Coleus come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Some grow well in sun while others prefer shade and plenty of water. Plants do best if transplanted late after last frost and will continue to perform well until frost. They require high fertilization levels and the flower spikes are best removed to promote increased foliage growth.
Wrightgardens.com Coleus
Summer heat can’t keep vinca from performing. The main problem is preventing diseases such as aerial phytophora. This can mainly be done by mulching plants with course material before watering to prevent soil from splashing on the foliage, which is the carrier of the disease. Once the disease has infected a plant it can not be saved.
Transplant into the landscape when soil temperatures are above 70-80 degrees. Cold temperatures will stall the plants and stunt growth. Once established the plants are very drought tolerant and love the summer heat.
Saving thousands of seed occasionally results in interesting plants. Here are some of the seedlings that showed promise.
This dark leaf coleus sports a loose growth habit with large leaves. Did not branch well, but holds great color.
As one of the most colorful choices for the garden, petunias have some special care requirements:
1. Water early in the day to allow the plants time to dry off. Damp leaves during the night and even on cloudy days can lead to rotting.
2. Cut back overgrown branches to promote increased branching and more blooms. The best method is to cut back about 20-30% of the branches to the first node every 7-10 days.
3. Fertilize with both liquid and slow release formulas. Use a ratio of water soluble fertilize around the 13-2-13 to 20-10-20 range. Fertilize with a low rate of 30-60ppm N, every 2-5 days. Higher rates of 150-300ppm N should be used every 7-10 days. After planting add a tablespoon of slow release, such as osmocote, about 2 inches from the plant. Some colors and varieties can be heavier feeders than others in the same series.
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