The coleus are boring this year. I have not been able to find local any good ones.

I am so sad. I picked up the ugly usual subjects because I have to have my coleus every year but I do not have any nice special ones this year.

I tried to save my under the sea ones I found last year but they did not survive. I am so good at keeping all my tropical plants for years but I have never been successful saving coleus. I cannot create my tropical patio without coleus.

2012 June.....

You need to send in a quick order to Rosy Dawn. I got some beauties from them this year. Not boring at all.

I know Susan but I just do not like spending that amount of money plus postage for the short summer months. If I was the least bit better keeping some of them alive through the winter I would not mind.

I save all my cannas, bananas, and and so many tropicals all winter coleus just will not cooperate. I will spend big on those but coleus I just cannot make myself spend that much on them.

I have picked up a flat of the common ones and will make myself happy with what I have. It is the price I have to pay for being cheap.

rebuilding the collection was not fun for me this year.. after loosing everything with the storms last year.. I know the feeling

Cinta, do you have friends that have coleus who can give you cuttings? I find that the nicest looking ones always belong to somebody else.

Allison I am so sorry you lost your plants. I know the plants were the least of the replacements but they are important to plant people. I hope everything comes back together for you. You made me think about what my Mom use to say "You complain about your feet hurt until you see a man with no feet."

Bev of all my friends I am the only one that know plants need water. Everyone come to me for cuttings and divisions.

Cinta, you need to branch out and meet some "wise" coleus friends.

or just get a bit closer.. I am still loaded up

Ha, you got me, was ready to ask what you're on with the title of this thread.

I've come to the same conclusion, totally agree, so decided to focus my efforts elsewhere and use the handful that I have. The leaves vary wildly in different amounts of light anyway. The (one) mom'n'pop store here in town has the same 10 Coleus every year, all reds and yellows, the BBS's have their usual same selection also, which was especially small and short-lived this year.

Think a lot of people had the same thought as I did this year - load up on wax Begonias because man, they went quick and didn't make it to clearance like usual anywhere I'm able to visit repeatedly, which isn't much. I still had a few bucks and needs for them, but they were el-gone-o.

Was going to make a wholesale order to completely lose my mind in Coleus this year, had it tentatively planned, got a price, but ended up blowing most of my gardening money on tiny succulents for mini gardens. Hmmm... spent all that money for plants you have to bend over to see, holes where Coleus usually live in the ground... Uh...? I'm happy, but, it's not as exciting-looking from the curb this year.

I love trading! Traded plants a lot so far this year, and Coleus is the one thing that's always at the bottom of the list, as in people talk about how great everything else looks, then say like, "the Coleus looks like it will live... I think." A few said they arrived with roots already, so not saying it's been all negative. Since so many other plants are arriving perky and fine, seems like it just doesn't travel well, not so much a reflection on my method of packing it. Or would those of you with more, successful experience mailing this around disagree? Are you sending only rooted cuttings? Which is preferred, for those who have tried both?

I have propagated Coleus for decades, thousands of times, so confident in the material I've selected as cuttings worth sharing...

I would pack Coleus like this, please critique: Take cutting about an hour before sending, put immediately in shade in water to make sure it's fully hydrated. When ready to pack, fold a paper towel in half, put it in a fold-top baggie, put 10-12 moisture balls (like moisture crystals but ball shaped,) insert cut end to contact the paper towel, add as much moisture as the paper towel can hold without dripping, gently twist the baggie closed enough to keep the moisture balls in, but with a little gap for air exchange, slide gently (with my hand holding leaves folded toward the tip,) into paper towel roll so it's not broken, leaves aren't mangled or smushed. Always done within minutes of taking package to PO.

I don't want to receive any Coleus via trade, but would love to continue sharing when the issue arises, as long as they can make it to their destination.

I also like to wet paper towel .. squeeze out the excess .. and wrap the stems.. water gels never hurt.. and wrap the paper towel with press & seal wrap.. works great

Purple I know how the title could get the blood boiling for some.

I am surprised at my local nursery. They usually buy at least 5 named unusual Coleus. They charge 3.99 but they are big named coleus. This year they sold the "Throw some seeds in a pot no name coleus" The kicker was they were still 3.99. I know times are tough but geez.

I ended up going to Home Depot and picking up a six pack for 1.99 and called it a day.

sometimes even better that way

I'm loving my coleus in spite of getting a late start putting them outside. Have a lot yet to plant & give away.I bought 1 new,unfortunately unnamed but it was a trailing kind & I couldn't resist.Was given a cutting of Roaring Fire,new to me.The nurseries I frequent had good selections for $4.00 a pop.I would not build a collection at that price.I'm short on the exposure I like them in,protected from hot afternoon sun.
sewNsow

Beautiful arrangements!

lovely combo!!!

I like to add the coleus with my cannas' too.

The yellow one is Pele.The photo doesn't capture the red speckles it has.Need another camera & tripod,maybe.
sewNsow

I can see the speckles. Maybe your computer screen is not picking up the color that happens sometime too.

I had both of the ones you have in that shot last year.

Cinta I hate it that my computer screen isn't picking up detail in my photos. I hope it isn't my eyesight. I have Macular Degeneration & I'm noticing I can't make out some things like the light blue print on Face book .But I'm glad others can see the detail in the pictures.
sewNsow

I am sorry. But you are doing a kick butt good job mixing the right mixture of colors.