Coleus - a flowering plant, but it is valued not so much for flowers, as for motley and figured leaves. Nevertheless, the beauty of Coleus is also a number of other advantages. It can be both indoor and garden, and in both cases you will not have difficulties in care, which even a novice can cope with (of course, if he understands the cultivation of coleus). In fact, there is nothing complicated in this and after reading the article you will see for yourself in this statement.
Sowing Coleus Seeds for Seedlings
It is possible to propagate a plant both by cutting and by seed.
Most often used exactly seed germination, as it is a more reliable, although quite laborious way.
Did you know? The plant has the name Coleus and belongs to the genus of the family Sponge or Clear. The name comes from the Greek kleos, which means "case." But some gardeners call it "poor croton," because the leaf color resembles croton, although it looks simpler. In our latitudes, it is usually called "nettle", because the leaves are actually more like nettle. The historical homeland of Coleus is Africa and Asia.
Best sowing time
The seeds of the plant are relatively small, which creates some difficulties in their sowing. In addition, they have a strictly defined period of awakening. Sowing Coleus with seeds can be started from the end of February and continue until April.
Soil mixture
For seed planting will require a special soil mixture. It should include part of the sand, part of sod land, and three parts of leafy land.. The soil is placed in a flatbed or in a wooden box to a depth of about 8 cm.
Did you know? Today, there are about 60 species of Coleus, most of which are derived from the type of Blume. Moreover, breeders still continue to display new varieties. Therefore, among such diversity, you will surely find a view for your garden.
Seed preparation before planting
Before sowing seeds, they are recommended to be processed in a light solution of potassium permanganate. For this, the seed is placed in the solution for about 15 minutes. After that, they need to get and dry so that they do not stick together, after which the seeds will be ready for planting.
Proper seed planting
Usually seeds are scattered on top of the soil, as it is believed that such surface sowing is ideal for the plant.. However, experienced gardeners recommend pressing them a little, without being too zealous.
The soil itself must be sufficiently moist, and the planting material must be evenly distributed. On top of it sprinkle with soil or sand about 4 mm.
To ensure the greenhouse effect, containers with seedlings should be closed with a film or glass, placed in a warm place where you can maintain a temperature of + 22 ... 25 ° C.
Shoots will have to wait about a week, but every day you need to check the soil under the film and water it if necessary.
Important! How else does coleus breed? Of course, cuttings. It is necessary to choose the strongest and healthiest shoot, carefully cut it off with a sharp knife and put it in slightly warm, not hard water. The container is placed in a sufficiently lit place without direct sunlight. When the roots appear on the handle, it is planted in a flower pot with neutral or slightly acidic soil.
Maintenance conditions and care for coleus seedlings
Proper care of the plant is necessary so that the coleus on the flowerbed retains its decorative effect. By the way, some gardeners grow it as an annual plant.
Others are transplanted once every two to three years, and planted in neutral or slightly acidic soil. To shoots were bushy, the top of the plant should be pinned, leaving 5-8 holes.
Location and lighting
The plant is rather light-loving, especially in the first days of its active growth. Therefore, care for Coleus involves the placement of containers on a well-lit window sill. It is important that this light was diffused.
The nature of the lighting depends on the type of plant. So, if there are green blotches on the leaves, then the direct rays of the sun are absolutely contraindicated to it - the color may fade and the plant will look burned out.
If they are dominated by bright colors, then direct rays are not a hindrance. But even in this case, the plant should be gradually accustomed to the sun.
Sprout pick
A pick of Coleus seedlings begins when sprouts appear in one or two pairs of leaves. Then they are planted in separate pots to a depth of 7 cm. After a month, the shoots must be moved to deeper pots - by 9-11 cm.
They take care of the sprouts in the same way as they do for an adult plant: they organize intensive, but diffused, lighting, water sufficiently, and pinch as needed. Approximately six months later, Coleus can be planted on a flower bed for the purpose of decorating.
Important! It is important to observe not only an adequate level of illumination, but also temperature. It is optimal to grow Coleus seedlings at a temperature of + 21 ... +23 ° C. Otherwise, the shoots will stretch, weaken, and the mosaic sheet, present in Coleus, will lose its decorative value.
Feeding seedlings
Two weeks after the dive, the seedlings can be fed complex fertilizers. As for the proportions, it is better to reduce the recommended dose of the instruction 3-4 times. Before you apply fertilizer, the soil near the plant must be moistened.
Caring for coleus in the garden
Relocation of seedlings to open ground begin to engage in mid-June or towards the end of the month. If Coleus is planted as a houseplant, then the procedure can be carried out two weeks earlier.
Selection of land for landing
When choosing a place for a plant, remember that it is light-requiring, but it does not tolerate the direct rays of the sun (it can lose all its beauty and decorative effect). Therefore, for the beds, choose the shaded areas.
If your territory is fully illuminated by sunlight and there is simply no place to “hide”, then stop on varieties with bright colors. Otherwise, you will have to figure out how to apply the plants at noon.
Adult coleus are even less demanding on the soil. They give excellent growth in leaf, sod, and in the usual garden soil.
In summer, the plant easily tolerates elevated temperatures and intense heat, but only if it is watered well. However, it is sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. With a thermometer reading below + 15 ° C, it slows down noticeably.
Correct watering
Proper watering of Coleus is that the soil does not dry out under it. From spring to autumn it is watered quite abundantly, periodically sprinkling the plant with clean water.
This refreshment procedure is preferably carried out in the evening. Water for the plant should be taken soft, preferably separated and slightly warm. Ideal use of rainwater. If the air temperature is low, then reduce the amount of watering.
Fertilizer plants
In general, the plant is unpretentious and grows well in flowerbeds and without top dressing. But nevertheless such care to him will not be superfluous.
Mineral (better potash) fertilizer can be purchased at special stores and focus on the instructions on the package. During the period of intensive growth (spring and summer), organic fertilizers can be used. Top dressing is carried out once a week.
Use in landscape design and combination with other plants
Coleus is considered a real find for the designer. The variety of its varieties allows you to come up with different compositions in flowerbeds, which are often used to create patterns in urban parks.
You can also create amazing compositions with other plants, if you know what Coleus is combined with. The variegated and delicate leaves of the plant look great in combination with plants with monotonous foliage. This fescue gray, sage, cineraria.
Coleus pests and diseases, fight against them
As already mentioned, the plants weaken when they have little light, they are not pinned or do not comply with the irrigation regime. With insufficient light, the leaves fade, with little watering - crumble. As a result, they not only lose their decorativeness, but also weaken. At this point, Coleus may become a victim of disease or pests.
Whiteflies and spider mites attack the plant most often. Aphids feed on its juice, which is why leaves damaged by it curl and turn yellow. She is also a peddler of diseases.
It is possible to get rid of aphids if the plant is treated with a soap solution, having previously covered the ground to prevent soap from getting into it. But this is only if there are few plants in the flowerbed, otherwise insecticides should be used.
Fitoverm or Actellic is used against aphids, whiteflies and aphids are used by Oberon, Aktara, Actellic and others. But it should be understood that chemical drugs have a bad effect on the plants themselves. Therefore, it is better to take care of preventive measures, ensuring the proper care of Coleus.
In most cases, coleus disease is the result of improper plant care. For example, leaf fall may indicate insufficient watering, stem rot appears from excessive watering.
If the leaves turn yellow, but do not fall off, and the Coleus itself grows slowly - it lacks nutrition. Brown spots on the tips and edges of the leaves indicate excessively dry air. If the leaves are crushed and wilted - the plant is too cold.
Useful properties of coleus
One of the most beneficial benefits of coleus is its bactericidal action. Some plant species have medicinal properties that have been used since time immemorial.
For example, Coleus "Forskolia" contains an important component - Forskolin. Extract plants treat respiratory diseases, colitis, hypertension. It helps reduce asthma cramps, thyroid activity, and is also used in the prevention of glaucoma and allergies.
The substance normalizes the work of the intestines, promotes the absorption of useful substances, therefore, has an excellent fat-burning effect and is actively used in preparations for losing weight.
Forskolia extract is believed to increase testosterone levels and provide a vasodilator effect, which improves muscle nutrition. In addition, it helps to restore peripheral nerve fibers. Anti-inflammatory effect is used in the treatment of infections of the genitourinary system in combination with antibiotics.
As you can see, Coleus is an amazing plant. Unpretentious in cultivation, it helps to form amazingly beautiful flower beds in gardens, parks, alleys. In addition, some plant species are widely used in medicine, as they have a lot of useful properties.
