How to plant Coleus in open ground and how to care for it

Description of coleus (nettles)

The name Coleus comes from Latin and means "case". Why they called it that way is unknown.

The flower belongs to the Lamb family. Coleus is a flower popularly called nettle.

The origin and appearance of the plant

The history of the plant begins from its homeland - the forest regions of the Asian and African continents. The tropical inhabitant, even under conditions of home cultivation, has maintained the requirements for high humidity, sufficient light, and warm temperature. In general, caring for him is simple.

Colorful coleus

Outwardly, it is a low-growth shrub. Shoots have 4 edges. At the base, they stiffen. The leaves resemble the shape of a heart, they are small, up to 6 cm long. The edges are jagged. The leaf plate can be painted in a wide variety of colors. Combinations of burgundy, green, red, yellow, pink are often found.

Note! The advantage of the Coleus plant is care that even a beginner grower can do. Some especially superstitious flower growers are interested in the question about the coleus: is it possible to keep this flower at home? This is due to the belief that the plant is harmful, attracting poverty to the house.

Of course it is not. The origin of "false" views is associated with the second name - nettle and comparison with another croton flower. This is where the substitution and confusion arose. Plants are completely different from each other, so Coleus was called poor

Some especially superstitious flower growers are interested in the question about the coleus: is it possible to keep this flower at home? This is due to the belief that the plant is harmful, attracting poverty into the house. Of course it is not. The origin of "false" views is associated with the second name - nettle and comparison with another croton flower. This is where the substitution and confusion arose. The plants are completely different from each other, so the Coleus was called poor.

The use of coleus for decorative purposes

In landscape design

Important! Coleuses contrast well with other plants, so a combination of different varieties and plants looks good. On the flower beds, real masterpieces are obtained

Coleus care

Plant maintenance is uncomplicated and includes simple watering, top dressing and regular pruning operations. Once every 2-3 years, depending on the age of the plant, it is required to transplant it.

Coleus home

In addition, as flowers appear in the plant, they must be removed, completely cutting off the peduncles so that the formation of flowers and fruits does not interfere with the normal growth of leaves. Naturally, if it is necessary to obtain seeds for the further propagation of the plant, this should not be done.

Watering

Given the seasonality of the plant's life cycle, in winter and summer, it needs different methods of watering. Watering from mid-March to mid-October is done regularly as the top layer of the substrate dries up. It should be abundant, but it is not recommended to overmoisten the soil. At the end of watering, it is necessary to drain the excess liquid from the pallet.

Watering is carried out with soft water at room temperature. In order for the water to become soft and chlorine compounds completely evaporated from it, it must be defended for three days. You can use boiled water. The use of water without boiling or settling is undesirable, since the salts contained in it lead to soil leaching. And since the watering of the Coleus is frequent and abundant, this can happen quickly enough.

Watering a young plant.

In winter, watering is significantly reduced. In this case, it is necessary to be guided by the value of the temperature in the room. At a temperature of + 18-20 ° C, it is recommended to water once a week. If the temperature is less than + 18 ° C, then once every 10-12 days.

Also, the plant leaves themselves can act as an indicator of the need for watering. If they become lethargic and flabby, then the plant needs watering.

Top dressing

The plant needs top dressing throughout the second half of spring and all summer. At this time, their frequency should be one week.

The first month it is recommended to apply nitrogenous fertilizers for flowers in doses recommended by the manufacturer

Further fertilizing is carried out at the same frequency, but at the same time a complex fertilizer for flowers is used with a dose half as much as the recommended one.

In winter, the plant should not be fertilized at all, but, to ensure normal nutrition, you can make 1 fertilizing with complex fertilizer per month with a dose equal to a quarter of the recommended one.

Plant pruning

During the dormant period, most plants lose their decorative effect. It is possible that most of the leaves will wither, wrinkle, and subsequently fall off. In order for old or dead shoots not to interfere with the growth of young shoots in spring, it is necessary to prune them.

In addition, the figurine of the plant also performs decorative functions. Coleus bushes can reach large enough sizes, which sometimes lead to their not too attractive appearance. Cosmetic pruning will allow you to form the crown of the plant in the form that is required for a particular design solution.

Pruning when shaping the cutting

Pruning is not only off-season, but also periodic. Usually, it is done either once a month or once a week, at the same time as fertilization. In this case, it is necessary not only to monitor the decorativeness of the plant, but also to cut off the buds that are forming in a timely manner so that the plant does not waste energy on the formation of flowers.

Plant transplant

It is carried out in the first 1-3 years every year, in subsequent years as needed. The time of the transplant is the end of March. In this case, it is necessary to pick up a pot with a larger diameter and completely change the soil mixture. To avoid injury to the root system, it is necessary to very abundantly moisten the old substrate, almost completely washing it out with water.

Transplant and Root Inspection

When transplanting, the root system is examined, and dry or too weak roots, as well as parts of the root system that are damaged, are removed. Before planting in a new pot, it is necessary to treat the roots with a 0.1% potassium permanganate solution.

When replanting, the root system of the plant should not be placed directly on the drain. It is necessary to pour a layer of soil 2-3 cm high on top of the drainage. It is also not necessary to deepen the plant too much into the soil. The level of immersion in the ground should be the same as in the previous pot. In addition, the soil level should not be 1-1.5 cm up to the maximum height of the pot.

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The main aspects of caring for Coleus at home

Watering the plant abundantly is one of the most important elements of home care. Coleus is extremely hygrophilous, even a short-term drying out of an earthen coma in the spring-summer period can lead to partial loss of leaves and growth retardation. Water for irrigation should be settled, that is, without chlorine, warm and soft, preferably boiled, since the salts present in hard water reduce the brightness of the color. In winter, watering can be reduced, but even at this time, complete drying out of the soil is unacceptable.

Like any fast-growing crop, the flower needs regular feeding. In summer and spring, they are carried out weekly, using fertilizer for indoor plants in half the dose recommended by the manufacturer.

For the bright color of the leaves, it is important that the soil contains not only nitrogen, but also the entire complex of trace elements. In winter, the plant is fed once a month.

To prevent burns of the root system, the bushes are fertilized only after abundant watering.

The increased humidity of the air has a beneficial effect on the flower. During the period of active growth, it is sprayed with warm water, after removing the plant from the direct sun to avoid burns from water droplets acting as lenses. In winter, spraying is not carried out.

The features of care include the mandatory pruning of the crop. Intense growth of shoots requires pinching of their tops, which provides enhanced branching and the formation of a beautiful crown. In addition, with age, the plant stretches and loses its decorative effect, therefore, before the start of the new season, they are completely cut off at a level of 5-7 cm, stimulating the appearance of new, young shoots. Some, especially fast growing varieties, can be re-pruned in mid-summer.

It is important to regularly remove the emerging flowers, they are inconspicuous and not very attractive, but they greatly deplete the plant, retarding its development. Frequent flowering usually indicates unfavorable conditions of detention.

In winter, Coleus is provided with a temperature of 8-15 ° C and moderate watering. Lack of light during this period leads to stretching of the shoots, the bushes lose their decorative effect and are cut short by spring. Some experts generally do not recommend leaving the culture for the second year, advising to grow new plants from cuttings every year.

How to deal with pests and diseases of calceolaria (with video)

Aphids and whiteflies most often parasitize on culture. If aphids have been seen in small numbers, they can be removed manually. If the lesion is strong, then it is necessary to carry out the treatment with the use of "Actellik". By the way, this insecticide will also be effective against whitefly. If necessary, you will need to repeat the treatment after 4 days

But it is important to remember that it is not recommended to spray the plant more than 4 times with an interval of 4 days - a chemical preparation can weaken and destroy it

When organizing the care of a calceolaria flower, remember that the most dangerous disease for it is such a type of rot as gray. The cause of the development of the disease is constant excessive irrigation and excessive humidity in the surrounding air.

To fight diseases, it is necessary to remove the affected areas of the plant with a sharp knife, then spraying with one of the following means: "Kuproskat", "Oxyhom", "Topaz", Bordeaux liquid.

Watch the video about calceolaria care, in which experienced gardeners share with you the secrets of growing a healthy and richly flowering plant.

4 Plant care in the open field

Growing coleus on the street does not require special knowledge, but it has its own characteristic features. The topsoil around the crop should always be moist. For this reason, from spring to October, coleuses must be watered regularly. Irrigation is carried out with soft and warm water. It should be regular but moderate. On hot days, you should additionally spray the plants with a spray bottle. When the air temperature drops to + 13 ... + 15 degrees, watering is carried out less often. If the level of irrigation is insufficient, the appearance of the Coleus will deteriorate. In particular, the leaves will lose their original firmness and appear shriveled.

The first application of complex fertilizers is carried out 2 weeks after the pick. For young seedlings, it is advisable to reduce the dosage indicated on the package by several times. When Coleus enters a period of intensive growth and development, it will need a weekly application of a full range of mineral fertilizers. Additional use of organic will do. The plant should be fed weekly with a solution of 0.5 g of potassium in 1 liter of water.In winter, when grown indoors, the frequency of such a procedure is reduced to once a month.

The culture rarely needs pruning. But for Coleus, this procedure is also important, because due to its implementation, they get rid of dead flowers and stems, which spoil the aesthetic impression. Bookings are carried out at the beginning of each season.

To increase the height of the plant, it is necessary to remove only the lateral shoots. As a result, the coleus will outwardly resemble a small tree. If you cut off the tops of the stems and the first flower arrows that appear, then the plant will branch more intensively, since the forces of culture will be directed to the formation of not buds, but leaves.

Features of care for Coleus

Landing

When preparing seedlings for flower beds, it is better to grow several varieties that differ in variegated leaf patterns. So it will be possible to create a bright, colorful composition of ceremonial flower beds in city recreation parks, alleys of official institutions, mowed lawns of the country landscape. Transplant / planting in the open field behind the wheels is carried out at the beginning of the first summer month (June).

• In the area allotted in the flower garden drawing under the coleus, break holes at a distance of 20-30 cm.
• If the soil in the garden is dense, heavy, be sure to add the substrate required by the plant to the holes.
• Fill the hole with a solution of biofungicides to prevent fungal diseases of the root system: planriz, phytosporin-M, trichodermin. Add root.
• After absorbing moisture, plant the seedlings using the transshipment method.
• Water the Coleus planting with a moderate rate of warm water.
• Mulch the planting and mulch the soil each time after watering until the plants close together.
• To protect the sun's rays and better survival, shade the plants for several days.

Care

Outdoor care for wheels includes:

• keeping the soil moist, free of weeds;
• constant loosening of the soil until the plants close into a continuous carpet;
• pinching and cutting;
• watering;
• feeding.

Watering

Coleus are water lovers. They need regular, abundant watering with settled warm water. To water them, water is heated in barrels or other containers. When the temperature drops to +15 .. + 16 ° C, watering is carried out less often, but the moisture content of the soil is monitored, preventing it from drying out. Plants react to the lack of watering by losing the turgor of the leaves. In hot weather, the plants are additionally sprayed with clean water.

Feeding rules

Considering that coleuses quickly build up large biomass, top dressing is carried out weekly:

• the first feeding is carried out after picking / transshipment while still in seedling age, with flower fertilizer in 1/3 of the dose, from the norm indicated on the package;
• the second feeding is carried out with a solution of nitrophoska, kemira or a mixture of complete mineral fertilizer at the rate of 20-25 g / 10 l of water;
• the third is better to carry out with an infusion of ash, prepared from a glass of the drug for 10 liters of water. Strain the infusion and add with watering.

Remember! Watering with a solution of fertilizers should be carried out under the plants so as not to burn the leaves and not worsen the appearance of the leaf mass.

The rest of the dressing alternate mineral with organic. The introduction of organic matter significantly enhances the brightness of variegated varieties of Coleus. You can buy a ready-made composition of organic fertilizers or prepare yourself at the rate of 0.5 liters of a can of poultry manure or cow dung for 12 or 10 liters of water, respectively

Pinching and trimming

Planting and caring for coleus in the open field necessarily include procedures such as pinching and pruning bushes of mature plants.

• Pinching and pruning of Coleus bushes is necessary for better formation and regrowth of lateral shoots, which will ensure bushiness of plants. Without this procedure, plants can stretch out and lose their decorative effect.
• Pinching of the central and lateral shoots is carried out, if necessary, by 1-2 cm.
• Bushes 1-2 times per season (also if necessary) can be trimmed, giving them a neat, desired shape. Cut off lateral shoots that violate the overall shape of the bush and greatly thicken it.
• The thickened bush loses its splendor, and reduces the overall decorative effect of the flower garden.
• Pruned cuttings can be put on rooting and get additional material for flower beds or home growing.

Growing Coleus in the open field

Most often it can be found in houses and apartments planted in pots. However, this plant is suitable for outdoor cultivation. It does not require special care, but at the same time, in order to get viable strong plants, it is necessary to follow certain planting rules.

Siew

Currently, you can find for sale not only ordinary, wild-growing varieties, but also hybrids in English and Dutch, which are characterized by a high degree of decorativeness. The purchased seeds are simply sown in the ground and will provide them with optimal care in the future - and your garden will be decorated with this extraordinary representative of the tropics.

Coleus seeds are sown as follows:

1. The best time to plant is March, although in some cases the seeds can be placed in the ground at different times of the year. However, in this case, for full growth, they will need additional lighting, which is difficult to place in an open field.
2. The soil on the site should be light, but fertile enough, so the bed must first be cleared, if necessary, loosen and fertilize.
3. The seeds are scattered over the soil surface, sprinkled with a thin layer of sand and slightly moistened. It is recommended to arrange a shelter in advance, and if sowing takes place at home, before shoots appear, the containers must be transferred to a cool shade.

The first shoots appear in about a week. During this time, the shelter can be removed, and the temperature of the natural source will ensure vigorous plant growth. It is worth noting that the seeds are characterized by high germination, so the bed can be abundantly covered with young plants. If you want to create a beautiful flower arrangement based on this crop, then it is better to sow seeds in separate containers and grow seedlings at home, as well as plant seedlings in open ground.

Saplings

When young plants reach one month old, they will have their first pair of true leaves. This is a signal that each seedling should be placed in a separate container for further cultivation and a strong root system (Fig. 2).

Method of growing seedlings

In such conditions, the seedlings will quickly harden and form strong roots that will not be damaged after transplanting into open ground.

Before moving to an open area, it is only necessary after the culture is fully formed. To do this, at the age of 5-6 weeks, each sprout is transplanted into a large container and clamped to stimulate the development of lateral shoots.

Landing

Seedlings can be planted in open ground only after warm weather has stabilized, since this crop is a tropical species. On the site, it is better to choose well-lit, but with a little shading in the middle of the day. It is also advisable that the garden bed is protected from strong winds and drafts.

Dig the required number of holes in the right place and fill them with light, moisture-permeable and breathable soil. The distance between plantings can be any, since the plant grows well, crowded and lonely.

After planting and compacting the soil around the bushes, water the soil thoroughly. Then we'll see. What cultural features are required in the process of soil growth.

Care in the garden

Coleus belongs to undemanding cultures, but still needs to be cared for. First of all, this concerns watering: the plant loves moisture, and during a drought, special attention should be paid to watering.It is recommended to use waste water or rainwater for this purpose. In addition, after each watering or rain, the soil around the bushes must be loosened so that moisture penetrates deep into the ground and does not find roots. During vigorous growth, nitrogen supplementation should be used and light pruning should be done to stimulate the formation of lush shrubs. Since the flowers of the plant do not have a high decorative value, after the first formation of peduncles, they should be removed immediately so that the plant does not waste its vitality on flowering.

During vigorous growth, nitrogen supplementation should be used and light pruning should be done to stimulate the formation of lush shrubs. Since the flowers of the plant do not have a high decorative value, they should be removed immediately after the first formation of peduncles so that the plant does not waste its vitality on flowering.

Coleus in winter

Coleus will not be able to withstand the winter temperatures of a temperate climate, therefore, if you grow it in the garden, for the winter it must be transplanted into a pot and taken into the house. In the spring, the bush can be returned to the flower bed.

Figure 5. The main varieties of culture: 1 - hybrid, 2 - Renelta, 3 - Blume

Indoor Coleus in winter will also need special care. First, you need to reduce the frequency of watering, since the plant does not need excess moisture during the dormant period. Secondly, it is advisable to move the plant pot to a cool room. In such conditions, the culture will not only remain viable, but will also begin to actively develop in the spring.

Reproduction

Coleus are propagated vegetatively - by cuttings, as well as by seeds.

Propagation by stem cuttings

Cuttings about 10 cm long are used (from spring to autumn). You can apply preliminary rooting of cuttings in water or immediately plant them in ordinary soil with additional sand.

The planting is covered with plastic wrap, kept warm (+ 18-20 ° C), ventilated and moisturized, protected from sunlight.

After the formation of the root system and the formation of new shoots (after 8-10 days), the cuttings are planted in separate containers with ordinary soil mixture.

When growing Coleus in the open field, cuttings are harvested in August-September, rooted and kept indoors in winter. In early June, cuttings are planted on the site.

Seed propagation

This method is often used for growing seedlings in open ground, in a one-year mode.

In March, small seeds are placed on the surface of the soil mixture, pressed a little, sprayed with water, covered with plastic wrap, ventilated, kept in a shaded place at a temperature of 20-24 ° C.

Seedlings appear no later than 2 weeks later. Then the sowing is placed on a well-lit window sill of the east or west window with a temperature of 17-19 ° C.

The video shows how to grow coleus from seeds at home:

After the formation of a variegated pattern on the leaves of the seedlings, they are seated in separate containers, and then, for intensive tillering, the top is pinched at a height of 10 cm.

Care rules

In order to grow Coleus at home in an apartment or in a garden in the country, it should be properly looked after. A flower in a flowerbed and in a pot needs moderate irrigation, fertilization and pruning at home, in some situations it should be kept in the shade.

In the warm season, when growing nettles, moderate watering is required. For this procedure, it is necessary to use water that has settled. During hot weather, the shrub will need additional spraying, which will not allow the upper soil layer to dry out. In winter, the amount of irrigation decreases, but it is not worth overdrying the land. With a lack of moisture, the plant wilts, as well as the loss of its elasticity.

Perennials and annuals need proper feeding.

1. The first fertilization occurs 2 weeks after the dive of the seedlings.Top dressing of young seedlings should be less saturated than indicated on the package, an ideal option would be to reduce the concentration by 3-4 times.
2. In the phase of active growth of nettle, it is necessary to fertilize it every 7 days. For this purpose, it is worth purchasing a complex fertilizer that is intended for this decorative representative. Potash fertilizer is considered a good option.
3. In the winter season, feeding Coleus should be done once a month, while it is worth diluting the dose of the substance by 2 times.

A flower grower should know that spontaneous growth of shoots should not be allowed. The first pinching is carried out at a time when the plant grows to 10-12 centimeters. After that, it is worth shortening the shoots from the sides, and forming a half-shrub at your discretion. The twigs that are cut can be used to propagate the Coleus. If the nettle blooms at the wrong time, then it throws out an arrow, which has no decorative features. It is better to cut the flower arrow, so the plant will save its energy.

In spring and summer, Coleus, which grows indoors, requires similar care measures as for a garden representative. A flower grower should not forget about the regularity of watering, as well as the introduction of fertilizers with a high nitrogen content, the formation of room nettles. Humidification should be carried out with settled water at room temperature, sometimes using a spray bottle. The flower should be taken out to the balcony, as it has a positive attitude towards fresh air.

Home care

Novice gardeners often wonder how to care at home? Let's take a closer look.

Lighting

A bright, but mostly diffused light is needed, since the leaves of the coleus fade in the intense sun. The best lighting will be provided by windows facing east or west.

In open ground, slightly shaded places, sheltered from the wind, are optimal for planting.

Temperature

The best temperature range in summer is from 20 to 25 degrees. With sufficient watering, the plant can easily tolerate higher temperatures.

In winter, he needs a rest period at 14-17 degrees; it can withstand a short temperature drop of up to 10 degrees, and + 7-8ºC for a native of the tropics is the limit of survival.

ATTENTION: The plant must be protected from drafts and sudden heat changes.

Coleus is planted in open ground in early June, and harvested even before the first autumn frosts.

Priming

Coleus has no special requirements for the soil substrate: the soil should be slightly acidic, loose, nutritious, with good air and moisture permeability.

You can use ready-made universal soil, a mixture of equal amounts of turf, leafy soil, humus and sand, or garden soil in an open area.

Planting and care at home

The container for planting can be of a standard shape, with a mandatory drainage hole. Since stagnation of water is undesirable, it is better to choose a porous container material - ceramics without a continuous layer of glaze.

At the bottom of the container, a drainage layer of small pebbles or expanded clay must be placed, then soil is poured, the root system is placed and the soil mixture is poured to the desired level, gradually compacting it.

Planting and care in the open field

Planting and care in the open field is not much different from indoor. In the open field, Coleus seedlings are placed at a distance of 30 cm from each other.

Transfer

They are transplanted as they grow: young specimens annually, mature - less often, As a rule, with age, coleus lose their decorative effect; they are replaced with young ones grown from cuttings.

After the purchase, imported plants are transplanted after a period of acclimatization, after 2-3 weeks, since they are sold in transport soil that has no nutritional value.

Watering

Water it regularly, always with soft, not cold water; at the same time, it is important not to allow either the soil and the root system to dry out, or the stagnation of moisture in the soil. In winter, during the dormant season, at a temperature of 14-17 degrees and a short daylight hours, the frequency of watering should be reduced

In winter, during the dormant season, at a temperature of 14-17 degrees and a short daylight hours, the frequency of watering should be reduced.

Air humidity

In the summer, Coleus is useful for systematic spraying in the morning and evening, but not during the period when the plant is illuminated by the bright sun.

In winter, the pot with "nettles" is placed on a tray with moistened pebbles.

Top dressing

In spring and summer, active growth is fed twice a month with a diluted solution of complete mineral fertilizer. In June, it is useful to strengthen the nitrogen component, and then use the usual complex mixture for decorative leafy forms.

In the winter season, feeding is stopped.

Growth and pruning

What to do if the leaves fall off the Coleus? It develops quickly, stretches strongly, the lower leaves fall off and the plant loses its decorative effect.

IMPORTANT: Timely and fairly frequent pruning stops these processes. The central stem is cut at a height of 10 cm, the lateral shoots - starting from a length of 4 cm. During the summer, the "nettles" bush can be cut 2-3 times; the plant readily branches and forms new young leaves with a bright color

Waste after pruning is used to propagate Coleus by cuttings

During the summer, the "nettle" bush can be cut 2-3 times; the plant branches willingly and forms new young leaves with a bright color. Waste after pruning is used to propagate the coleus by cuttings.

Medical applications

A relative of variegated "nettles" - Coleus forskolia at home, in India and Indonesia, has long been used as a means of normalizing metabolism. From the roots of this plant, the drug forskolin was obtained, which is used as a means for losing weight and balancing body weight - including in bodybuilding.

The medical use of Coleus in Tibet is an integral part of the collection for coughs.

Heat-loving viable "nettle" with colorful foliage effectively decorates light windowsills and open areas. Colored leaves, in addition, produce phytoncides, which destroy pathogenic bacteria and actively heal the air of rooms decorated with coleus.

Coleus description

Most of the sold and grown Coleus are hybrids with a wide variety of leaf colors. Their shades range from light green to copper, from dark green to bright orange, and from blood red to reddish brown. In addition to different shades, the leaves of this flower have a variety of shapes: heart-shaped, with wavy or jagged edges. Coleus has become widespread thanks not only to its luxurious leaves, but also to the democratic price available to everyone. This plant is easily grown from seeds or cuttings. And one of its main advantages (in addition to beauty) is undemanding care, which allows you to plant it in the country.

This bushy plant belonging to the Labiate family reaches a height of 30-35 cm. There are about 150 species of Coleus. Their juicy stems are covered with velvety leaves, which are characterized by a variety of shades. The main advantage of this plant is the leaves, which combine various shades of red, green, yellow, brown. They are covered with all kinds of stripes and spots. In coleus, flowers can be white, blue or purple. They form small paniculate inflorescences, which are most often cut off.