How to care for coleus: ways to preserve the colorful color of leaves

Velvet leaflets combine several different shades. Border and veins of contrasting color create a fancy pattern. The pattern is often marble with small and large dots. Among hybrid varieties, there are varieties with different shapes, colors and leaf sizes.

Description and Features

Numerous genus of about 150 herbaceous perennials and shrubs. There are small (about 25 cm) and large species almost up to a meter high. Branches are straight, branched, ribbed. The leaves are oblong, pubescent in most species. The location on the stem is opposite. The edges are not even - serrated, corrugated. A distinctive feature of the plant is a variegated, saturated color of foliage. In a variety of combinations, the pattern consists of stripes, specks, stains, streaks of different, often contrasting colors. Flowers are inconspicuous, inexpressive. Formed on the tops of the shoots. The flowers are small, inconspicuous, gather in a spike-shaped inflorescence from false whorls. It blooms from early summer to autumn, in natural conditions it can bloom year-round. At home, seeds ripen extremely rarely.

Popular varieties

Not all species are suitable for cultivation under artificial conditions. As a potted plant, a predominantly hybrid coleus is distributed, which includes varieties with different colors. The plant is absolutely unpretentious, growing rapidly. Individual varieties grow up to a meter, in most cases significantly lower. The following species are considered particularly popular.

• Coleus Renelt. It is grown as an ampelous culture. Shoots up to half a meter with oppositely spaced leaves sitting on elongated petioles. The shape of the leaves is wide heart-shaped, the edges are wavy. Veins are painted in different shades.
• Coleus Blume. Beautiful shrub. Grows to 80 cm. Shoots lignified at the base. There are many varieties with different leaf colors.
• Coleus Vershaffelt. Outwardly, it is very similar to the coleus of Blum. It differs from it by brighter and larger leaves. The surface of the leaves is velvety, pleasant to the touch.
• Dwarf Coleus. Compared to other varieties, it is small in size. The height of the bush is usually not more than 30 cm. Hanging stems - dwarf coleus can be grown as an ampelous flower. Leaves are often red, slightly elongated. The exception is several varieties with a variegated color, with yellow and burgundy leaves. The group is represented by varieties with dissected, corrugated, folded leaves.

Coleus care: what to consider

Judging by the reviews, coleus is considered an unpretentious plant not too demanding on care and maintenance conditions. Dies rarely. The most common problem is the loss of bright leaf color as a result of insufficient lighting or nutrition. Otherwise, the same conditions are created for all varieties.

• Temperature. Easily adapt to any temperature not lower than 12 ° С. In summer, it is maintained at a level of 15-25 ° C. Coleus has no rest period. In winter, it can be kept at normal room temperature.
• Lighting. Light-loving plant. In conditions of insufficient lighting, the foliage loses its characteristic coloration. The brighter the color, the higher the lighting requirements. Shade at noon from the hot sun. In warm weather, they bring to the balcony.
• Watering. It is watered heavily in summer, very carefully in winter. Water must be soft, settled. Waterlogging the soil is not worth it, lack of moisture is also avoided. The irrigation schedule is made taking into account the temperature of the content, the drying rate of the soil.
• Humidity. A little increased humidity is beneficial. Spraying is a prerequisite for proper care. In winter, occasionally sprayed, in the summer - almost every day.
• Top dressing. Mineral fertilizers and organic matter alternate. In winter, you can feed once a month, in the summer - weekly. Fertilizers are bred in a small concentration, applied only to moist soil after irrigation.
• The soil. Soil use neutral. A substrate with a slightly acidic reaction is allowed. The composition includes turf, sand, peat, humus, deciduous land.
• Transfer. Once every two years, you can transplant coleus into another pot. Transplanted carefully, trying not to injure the root system.

There are some wintertime coleus care features. He does not have a pronounced period of rest, but growth almost stops. The intensity of irrigation is reduced, the concentration of fertilizers is halved. No need to put in the cold. On the contrary, you can rearrange the flower in the kitchen - heat and high humidity will help it to winter more easily. With a lack of light, additional illumination is organized.

Breeding methods

Coleus propagation is practiced by cuttings and seeds. Cuttings are used more often. It is extremely rare to get seeds from your plant; varietal traits are not always preserved. Store seeds are reluctant to germinate - they lose their germination very quickly.

Seeds

Features. Growing coleus from seeds at home is used to obtain a large number of plants at the same time. Use store material. Sowing begins in February. The latest deadline is the beginning of April.

Procedure

1. As landing capacity use low wide cups. Fill them with a soil mixture.
2. Seeds are distributed on the surface and sprinkled with a non-thick layer of sand.
3. The container is covered with a film on top.
4. Germinate at a temperature of about 20 ° C, regularly moisten the soil from the spray.
5. The first shoots appear after three weeks. The film is removed, monitored for humidity, kept in a warm, well-lit place.
6. Immediately after the appearance of these leaves, the seedlings are transplanted into wooden boxes, maintaining a distance of several centimeters. You can immediately plant it in separate pots of small diameter.
7. Next transplant as you grow.

Cuttings

Features. Rooting the coleus is easy - the roots appear in ten days.

Procedure

1. Cuttings are harvested from late winter to early summer.
2. Rooted cuttings in the sand.
3. After the appearance of the roots, the cuttings are immediately transplanted into suitable soil.

To obtain a decorative bush, you need to properly pinch the coleus. He should not be allowed to stretch. Coleus normally responds to pruning and pinching. Pinch growth points after several pairs of leaves. Systematic pinching forms a lush compact bush.

Growing problems

Coleus diseases and pests are relatively rare. More often it is necessary to face the consequences of improper care. The main problems, their causes and treatment are shown in the table.

Table - Problems in growing Coleus

Since it is not difficult to care for the coleus, it is perfect for beginners and busy people. Different varieties can be harmoniously combined with each other, making interesting compositions. Bushes are easily updated, decorative foliage adorns the apartment year-round.