Question
Hi!  I start a lots of annual seed every year and have great luck with most.  But growing annual Vinca is a challenge.  I have learned that it needs more warmth than most other plants, so I have the flats with Vinca covered with a dome and use a seed heat pad under them.it seems they are doing well each year until about this time when they start turning yellow. I use fluorescent bulbs for light, and add a little fish emulsion fertilizer to the water occasionally after they are transplanted to individual pots and are about 3 inches tall.  Would it help to use a foliar spray with fertilizer added to the water for the yellow ones?  Do you have any other info. that would help me with this problem?  I like to grow these because I can grow the vining variety that I can't find in the nursery or greenhouse.
I will be grateful for any advice you can give me on the subject of growing annual Vinca.

Answer
Hi JoAnn,
Thanx for your questions.  I wouldn't add any fertilizer until the seedlings are at least 2 weeks old and then use half the strength as recommended on the bottle/package and once every 10 days.  Another cause of yellowing is too much water.  Let the soild dry out a bit, not completely bone dry but where it is not too damp.  I use flourescents too and I don't think the light is the problem.  HOpe this helps.
Tom