I obtained this, or rather the mother plant of this particular plant, from a local nursery about a year ago and have kept it going from cuttings taken in the fall. From perusing catalogs it seems to most closely resemble the variety 'Watermelon'. Is this the correct designation? This plant has been grown with northern exposure only. I've been gardening for many years now, outdoors and indoors, but have not grown many coleuses. I expect that will change.
NO. It looks like a Tricolor I have but dont quote me.
This is Watermelon
This picture is from the Parks Seed Co. online catalog on a plant they call Coleus "Versa Watermelon":
http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/PD/51146/
Burpee's has a similar coleus simply named Coleus 'Watermelon', pictured here. I don't doubt that there are many names used for more than one variety, I would just like to know if my coleus is actually something else, and if so, what?
This is Glory and Watermelon.
You have hit on my favorite coleus.
Sun or shade it cant be beat.
duhhhh heres the pix
Both Glory and Watermelon are great growers and perform well under stressful circumstances, like being planted outside too soon last year. Night temps on the low 40's side.I lost many because I wasnt patient.
Lesson learned.In spite of the early spring I wont put annuals out until Mem.Day.Week.
No one so far has addressed the main point to this forum. that is what is 'Watermelon' and who is to say which is correct when there are several sources that clearly call the plant I've posted Watermelon. pictured here is another commercial source, Nick's, that calls my plant C. 'Watermelon'.
Please stay on topic or else please start another forum.
I just checked RosyDawn and they dont have Watermelon on their catalogue.
Try Gebhardts to see if they have Watermelon.
It would seem "Versa Watermelon" is an entirely different plant.
Too bad this wasnt made clear in the first couple of posts.
This is a photo of the 'classic' Watermelon: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/151423/
I've had this one myself for many years. It is NOT the same plant as you're showing in your photo.
Your plant has several lookalikes, but it could very well be a NEW type of coleus, named 'Versa Watermelon'. I am not sure.
We should be thankful that the coleus growers named this new one slightly different from the classic one, since several coleus plants (and their owners :) are suffering from many misunderstandings when coming to their names.
I hope this was on-topic.
Alice
Thanks Alice.My Watermelon starts out like that and the full sun brings out more reds.
Alice is correct about the 'classic' Watermelon.
'Versa' Watermelon is a seed variety from PanAmerican Seed Co/Ball Seed/Burpee. It started out about 3 years ago as a stand alone variety but it is now part of the Versa mixture of 6 colors. They're supposed to grow in sun or shade and be slow to flower - a definite improvement for seed coleus. We haven't grown Versa Watermelon but we are growing Versa Lime this year. We've grown 'classic' Watermelon for several years and it's a good one.
Chris
Caesar
Thanks for the information that addresses my original post. However, that begs another question. Where can one obtain the "classic" C. 'Watermelon'?
Try Google or PlantScout.
Gebharts list it, if you want mail order.
Not sure in the Bay Area. Annie's Annuals in Richmond has a few coleus but doesn't list WM. They might suggest a place with a bigger selection.
Thank you. I'll try that.
