Coleus Kong Scarlet Seedling Tray

For best results with Kong Scarlet, plant one seedling plug per 1801 cell or 4-inch container. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 5.8-6.2, EC of 1.5-2.0 mS/cm (2:1), temperature of 68-75 daytime and 65-68 nighttime, and light feed (100-175 ppm N). Be sure to provide sufficient Potassium in your fertilizer program to promote good color. This plant is requires short days. Don't pinch, but use daminozide two or three weeks after transplanting to control height if needed. Watch for aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies. You may see alternaria, verticillium, and botrytis.

Most gardeners prize Kong Scarlet for its colorful, unique foliage. While Coleus does produce small white flowers in summer, we recommend pinching off flower spikes to encourage the plant to develop its foliage. 

Pinching this plant will cause smaller foliage and delayed crop times. 

We recommend spacing 4-inch containers 12-18" on center for sufficient airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant. 

PGRs may be unnecessary with proper cultural controls. Provide appropriate light, irrigation, and fertilizer. If needed, apply Daminozide (B-Nine) at 2,500-5,000 ppm two or three weeks after transplanting. Ethephon may increase branching as well as controlling height. Don't pinch to prevent legginess.

Watch for spider mites, leafminers, aphids, and whiteflies. Implement an Integrated Pest Management plan in your commercial greenhouse to protect your crops from damage and preserve your resources.

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cause damage by sucking sap from plant tissue. They reproduce quickly and are particularly attracted to young growth. Curling and yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and stickiness on leaves are signs of an infestation. These insects also spread diseases and reproduce rapidly. Use biological controls or horticultural oils to discourage and kill aphids.

Mealybugs are small, white, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap. They are covered in powdery wax, which gives them a cottony appearance. They reproduce and spread rapidly. Inspect plants regularly for signs of an infestation, including white, cottony masses on foliage. Always check new plants before bringing them into the greenhouse. Remove any highly infested plants from the greenhouse for quarantine or disposal. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps as biological controls for mealybug populations and apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oils to disrupt lifecycles and feeding. Maintaining a sanitary greenhouse and eliminating debris can deter pest infestations.

Whiteflies are small, winged insects that eat plant sap and cause yellowed leaves and stunted growth. Severe infestations can lead to plants dying. Prevent infestations by sanitizing surfaces and tools and removing debris. Introduce natural predators and use sticky traps to control populations. Insecticidal soaps and oils are also effective against this pest.

You may see alternaria, verticillium, and botrytis. Scout for pests and diseases and act at the first sign of infection to prevent extensive damage to your crops. Plan an Integrated Pest Management strategy for your commercial greenhouse.

Alternaria is a fungal disease that causes foliage yellowing, browning, and necrosis, leading to defoliation. Sanitize surfaces, remove infected plants and debris, and use clean planting media. Copper-based fungicides or those with active ingredients azoxystrobin, mancozeb, or chlorothalonil are effective against alternaria. Prevent infection by watering at the base of each plant, providing good ventilation, spacing plants appropriately, and controlling humidity levels in the greenhouse. Some plant varieties are resistant to this disease. 

Botrytis is a common fungal disease that causes brown spots on stems, leaves, and flowers. Remove and destroy affected plants, maintain appropriate humidity levels, and apply fungicides with boscalid, fenhexamid, or iprodione to control the spread. Water plants in the morning and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Verticillium is a fungal disease that causes stunted growth and wilted, browning foliage. Proper sanitation is the best defense, as this fungus spreads through contaminated soil and debris or equipment, tools, and water. Remove infected plants and sanitize tools that may be contaminated. Proper sanitization, watering, fertilization, and spacing can reduce the risk of initial infection. Choose fungicides carefully, rotating among azoxystrobin, propamocarb hydrochloride, and thiophanate-methyl and following the manufacturer's instructions for application rate, timing, and safety precautions.

We recommend planting one seedling plug per 1801 cell or 4-inch container. Use well-drained soil and center the ellepot in the container. Cell packs finish in four or five weeks.