Coleus Fairway Grower Fact

Coleus Fairway & Superfine Rainbows
Cultural Information for: Coleus Fairway & Rainbow Annual
Common Name: Coleus
Botanical Name: Coleus hybrida
Seed Count: 122,000/ounce 4,300/gram Fairway ,113,400/ounce 4,000/gram Rainbow
Optimum Germination Temperature: 70-75 ¡ãF/ 21-24 oC
Optimum Growing Temperature: 65-70 ¡ãF / 18-21 ¡ãC
Plug Culture - 288
Stage 1 (days 1-6) Sow seed into a sterile and well-drained media with a pH 5.5-5.8. and an E.C. less than at 0.7 mmhos (2:1 slurry). Coleus is very sensitive to high salts, particularly high ammonium. Provide a soil temperature of 70-75 ¡ãF/21-24 ¡ãC. Apply a light coat of vermiculite to maintain sufficient moisture but not too heavy as seeds need light to germinate.

Stage 2 (days 7-13) Reduce the moisture level once radicle emergence occurs. Allowing the soil to dry out slightly before watering provides the best germination and rooting. Fertilize plugs with 50 ppm N once per week to maintain the E.C. at 0.8 mmhos (2:1 slurry). Coleus is sensitive to strong sunlight at this stage. Optimum light level is 2,000-3,500 foot candles / 21,500-38,000 lux.

Stage 3 (days 14-21) Drop the temperature to 68-70 ¡ãF/ 20-21 ¡ãC. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between irrigations but avoid excessive wilting to promote root growth and control shoot growth. Fertilize plugs with 100- 150 ppm N. Use negative DIF whenever possible, especially the first 2 hours after sunrise, to control plant height.

Stage 4 (days 22-28) Lower the temperature to 61-65 ¡ãF/16-18 ¡ãC for 7 days to tone the plugs. Fertilize as needed but avoid an E.C. over 1.0 mmhos.

Transplant 6-9 weeks
Media: A sterile and well-drained media high in organic matter with a pH between 5.5-6.0.

Fertilizer: Feed with 100-150 ppm N as needed to maintain the EC around 1.0 mmhos (2:1 slurry). It is important to supply sufficient amounts of Potassium in the fertilizer for good foliage color. Coleus is a moderate feeder and excessive feed can lead to dull coloration and decreased vigor.

Temperature: Maintain a day temperature of 70-75¡ãF/21-24¡ãC with a night temperature of 60-65¡ãF/15-18¡ãC

Light: Provide light levels up to 5,000 foot candles/54,000 lux.

Growth retardant: Culture is the best option and negative DIF is effective. If the plants begin to bolt apply B-9 at 2,500-5,000 ppm.

Diseases and pests control: Coleus is susceptible to Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Botrytis, Aphids, Whitefly, Leaf Miners and Mites.

Schedule: Coleus is sold for its colorful foliage, and plants can be sold as soon as the plants reach market size.

Cell Pack 4 inch/10 cm.
Fairway Plug 4 weeks Finish in 5 weeks
Rainbow Plug 4 weeks Finish in 8 weeks