From Seed?

I need some info from you guys/gals who may have tried growing Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus [Vinca rosea]) from seed. As I was doing a little research on the net I ran into some 'scary' "how-to" info. From that page it sounded like the plants should be a lot more expensive as 6-cell flats than they are. LOL

Then I checked the PFs here (http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/185) on DG and read that in certain zones the plants tend to self-seed.

I just need to hear what kind of success rates others have had and whether or not there *are* special needs to get them germinated and growing. Also, what time line do I need to plan (6-8 weeks before last frost...more??)

Thanks in advance...

~julie~

Julie, my mother planted vinca on a slope in the backyard so she wouldn't have to mow that area. the First few years it was pretty, then when it was cropping-up everywhere, she was too old to reign it back in. Nothing but the highest powered Round-up type herbacide would even slow it down. Vinca ate 60% of the backyard and half the front yard.
Just a fair warning.
Good luck
sidney

Hi Sidney! hehehe That warning is for FLA *not* for Wis. LOL UP here we're lucky to get things to stick around for the summer...much less make a 'home' in our soil.

~julie~

Julie,
I am wondering if sidney is thinking about the ground cover vinca instead of the annual flower you are talking about?

I am sorry I can't help you about growing from seed as I just buy the plants in flats.

I have never had any vinca re-seed although I wish they would!!! They are sooo pretty, care-free and drought tolerant. I do absolutely nothing to mine and they bloom their little heads off. I'd like to find a source for seeds of individual colors instead of the mixes.

Good luck!

I was surprised that a couple vinca came back as volunteers from seed for me this year , but the time I tried to get some to grow from seeds, they didn't. Think it might be one that's easier to buy already blooming.

Susan

Susan...That's what I wanted to know. I've read a couple of grower's info site and it seemed to me that the seeds *might* be a little more complicated to get started than I cared to deal with. Thanks for answering.

~julie~

I've done it several times and it wasn't that hard.. just slightly cover the seeds, they germinate quite fast, and grow fast enough for me ;)

Hey fellows, these babies start by just spinkling them on soil and watering.

Thanks Evert and rb250...I spent my first year with the Vinca rosea in the garden this past summer. They performed so very well that I want to make sure I have them again next year.

I don't like to start seeds that are fussy and/or hard to get and keep growing. So it looks like, from the info you all have given me, I should at least have fairly good luck growing some from seed.

Thanks so much for your input.

~julie~