U of Saskatchewan ColeusSelections 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 InfoI 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 InfoAs 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:Bob.Bors@usask.ca

Websites:Coleus website:

http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/coleus/index.htmlTo see gallery: User Name: Guest Password: Contract

Fruit Website: http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/dom_fruit/

Dr. Bob BorsUniversity of Saskatchewan, Plant Sciences Dept.

51 Campus DriveSaskatoon 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