Boo, my 'black' coleus are now sorta bronzy - and leggy. Somewhere I recall reading that to keep coleus 'bunchy', you should pinch out the tops. If I pinch off several inches will that work? And can I start new plants if I stick the pinched off parts in water? I suspect I should have done this some time ago, but I am one of those people who have a big problem pinching plants.

Good question. I have the same question =)

Alan

Here I am ...

Sad to say my Black Coleuus is RIP. I could never find a place it was happy except inside the house.
I got it at walmart and it didn't do well. Not sure if its walmart, the AZ heat, the sun, or those white sucker mealy bugs. Mine shriveled up and died.

I have my electric lime in full sun until about 2:00...it is thriving!!!! I will share cuttings at the rendevous in October.

I got mine at Walmart, too. It's in a pot where it gets morning sun but nothing after noon or thereabouts. So, can I pinch off the tall parts and root them in water? And will the plants bunch out and be more full if I do that?

Mine are thriving in full sun till about 11:00AM, then shaded. they still look good except for a couple of leaves have that bronzish look to them that Alma mentions. I have been pinching off the flowers when they show up. I'm afraid to cut them back at all right now, because if only the top foliage burns, there is a lot of foliage underneath that can take over after I pinch off the burnt stuff.

My climbing oleander is still doing really well, starting to really grow now that the heat and humidity have kicked in. I hope to see flowers on it this year!!

Alan

I got some cuttings from McP that the original plant came from Boo... They are inside as I'm afraid to kill them - lol.

Alma, I am sorry I missed your question...I got on a rant over my coleus failure. I usually do so well.

ALWAYS pinch off the flowers. And I root in potting soil in the shade for a week and then move to morning sun for a week. After 2 weeks they are usually strong for more sun. The cuttings may look funky for a few days but keep them watered. Rooting in water works but sometimes they rot that way. I prefer a little rooting compound but I often root without it.

Yes, Alma, it does make them bush out more but pinching back. I cut mine back in late winter and they are gorgeously full again in a short time.

Did I answer everything?

Kelly, you have some of my grandcoleus!

I do - you're a grandcoleusmama!

Thanks, Boo. I don't have any flowers, just tall plants. I think I will take a chance and cut several inches off the tops and try to root them.

do it....you'll be so glad. This is a perfect time. I am going to cut my electric lime back and will post before and afters.

Once the new plant is growing give it a little miracle grow and watch it really take off. leaves will be bigger too after a cut back.