Every housewife dreams of seeing her garden plot blooming and fragrant. For this, a lot of effort and time is spent, a combination of different plants is selected, and flower beds are erected. But it is impossible to imagine a single flower bed without a beautiful and delicate eustoma flower. In addition to growing in open ground, this plant looks great in a flower pot on the windowsill.
If the reader has never heard or seen this beautiful flower, then the editors of the Agronom.guru portal will help you understand the question of how to properly plant perennial eustoma and tell you about further care. The article will also present photos of buds and flowers that amaze with their beauty.
An ideal solution for decorating a personal plot
Types of Irish rose eustoma - brief botanical information
Perennial eustoma is a delicate and luxurious flower that came to our country from Central and South America and immediately won the hearts of many gardeners. In nature, only blue and purple flowers exist, but thanks to the efforts of breeders, varieties of various shapes and colors have been developed.
The flower is original not only for its beauty, but also for its various names. In each country, the plant has its own name: in Ireland - Irish rose, in Japan - Japanese, in France - French love rose, and in Ireland - Irish rose or Texas bluebell. Eustoma is also called lisianthus, which means “bitter flower” in Latin. The flower received its second name for a reason, since it belongs to the Gentian family and contains a large amount of gentianin, genceopecrin and genteamarin. All these poetic names are true and show the love of many countries for this amazing and unusual perennial.
Lisianthus and eustoma are the same plant
Appearance
Eustoma has a strong and graceful stem, branching from the middle into a peduncle. The latter throws out up to 40 buds. The leaves of the plant are oblong, dense, and have a grayish-gray color. The height of the bush can be up to one meter. The opened buds transform into large flowers resembling roses, and when fully open they become like poppies. This was noticed by the people and eustomas were instantly nicknamed the Irish rose.
Eustoma buds resemble roses
Sometimes the plant is called “prairie bell”, due to its virgin habitats. Its homeland is considered to be:
1. Mexico.
2. States of Nebraska, Colorado, Texas.
3. Northern regions of South America.
The natural color of the petals is purple, but today, the natural version is not so easy to find. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, colorful hybrids grow in gardens. The flowering period occurs in the summer months and autumn.
Eustoma purple
Photo of a rose-like eustoma flower in a garden and bouquet
Irish rose can be grown at home on the windowsill and in the garden. This plant looks great as a cut flower because of its beautiful flowers, which resemble half-opened silky roses. Flowers can stand in water for a long time without losing their beauty.
Photo of flowers in the garden
What eustoma looks like in bouquets, photo
Lisianthus series and varieties: descriptions with photos
Selection work with lisianthus has not stopped to this day. New series are constantly appearing, within which a wide range of varieties of various types and colors is presented.
Varietal series are divided into two large groups:
- tall - reaching a height of up to a meter or even more, planted in open ground for cutting;
- low-growing - compact varieties, perfect for growing at home on a windowsill.
The difference exists not only in the size of adult plants, but also in the shades of the petals; within each group there are plants with double and simple flowers. Most of the seed material comes from the USA and Japan. So far, breeders have not been able to breed climbing eustoma. Under the guise of a climbing lisianthus, the gardener will, at best, get a climbing or park rose.
Tall
ABC F1 is a series of double annual lisianthus. The height of the stems reaches 75–100 cm, the inflorescences are large, 5–6 cm in diameter. Series varieties: Blue border, Blue haze, Blue blush.
Kyoto F1 - this series represents a selection of tall (up to 90 cm) varieties with simple, non-double flowers, early flowering. Representatives of this series: Picot Wine Red, Picot Pink, Picot Blue, White Kyoto.
Photo gallery: eustoma series ABC and Kyoto
The Blue Border variety looks unusual and attractive
The Blue Haze variety is named for the smooth transition of colors in color.
The Blue Blush variety is distinguished by a gentle transition from light to rich tones
Kyoto White is the most common in the series
Echo F1 is another series of tall eustoma, bred by Japanese scientists, with stems up to 70 cm long, simple flowers, classified as annuals. Bouquets of plants on tall, strong stems look great as cut flowers.
Photo gallery: Echo series for open ground
Flowers of the Echo Yellow variety are painted in delicate shades of lemon
Piccoti pink collected in lush inflorescences
Rich blue color of the petals of Echo Blue
Bouquet of eustoma Echo Pink
Flamenco F1 is a series of tall eustoma (up to 70 cm), with large, up to 7 cm in diameter, simple (non-double) flowers. An early-flowering variety, annual, flowering begins 2 weeks earlier than others. The most common varieties are Yellow, Lime, and Pink.
Arena F1 is a series of lisianthus with stem heights of 80–100 cm. Double flowers up to 7 cm in size are painted in a variety of shades; manufacturers classify the variety as annual. Lush red flowers are collected in luxurious inflorescences.
Photo gallery: annual plants of the Flamenco series, Arena
The bright red color of lisianthus Arena Red will not leave you indifferent
Representative of tall varieties of lisianthus Flamenco Yellow
Delicate inflorescences of the Flamenco Lime variety
The Piccolo F1 series is represented by a line of tall varieties of lisianthus, annual, with stems 70 cm long, and simple large flowers.
Japanese breeders presented the Wonderose series - tall plants (up to 70 cm), annuals, forming lush caps of simple large flowers. The most famous varieties are Light Brown, Ash.
Photo gallery: eustoma of the Piccolo and Wonderose series
A bouquet of two-color eustoma Piccolo looks unusual
Purple-blue-edged petals of Lisianthus Piccolo variety Northern Lights
Snow-white flowers of eustoma Piccolo White attract the eye
The eustoma variety Wonderose Light Brown has petals painted in light shades of brown.
The delicate border of eustoma petals especially attracts attention.
Universal (for garden and windows) varieties
There are eustoma seeds on sale with stem heights up to 50 cm. Such plants are planted both at home and on the site.
Twinkies - a series with flowers 50 cm tall, spirally arranged simple flowers. There are many varieties, the most common are Pink, Blue-violet, Yellow.
Cinderella F1 is a series of eustoma with stem heights up to 50 cm, annual, with simple flowers of various colors.
Photo gallery: series for home and garden
The Twinkie variety Blue-violet will attract the attention of guests
Flowers of the Twinkie Pink variety collected in a bouquet
The delicate pink color of the petals highlights the Cinderella Pink variety
Low varieties - can be grown in pots
Compact varieties do well at home. Manufacturers have developed many series with small-sized plants. Here are some of them.
Eustoma Mermeid (Little Mermaid) F1 is a series of low-growing lisianthus. The height of the stems is about 15 cm, the flowers are simple 6 cm in diameter, perennial. Varieties: White, Lilac-pink, Soft pink, Blue, Mixture.
Photo gallery: Mermaid's long-running series (The Little Mermaid)
Potted form of Lisianthus Mermaid White
Eustoma Mermaid Soft pink in containers for growing in an apartment
Bouquet of Lisiathnus Mermaid Blue
A very compact series, ideal for home breeding - Sapphire F1. A perennial potted plant, 13–20 cm high, flower size up to 5 cm, both double and simple varieties have been bred.
Photo gallery: blooming Sapphire series
Eustoma flower Sapphire White with simple large petals
Sapphire Blue is perfect for growing in pots
Lisianthus Sapphire Pink in a pot - a wonderful home decoration
The Carmen F1 series is another representative of low-growing potted crops. Plant height is 20–25 cm, annual, flowers reach a size of 4–6 cm. Varieties: White-blue (with rim), Lilac, Rose, Ivory, Blue.
Florida F1 is a series of compact annual lisianthus 20–25 cm high, with double and simple flowers up to 10 cm in diameter. The most famous varieties: White, Sky Blue, Pink.
Photo gallery: Carmen and Florida room series
Low-growing variety of eustoma for the home Carmen Belaya
Carmen Pink looks elegant in a flowerpot
Lisianthus variety Florida White grows well in pots
Lush Florida Sky Blue bush will decorate the interior
Choose plants you like and let them delight you with beautiful flowering for a long time.
Open ground or pot - where is it better to grow eustoma
Most gardeners wonder where it is better to grow perennial eustoma - in the garden or in the apartment? The answer is obvious that no matter where this flower grows, it will always delight its caring owner with its beautiful appearance. When grown in the garden, the plant will decorate any flower garden, will be an addition to rock gardens, and will also look beautiful in single plantings.
The most common is eustoma grandiflora.
Although eustoma is considered an annual plant when grown at home, it will, without any doubt, be one of your favorite indoor flowers, even though it must be grown from seeds every year. If you want to admire beautiful flowers on cold, short days, sow the seeds in mid-summer.
Eustoma prefers bright, diffused light
Problems and their solutions
In any growing option, be it an apartment or a garden plot, lisianthus is not immune to the danger of diseases and pests. Seedling diseases are easier to prevent because they are difficult, sometimes impossible, to treat. To prevent the fungus from infecting the seedlings, be sure to sterilize the soil for planting and all equipment.
Experienced gardeners do not mention pulling out seedlings, but to prevent this scourge, it is necessary to supplement the plantings with lamps in the winter season. To protect young seedlings from lodging, you need to protect them from drafts and regularly inspect them for diseases and pests.
Table: typical pests and diseases of eustoma
| Disease/ Pest | Signs of the disease | Control measures | Prevention |
| Aphid | Leaves and buds curl and fall off. Pests are visible to the naked eye. Transparent drops remain on the plant. |
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| Whitefly | Visually distinguishable white insects on flowers. Deformed, yellowed leaves, the appearance of light or yellowish spots on them. | ||
| Powdery mildew | White coating on the leaves, spreading to the stems. Young leaves grow curled, old leaves turn yellow and wither. |
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| Gray rot | The appearance of brown spots or gray fluffy coating on the stems and leaves. Leaves and flower stalks rot and subsequently die. |
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| Fusarium wilt | The leaves wither, turn yellow, curl, and die. The stem at the root collar darkens. |
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How to plant eustoma seedlings
Growing eustoma from seeds will not be difficult even for a novice gardener. You just need to know when and how to plant seeds for seedlings. Since properly grown seedlings are the key to a strong and healthy plant.
When to plant eustoma when growing from seeds
Eustoma is a slow-growing plant that, when grown from seeds, will bloom only at 25 weeks. Therefore, in order to see the long-awaited flowering, the seeds are sown in mid-December or early January. Many gardeners carry out this procedure in early November.
Since the seeds have good germination, they do not need stratification
How to sow eustoma seeds for seedlings at home: step-by-step instructions
| Photo | Action |
| In order for the plant to delight with its flowering for many years, it is necessary to approach the choice of seeds with all responsibility. You need to buy them only from trusted manufacturers and in yeasted form. | |
| Before sowing, prepare nutritious, well-drained soil. For good ventilation of the seedlings, it is better to sow the seed in shallow furrows. We place the seeds in spilled soil, dig them a little deeper and install a microgreenhouse to create favorable conditions for rapid germination. | |
| If you follow the sowing rules, the first seedlings will appear in 2.5 months. All this time, the plant is growing a powerful root system, which has a positive effect on the growth of an adult plant. | |
| Picking is carried out at the stage of 2-3 true leaves into prepared nutrient soil. | |
| We water the seedlings well and put them in a warm, sunny place. We carry out the first feeding after 5-7 days with calcium nitrate, diluted strictly according to the instructions. Next, careful care of the young plant is necessary. |
Soil preparation
The soil should be neutral and loose, well permeable to water and air. A special soil for Saintpaulias (violets), which is sold in stores, is suitable for Eustoma.
Or you can prepare it yourself. It is necessary to mix garden soil in a ratio of 1:2:0.5 (it is better to bake it in the oven at 90°C for half an hour), humus or peat and sand (to loosen the soil). Sand can be replaced with vermiculite. If the soil is acidic, then you need to add a little lime.
You can disinfect the soil with a solution of Fitosporin or a solution of potassium permanganate.
Selecting a landing container
Peat pots, plastic cups or small boxes are suitable for planting seeds for seedlings. It is also good to use peat tablets for sowing (considered the best option).
If boxes are chosen for planting, be sure to first put drainage (expanded clay, perlite) on the bottom of the box and pour the prepared soil on it.
How to properly care for seedlings
In order for the plant to be strong and healthy, it is necessary to properly care for the seedlings. Maintain temperature and humidity conditions, carry out regular spraying and fertilize with complex mineral fertilizers every 10 days.
Properly grown seedlings are the key to long and beautiful flowering
Lighting, temperature and watering
After picking, seedlings require careful care:
- For good growth of eustoma, you need to create moderate warmth, daytime temperature - +20..+25°C, night temperature - not lower than +20°C.
- Eustoma is a light-loving plant. For rapid development, young seedlings need a lot of diffused light. Therefore, it is better to grow them on the western or eastern side. In winter, additional artificial lighting is installed.
- Watering is the most important stage in care. Since the plant does not tolerate both underwatering and overwatering. The soil in the pot should always be kept moist. The water should be soft, settled and not very cold. The flower will be grateful if it is watered with melt or rain water. Such water contains the necessary microelements for good growth and development. In winter, if the flower grows in an apartment, watering is reduced and the humidity is increased using a humidifier or a container of water.
- During the period of active growth, eustoma requires replenishment with mineral fertilizers in a slightly lower dosage than described in the instructions. With enough nutrients, growth will be faster, and flowering will be abundant and long-lasting.
Caring for a young plant will require a lot of effort and patience.
When and how to pick eustoma
Picking is carried out at the age of 6-8 weeks. To do this, prepare separate containers with nutritious, well-drained soil. The seedlings are carefully removed, trying not to damage the root system, and transplanted into separate containers with a diameter of 5 cm. During this period, the plant is regularly watered and fed once every 10 days.
The second picking is carried out after 30 days, when the plant gets stronger and grows green mass. You need to replant the plant to a permanent place, be it open ground or a flower pot, together with a lump of earth. The transplanted plant is watered and shaded from sunlight for 2-3 days.
You can learn how to properly dive eustoma from the video:
Picking is carried out at the age of 3 months
Sowing seeds
You have to wait a long time for Eustoma to bloom, from 5 to 7 months, since its growing season is too long. Therefore, seeds begin to be sown from the beginning of December (flowering will begin in June), and sowing can be continued until January-February (flowering in July-August).
Eustoma's seeds are very small, but are almost always sold coated. The shell that covers the seeds contains nutrients, and such seeds no longer need to be processed; you can immediately begin planting.
If the seeds are collected manually, they should be pickled in a dark solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes or in an Epin solution (1 drop per 100 ml of water) for 6 hours. Next, the seeds should be dried and sown.
Before planting, the soil must be well watered. If you plant seeds in peat tablets, then first you need to prepare them: fill them with hot water, and then squeeze them out, removing excess moisture.
Eustoma seeds are sown superficially, never sprinkling soil on top. You can spray a little water from a spray bottle to destroy the protective shell of the seeds. After this, you need to place the container in a plastic bag to create a better microclimate.
Planting seedlings in open ground
The young plant is planted in mid-May, when the threat of spring frosts has passed.
If the flower has produced 6-8 leaves, it means it is ready for replanting.
Before planting seedlings in open ground, you need to find a place and prepare the soil. A place for planting is suitable with light partial shade, since a flower in the open sun can get burns on the leaves. Also, do not plant in a place where water accumulates. This leads to rotting of the root system and death of the plant.
For good growth and long flowering, eustoma is planted in well-drained sandy loam or loamy soil with neutral acidity. For planting, dig a hole, lay drainage and mineral fertilizer. The young plant is removed from the pot by transshipment and placed in a prepared place. When planting, do not deepen or expose the root collar. The planted plant is thoroughly watered, and the ground is mulched with straw or freshly cut grass to retain moisture.
The distance between the holes must be at least 40 cm from each other.
Transplanting eustoma seedlings
Eustoma does not like transplants, so this must be done very carefully.
The first transplant into a new large container is carried out after 1.5-2 months, when the height of the seedlings reaches 1.5-2 cm and 2 true leaves have already grown on it. Containers (cups, pots) for transplanting Eustoma should always be pre-treated, for example, with a weak solution of manganese.
2/3 of the cups are filled with prepared soil, compacting it a little, and then the seedlings are carefully transplanted into them. When transplanting, the root collar is not buried; the lower leaves of the seedlings should be above the soil. Then the seedlings are watered with warm, settled water and placed in a bag to create a greenhouse effect.
If Eustoma was first planted in peat tablets, then when transplanting into a large container, you need to remove the wrapper from the peat tablets and only then plant the seedlings together with the peat tablet in a large container.
Further care consists of the need to monitor soil moisture; moderate watering at the root is necessary; seedlings should not be flooded.
The second transplant is carried out in a container with a volume of 0.5 liters and only after 6-8 leaves appear on the plant and the height of the seedlings reaches 15 cm. First, drainage is placed in such pots, then prepared fertile soil and then, carefully without damaging the roots , replant the plant.
Caring for eustoma in the garden
Caring for the flower is simple. The main thing is to water and feed the plant on time. During active growth, the soil around the plant is regularly loosened and kept moist. To do this, the ground is mulched with straw, leaves or bark.
During flowering, mineral complex fertilizers with a high potassium content are applied. Tall varieties are provided with a support that will protect them from gusty winds and from the pressure created by a large number of buds and flowers. For long-term flowering, it is necessary to promptly remove dried inflorescences so that the plant does not waste energy on ripening the seeds.
What could be more beautiful than eustoma growing in the garden?
Preparing for winter
When the Irish rose fades, it is necessary to prepare for wintering. In regions with warm winters, the flower can overwinter in open ground. If winters are harsh and snowy, then the plant is dug up, transplanted into a pot and taken to a room where the air temperature does not drop below +15°C. If the temperature is too high, the leaves of the lisianthus will turn yellow, and over time the plant will dry out completely.
Low temperatures also have a detrimental effect on the flower. In winter, most plants enter a dormant period, during which time they accumulate strength for future growth and flowering. During the hibernation period, the plant requires proper care. Watering is kept to a minimum, making sure that the soil is kept moist. In spring, the awakening of the plant can be recognized by the appearance of new young leaves. As soon as the temperature stabilizes, the bush is planted in its original place and awaits the long-awaited flowering.
At the slightest frost, lisianthus dies
Homeland of perennial eustoma
The lovely flower came from America; the south of the Northern continent is considered the birthplace of the perennial. And it is there that the plant fully lives up to its name. In warm climates, it reproduces well by self-seeding and does not need to be watered or hilled. Thickets of wild eustoma cope well with the problems of survival on their own.
In colder Russia, the flower becomes an annual plant. In winter, tender roots are not able to fight for life and die during frosts.
Caring for eustoma at home when planting in a pot: step-by-step instructions with photos
| Photo | Action |
| In order for the Irish rose to decorate your apartment, you can sow the seeds yourself or purchase an already mature seedling. | |
| For a plant to grow and develop well, it needs bright, diffused light. On the south side it is shaded from direct sunlight. In summer, the flower is taken out into the open air, be it a loggia or a personal plot. In the autumn-winter period, additional lighting is necessary. | |
| The air temperature in summer should not fall below +20°C. With the onset of autumn, the temperature decreases. If the flower is grown as a perennial, it is necessary to provide it with a dormant period in winter. The temperature at this time should not rise above +15°C and not fall below +10°C. | |
| Humidity also plays an important role. When the air is dry, the plant will shed its leaves. A humidifier is installed to increase the air. Spraying is strictly prohibited, as too high humidity leads to fungal diseases. | |
| Water once every 7 days as the soil dries out. The water that forms in the pan is removed immediately, as this can lead to rotting of the root system. | |
| During the period of active growth and flowering, the Irish rose is fed with mineral fertilizers every 10 days. | |
| If eustoma is grown as an annual, it does not need to be replanted. If it is a perennial, transplantation is carried out using the transshipment method. | |
| For long-term flowering, faded stems are removed, leaving at least two pairs of leaves. New shoots will grow from these stems over time. | |
| To prevent the development of fungal diseases, the plant should not be allowed to overcool. If you follow these simple rules of care, eustoma will become your favorite indoor plant, which will delight its owner with abundant and beautiful flowering. |
Annual or perennial option
Planting and caring for perennial eustoma is practically the same between the two varieties of flowers.
But beginners very often cannot cope with perennial varieties. This is due to the difficulties of care in winter, when the slightest mistake can lead to the death of a gentle representative of the flora kingdom.
Annuals most often have a stem length of about a meter; perennial plants do not grow to half this size. But sometimes this becomes an advantage: low flowers perfectly complement small flower beds and alpine slides.
Diseases and pests of eustoma
With good care, eustoma is very rarely exposed to disease and attack by insect pests. But there are times when the following appear on your favorite flower:
- spider mite;
- aphid;
- scutum;
- slugs
Treating the flower with Aktara or Fitoverm will help you quickly get rid of pests. When slugs appear, it will be more effective to collect them manually to prevent them from crawling onto neighboring plants.
The most common diseases are:
- powdery mildew;
- gray and root rot;
- Fusarium
Before treating with insecticides, the bush is carefully inspected and all damaged areas are removed.
You can also fight pests and diseases using traditional methods. To do this, mix red and black pepper, powdered mustard and garlic gruel. Everything is filled with water and left to infuse for several days. The resulting solution is used to treat the plant in cloudy weather, since burning substances can cause leaf burns.
With proper care, eustoma will never know about pests or diseases
Feeding eustoma seedlings
The first fertilizing can be done after 2 leaves appear on the plant. To do this, use calcium nitrate (1 tsp per 1 liter of water), it stimulates root growth. After the first transplant, to accelerate plant growth, fertilize with urea (5-6 granules per 1 liter of water) and spray with Zircon or Epin (foliar feeding). You can also spray with a solution of “Fundazol” (1 tsp per 1 liter of water) to prevent diseases.
After 1.5-2 weeks, you can feed with complex fertilizers “Agricola”, “Kemira” (the concentration of the solution should be less than in the instructions) or any other flower fertilizers. Then you should feed the flowers every 2 weeks.
Introduction
There are several leading companies in the world engaged in eustoma breeding. In the Russian Federation, mostly seeds from these producers are sold, but packaged by local companies.
Because of this, confusion often arises in the names of varieties. Therefore, we will present international names presented on the official websites of breeders. In most cases, varieties are named after a color, and this color is included in several collections.
Eustoma varieties are divided into five groups depending on the timing of flowering.
Group “0” – very early, “1” – early, “2” – middle, “3” – late, “4” – very late. Some manufacturers distinguish four groups, without the “super early” one.
Lisianthus varieties are most often bred from the species Eustoma Russellianus (Russell), formerly called Grandiflorum or Eustoma large-flowered.
When can it be planted?
You can plant eustoma in open ground if it is already sufficiently developed and the weather conditions outside are favorable.
That is, you can replant immediately after the appearance of four pairs of leaves on the seedlings (from 5-6 cm in height). At the same time, plants with 5-6 or more pairs of leaves (from 8-10 cm in height) are usually planted in Russia.
The colder the climate and the shorter the summer, the more developed specimens have to be planted so that they have time to bloom. For example, in the Urals or Siberia, sometimes it is necessary to replant seedlings with already formed buds (50-70 cm in height).
When the lisianthus is already sufficiently developed, the time of transplantation begins to depend on the air temperature. You can plant seedlings only after the danger of night frosts has passed (not lower than +5 °C, and if humid and damp, then +10 °C).
As in the situation with picking, it is important to choose the right moment so that the roots of the flower are not twisted at the bottom of the earthen lump in the pot. Timely planting on a garden plot allows for better rooting and increased activity of the root system.
A transplanted plant with twisted roots (if the moment is missed) blooms earlier, but on shorter stems, especially in long daylight conditions.
Approximate landing times
Since weather conditions are different every year and not always accurately predicted, we will give approximate planting dates for eustoma. But you, dear flower growers, still need to look at the monthly and two-week weather forecast in your area in order to plant neither too early nor too late.
- North Caucasus region (Krasnodar Territory and neighboring regions of the Russian Federation): end of April - mid-May.
- Central Chernozem region (Voronezh, Lipetsk and neighboring regions): mid-end of May.
- North-Western region (Leningrad and neighboring regions), Central (Moscow and neighboring regions): mid-May - early June.
- Volga region, Urals and Siberia: end of May – mid-June.
If the weather is rainy, even without low temperatures at night, then it is better to delay planting and wait until the soil dries out a little. In excessively moist soil, plant roots are more sensitive to low air temperatures and adapt less well to new conditions.
Bloom
The duration of flowering becomes the most important advantage of this magnificent plant. It can delight its owners from mid-July to September, and if there is a warm autumn, it may well bloom in early October. In this case, the buds will open gradually, so that even one single plant can decorate the flowerbed.
Cut the stem near the ground; it will begin to grow back. But it will only be able to bloom again in warm latitudes. In central Russia one cannot expect such an effect.
When used as a green pet, you can even adjust the blooming period of the flowers. For example, June flowers can be admired if you plant the seeds in early December, July flowering can be achieved if the same procedure is done before the New Year, and so on.
Growing eustoma from seeds
Growing lisianthus indoors will require quite a lot of time and patience. But if you master this process, you can turn growing eustoma from seeds into a profitable business, since every year it is gaining more and more popularity among both flower growers and gardeners.
Difficulties can begin already during sowing, since the seeds of this plant are very small (there are up to 23 thousand of them in 1 g). Seeds sold in specialized stores undergo special treatment, which increases their germination rate. In this regard, out of 100 such seeds, about 60 sprout. If seedlings are grown for planting in open ground, then the seeds are sown in February–March, then in this case the bushes will bloom in July–August. The soil mixture for sowing is used the same as for other flowering plants, namely: disinfected, with a pH of 6–7 and a low nitrogen content. Fill the container with wet substrate and distribute the seeds evenly on its surface; you do not need to sprinkle them with a layer of soil, but simply press lightly with your hand. Cover the top of the container with glass (film), leaving gaps so that air can circulate. Also, crops will need additional illumination with fluorescent lamps for 10–12 hours a day. In order for the seeds to germinate, they are provided with a temperature of no lower than 14 degrees at night and no lower than 20 degrees during the day. Water the crops with a spray bottle, but only if necessary. At first, you don’t need to water, because the evaporated moisture will be enough for the seeds.
If you do everything correctly, then the first seedlings will appear in about 15 days, immediately after this the glass is removed completely, and the seedlings are systematically moistened with a sprayer with a solution of Fitosporin. After the seedlings have formed several pairs of leaf blades (after approximately 6 weeks), they are picked into separate pots, reaching 40 to 50 mm in diameter. After 3 months, the bushes are transplanted into the garden, and they are taken along with a lump of earth.
Eustoma from “A” to “Z” - a complete guide to growing!
