Question
I BOUGHT SOME COLEUS PLANTS INSIDE MY HOME BEFORE THE FROST.  I USED SOME POTTING MIX SOIL FOR INSIDED PLANTS ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO, I ALSO PUT FERTILIZER SPIKES IN THE POTS.  THE SOIL IN THE POTS ARE STILL MOIST.  IS THAT NORMAL, IT SEEMS LIKE THEY SHOULD NEED WATERING BY NOW.  THEY DON'T GET MUCH SUNLIGHT BUT THEY GET PLENTY OF FLOURSCENT LIGHTING.

ANY INFORMATION WILL BE APPRECIATED.  

THANKS IN ADVANCE.

Answer
Hi Sallie

The Coleus Blumei is best treated as an annual as they are difficult to overwinter as they need lots of sun and natural light to keep their coloring. They heat and humidity and need the flower spikes taking off as they take all the energy from the plants.

As for feeding, at this time of year, they are going dormant and growth slows right down ready for the winter. Feeding them will force them into growth and will do more harm than good.

The reason why these plants are not drying out is because the fertilizer is seeping into the soil and the plants are not taking it up into their stems and the best thing to do is to take out the spikes and water them gently to leach out the fertilizer as this will cause a build up of salts that will be harmful to your Coleus. Leave to drain and wayer in about another two weeks.

They are tender perennials and the best thing to do is to take tip cuttings without flower spikes and root them in water. Once rooted, pot them up in fresh compost and water in.

You can try and save them but there is no guarantee they will make it as i have stated above.

The cuttings will root and survive better than the original plants and these can be stuck under the fluorescent lighting.

One more tip before I leave.

When you take the cuttings, wait until they have rooted before you decide what to do with the parents. If you do try to save the plants, do not fertilize until spring.


Kind Regards

Jonathan