COLEUS (Solenostemon rotundifolius)


Coleus thrives well in tropical and subtropical regions. A well-drained medium fertile soil is suitable for its cultivation.

Season

Plant the cuttings in the main field between July and October.
Variety: Nidhi

Nursery
Raise the nursery approximately one month before planting. An area of 500 to 600 m2 is sufficient to produce cuttings required for one ha of main field. Apply 125 to 150 kg FYM in the nursery area. Plant the seed tubers at a spacing of 15 cm on the ridges taken 30 cm apart. About 170 to 200 kg of tubers is required to raise the nursery. Take the vine cutting to a length of 10-15 cm from the top portion after three weeks from planting.

Preparation of main field

Plough or dig the land to a depth of 15-20 cm and form ridges at 30 cm apart or raised beds of 60-90 cm width.

Planting

Plant the vine cutting collected from the nursery on ridges at a spacing of 30 cm or on raised beds at 30 x 15 cm spacing.

Manuring

Broadcast 10 tonnes of FYM and N:P2O5: K2O @ 30:60:50 kg per hectare and incorporate into the soil at the time of land preparation. Topdress with N and K2O at the rate of 30 and 50 kg/ha respectively at 45 days after planting.

Aftercultivation

Give weeding and earthing up, at 45 days after planting along with topdressing. Cover a portion of the vine with soil to promote tuber formation.

Plant protection

To control the root-knot nematode, plough the field deeply in summer, adopt crop rotation and destroy root residues and other plant parts by burning.

Harvesting

Harvest the crop 5 months after planting.