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U of Saskatchewan Coleus
Selections 2008
Bred by Dr. Bob Bors
These are some of my favourite selections
from my 5th generation of coleus breeding.
The pictures that follow show a whole plant
followed by a single leaf in my hand.
Some of the leaves are unbelievably
complex!
Background Info
I am an Assistant Professor of horticulture in our Plant
Sciences Department and the only fruit breeder for the
Canadian prairies.
In the winter, when I’m not breeding fruit crops, I love to
occasionally indulge in coleus breeding. Especially on
those -30C or -40C days that we get every winter. Also, I
use coleus in teaching of 3 classes and for tours of
elementary and high school students.
Coleus is so wonderful that it is hard to ‘focus’ my
coleus breeding program. I am concentrating on the
unusual leaf types that follow. In particular I hope to
create families that have very similar leaf shapes and
plant growth habits but have different colours.
Background Info
As an Assistant Professor of horticulture in our Plant Sciences
Department I get 30 sq ft free in the greenhouse. Anything over that
I have to pay for each month. The coleus program is now such that
I either have to generate some money from them or throw out a
large portion of them. My student and colleagues are urging me to
get these out into the world.
As I am a fruit breeder by profession, I am not well connected in the
world of ornamental plants. I would welcome the opportunity to
connect with people and businesses that could commercialize
some of my selections.
I should point out that if these plants ever were commercialized that
I would not personally profit from any royalties. Royalties from any
plants that I breed go back into the program (with a percentage
going to my department). High on my wish list is to rent more
greenhouse space and hire a few more students during the
summer.
Contact Info:
[email protected]
Websites:
Coleus website:
http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/coleus/index.html
To see gallery: User Name: Guest Password: Contract
Fruit Website: http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/dom_fruit/
Dr. Bob Bors
University of Saskatchewan, Plant Sciences Dept.
51 Campus Drive
Saskatoon Saskatchewan, S7N 5A8
Canada
Deeply lobed but
Small leaves
Large leaves with
ruffled edges
‘Lobster’ types
(Does anyone have a better name for these?)
‘Lichen’ types
‘Fluffy’ types
‘Coral’ types
Seedlings from different
generations
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007