Come on then coleus growers tell me how it is done.

[sanatic1234]

I got some seeds today and which method is the best, do you soak the seeds or is there no need do these require light for part of germination or is there no need for that, what i do have on the packet is this.

sow February -April
15c+ heat required
germination after 14 days.
plant out after frost has passed.

[Deedee]

I tried to grow them from seed last year san but had no luck, someone had sent them to me but they were damp in the packet, i might try again with fresh seeds I bought plants from my local Allotments in May at 50p each so maybe not
On another forum, Some say they are easy to germinate and some say not, So really this isn't very helpfull to you, is it

[sanatic1234]

any information is helpful and what i have learnt from your info is that these can prove to be tough or easy to germinate. so yes it was helpful thank you.

I have 100 seeds in the packet so i would be happy if i got at least 10 plants out of 100.
I will admit they wasn't the coleus that i set out for but they didn't sell the ones i wanted so settled for the ones i got.

[Kristen]

I asked about Coleus recently and Ian Cooke recommended I get named varieties (as plants) as they are more reliable - seed grown may rush to flower whereas named varieties should keep on producing foliage. I'm planning a massive cuttings-conveyor-belt this year!

[sanatic1234]

Could cutting off any emerging flower buds/stalks keep them growing foliage kristen?

[Deedee]

I can answer this one San I nip the flower buds/stalks off (ugly things anyway) I nip back the leave's to make them bushier to, I bought 6 named beauties online last year from a houseplant specialist and doing the same this year £9.99 inc pp..
Just in case you missed this from another blog..

[Yorkshire Kris]

Room temp is all they need to germinate. No need for heated propagator or soaking etc. Just sow them and only cover with the smallest amount of compost. They need good light to stop them growing leggy at this time of year.

[sanatic1234]

Deedee, i think the seeds i got are the ones you have on the far right hand side, not the brightest of them all but still they will look good. Excellent value that.

[sanatic1234]

Thanks kris that is just what i wanted to know. Nice one.

[Deedee]

This one San, Gorgeous

[sanatic1234]

Oh wow, that is gorgeous it doesn't look as good as that on the packet. But WOW...

[sanatic1234]

The one i wanted the most is the one showing some of its leaf to the left hand side of that pic with the bright green edges.

[Deedee]

Thats just one plant, kept nipping it back to make it bushier, Not as tall as the ones from the allotments, so front of border or pot for this one..

Taller Allotment Coleus..

[Dave Brown]

I haven't grown Coleus since 1976, when they were scorched by the sun and the wrecked by thunderstorms but it was a funny year

Ordered 6 named from Dibleys last week As I remember, I was told pinch out any flower buds or if they flower the leaves go tatty and washed out

[acphm]

This one San, Gorgeous

Hi Dedee,

last year I was looking for red coleus and I bought "Coleus Exhibition Magma", but the reality was they are very dark red.
What's the name of your coleus?
Thanks.