I have taken 8 coleus cuttings to overwinter. Three of these I put
into moist vermiculite. The other 5 in water. All are in an east
window, cool temperatures. After 3 weeks all of these are starting to
bloom, but none have bloomed outdoors. I pinched off the blooms, but
they keep trying to bloom. I want them to grow, not bloom. Only gave
them aged tap water. What is triggering bloom and how can I prevent
blooming? Would I have better results growing the cuttings under
florescent lighting?

Phisherman wrote:
I have taken 8 coleus cuttings to overwinter. Three of these I put
into moist vermiculite. The other 5 in water. All are in an east
window, cool temperatures. After 3 weeks all of these are starting to
bloom, but none have bloomed outdoors. I pinched off the blooms, but
they keep trying to bloom. I want them to grow, not bloom. Only gave
them aged tap water. What is triggering bloom and how can I prevent
blooming? Would I have better results growing the cuttings under
florescent lighting?

I've got six cuttings in two glasses in north window w/east window close
by (don't want direct sun on them). About 3 weeks, first used aquatic
bubble stones (Walmart), change the water frequently, no sign of roots,
turned that off. I've read they are easy to root within 2 weeks in
either soil or water, keep the water changed, maybe some rooting powder
would have helped.

These plants had flowered outside already, maybe yours hadn't and need
to finish their cycle, and we had a light frost before I took the
cuttings, so they are limpish from that. I've had no sign of flowers on
the cuttings, pulled off some bottom leaves and some have dried since,
but there are still some on the top of each.

They might do better under fluorescent lights and covered in plastic to
increase the humidity (I use 2 liter soda bottles cut down if they
aren't too tall). If mine don't root, I'll try lights next time.

"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
I have taken 8 coleus cuttings to overwinter. Three of these I put
into moist vermiculite. The other 5 in water. All are in an east
window, cool temperatures. After 3 weeks all of these are starting to
bloom, but none have bloomed outdoors. I pinched off the blooms, but
they keep trying to bloom. I want them to grow, not bloom. Only gave
them aged tap water. What is triggering bloom and how can I prevent
blooming? Would I have better results growing the cuttings under
florescent lighting?

I was told long ago it's the short days of fall that makes them bloom.
Perhaps you can rig something up to lengthen their day?

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 23:17:35 -0600, "Manelli Family"
wrote:


"Phisherman" wrote in message
.. .
I have taken 8 coleus cuttings to overwinter. Three of these I put
into moist vermiculite. The other 5 in water. All are in an east
window, cool temperatures. After 3 weeks all of these are starting to
bloom, but none have bloomed outdoors. I pinched off the blooms, but
they keep trying to bloom. I want them to grow, not bloom. Only gave
them aged tap water. What is triggering bloom and how can I prevent
blooming? Would I have better results growing the cuttings under
florescent lighting?

I was told long ago it's the short days of fall that makes them bloom.
Perhaps you can rig something up to lengthen their day?

Yes I think that makes a lot of sense. The same thing happened last
year except this year they quickly rooted, probably due to higher
temperatures against the window. I have heard that some plants will
bloom when put under stress.