Expert: C.L. Fornari - 9/30/2006

Question
its newly potted(8 weeks ish) and i used miracle grow soil
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Followup To

Question -
Help! im a little confused. i have a coleus that i have had for 4 1/2 years now  it is the common variety which has the bright pink centre on the leaf and is apro 4ft tall. i have taken a cutting, which has grown very well, however, the colour is very pale, instead of the green edge with bright pink centre to the leaf, the cutting has a pale green leaf that turns a creamy yellow toward the centre and a pale pink in the very middle. is this because its a cutting or is it getting to much sun? the original plant loves the sun and thrives well in direct sun, both plants are in pots. i grew the original plant in luton, beds, the cutting in sheffield, south yorks.


Answer -
Michelle,
A cutting would have the same genetic material as the parent plant, so that is not the reason for the color change.  Usually paler colors result from either less sun or not as much nutrition.  Have you had this in the same pot for awhile?  Fertilized it?  In general, fertilizer makes foliage and flowers brighter (although you shouldn't over-do it) and if a plant is very root bound it doesn't absorb enough nutrients to make the foliage have color.  (I have a plant that was extremely root-bound once and the foliage turned white!  Once I put it in a new pot with fresh soil, it went back to green again.)

I hope this helps!
C.L.

Answer
Great!  I think that the Miracle Grow potting soil has some time-release fertilizer in it, yes?  If so, don't fertilize until next Jan or Feb - if not, give a mild liquid feed now, and then start fertilizing regularly in late Jan-early Feb.

Let me know how it does!
all the best,
C.L.
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