Propagation of Vinca minor by Single-node Cuttings

Abstract

Stems of three Vinca minor L. cultivars (‘Bowles Variety’, ‘Dart's Blue’, and ‘Sterling Silver’) were collected on four dates (January, April, July, and October) and prepared as single-node cuttings, either from the distal 10 cm (4 in) of the stem or from the section of the stem just proximal to that. The cuttings were treated with mixtures of indolebutyric acid (IBA) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in 50% ethanol at concentrations of 0, 1000 + 500, 2000 + 1000, or 3000 + 1500 ppm (0, 0.1 + 0.05, 0.2 + 0.1, or 0.3 + 0.15%) (IBA + NAA). They were then placed under intermittent mist for rooting. Highest rooting percentages occurred with the 1000 + 500 ppm IBA + NAA treatment. For cuttings taken in October, the proximal cuttings rooted at somewhat higher percentages than the distal cuttings (85 vs. 77%) but at other times, stem position had little effect on rooting. Optimum time of year for rooting varied with cultivar but all cultivars rooted well in October.