By Frank Powolny – 20th Century Fox studio promo portrait [1], Public Domain, Link
What do Betty Grable, famous pin-up for World War II enlisted men, and coleus, famous rainbow-hued plants, have in common?
Legs! Well, not really legs where the coleus are concerned, but definitely a bit of legginess can develop as my young coleus sprouts grow.
Coleus, left side, before pinching, right side, after pinching out growing stem.
When my coleus sprouts begin to shoot up and become leggy I know it’s time to pinch out the middle top leaves. Before I do this, I make sure the plant has at least six true leaves. Using my hand as a garden tool, I carefully grasp the last set of leaves between thumb and forefinger, and pinch the topmost leaves away. This will allow the top to branch out into two separate stems. I continue pinching throughout the summer months, helping the coleus to become bushy rather than tall and leggy. On August 1st, I stop pinching and let the flowers develop. Another plus to growing coleus is helping out the pollinators who make use of their flowers; at this point bees happily cross-pollinate the plants for me.
The coleus in the foreground has already been pinched. At this stage I can judge which sprouts are going to be tall and large-leafed, and which will be small with interesting swirled, fringed leaves.
Here’s a look at a sample of my sprouts. I have between 150 and 200 growing in the house. Our weather has been very cool and I want these babies to have the best start possible. Coleus cannot tolerate cold weather.
I’m thrilled with these babies since I know they will only improve, deepen in color, begin to swirl and turn, develop scalloped edges or stay straight, as they begin to grow outdoors under the pine.
MINDING MY P'S WITH Q 
….they are so beautiful, and such variety! I appreciate your tips about pinching away the topmost leaves. I will now do that with the ones we have in the growing area next to our front door!
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It really helps them become thick and healthy. Thanks so much.
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…..describing her film career, Grable said “I became a star for two reasons, and I’m standing on them.”
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Your plants are stunning. My little seedlings are still huddling together, trying to keep warm. They are inside, of course, but even inside it’s a bit cool.
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It is downright cold here. I really want to get them outdoors, but I don’t want to lose the whole bunch. I might start planting out a few at a time. I have a big pot that has grown over the winter and I just took that upstairs a few minutes ago to be my tester plant outdoors. We’ve never had such a cold Spring.
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This weather is confusing.
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🤔 Yes, along with all the other craziness…some days I feel I am losing my mind…just kidding…still hanging on.
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Reading your conversation with Anne above and enjoying the gossip around the coleus.
I will send you my own pictures as soon as I get them hatched in my own home.
Susie
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I love this idea Susie. It’s almost like we are sitting on a porch talking about our ‘babies.’ Looking forward to your photographs. Kathy
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Kathy,
I read a blog post with a similar theme today and thought about you:https://www.michellescrazybusylife.net/index.php/2020/05/18/its-all-about-perspective/#.XsQysxMzacY
Susie
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Thanks Susie, I hope you are having a really good week.
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Oh my ! Kathy, I put the link in the wrong post, I meant to put it in the post on “perspective”. Will you forgive me?
Susie
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No problem. I do that too! We are human…it makes me love you more.
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I was late starting the seeds you gave me from last year but they are coming up and I look forward to the surprises they will yield. Last year the Coleus thrived and I am hoping they will again. They were so beautiful.
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The seeds last for me too…I’m glad they are coming up. I have some really pretty ones this year. I have just planted them out as the temperatures here in NJ have been colder than usual.
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I look forward to watching their progress as you share it.
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