| Many of us have done vegetable gardening at | | | | of growing media in which our new botanical |
| some time in our lives and some have carried | | | | jewels will spend their maturing lives. |
| this pastime hobby indoors. One plant which | | | | First, one can easily find soil that will |
| can spread beauty throughout ones home or | | | | grow our new cuttings and keep them in their |
| apartment is the Coleus, the most popular, | | | | healthiest state throughout their adult lives |
| known as Coleus Hybridus (painted nettle). A | | | | and produce the brightest of color variations |
| much more vibrant Coleus plant, simply called | | | | in their ever changing leaf patterns. The |
| "Rainbow Mixed Colors" on the seed package is | | | | soil should contain the greatest amount of |
| unbeatable in color variations. Easy to keep | | | | organic material as possible along with self |
| alive through even lenghty unattendance and | | | | contained nutrients within the organic |
| very simple propagation techniques, it can | | | | growing material. We should select a growing |
| bring much joy to the plant | | | | pot which would accommodate a progressive |
| enthusiast.Because of the high level of | | | | growing stage, so we could probably begin |
| regeneration of the Coleus plant, you could | | | | with a 4" wide pot, since this is usually the |
| easily propagate a single nursery bought | | | | size that would hold our cuttings which are |
| plant or one started from seed into several | | | | by now well rooted. Each individual plant |
| totally new plants. It's simple ! Once the | | | | should have ample room to remain in this size |
| plant has blossomed to a beautiful foliage, | | | | pot for about 2 months. When the Coleus has |
| cuttings can then be taken. Begin cutting | | | | outgrown its original pot, it's time to move |
| near the bottom. Trim each to about 6" in | | | | it to the 8" pot size. This should last for |
| length, then trimming 4 to 6 of the lower | | | | the rest of its natural life...but now the |
| leaves. Place cuttings in a jar or glass, | | | | process can be started all over again and you |
| about 1/3 filled with simple tap water. | | | | will have a house full of the beautiful |
| Several plant cuttings can be placed in the | | | | Coleus plant.Author: Lucien Beauley |
| same jar, but the water level will have to be | | | | |
| monitored more closely. The Coleus gets | | | | Writer of human interest and science based |
| pretty thirsty and could drain your plants | | | | articles. |
| water supply in a very short time. Store in a | | | | |
| low-level lighted area for several days, or | | | | Web author of: |
| until roots are produced at the base of the | | | | |
| cuttings. Wait until new roots have produced | | | | Conservation.html |
| at least half a dozen and the longest have | | | | |
| reached about 1". Now they are ready to be | | | | This site shows how we can conserve the |
| transposed into a more permanent growing | | | | energy we have and also sources of renewable |
| media.At this juncture, one must be a little | | | | energy. |
| more selective, at least in choosing the type | | | | |