Coleus

The new PartyTime series comes in three exciting colors: Lime, Sangria and Pink Berry. Compact plants are dense and well branched, and feature trailing to semi-trailing habits. All three colors offer full sun to shade tolerance and are ideal as component plants in mixed containers.

Use a light, sterile media with good drainage and aeration. The optimum pH range is 5.5-6.3.

Plants should be allowed to dry thoroughly between watering, but do not allow the plants to wilt. Watering early in the day allows the foliage to dry before nightfall. Constant liquid feed at 150- to 200-ppm nitrogen with a complete balanced liquid fertilizer works well.

Establish the crop at an average temperature of 65° F. After establishing, grow at 70-85° F day and 60-65° F night. Provide continuous good air circulation and a relative humidity below 70 percent to prevent diseases like Botrytis.

Coleus tolerate high light, up to 6,000 footcandles, but leaf color is more intense under shadier conditions (1,500-3,000 foot-candles).

Once plants are established, a terminal pinch promotes branching. Additional pinching may be necessary to shape plants or control height. For fast cropping, do not pinch.