How to Reproduce and Propagate Colorful Coleus: Plant of Many Colors
Coleus are plants that can reproduce and propagate very easily, either by sowing their seeds or by rooting their branches or cuttings.
– How to sow Coleus seeds step by step
- Prepare the pot or seedbed with a mixture of 3 parts peat and 2 parts sand.
- Place the scattered seeds on the already moistened substrate.
- Cover a little with a thin layer of substrate.
- Spray a little with water to prevent the seeds from shifting.
- Locate in a lighted area, away from drafts.
- Maintain constant temperature and humidity.
- The average ambient temperature is 22 ° C.
- Spray every 2 or 3 days.
- Within the next 15 days they will have germinated.
- Over the next 30 days they will have developed several leaflets.
- Once you have at least 4 or 5 leaves, transplant them into a definitive pot.
- Use water at room temperature , preventing the substrate from drying out completely.
– When to sow Coleus seeds
Sowing of seeds is done at the end of winter and when spring begins. Indoors they can be planted at any time of the year.
– When to make Coleus cuttings
The ideal time is late winter. By growing it indoors, it can be cut at any time of the year.
– How to prepare the cuttings
Cut branches 6 to 8 cm long.
Remove the lower leaves and, if any, trim the flower stem. This is to prevent them from wasting energy on maintaining them and using all that energy on rooting.
Keep in mind that the buds or nodes that are in contact with the water or on the ground will be the ones that will take root, so it is important that they do not have leaves.
– How to root Coleus cuttings correctly
The cutting is the most practical and popular way to do it. The most important feature of this form of reproduction is that the new seedlings will be identical to the mother plant.
Cuttings can be planted directly into soil and peat – based substrate, or kept in water until rooted, then transplanted into a pot.
– Coleus cuttings in water
- Place the cuttings in a container of water.
- Use a jar or glass with a small mouth so that the leaves that have remained on the cutting do not rot when in contact with the water.
- Within 1 week to 10 days the first roots can be seen.
- After 15 or 20 days they will be ready to transplant into a pot or container.
- Prepare the pot with substrate.
- Make small holes with a pencil or the handle of a fork.
- Bury the already rooted cuttings.
- Water until it begins to drain.
- During the first few days, keep it in the same place and then move it to its final location.
If you notice the stem turning brown or too soft, cut it off or discard it. To avoid damaging the roots when transplanting already rooted cuttings, drill the holes wider than the cutting and press very gently.
– Potted Coleus cuttings from your home
- Use a pot or container with plenty of holes for drainage.
- Place the substrate based on peat, sand and perlite.
- Bury the cuttings in the pot.
- Spray or water very gently until it begins to drain.
- You must cover with a lid or transparent plastic. This is to maintain constant temperature and humidity, while allowing light to pass through.
- Locate in a well-lit place, without the sun’s rays.
- Every 3 or 4 days lift the transparent cover, let it air for a few minutes, water again and cover again.
- Within the next 15 or 20 days new leaves will have come out.
- When new leaves are born, it will be a sign that roots have also grown.
- Transplant to individual pot or larger container.
Cuttings need ambient moisture to sprout. By covering them they will develop better and faster, without dehydrating.
Don’t worry if burying the cuttings causes their leaves to languish. When planting them in substrate it is normal for their leaves and stem to decay. In a couple of days they will have regained their vitality.
