Took my 7th cutting from my red coleus plant a couple days ago - leaving it completely bare with only a few leafless stems left. Thought the mother plant might have served its purpose, and ready for the graveyard, but very glad to see that there are numerous spots on the stems where little leaves are already sprouting. Since I'm new at this game, I'm curiously awaiting to see how they develop....that is maybe provide additional cuttings later on. Meantime, I put the latest four cuttings in water until I could find some fresh potting soil and small pots/with/saucers to plant them in. And lo and behold, all four of the cuttings have already produced some nice roots. Surprised that they began rooting so rapidly.
Can't wait until spring to get more coleus plants with variations in coloration for providing cuttings for next year. Also a fellow gardening member has promised me a variety of cuttings this spring which has me quite excited. I haven't planted coleus for a number of years but a church friend gave me a red one last fall which renewed my interest in them. It was a vibrant red when I received it, but with much less indoor lighting this winter (south windows only) it has temporarily been down-graded to mostly pale green with very light red showing leaves - but have great hopes for a return to the vibrant red shade when I move the cuttings outdoors in the spring - around Memorial Day in this neck of the woods. Not sure whether they should be planted in full sun, shade or dappled shade - all of which are available on our large patio. Suggestions, fellow gardeners? Plan to plant most of them in containers so that I can move them around to the best spot or spots that seem to work the best. Our summers are warm, not hot, with fair amounts of rain.
Anxious to hear from other coleus growers to learn about their experiences and their plans for spring plantings.
