Re: Persian Shield

That's my sense of it, too, Noreen. I don't grow it [although it's quite popular here], but if I did, I would probably pinch and chop it the way I do Thai basil blooms to keep it producing throughout the summer. If one can keep Thai basil from blooming here, one can generally keep the plant thriving for two, three, or more years. But, for me, that's often a chore consigned to the list that's headed "Good Idea, Too Much Work."

On Thursday, March 4, 2004, at 04:59 PM, TeichFlora@aol.com wrote:

Yes, Kitty, I do grow this plant outside, as a splash of color in the
flowerbeds, especially in the shadier areas. It is perennial here. I never let
mine go to bloom, so not really sure when it blooms here. I prune or pinch the
plant often.....like the coleus, since I like bushy plants. Also, it seems
that these plants main purpose is to produce seed to reproduce, so I figure if I
keep pinching it, then it will live longer, rather than flower, go to seed,
then die.
Sorry I'm not much help.

Noreen
zone 9
Texas Gulf Coast
In a message dated 3/3/2004 7:35:20 PM Central Standard Time,
gardenchat-owner@hort.net writes:
I don't know actually. Here in Z5 it is usually grown as an annual and then
pitched; repurchased in spring. I've grown on from cuttings before, but
never had the cuttings produce flowers. I don't know if the growth cycle is
totally out of whack on my plants as they've never led a normal life - These
are cuttings from plants grown from the previous years cuttings. I didn't
note any indication of flowering when I struck them or I would have chosen
other pieces. I thought someone in our group in the south grows one
outside, maybe Noreen? Does anyone know?
Those pics showed just the first flower. If the whole spike decides to
flower, I'll post another pic.

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Island Jim
Southwest Florida
Zone 10

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