overwintering coleus cuttings

[Phisherman]

I have taken 8 coleus cuttings to overwinter. Three of these I put into moist vermiculite. The other 5 in water. All are in an east window, cool temperatures. After 3 weeks all of these are starting to bloom, but none have bloomed outdoors. I pinched off the blooms, but they keep trying to bloom. I want them to grow, not bloom. Only gave them aged tap water. What is triggering bloom and how can I prevent blooming? Would I have better results growing the cuttings under florescent lighting?

[Hettie®]

I've got six cuttings in two glasses in north window w/east window close by (don't want direct sun on them). About 3 weeks, first used aquatic bubble stones (Walmart), change the water frequently, no sign of roots, turned that off. I've read they are easy to root within 2 weeks in either soil or water, keep the water changed, maybe some rooting powder would have helped.

These plants had flowered outside already, maybe yours hadn't and need to finish their cycle, and we had a light frost before I took the cuttings, so they are limpish from that. I've had no sign of flowers on the cuttings, pulled off some bottom leaves and some have dried since, but there are still some on the top of each.

They might do better under fluorescent lights and covered in plastic to increase the humidity (I use 2 liter soda bottles cut down if they aren't too tall). If mine don't root, I'll try lights next time.

[Manelli Family]

I was told long ago it's the short days of fall that makes them bloom. Perhaps you can rig something up to lengthen their day?

[Phisherman]

Yes I think that makes a lot of sense. The same thing happened last year except this year they quickly rooted, probably due to higher temperatures against the window. I have heard that some plants will bloom when put under stress.