Coleus

The genus Coleus, or Nettle (Coleus), unites more than 150 species-decorative-leaved perennial plants, which are more often grown as annuals. These crops, due to their variegated leaves, are considered one of the most attractive houseplants. The most common species is Coleus blumei and its garden forms. On erect tetrahedral stems, broad-oval leaves develop, large opposite ones with a velvety surface of various colors: from brown-red to yellow-green, yellow, red, orangish, dark brown with a golden or green border, sometimes mottled, - covered with a pattern. The flowers are two-pronged, small and nondescript, white or blue, collected in racemose inflorescences. The leaves of Coleus Frederica (C. frederici) are dark green, bordered with pronounced veins. The decorative value of this species (among the few) is associated with the lilac-blue flowers collected in small brushes. Leaves of Coleus pyramidal paniculate (Coleus thyrsoideus) are heart-shaped, with a serrated edge. In winter, blue tubular flowers bloom, collected in long apical inflorescences. Coleus verschaffelti (C. verschaffeltii) has large purplish-red velvety leaves with a bright pattern in the center and a dark green border.

The genus Coleus, or Nettle (Coleus), unites more than 150 species-decorative-leaved perennial plants, which are more often grown as annuals. These crops, due to their variegated leaves, are considered one of the most attractive houseplants.

The most common species is Coleus blumei and its garden forms. On erect tetrahedral stems, broad-oval leaves develop, large opposite ones with a velvety surface of various colors: from brown-red to yellow-green, yellow, red, orangish, dark brown with a golden or green border, sometimes mottled, - covered with a pattern. The flowers are two-pronged, small and nondescript, white or blue, collected in racemose inflorescences.

The leaves of Coleus Frederica (C. frederici) are dark green, bordered with pronounced veins. The decorative value of this species (among the few) is associated with the lilac-blue flowers collected in small brushes.

Leaves of Coleus pyramidal paniculate (Coleus thyrsoideus) are heart-shaped, with a serrated edge. In winter, blue tubular flowers bloom, collected in long apical inflorescences.

Coleus verschaffelti (C. verschaffeltii) has large purplish-red velvety leaves with a bright pattern in the center and a dark green border.

Cultivation

Coleus is grown at home to decorate rooms, compose compositions; it can also be used outdoors - in borders, in flower beds or in pots as annuals. But coleus Blum can be grown in this way for more than a year, if you keep it indoors in winter. Coleus pyramidal paniculate is cultivated as a biennial plant. Coleus is planted in the open ground in May. 5-10 kg / m2 of rotted manure is applied as fertilizer. For potted specimens, use peat soil with good drainage, enriched with organic fertilizers in the amount of 10 g per bucket. Once every 15-20 days, a liquid mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation - 10 ml per bucket. In most species and hybrids, the tops of the shoots are usually pinched, the buds are removed to get plants with thicker foliage. Coleus needs high humidity and a bright location.

Coleus is grown at home to decorate rooms, compose compositions; it can also be used outdoors - in borders, in flower beds or in pots as annuals. But coleus Blum can be grown in this way for more than a year, if you keep it indoors in winter. Coleus pyramidal paniculate is cultivated as a biennial plant. Coleus is planted in the open ground in May.

5-10 kg / m2 of rotted manure is applied as fertilizer. For potted specimens, use peat soil with good drainage, enriched with organic fertilizers in the amount of 10 g per bucket. Once every 15-20 days, a liquid mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation - 10 ml per bucket. In most species and hybrids, the tops of the shoots are usually pinched, the buds are removed to get plants with thicker foliage.

Coleus needs high humidity and a bright location.

Location

Coleus at home prefers a bright place, and under the open sky - partial shade, since in the bright sun the decorative value of the plant is significantly reduced.

Temperature

The temperature should not fall below 12 °C. An elevated air temperature is also allowed, as long as the appropriate humidity is provided.

Watering

In summer, they are watered abundantly and often. Potting soil should always be moist. Water necessarily with non-cold water, carefully, without flooding the plants. The pot can be placed on a wet layer of pebbles or expanded clay.

Transplant

The size of the container must correspond to the degree of development of the plant, so if necessary, they are transplanted into a new pot and several times a year. Transplanting perennial specimens is done in the spring (sometimes cuttings are taken before this). The composition of the land: turf, leaf, sand.

Reproduction

Propagate by seeds, less often by cuttings. Sowing is carried out in January-February, indoors, in seed soil, keeping it moist, but at the same time eliminating water stagnation. Keep the temperature at 20-22 °C. As soon as the seedlings grow up, they are transplanted singly into cups, after which they are transferred from time to time to larger containers, then planted completely. Coleus is easily over-pollinated, so the seed progeny is heterogeneous. Especially valuable species are usually cut in March-April (you can spend the whole summer cutting). Cuttings are planted with an earthen mixture of leafy earth and sand (1:1), maintain a temperature of 18-20 °C, low humidity and provide good ventilation. After the roots are formed, the cuttings are transferred to new containers or planted in the air, at a permanent planting site.

Propagate by seeds, less often by cuttings. Sowing is carried out in January-February, indoors, in seed soil, keeping it moist, but at the same time eliminating water stagnation. Keep the temperature at 20-22 °C. As soon as the seedlings grow up, they are transplanted singly into cups, after which they are transferred from time to time to larger containers, then planted completely. Coleus is easily over-pollinated, so the seed progeny is heterogeneous.

Especially valuable species are usually cut in March-April (you can spend the whole summer cutting). Cuttings are planted with an earthen mixture of leafy earth and sand (1:1), maintain a temperature of 18-20 °C, low humidity and provide good ventilation. After the roots are formed, the cuttings are transferred to new containers or planted in the air, at a permanent planting site.

Diseases

Coleuses are susceptible to spider mite infestations (tiny cobwebs appear on the underside of the leaf), aphids and thrips (on shoots and leaves). Pests are removed manually (a brush or cotton swab soaked in alcohol is used to remove worms), and special preparations are processed.

Acquisition

It is recommended to buy in the spring, the plants should be small, but well-formed; they will develop during the warm season.