When to start a "standard"

Does anyone have advice on how to train coleus into a standard? I have a few possibilities, ones that are strongly upright. Should I start removing side shoots now or let it go awhile and just not pinch out the center? Its a long time before I'd like to take it to the local Fair in Aug. so hopefully I can repair any mistakes.

Theres a bunch of info on this thread that should help:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/993198/

Thanks, finch. Guess I saw that thread some time back but didn't remember it. Went looking for topiary frames and found some neat stuff. I'll never find them locally, maybe someone can make me what I want.

I'm sorta kinda making a Swiss Sunshine grow up. Haven't decided how tall to make the 'trunk'

WOW I didnt know about this.
The thread is fantastic.
Where does one get the wire forms?

This message was edited Dec 27, 2009 4:49 AM

click the link in Goldfinch's message. I guess you could make your own with heavy wire....

Dale had some that looked commercial