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Variegated Nettle - Coleus or Plectrantus

Coleus Blume

Everyone knows Coleus - an unpretentious houseplant, popular and widespread. Belongs to the family of luciferous (Lamiaceae), True, we call him that out of the old habit - now he belongs to the Plectrantus genus (Plectranthus), and in kind Coleus only one species remained. And yet we will leave behind the plant for the time being the old, more familiar name Coleus Blume.

Its homeland is the tropical countries of Asia and Africa, where both perennial herbaceous and semi-shrub species grow, but the most spectacular hybrid forms of the Blume Coleus are cultivated (Coleus blumei), which nowadays it is correct to call Plectranthus Scutellnikov (Plectranthus scutellarioides).

 

Over the years, flower growers have bred many varieties and hybrids, mainly from the Blume coleus, with a bright and varied leaf color. The leaves are decorated with large and small spots, stripes, veins of red, golden, brown, purple and dark purple colors in various combinations. There are coleus with fringed, jagged and dissected leaf edges. Coleus stems are straight, tetrahedral, but there are species with creeping shoots, for example, Coleus Renelta (Coleusrehneltianus), it is grown as an ampelous plant. By the way, he is now also one of the forms of Scutellaria's plectrantus (Plectranthus scutellarioides).

Coleus Blume Wizard PineappleColeus Blume Wizard Scarlet

 

The flowers of the Coleus are small, slightly decorative, lilac-blue or blue, collected in apical brushes, they are usually recommended to be removed, because they weaken the plants.

Flowers are not the main decoration of the Coleus

Coleus is grown both indoors and outdoors. This is one of the best plants for parterre flower beds and ridges.

Reproduction

Coleus can be propagated by cuttings all year round (the best time is February – June). Take pieces of stems with 3-4 pairs of leaves and rooted in water or damp sand in a warm place protected from the sun. After 10-15 days, the roots appear, and the cuttings, 1-2 pieces, are planted in small pots. The soil should be loose and nutritious.

Coleus Blume Wizard Pastel

Coleus can also be propagated by seeds, which are sown in February – March in light moist soil. Seedlings emerge quickly, seedlings with 1-2 pairs of leaves are planted in small pots and placed in a place protected from the sun, not forgetting to water. As it develops, you can select the most beautiful plants in color.

As soon as the roots are entwined with an earthen ball, the plants must be transferred to a larger container. As the shoots develop, it is necessary to pinch 2-3 buds for better branching.

Coleus should be kept in the brightest place - their leaves then acquire a bright intense color and the plants become especially attractive. But in spring and summer, they need to be shaded from direct sunlight.

Coleus Blume Premiun Sun Pineapple SunriseColeus Blume Wizard Coral Surprise

Care

During the growing season, plants should be watered abundantly and fed once every 10-15 days with full mineral fertilizer. Plants become unattractive with age, so it is recommended to renew them every 2-3 years.

Coleus are thermophilic plants, but they can be planted in open ground after spring frosts. Young plants are placed along the edges of flower beds in a semi-shady place. As they grow, they will create wonderful patterned borders.

Coleus Blume Wizard VelvetColeus Blume Fusion Versace mix

Winter content

In winter, coleus in a warm room stretch out, the leaves become smaller and may even partially fall off. But this is not scary, if the roots have not rotted from waterlogging, then the plants can be rejuvenated. In the spring, all the stems should be cut short (leave 2-3 buds) and the pots should be placed on the windowsill, close to the glass. Soon there will be many young bright leaves and in 1-1.5 months you will have wonderful plants.

Coleus Blume Fantastic Blend

"Ural gardener", No. 5, 2017

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