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Kong Mosaic Coleus

JohhnyJohhny Posts: 5
in Problem solving

Hi everyone,

I need some advice on a Kong Mosaic Coleus plant that i just bought. I have only had it for 1 day and some children were playing with a football and it has broken some of the stems, very near the base. My own fault i had just potted it out and went to connect the hose to water in some other plants and then the accident happened. I am wondering if it can be cut back giving it chance to re-grow at all or is it passed any help? It was a accident and dont blame anyone for it but would like to give it a chance to survie if i can, its a wonderful looking plant and want to do what i can for it. Any help would be grateful and sorry for the long post.

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505

    It isn't frost hardy so it's unlikely to survive the winter, but you could take some cuttings from the broken bits so that you will have a few plants next year.

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • JohhnyJohhny Posts: 5

    Ah ok. I was just looking up how to care for them over winter and was going to place them in a greenhouse (plastic one, havent got room for a "proper" greenhouse) to see if that would do.

    I will try and research about taking cuttings. I'm new to flowers and plants and i would like to start collecting my own seeds for Vegetables and Flowers, for next year.

    Thank you for your help

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    Coleus are easy from seed.
    I often grow Chocolate Covered Cherry.
    Seed sowed in March - 

    image


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • JohhnyJohhny Posts: 5

    Oh my that is stunning !

    Can i collect seeds from my damaged plant or cuttings ? Very new to this plant and really want to save what i can rom it if possible ?

    It has got several flower stems about 7 ? Do you collect the seeds from the flowers ?

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    I don't.
    If you let your coleus flower it will set seed and die.
    The trick is to keep removing the little flower spike (like a tiny pyramid) that appears around this time of year at the very top of each branch.
    I keep nipping them off, but there comes a time when the plant just gets exhausted and gives up and dies, usually mid-late Sept
    You could let yours go to seed if you wish, I've no idea if the seed will come true.
    Cuttings are extremely easy - just snip a bit off about 4-6" long and drop it in a glass of water - roots should appear in a week or so, but make sure there's no flower spike appearing or roots probably wont grow


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • JohhnyJohhny Posts: 5

    My goodness, thats amazing help Pete8, thank you so much.I didnt think it would be that easy and im definatly going to try a cutting. I really want to learn about seed collecting and cuttings. So this will be a brilliant help

    I was so disapointed at only having it for a few hours and it being damaged but if i can get seeds and or cuttings ill be pleased with that. Thanks for all your help

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

    Good luck Johhny - let us know how you get on and just ask if you have any questions


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • JohhnyJohhny Posts: 5

    I will and thank you again for all the advice/help.

    much appreciated

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