2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Coleus (Latin Coleus) - a small genus of herbaceous plants of the Lamiaceae family. Previously, the genus included more than 150 species, but as a result of a more detailed examination of the characteristics of plants, the genus was disbanded. The people of the genus are called nettle. Africa is considered to be the homeland. In the same place, the plant is found in natural conditions. Representatives of the genus are used as indoor crops, and have recently been actively cultivated in open ground conditions.
Characteristics of culture
Coleus is represented by annual and perennial herbaceous plants endowed with ribbed stems, which, in turn, are crowned with opposite, cordate or oblong-oval foliage. It should be noted that foliage, depending on the species, can have the most varied color - from green and yellow to red and wine. The flowers of the representatives of the genus are inconspicuous, small, lilac or bluish, collected in spike-shaped or whorled inflorescences. Fruits in the form of nuts, bear small seeds.
Coleus are suitable for decorating flower beds, including flower beds and flower beds. In open ground, representatives of the genus are cultivated only as annuals. This aspect is due to the fact that the culture cannot boast of frost-resistant properties. Even a slight decrease in temperatures is extremely detrimental to plants. Coleus go well with both decorative and floral crops. Gardeners and florists most often combine them with lyatrice, lily, kermek and gypsophila.
Coleuses look great in garden containers and pots. They are appropriate for balconies, terraces and enclosed spaces. By the way, today on sale you can find coleus suitable for growing in hanging pots. Such varieties will decorate the entrance to the house or gazebo. Also, the garden market is rich in dwarf varieties that are suitable for decorating borders and other flower beds that involve the use of low-growing plants. These include the varieties included in the Feishin Parade mixture. They are characterized by variegated, jagged, oval foliage of unusual colors.
Growing conditions
Southern guests are quite whimsical to growing conditions. It is recommended to plant them in well-lit areas, protected from cold northerly winds. Areas with diffused light are not prohibited. Soils are preferable nutritious, light, water and air permeable, slightly acidic, moderately moist. Saline, damp, poor and heavy soils are not suitable for cultivating coleus, otherwise the plants are affected by pests and diseases, grow slowly, rot and, in the end, die.
Subtleties of reproduction
Representatives of the genus are propagated either by seed or vegetatively. The second method involves grafting. Cuttings are cut from young shoots. Each stalk should have several leaves. Cuttings can be rooted in water, or by first digging the material into a moist substrate consisting of sphagnum and well-washed river sand. As a rule, cuttings take root after 1-2 weeks, then it is recommended to plant them in open ground at a distance of at least 15-20 cm or in pots. In order for the plants to actively branch, it is important to pinch as they grow.
Sowing seeds should be done in separate shallow pots in early spring. To speed up the process of hatching and the growth of young seedlings, certain conditions must be observed. So, the air temperature in the room should be at least 20C. The amount of sunlight is equally important. If you sow coleus, for example, in winter, due to a lack of light, the plants will not please with active growth. However, if you provide them with additional illumination, this phenomenon can be avoided, but it is quite an expensive pleasure.
Drainage and the quality of the substrate are no less important for plants. The latter should be nutritious, loose and moist. It is better to compose it yourself by combining rotted humus, peat, garden soil and washed sand. Coleus seeds do not need deep planting, since they are small in size. It is enough to distribute them over the soil surface and lightly sprinkle them, moistening after that with a spray bottle. As a rule, seedlings appear in 14-16 days.
Culture care
Coleus care is simple. It is necessary to provide them with regular and moderate watering, as well as spraying. Light loosening and weeding is encouraged. It is recommended to pay special attention to top dressing. In order for the plants to please with active growth and rich foliage, it is important to apply fertilizers at least once every 2-3 weeks. In June, only nitrogen fertilizers should be applied, later - complex mineral fertilizers. It is also worth taking care of the pinching for abundant tillering.
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Coleus Hybrid
Coleus hybrid It is also known under such names as decorative nettles and even hybrid salinostemon. In Latin, the name of this plant sounds like this: Coleus hybridus. This plant is one of the plants of the Labiatae family, in Latin this name will be like this:
Sticky Coleus Leaves
This amazing plant does not need flowers at all, because nature has painted its velvety-sticky leaves so brightly and variedly that you can organize a very beautiful flower bed from some Coleus of different varieties. This is what many gardeners do today. And people involved in landscaping city streets, alleys, parks and gardens are very actively using the plant to make cities look smart and cheerful. The plant is unpretentious, willingly helps any novice grower to achieve good results
Coleus: Caring For A Colorful, Handsome Man
Coleus belongs to the group of decorative deciduous plants. Its foliage can be called greenery at a stretch, because the leaf plate is rich in pink, purple, red, violet, yellow shades, decorated with variegated patterns and framed with an elegant border. What kind of care does this houseplant require in order not to lose its bright appearance?
Bright Coleus In The Garden
The second half of May is the time for planting Coleus seedlings in the garden. Despite the fact that this ornamental-deciduous plant and its flowers are not of great aesthetic value, the variegated foliage can decorate the garden no worse than the brightest inflorescences of other plants. What measures should be taken so that the Coleus is magnificently spread out on your flower garden?
Coleus And Its Cultivation
Coleus is sometimes also called nettle. In nature, this plant is especially common in Africa and Asia. Among flower growers, Coleus received recognition due to the fact that it is very unpretentious in care, it can be grown from seeds, and there is no need to create any special circumstances for its development
