Coleus

Coleus belongs to the family of Lipocytes or Clear-flowered. The genus of this plant includes about 150 varieties. The name comes from a Greek word that means "case". In the wild, Coleus grows in Africa, as well as Asia, mainly in tropical forests. Some growers who still have not enough experience, confusingly, can call the culture "poor man's croton". The plant received this name for its variegated foliage shade, which outwardly very strongly resembles the shade of croton leaves. However, croton leaves have a more spectacular appearance.

In addition, the Coleus has another name, which sounds like a "garbage plant". But this is also a common mistake, since the new bred varieties of Coleus look very beautiful, noble, bright and can perfectly perform decorative functions along with the same croton, as well as other plants that are planted when creating landscape design. So, Coleus has very beautiful decorative leaves, an unusual shade, and at the same time is an unpretentious plant.

Coleus: photo of flowers

Coleus: plant description

The Coleus flower has tetrahedral stems, which usually woody near the surface of the earth. The leaves are opposite each other. Their surface is covered with villi. Also, the leaf plates of the plant are characterized by an uneven edge. The size of the leaves is not large, however, in some species, the size of one leaf plate can be about 15 cm. Coleus leaves look like nettle leaves, so the plant can be easily confused, and is popularly called "nettle". The shade of the leaves can be completely different. As a rule, it is a combination of any two shades. For example, burgundy, red, as well as yellow and green. Coleus flowers are collected in an ear, the flowers are small in size and have a lilac or blue tint. But in this case, the flowers do not perform a decorative function, since this function is taken over by the leaves.

But breeders do not stand still, and among the various species and varieties bred, you can also find coleus, which have very beautiful flowers.

Coleus: photo of flowers

Growing

The main purpose of Coleus is to perform decorative functions, since the plant has bright beautiful leaves. The Coleus plant is propagated using seeds that are sown for growing seedlings closer to mid-spring. The grown seedlings will be ready for planting in open ground when the soil warms up well and return frosts are gone.

The Coleus plant is best planted in a place that will be very well lit by the sun in the first half of the day. In the afternoon, the flower needs to create partial shade. The optimum temperature at which the plant will grow well is about 18 - 20 degrees. In winter, Coleus tolerates temperatures up to 12 degrees, but not lower. Coleus needs frequent and abundant watering, and you also need to ensure that the level of humidity is high. If summers are hot and dry, you can spray the leaves of the plant with a spray bottle.

During the entire growing season, Coleus must be fed about once a week. And in winter, the feeding regime is changed, making it more rare, about once a month. Mineral complexes are suitable as fertilizers.

To make the Coleus plant look neat and effective, it is necessary to pinch unnecessary areas throughout the spring-summer season, as well as before preparing the plant for winter.When the coleus enters the dormant stage, the bush is cut off, and pruning is carried out at the very beginning of spring. Once every four years, Coleus needs a transplant.

In addition to the seed method, the cuttings method of reproduction is also used. The most popular pests that can infect plants are aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, and the well-known spider mite. From common diseases, stem and root rot are distinguished.

Coleus: photo of flowers

Coleus landing rules

As mentioned above, the plant is undemanding, therefore it is very popular among gardeners. Plants are grown at home, in the summer it can be grown on the site. The most common breeding method is growing from seeds, and you can also buy ready-made bushes and also unusual varieties of coleus in special stores.

The optimal time for sowing is the end of March. Some start sowing earlier and others later. Here you need to focus on the climate of the region where the plant is grown and, if necessary, create additional artificial lighting. Take a low-sided container and fill it with nutritious, loose, light soil. Coleus seeds should be evenly scattered over the entire surface of the earth, while it is not necessary to bury Coleus seeds, just as they should be covered with a layer of earth. You just need to spray the surface of the container, and pour a small layer of sand on top. The containers are covered with foil or glass and placed in a warm room protected from light. The shelter is removed from time to time and the plants are sprayed again to keep the ground moist. With high-quality planting material, the sprouts will sprout a week after sowing the seeds.

When the first shoots appear, immediately remove the film and place the container with seedlings in a well-lit place. However, you should avoid exposure to scorching sunlight. It is best to choose a location on the West side of the window or on the East. The room temperature should be maintained at about 18 degrees. A month after the appearance of the first shoots, when there are already about 2 true leaves on the plant, the seedlings need to be dived into separate pots. This is done in order for the seedlings to form a strong healthy root system. When the plants are about one and a half months old, it will be necessary to transplant them into separate containers of a larger volume, and also pinch the top to form a more lush bush.

Coleus: photo of flowers

Planting seedlings of Coleus

The optimal time for planting Coleus seedlings in open soil will be when the already positive temperature becomes stable, and there is also no risk of frost return. The place for the Coleus should be sunny, open. The sun must be present throughout the day. You also need to ensure that there are no strong drafts in this place. It is better to prepare the holes in advance, which will be filled with loose fertile soil. Small plants are transplanted into the holes.

Coleus is most often grown as an annual plant, because it does not require special care for itself, and, moreover, does not tolerate frost. If you cultivate it as a perennial plant, then this is considered impractical, because after a few years it will lose its beauty and in any case it will be necessary to plant new young bushes by cuttings. In addition, since Coleus is not a frost-resistant plant, it will need to be transplanted and grown in winter time in room conditions. And in the spring, transplant again into open ground, which will require additional effort and time for the gardener. When planting bushes, you must observe the distance between them.

Coleus: photo of flowers

Field plant care

What Coleus is demanding for is regular watering, especially if the summer is hot and there is no rain for a long time. Watering must be done with settled water so that it is warm. You can use the water that you have warmed up in a special barrel on the site. The barrel will also be a suitable container for storing rainwater.

After each watering of Coleus, it is imperative to loosen the soil and also remove weeds. In order for the plant to look more lush and beautiful, it is necessary to regularly do formative pruning, about 3 times per season.

Just like any plant, Coleus needs to be fed about once a week. As a fertilizer, nitrogen-containing preparations are perfect here, which contribute to the growth of leaves, which look so spectacular than flowers. If you notice the formation of buds, then it is better to cut them off, since all forces will be directed to the formation of inflorescences. Meanwhile, the leaves will already receive an insufficient amount of nutrients, and they will no longer look like this.

Some growers grow Coleus at home, propagating it by seeds and cuttings. The cultivation technology here will be similar to that described above. The only thing is, when two true leaves are already formed on the seedlings, the plant is transplanted into ready-made pots, where they will grow, reaching adult status.

In order to propagate Coleus by cuttings, it is necessary to take the section of the stem that remained after pruning the bush. Its length should not be less than 10 cm. It is necessary to remove the leaves from the bottom of the cutting and place it in a container with wet sand or soil in order for the cutting to take root. For better adaptation, the plant is covered with a plastic cap or a plastic bag can be used. After that, the cutting should be placed in a place protected from light, where the air temperature will be about 19 degrees. In about a week, our seedling will take root and it will be possible to plant it on the desired site. This breeding method is simple and often used by gardeners.

Coleus: photo of flowers

Caring for indoor Coleus at home

In order for the Coleus to look very impressive in the room, you will need to follow all the rules of care, namely, proper watering will be needed. It must be stable and of high quality. In this case, the water should be warm, soft and previously settled. Indoor coleuses are especially demanding and responsive to watering plants in summer and spring.

Do not forget about feeding and fertilizing Coleus at home about once a week during the entire active growth of the plant. As a fertilizer, ready-made mineral complexes are perfect, the concentration of which can be halved. In winter, indoor coleus are at rest, so you need to make feeding more rare, about once a month.

In addition to watering, irrigation of leaves and stems of plants from a sprayer is used. In this case, it is important to ensure that the sun's rays do not fall on the bush. During the operation of radiators in the apartment, it is necessary to artificially increase the level of air humidity. To do this, you can pour expanded clay and periodically moisten the pallet.

In order for the homemade coleus bush to look more lush and beautiful, the flowers should also be cut off, especially if you are growing a plant variety that does not differ in the beauty of the inflorescences. For the same purposes, it is necessary to periodically pinch the tops of the stems. In early spring, rejuvenating pruning is carried out, and all the stems are cut off. The cuttings remaining from pruning can be rooted and the plant propagated.

Coleus: photo of flowers

Insects - pests and diseases

If you see that the leaves and stems of the Coleus are stretched out, this indicates that the plant does not have enough light, and this also happens in the absence of timely pruning of the bush. If you put the Coleus in front of a place that is too lit, then its leaves may lose their variegated shade. If all the leaves began to fall off, then this may indicate either a moisture deficit or excessive waterlogging of the soil.

Pest insects can also infect the plant. The most popular of these are aphids, spider mites and whiteflies. If the leaves begin to curl, it means that aphids have settled here, which sucks the juice from young leaves. In addition, aphids can carry other dangerous diseases. It is necessary to get rid of aphids by treating the bush with a soap solution. It is worth noting that when treating the plant with soapy water, you should cover the soil with a film. After a week, you can do the treatment again. If aphids hit the garden coleus, then it is necessary to treat the plant with Fitoverm or any insecticide. Such drugs as Agravertin, Akarin and others help to destroy spider mites. The same drugs have worked well in the fight against the above-described pest.

Although it is better to carry out preventive measures than to try to treat the bush with insecticides, since, like any chemical agent, they harm the plant. If the necessary care is taken for the Coleus and all the rules of cultivation are followed, then the plant will have a persistent immunity to diseases and pests.

Coleus: photo of flowers

Preparing for winter

As described above, in the garden, Coleus is grown only as annualbecause it does not tolerate frost. If you nevertheless decide to save it, then you need to dig it up and transplant it into a container that will be stored all winter in your apartment. In this case, it is necessary to follow all the same rules of care. Before replanting the plant, it is necessary to change the watering regime downward and feed the Coleus. You need to feed the plant about once a month. The same care continues in the winter when the Coleus is already potted. The optimum air temperature will be 15 degrees.

Coleus: varieties and types

Coleus: photo of flowers

• Coleus hybrid. This is the most popular type of Coleus, which is most often grown at home, and does not require special care. The stem of the hybrid coleus is low and reaches a maximum height and meter, also having a tetrahedral appearance. The leaves here have a characteristic shape and an uneven edge. With a lack of light, this plant will have a green leaf tint. When placed in a sunny area, the leaves take on a burgundy hue.
• Coleus Renelta. This plant is native to the islands of Sri Lanka. It is considered an ampelous plant. The bush of the Coleus Renelt can reach no more than 50 cm in height. The leaves are opposite each other and have long petioles. Heart-shaped leaves and an uneven edge, characteristic of all Coleus. The variety is distinguished by bright veins that have a purple, brown or red hue.
• Coleus Blume... This plant is very fond of all growers. In addition, Coleus Blume has a very wide variety of species. The homeland of this species is the Southeast Asian countries. The height of the stem here does not reach a little one meter, while the stem may become lignified. The most popular varieties of Coleus Blume, which are grown by gardeners, are the black dragon, characterized by red leaves in the middle and black at the edges. They also like to grow various hybrids, which at the same time look no less impressive.

Conclusion

Coleus is a popular deciduous ornamental plant that is in great demand among flower growers and is grown as an indoor and garden plant. A plus is a wide variety of species, as well as the unpretentiousness of the culture.

Coleus: care and cultivation