Vinca minor planting

ripplyuk

I've bought one vinca minor plant and now realise I probably need more, given the large area I'm trying to cover. Rather than going back to buy more, I was thinking about splitting the plant into two, or even three and planting in different parts. Is this a good idea? I don't want to damage it. Would doing this cover the area quicker?

arbrighton

Often plants bought at garden centres are ready for splitting before planting- some I've bought have been split into five. Usually done with a sharp spade (and I'm clumsy so it's never neat) to get some root and some top on each part

Could you post a pic so we can see if there is split-ability?

Mojisola

It's very easy to root cuttings from Vinca - grow on for a bit in pots and then plant out.

If the plant has long enough growths, peg them down to the soil - they will put out roots. You can cut the long growths up into pieces and plant out the rooted sections.

ripplyuk

I can try to post a pic in the morning, though I'm technically clueless:). It's not a huge plant as it is, but from what I've read, this is quite a resilient plant so I'm hoping it'll be ok. I've just never done this before, and have no idea of the right way to do it. Do I just cut it apart and put each section in pots?

I'm also a bit confused about how this actually spreads once planted out. What I've read by googling is quite conflicting. Some people say it spreads along the top surface, attaching to things as it goes. Others say it has very deep roots.

Money_maker

Generally it spreads as Mojisola has described, some of the growth may already have roots trying to sprout. Also the roots spread and growth may come from them as they touch the surface. There should be plenty of top growth at this time of year but plant is probably too spindly to think of splitting.

ripplyuk

Here it is. It's only a small pot, about 6 or 7 inches across.

DaftyDuck

You can probably split that into twenty plants, if you so wish. If you dunk the rootball in a bucket of water and wiggle, it will wash off much of the soil. Tease any tendril off that has visible roots (you can be rough) and plant in moist compost (I'd use a pot for the first month for extra care). Peg down each branchlet so it dips under the soil, and it'll root there as well. Keep well-watered for the first month or two.

Alternatively, if the main plant appears to have just one stem, plant the whole thing in a much larger pot, but plant it 3 inches too deep, and cover two-thirds of the top with soil. Pull and pole the branch endings to expose them a little, leave most of it covered. You'll end up with roots all over the place.