
There are many things to know about coleus care. Some of them are watering, fertilizing, and sun exposure. But there are also some bugs to watch out for. These include Mealybug and Powdery Mildew. The key is to learn how to treat them as soon as you notice them, so your plant can continue to grow healthy.
Watering
Coleus are great plants to add color and vibrancy to your garden. They can grow fast and be used in hanging baskets, window boxes, or in the landscape.
There are hundreds of varieties of coleus to choose from. In addition to their colorful leaves, they are also very easy to care for. Watering coleus is essential to keep them looking their best.
Aside from watering, coleus also require adequate humidity. If your coleus is exposed to dry air, it is more likely to suffer from fungal or insect infestations. In order to avoid these problems, mist your plant regularly.
Coleus will benefit from a fertilizing regimen. A balanced water-soluble fertilizer can be applied once a month. Alternatively, you can use an all-purpose 20-20-20 fertilizer.
Fertilizer
If you have coleus plants, you might want to find out what fertilizer to use on them. There are several types to choose from, but the best one for your particular plant depends on a variety of factors.
You should make sure that your soil is rich, moist, and well-draining. This is because Coleus will not do well in dry conditions. In addition, your soil should have a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0.
You will also need to provide ample organic matter. This will help the roots to absorb nutrients more efficiently. The ideal soil for a coleus plant contains at least 1 part compost and one part peat moss. You can improve the nutrient content of your soil by mixing in eggshells.
Sun exposure
If you want to grow coleus in your garden, you need to know what type of sun exposure will suit your coleus. There are many different types of coleus, and each will have its own specific requirements. However, there are several general rules for planting coleus. These rules can help you achieve your vision of a colorful garden.
Most varieties of Coleus prefer partial shade, so they can still produce a colorful display in the shadier areas of your garden. In addition to shade, you also need to keep the soil from drying out. This is because overly wet soil can encourage disease, and also cause leaf drop.
Coleus can be grown in containers, too. You can either purchase a moveable container that you can easily move around your garden or choose a larger container that can hold its own. Regardless of which you choose, make sure it has a well-draining soil mix. It is also important to water your coleus when the soil is dry. This can help the plant maintain its color and also encourage new foliage to grow.
Powdery mildew
It’s a fact that powdery mildew affects many types of plants. It can appear on the leaves, stems, or fruit of a plant. This fungus can cause a variety of symptoms, including debilitating blight and gray or white spots. There are several things you can do to prevent and treat this disease.
The first thing you should do is prune off infected leaves. This will help stop the spread of the infection. The next thing you should do is wash away the spores and debris that can be found on the plant. It’s also a good idea to spray your plants with a fungicide.
Another good way to control powdery mildew is to keep your soil as dry as possible. The fungi need moisture in order to thrive. If you do not have free water in your garden, you should consider composting the plants’ dead leaves. This will help increase the nutrient levels in the soil.
Mealybug infestation
When you have houseplants like coleus, mealybug infestations can be a real problem. They cause waxy secretion to form on your plants, causing damage to their leaves.
Mealybugs are part of the Pseudococcidae family. They are small white insects that have two vertical stripes from head to tail. They are soft-bodied and can be found on plants that are commonly found in interiorscapes in Massachusetts.
Mealybugs are hard to control unless they are kept in check early in the infestation. They are not very harmful if you have healthy plants. However, they can spread to other plants in your home.
The best way to kill these insects is through organic pest control. They are resistant to most chemical pesticides. Other methods include using insecticidal soaps or insecticides.