In the garden

Coleus are happy little foliage plants with amazing colors. Do you know how easy it is to grow them from cuttings? It’s amazing. I don’t like my coleus to get leggy. I just snip off the top, stick the cutting in the ground, and keep the ground moist.  I used to actually dip them in rooting hormone but no more. The only time I buy coleus now is if I see a new gaudy color combo that I really need.

These little lovelies also do not like cold weather, so right before the cold hits, I take several cuttings and stick them in bud vases. They brighten up my kitchen while they are growing roots. Then when it’s spring, out they go again. Equally happy in pots or the ground, I just keep them in the shade and maybe some morning sun.

Two more plants that will root just by sticking cuttings in soil are the sweet potato vine and vinca major. These guys are prolific! I just cut them off and stick them in pots that need something hanging over the side.

I’ve tried to root geraniums. The first one I tried, I used rooting compound but the cutting didn’t make it. Then I accidentally broke off a branch when I was moving a pot last winter. This one I just stuck in a pot that already had potting soil with caladium bulbs. So this spring both the geranium and caladiums took off. Pretty!

Another one that’s easy to grow with little effort is the bromeliad. I have three varieties (Michelle gave me one, the other two were already here) and I never have to water or fertilize them. The only care they need is regular division or they’ll take over. They like shade so whatever I divide, I plant around another tree. No more trimming around those trees for me!

When I rooted the hydrangeas last week, I also put rooting hormone on cuttings of sunpatiens, geraniums, dragon wing begonia, and pentas. Just to see if I could get them to root. So far the dragon wing begonia looks like it might survive.

My next rooting experiment will be succulents. Martha Stewart says its easy so it must be true! My neighbor Sue left a large pot of different varieties in my care for a few months. I’ve placed the pot on my screened deck just to keep the squirrels from nibbling on them. Meanwhile, I’ll be taking Martha’s advice and sticking some of those little leaves in my pots here and there!