Eustoma is used in landscape design to decorate flower beds and flower beds. This crop looks impressive, and at the same time it has an unpretentious character and caring for it in the open ground does not take much time. The buds of the plant can also stand in water for up to 20 days, so it can be grown to create bouquets.
How to grow Lisianthus from seeds?
Lisianthus seeds are sown superficially on a sterile substrate, under film or glass. The temperature during seed germination should not exceed 25 degrees. Eustoma shoots appear after 10-12 days; at first they develop slowly.
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Eustoma
Eustoma or Lisianthus is a herbaceous annual or perennial plant.
Eustoma belongs to the bright representatives of the Gentian family. Initially, its habitat was considered to be the territory located in the south of North America, Mexico, northern South America, and the plant was also found on the islands of the Caribbean. The translation of the name of the flower Eustoma from Latin means “beautiful mouth” or “beautifully speaking.” The indigenous Indians came up with a legend that tells about his appearance. One day, after the death of a girl, an unknown flower bloomed at the site of her grave. Ancient history says that the girl became a victim of the spirit of war. He severely punished her for disobedience and refusal of the marriage proposal. In Europe, the plant became known thanks to the doctor and scientist Patrick Brown, who was born in Ireland.
Among experienced gardeners, eustoma is especially popular for growing both in the garden and at home. Cut flowers can be stored in this form for about three weeks, while maintaining their attractiveness and freshness. The plant began to be grown under artificial conditions in the last century.
Varieties
Low-growing varieties of Eustoma include:
- Eustoma Riddle is a low compact bush, reaching 20 cm in height. Blooms profusely with double light blue flowers.
- The Mermaid variety is a miniature compact species of Lisianthus, the crown height of which does not exceed 15 cm. It does not require pinching. This hybrid blooms with simple flowers with a diameter of up to 6 cm in a variety of shades: white, light pink, lilac and blue.
- Little Bell is a densely branching bush of miniature size, reaching a height of 15 cm. The flowers are small, simple, funnel-shaped, of all kinds of colors. This variety is valued for its abundant, long-lasting flowering. You don't have to do pinching.
- Eustoma Fidelity is a low indoor plant, no higher than 20 cm in height. It is distinguished by a multitude of snow-white small flowers, which are arranged in a spiral on the flower arrow.
- Variety Tenderness is a beautiful bush with an elegant stem up to 20 cm, on which satiny petals are arranged in a spiral. Blooms with pink flowers.
- The Little Mermaid has very small bushes, up to 15 cm in height, blooming with white, light blue or pink flowers.
- Eustoma "Florida Blue" - characterized by abundant blue flowers.
- Variety Florida Pink - this very beautiful, low indoor flower blooms profusely with light pink flowers. In a pot it looks like a bouquet with wonderful miniature roses.
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Little Bell Mermaid The Little Mermaid Fidelity Florida Blue Florida Pink
In addition to low-growing ones, flower growers also practice growing tall indoor Eustomas:
- Eustoma Cinderella - bush height up to 50 cm. Blooms with double flowers of delicate pink or yellow color.
- Variety Twinkie - stem height is not higher than half a meter. It blooms with white, yellow, pink or purple flowers of extraordinary beauty.
- Eustoma "Mariachi Lime" - the height of the bush reaches a meter. The flowers on it are double lime-colored.
- Echo is a medium bush, grows up to 70 cm in height. Flowers of pink, yellow, lilac or white are displayed on a strong stem.
Twinks Mariachi Lime Echo
The most popular Eustoma varieties for growing at home are large-flowered. Their inflorescences consist of many large beautiful skirt-shaped flowers of the most impossible colors: snow-white and purple-red, violet and lilac, lilac and light yellow, blue and light blue.
Reproduction of eustoma
Lisianthus is bred mainly by seeds, in areas with warm climatic conditions by self-sowing. In the first year, the plant forms a rosette of foliage; if the winter is favorable, it blooms the following summer. In temperate climates, it is planted with seedlings, which are purchased or sown independently at home.
For your information! Cuttings of eustoma are impossible - the cuttings do not root. Also, lisianthus does not form bulbs, so bulbous eustoma does not exist.
It is impossible to propagate eustoma by dividing the roots, since the flowers are poorly restored and do not take root. Unscrupulous sellers, under the guise of eustoma, offer roots of other perennial plants (phlox, hosta, etc.) for purchase. The only sure way to breed eustoma is to sow high-quality seeds.
Features of planting in open ground
Eustoma (growing and caring in open ground is not too difficult) is a light-loving plant, but direct sunlight is contraindicated for it. Therefore, for a flower bed it is better to choose a slightly shaded place on the eastern or western side of the site. It is important that the site is protected from drafts and sudden gusts of wind.
You should not plant a flower near a house or outbuildings. Otherwise, raindrops flowing from the roof can injure the fragile shoots of the plant. It is also impossible to plant eustoma in lowlands, in wetlands and in places with close groundwater. Otherwise, the plant will die from stagnation of moisture at the roots.
You can plant the flower in open ground in the middle - end of May, when the risk of return frosts disappears. It is better to carry out the procedure itself on a cloudy day or in the evening, so that the sun does not dry out the seedlings and soil in the process.
During planting, you should adhere to the following instructions:
- In the prepared flowerbed, you should dig holes with dimensions equal to the diameter and volume of the containers in which the seedlings were grown. It is necessary to maintain a distance of 15-20 cm between the holes. Each hole will need to be watered generously.
- Plants must be carefully removed from the pots, being careful not to destroy the earthen lump. The procedure will be easier to carry out if you water the soil well in advance. It is also worth running the blunt side of a sharp knife between the substrate and the walls of the pots.
- Seedlings should be installed in the center of the recesses and the voids should be filled with soil. It is important that the root collar of the plants is at the same level as before.
- The soil must be watered abundantly, being careful not to get water on the stems and leaves of the seedlings. The tree trunk circle should be mulched with peat, laying it out in a layer of 1-2 cm.
It is advisable to cover young shrubs with cut plastic bottles or glass jars. This technique will help retain moisture in the soil, which the seedlings need, and will also protect the plants from the night cold. It is worth removing the cover only after 15-20 days.
Possible problems and solutions
With frequent mistakes in care, the eustoma begins to act up.
When growing it, gardeners often encounter the following problems:
- The leaves of the crop turn yellow. This problem is caused by both excessive and insufficient soil moisture. To correct the situation, you will need to normalize watering.
- The plant sheds its young ovary. This is often caused by exposure to drafts. To prevent such a situation, you need to install wooden shields near the flowerbed.
- Eustoma buds turn yellow and fall off. Watering with cold water leads to this problem. To correct the situation, it is worth heating the water before using it, and over time the flower will produce new buds.
- The ends of the leaves dry out. This is caused by exposure to direct sunlight. In order for the plant to recover, it will need to be shaded during the midday hours.
Eustoma will decorate your garden plot. This crop looks impressive and lasts a long time when cut, so it can also be used to create bouquets. At the same time, difficulties with the plant arise only at the stage of growing seedlings, which takes a lot of time. Caring for a plant in open ground is not burdensome and consists of ordinary agrotechnical measures.
Tips for caring for Eustoma
Most Eustoma varieties prefer bright places and fresh air. When determining the place where the pot with this plant will stand, it is important to take this into account. But for some varieties it is desirable to create shading.
When purchasing seeds of a certain variety of this plant, you must carefully read the recommendations for its cultivation, which are presented on the package.
The optimal temperature for it is 20˚C. It needs to be watered regularly, but moderately. Every two weeks it is advisable to feed with fertilizers for indoor plants.
Calcium nitrate with added microelements is recommended as a fertilizer for eustoma. If you fertilize it after flowering, then after three months it can again delight you with its flowering.
After the flower has bloomed, leaving three internodes, the stems are cut off. Eustoma is provided with a temperature regime of 10 - 15˚С and feeding is stopped - the plant rests. Light watering is recommended.
After resting, the flower is again provided with optimal temperature conditions, lighting, and fertilizing and watering are resumed.
Eustoma is affected by aphids, whiteflies and slugs. To combat them, use a soap solution, Actellik, Fitoverm and others. Among the diseases susceptible to powdery mildew, fusarium and gray mold, Fundazol is recommended from fungicides.
Soil for seedlings
Eustoma seeds germinate only in loose, light soil with a slightly alkaline reaction. It is better to use a ready-made mixture intended for violets (Saintpaulias) for planting. You can also make your own substrate. To do this, you will need to mix peat with humus and sand (4:2:1). The resulting mixture must be disinfected.
You can do this in several ways:
- Calcination in the oven. The substrate must be evenly distributed over the baking sheet, and its layer should not exceed 5 cm in thickness. The soil should be filled with hot water and placed in an oven heated to 90 °C. The substrate will need to be disinfected within 30 minutes.
- Warming up with steam. The substrate must be placed in a sieve lined with gauze and placed on a bucket of boiling water. The soil will need to be treated with steam for 90 minutes.
The disinfected and cooled substrate must be sifted, and then wood ash should be added to it at the rate of 2 tbsp. l. per 1 liter of prepared mixture.
To grow seedlings, you also need to select a container with a height of 5-6 cm. It is important that it has drainage holes. Before filling the container with soil, be sure to rinse it with a pink solution of potassium permanganate.
Why eustoma does not grow after germination: the main reasons
Seeds are used to grow eustoma at home. They are planted in special tablets made of pressed peat. A variety of varieties are sold in every gardening store. For an apartment flower garden, it is better to choose low-growing and dwarf species.
Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to grow a full-fledged flower from a cutting or root division.
The process of growing seeds is complex and lengthy. It requires certain skills from the grower. When planting, loosening and picking into deep containers are left behind, a new problem appears - the seedlings refuse to grow further after germination.
- Eustoma grows slowly. Flowering appears only after 6-8 months from planting. The plant first of all builds up its root system, and only then begins to grow. Seedlings can “sit still” for about 2 months.
- Unsuitable land. Eustoma requires Saintpaulia soil. Other types of soil may lack nutrients. To compensate for them, it is recommended to use solutions with the addition of biostimulants and fertilizers. Very little is needed for the seeds to sprout.
- Lack of lighting. The plant loves diffused light. When the seedlings have already grown sufficiently, they must be placed on a well-lit windowsill.
Sowing seeds must be done from January to March. Some gardeners recommend doing this in early February. It is better to refuse planting in December.
What to do to prevent the flower from dying
You can normalize the condition of seedlings by following the following tips:
- Monitor soil moisture. Eustoma does not tolerate drought and quickly dies.
- Don't forget about drainage. Excess moisture leads to rotting of the root system.
- After picking, be sure to water the plant with a fungicide. One such watering will be enough to prevent the flower from turning black and stopping in growth.
- If the seedling refuses to grow, additional illumination can be done using fluorescent lamps. 12-14 hours a day will be enough.
- Avoid temperature changes. Stick to at least 20-23 °C.
