Eustoma perennial planting and care behind which at home and outdoors described in this article, is very popular among flower growers and florists. It is also called Texas bell, Irish rose, lisanthus. This is an amazingly beautiful flower, which even in the photo is a good competitor to the rose. With proper planting and care of the eustoma, so many flowers are formed on one stem that even 1 copy will be enough to decorate a bouquet.
Description of the plant
Eustoma is a biennial or perennial herbaceous plant that is grown as an annual in temperate regions. The flower has a branched, thin and sensitive root system without tubers and bulbs. The stems grow vertically up to 1-1.2 m in height and are highly branched in the upper part. They are smooth and dark green in color. The surface of the sprouts is smooth, dark green. In places where flowers and leaves form, there are thickenings, as can be seen in the photo .
Short-petioled leaves are formed almost near the stem in pairs, opposite each other. The leaves are oval in shape, slightly narrowed at the base and pointed towards the end. They are smooth on top and streaked underneath. The leaves are dark green with a bluish waxy coating.
From above, the stem branches repeatedly, forming paniculate inflorescences. Each flower has a long peduncle. Up to 35 buds are formed on one flower at the same time. However, they do not open simultaneously, but several at a time. Corollas with a diameter of 5-8 cm with free petals can be simple or double. The flower petals are wide and soft, the edges are wavy. They can be white, violet, blue, pink and lilac. The flowers of some varieties of eustoma can be plain or variegated, with smooth transitions or stripes. From a distance, eustoma resembles a rose flower, but it looks more like a double poppy. The stamen of the flower is medium in size, has massive anthers and an ovary style divided into 3 parts.
The elongated seed pods ripen after pollination. Under the dry valves there are small oval seeds with vertical grooves of a reddish hue.
Photo of eustoma in a flowerbed: harmoniously selected neighboring flowers and interesting design
The beautiful eustoma in the garden landscape design as in the photo is a true princess or a harmonious inclusion in the existing landscape. It goes well with many tall flowers, and will also look organic in a stand-alone flower garden.
Eustoma will look good in a flower bed with peonies, petunias or carnations
At the same time, the most suitable landscape styles for it are:
- Dutch, in which everything blooms and pleases the eye. Therefore, there is a place for both tall and short flowers.
- Chinese, in which everyone is short, so short bells are perfect.
- Moorish, which is characterized only by green shades, so a lisianthus bush of a certain variety will not be out of place.
But these are not all possible styles. You can create a kind of fusion, the main thing is the desire to create on your own site and feel harmony.
You can create a luxurious carpet from eustoma by planting several dozen plants together.
In this case, the neighbors of eustoma can be:
- strict and tall gladioli, large-flowered chrysanthemums, dahlias;
- marshmallow-shaped flowers - garden roses, peonies, which will be arranged in the second tier;
- low-growing ranunculus, black-browed flowers and tulips.
To grow eustoma, you will have to work a little, but the result will exceed all expectations
In a word, the beauty eustoma is good in any union and in any area. Plant her once and you will fall in love with her forever!
Types and varieties
There are 3 types of eustoma. The most popular is Eustoma grandiflora. These flowers can be grown in the garden, greenhouse, or at home . Very often this plant is grown commercially for cutting purposes.
Eustoma grandiflora grows up to 150 cm in height, has an erect and branched stem, along the entire length of which dark green oval leaves are formed. a dense inflorescence of many flowers is formed at the top. The corollas are large with soft and wavy petals. They differ in color and structure. Eustoma grandiflora has more than 60 ornamental varieties.
Tall varieties for gardening and cutting
Echo is the most popular varietal species grown for cutting into bouquets. The plant grows up to 60 cm in height, the flowers can be colored in any of 11 different shades.
The buds can be monochromatic or combine several shades, smoothly transitioning into one another.
Aurora - the plant grows up to 0.9-1.2 m in height, blooms with beautiful white, blue or pink semi-double flowers.
Flamenco is a decorative type of tree-like perennial eustoma. Grows up to 1.3 meters in height.
The plants are easy to care for and are characterized by lush flowering.
White Grandiflorum (Lisianthus grandiflorum) – This is one of the most impressive and luxurious species. The plant is most often used to make wedding bouquets, decorate interiors, and formal halls.
Dwarf varieties for home
Little Bell - In appearance it seems quite simple, especially when compared with other lush types of eustoma.
However, this is where its charm and touchingness lies. This flower can be grown in pots at home.
Florida Pink - This plant produces beautiful pink buds. This is a type of perennial eustoma, all the stems of which are abundantly covered with bright pink flowers.
Mermeid is a small plant for growing in pots indoors . The stem grows no more than 15 cm in height. The flowers are most often blue-violet, but there are pink and white representatives of this species.
Fidelity - this plant has a spiral-shaped peduncle that grows no more than 20 cm in height and many white simple corollas are formed on it.
In nature, there are more than 60 varieties of eustoma, they are all somewhat similar to each other, but at the same time they have their own characteristics and differ in appearance.
Eustoma: description
Eustoma is also called Irish rose or lisianthus, which means bitter flower in Latin. The plant belongs to the Gentian family. The flower is also called:
- texas bluebell (Texas bell);
- prairie gentian (prairie gentian);
- tulip gentian (tulip gentian)
- sometimes gentian (gentian).
Eustoma is common in the southern United States, often found in Mexico, and grows in the area of the Isthmus of Panama, in the northern part of South America and on some islands of the Caribbean Sea.
The eustoma rose grows up to 60 cm in height. Under natural conditions, the flowers of the plant are blue, and the bred varieties come in red, white and yellow shades.
The most common varieties are Eustoma grandiflora and Eustoma Russell. There is a type where these varieties are combined. Irish roses can be double or funnel-shaped. The leaves are glaucous and waxy. When the flower is partially half-open, it resembles a rose, and when it is fully open, it most closely resembles a poppy. The stems are strong, the stem begins to bush from the middle. Each plant resembles a bouquet and can produce up to 35 buds. Peduncles are long, suitable for cutting.
This flower is very popular in Europe and is characterized by high decorative properties. In Holland it is actively used in bouquets; in Poland it is one of the most expensive flowers. In the Netherlands it is among the 10 most popular. But eustoma is supplied for sale by African countries such as Tanzania and Kenya.
The flower is very popular when making bouquets, as it is highly resistant to wilting. Every year, breeders develop new varieties of eustoma, which not only have more advanced decorative properties, but also have a shorter growing season and bloom faster.
Eustoma alba is the most popular wedding flower. She was able to replace large varieties of cloves. Dwarf varieties are especially in demand.
Features of growing eustoma as a perennial crop
Despite the fact that eustoma is a perennial, gardeners in central Russia most often grow it as an annual plant. And all because in the autumn-winter period this flower is difficult to preserve in harsh climatic conditions. The homeland of eustoma is the south of North America. This region enjoys a mild climate, thanks to which this flower reproduces by self-sowing and grows in the wild all year round, producing an abundance of buds.
In our country, bags of eustoma seeds usually indicate what type of plant it belongs to: annual or biennial.
Biennial eustoma (and actually perennial) is suitable for cultivation by those growers who have reliable greenhouses where the plant can survive the cold Russian winters. In addition, two-year-old eustoma can be grown at home as an indoor flower. On the windowsill, this flower feels great for 4-5 years, and not 2 years, as stated on the package. If eustoma is grown in open ground, then it is necessary to choose annual seeds.
How to care for eustoma in an apartment
Low-growing varieties of lisianthus are ideal for growing indoors. Seed manufacturers offer a wide selection to suit every taste. Usually you can see marks on the seed packets indicating the height of the plant. Compact series will fit perfectly on the windowsill and will delight you with large, bright flowers.
Growing indoors
Planting seeds and the main stages of caring for germinating seedlings for indoor propagation are no different from growing seedlings intended for open ground. Everything has been discussed above. The only difference is that after transplanting the grown seedlings, they remain on the windowsill until flowering begins.
Eustoma feels comfortable in the temperature conditions of the apartment. The lighting should be bright, but without direct sunlight.
Table: seasonal conditions for keeping lisianthus at home
| Season | Temperature | Humidity | Watering | Top dressing | Illumination |
| Summer | +22оС…+24оС | Do not wet the leaves and stems by spraying. You can place trays of water next to the eustoma. | Sufficient, as the soil dries to a depth of 2 cm. Pour out excess water from the pan immediately. | Every week or every two weeks, apply fertilizers for flowering plants (Agricola - according to the instructions, the dosage can be taken a little less than indicated). | Bright light without direct rays hitting the plant. |
| Winter | +10о…+15оС | Do not moisturize. | Reduce. | Do not carry out. | Shaded place. |
It is not difficult to maintain lisianthus at home. The temperature in the apartment is quite suitable for the flower’s comfortable existence. It is better to determine the place for it on window sills facing west or east. Eustoma is a lover of light, but direct contact with the burning rays of the sun can damage leaves and flowers.
You can determine when to transplant the eustoma into a larger pot by the roots that begin to make their way through the drain holes of the pot. This indicates that the plant has become crowded. A container with a volume of 2–2.5 liters is enough for 3 plants, which will develop and actively grow throughout the growing season until they enter a dormant state.
Humid air is beneficial for the plant, but it is important to remember that leaves and flowers cannot be sprayed, as this can lead to rot. The best option would be to place a container filled with water next to the flower pot.
If you decide to leave the lisianthus for the next year, after flowering the stems are cut off, leaving three internodes, and watering is reduced.
Differences from annual eustoma
- Annuals most often include tall varieties of eustoma, which grow 1 meter or more in height.
- Perennials are intended for indoor growing, so they are low-growing and do not grow in height more than 15-20 cm. However, some gardeners also grow low-growing eustomas as annuals.
- Even novice gardeners can grow annuals, but only gardeners with extensive experience can cope with cultivating biennial species.
Biennials require certain care and agricultural technology during the growing season. In addition, they must be properly prepared for wintering , since even minor miscalculations can lead to the death of the plant.
What you need to know about eustoma
Eustoma in our rather cool climate is grown as an annual. Although by nature it is a perennial plant. Suitable for growing both in open and protected ground. The Irish rose, as it is also called, blooms for 5-7 months. Lisantius is picky about temperature and lighting. Therefore, early varieties are used for flower beds (so that the cold does not shorten the flowering period).
It is difficult to grow eustoma without additional lighting, so it is usually planted in late February - early March, when daylight hours increase.
How best to grow: in open ground or in pots
For a long time, Russian flower growers grew eustoma only at home in pots. Today it is cultivated in winter gardens, in open ground and in greenhouses. Thanks to its long flowering from mid-July to the end of September (and in favorable weather conditions until mid-October), eustoma is often used to create alpine slides and mixborders. This is the only plant that blooms for 4 months, constantly opening several buds.
If you cut a flower, it begins to grow back from the root. At the same time, in the southern regions it may even bloom again, but this will not be possible in central Russia.
Features of the eustoma flower
Not only do they differ in names, but also in the colors of the buds and the shape of the flowers themselves. Representatives of a particular variety significantly resemble a rose. A person far from the world of floristry may even confuse them. Some varieties, in their size and shape, resemble poppies, double mallows, and some representatives of the lily family. Lisianthus stems are most often massive (like, for example, carnations); it is noteworthy that one shoot can accommodate 20 or even 30 flowers (and sometimes even more!).
Eustoma - photo of flowers:
The leaves of the plant do not particularly stand out; they are of medium size, slightly elongated in shape with a sharp tip. But the color range of flowers, as mentioned above, is simply amazing in its multicolor. Red, blue, cream, snow-white, lilac, two-color - with a transition from one shade to another, pink, lilac, yellow - eustoma-lisianthus can be any shade! With its exquisite beauty, this flower can give strong competition to the bride’s bouquet - and for good reason! In addition to their visual appeal, these flowers are very durable when cut. Her bouquets are often used to decorate various celebrations, banquets, and decorative arches. And all because they can not lose their freshness and beauty for 15 or 20 days (naturally, while in water or in a special damp floral sponge).
Irish roses vary in size and stem height. For example, depending on the variety, it can grow in open ground, in a greenhouse, or in a pot on a windowsill at home (the so-called dwarf varieties). In its natural growing environment, this plant is a biennial, however, if you want to grow it in your summer cottage, count on the fact that it will be an annual. But potted varieties of lisianthus are perennials.
Thus, perennial eustoma can exist exclusively in the home (apartment) version. The same factor applies to the length of the stems - tall representatives are used to decorate bouquets and all kinds of decorations, while low-growing lisianthus delight your eyes at home, on window sills and flower shelves.
Lisianthus, by the way, is quite difficult to grow and care for. It will not require any special “dances with tambourines” even from a novice florist, both at the dacha and at home. Naturally, if you treat this matter with interest and care, do not forget about watering, adhere to simple rules and recommendations of experienced florists or neighbors in the country where it successfully grows and blooms.
When and for how long does it bloom
The timing of flowering can be adjusted independently. Eustoma will bloom:
- in June, if the seeds are sown in November or early December;
- in July, sow seeds by January;
- in August when sowing seeds in mid-January;
- in September, if you start sowing eustoma seeds at the end of January or beginning of February.
Eustoma is resistant to slight autumn frosts. However, many novice gardeners begin to take care of eustoma seedlings in the spring. And this is one of the main mistakes, since the flower does not have time to form buds. And if the buds manage to form, they go under the snow.
To solve this problem, the flower can be planted in a large pot or tub. In warm weather, eustoma in pots is kept outside, and when the weather starts to get colder, the flower is brought indoors. This allows you to prolong flowering, albeit for a long period.
Important! It is recommended to use light-colored containers so that the plant’s root system does not overheat in the sun. Eustoma is very sensitive to this.
By growing eustoma in containers, its root system is preserved throughout the winter. This allows the plant to be planted in open ground in the spring with new shoots. The only drawback of this method is that flowering will not be as long and abundant.
Where are you from, beautiful flower?
Do you know that there are a lot of myths, beautiful and often sad legends associated with plants, trees, and flowers? Why our ancestors created these stories thousands of years before us, we do not know. Some will say that this is fiction, but others believe that everything was different before. There is a beautiful and sad legend about the wonderful eustoma, the agricultural technology of which we will look at a little later.
Many centuries ago, Indian tribes lived on the American continent. The leader had a beautiful daughter who was not destined to live long. This is because the evil spirit of war fell in love with a beautiful maiden and wanted to make her his wife. But the beauty refused the deity, and he turned his anger on her. The leader's daughter was killed, she was buried, and a day later the grave was decorated with beautiful flowers - eustomas.
On a note! The flower has many names like no other. For example, Americans call eustoma Irish rose, gentian tulip, in Japan - Japanese rose, in Mexico - Texas bell.
Nowadays, there is debate about when eustoma was discovered. There are two main versions. According to one of them, the flower was first described by Carl Lineus, calling it sublime gentian. But, according to other scientists, it was not Lineus who was the first, but a doctor and botanist from Ireland, Patrick Brown. Further, scientists from other countries began to describe eustoma, the second name of which is lisianthus. Let's take a closer look at the species and then move on to its agricultural technology.
Climate and soil suitable for eustoma
In order for eustoma to please with abundant flowering and grow well, it needs soil:
- well dug without lumps;
- breathable, that is, drained;
- fertile, fed with mineral fertilizers and compost;
- moistened, but in moderation, since too wet soil can lead to rotting of the roots.
The soil should consist of black soil or a mixture of peat and humus in equal quantities.
Since eustoma is a heat-loving plant, it is more comfortable for it to grow in the southern regions. For the full growth and flowering of eustoma in central Russia, it is necessary to monitor the temperature:
- in the daytime 20-25 degrees Celsius;
- at night - 15 degrees Celsius.
Advice! In winter, it is advisable to keep the pot with the plant in a room where the temperature does not drop below +10–12°C.
Eustoma loves uniform diffused light. Therefore, it must be located in a place where neither shadow nor direct sunlight falls. Sunlight is only necessary for seed germination, since the sun's rays stimulate the emergence of seedlings.
Important! It is necessary to monitor the acidity of the soil; it should be neutral.
You can check the acidity of the soil yourself at home; it is a simple procedure. You need to take a lump of earth and drop a few drops of table vinegar on it. If bubbles begin to appear, this means there is a chemical reaction between the vinegar and lime in the soil. This indicates that the earth is neutral or slightly acidic. If there is no such reaction, then the soil is highly acidic and it is necessary to add wood ash, chalk or dolomite flour to it.
- Eustoma cannot be propagated by cuttings, since they never form a root system.
- The plant cannot be propagated by dividing the bush. Even if the plant is large, its root system is still underdeveloped and if it is divided, both bushes will not survive.
- Eustoma also cannot be replanted for the same reason, since the underdeveloped rhizome will not allow the plant to take root in a new place, and it will die.
Advice! To prolong the flowering of eustoma at home, the flower must be kept in a cool room.
Taking into account all these features of the development of eustoma, you can grow a beautiful flower that will delight you with abundant and long-lasting flowering.
Eustoma - cultivation, summing up
Wherever she grows up, she needs to create a comfortable environment. On the plot or at home, in the room - it should feel good, then it will bloom and smell, delight you with a healthy look. This plant is capable of producing flower stalks throughout the entire flowering period if the shoots are not cut off at the root. But in warm regions, even such radical pruning can result in the re-development of stems and flowers on them.
The perennial tall eustoma will decorate your plot and local area, it will harmoniously combine with other flowers and shrubs, will remain fresh for a long time and will perfectly tolerate transportation in cut form, if the situation requires it. Low-growing varieties will become a bright decoration of your home, balcony, window sill.
It must be remembered that the Irish rose is a plant that will inevitably wither without moisture. Under no circumstances should the soil be allowed to dry out. Excessive waterlogging will also not lead to anything good - the plant will begin to hurt, the roots may rot. The soil around the flower should be fluffed carefully (remember the delicate roots), and the weeds, of course, should be removed.
Reading, getting acquainted with all the nuances, it may seem that this is too troublesome, and eustoma lisianthus itself is a capricious and characteristic plant.
In fact, this is not at all the case; any green resident we care for and cherish requires attention and care, sometimes individual. Trees, shrubs, any plants and flowers are creations of nature, they are alive and also need comfortable living conditions. And the beautiful eustoma is not so different in terms of care from its neighbors roses, fragrant hyacinths, surfinias and other decorations of our gardens and plots. There is hardly a gardener or summer resident who does not like the delicate beauty of the perennial eustoma; planting and care, photos of various varieties and shades will not leave anyone indifferent! Flowers that look like roses - eustoma
Growing from seeds
Growing flowers from seeds is not difficult, but it requires a certain amount of time and knowledge. Beginning flower growers may make mistakes that can cause seed germination to decrease or not appear at all. This can happen due to improper agricultural practices or poor seed quality. In any case, you should not despair, but analyze your actions, correct mistakes and try to grow the eustoma again.
It is better to buy seed material in a specialized store that sells proven seeds. Eustoma seeds are very small and there are about 20 thousand pieces per 1 g of their weight. In addition, they have a low germination rate, only 30% will sprout. But if they are processed, the figure will increase to 40%. Usually, the packaging with seeds says that the seed has been processed (untreated seeds should not be taken). The seeds are sold in the form of pills, that is, they are placed in a special gel. This allows you to increase the percentage of seed germination and facilitates the process of sowing them.
How to sow seeds for seedlings
For sowing seeds, it is best to use a substrate of peat and humus from the bark of deciduous trees, taken in equal quantities.
You can also use a universal seedling mixture, which you can buy at a flower shop. It has already undergone a disinfection procedure and is neutral or weakly acidic.
You can sow the seeds in peat tablets, which must be soaked for 24 hours beforehand.
- The soil is slightly moistened so that it becomes soft.
- The seeds are distributed over the surface of the soil at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other, slightly pressing into the ground.
Important! The seed material is not covered with soil.
- I water the crops with warm water and spray them with a spray bottle.
- The containers are covered with film and several small holes are made in it using a needle or toothpick for air circulation and left in a warm place.
- Shoots should appear within 15 days.
- After the sprouts appear, the film is removed.
- The seedlings are sprayed with a solution of phytosporin to protect them from the appearance of fungal and putrefactive diseases.
Watch the video! Eustoma. Secrets of growing seedlings. Picking seedlings!
How to care for seedlings
Air temperature and lighting
It is necessary to monitor the temperature. During the day the temperature should be about 20-22 °C, at night the temperature should not fall below 14 °C.
The duration of daylight should be at least 12-14 hours, since lighting stimulates the life processes of the plant. If there is less daylight, it is necessary to organize artificial illumination of the eustoma.
Watering
Eustoma loves moderate watering without waterlogging the soil. It is better to water in the morning, so that by evening the leaves of the plant are sprinkled. It is necessary to constantly monitor the level of soil moisture, since if overmoistened, the eustoma can be affected by blackleg (rotting of the root system). In this case, it is almost impossible to save the plants.
Picking
45-60 days after sowing the seeds, the seedlings grow to 4-5 cm in height and 1-2 true leaves form on it. At this time, the seedlings are picked into separate cups, the diameter of which should be approximately 6 cm. The procedure must be carried out very carefully, capturing the seedlings along with a lump of earth, so as not to damage the weak root system.
- The cups pour fertile soil and make small holes according to the size of the root system.
- They transfer seedlings with a clod of earth into them.
- The root collar should be at the same level as before picking.
- After the procedure, the plants are watered with a phytosporin solution to prevent diseases.
- If the root collar appears above the soil surface after watering, it is necessary to add more soil.
- The seedlings are covered with a plastic bag to adapt them to a new place.
- When the rhizome of the plant completely fills the container, it is recommended to re-pick into cups of larger volume. This is necessary for the active growth of seedlings.
10-14 days before transplanting seedlings into open ground, seedlings must be hardened off. To do this, they take her outside for several hours. The main thing is to ensure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Planting seedlings in open ground
Transplantation of seedlings to a permanent place is carried out in good weather conditions, when the risk of night frosts has passed.
- To plant eustoma, it is necessary to prepare a well-lit place in an area where there are no drafts and where it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
- The soil is dug up well, breaking up large lumps, removing weeds, and watering.
- The soil should be loose, nutritious, and breathable. Moisture in the ground should not stagnate, otherwise the plant will die.
- Before planting, 24 hours before the procedure, it is necessary to water the eustoma seedlings so that the soil becomes soft and moist. This will allow you to calmly pull out the seedlings along with a lump of earth without damaging the root system.
- Transplantation must be carried out extremely carefully, transferring the seedlings along with a lump of earth. The hole is dug according to the size of the root system. Water is poured into the holes so that the soil becomes soft and dirt forms. Seedlings are placed in holes and covered with soil.
Important! The root collar should be at ground level. It is possible in slightly recessed holes.
- The distance between plantings should be at least 15 cm; for tall varieties, the distance is 20 cm.
In the future, eustoma requires regular but moderate watering. In this case, it is necessary to monitor the amount of precipitation and air temperature. To maintain an optimal level of soil moisture, it is recommended to mulch the ground around the plant.
Due to abundant flowering, thin stems can lie down under the weight of the buds. For individual plants, pegs are driven in and the stems are tied to them. For large plantings, it is better to stretch a trellis from twine or wire.
Eustoma: reproduction
Lisianthus propagates by seeds, dividing the bush, layering and cuttings. But if you ask any experienced gardener which method of propagation he prefers, the answer will be only seeds. No one has yet managed to propagate eustoma in other ways, because the plant suffers any damage to the root system quite painfully.
Growing from seeds
When to plant eustoma seeds? This is the question asked by any gardener who has set out to grow such an amazing flower. If you want lisianthus to bloom in July and August, then the seeds are planted in February or March. Some gardeners plant eustoma in December. It is difficult to say how justified such early sowing of seeds is, because in central Russia there can be frosts until June, but this flower is afraid of the cold and needs to be planted in the ground when the danger of frost has passed and the earth has warmed up. In addition, in December there is still little natural color and additional lighting will be required to successfully grow eustoma seedlings.
Favorable days for planting eustoma
Let's start with the fact that this crop begins to bloom 6-7 months after germination. Many gardeners rely on the lunar calendar when planting crops. In their opinion, sowing on the right days ensures vigorous germination and strong seedlings.
The following numbers are considered the best days for planting eustoma according to the lunar calendar:
- January – 2, 3, 5, 7, 26, 28.
- February – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 26-28.
- March – 1, 2, 3 5, 7, 8, 26, 27, 28.
These are the days of the moon's growth. You cannot sow eustoma seeds on the days of the New Moon and Full Moon, just as you cannot sow seeds on the waning Moon. These days, eustoma seedlings will not grow as they should and this will affect its decorativeness.
Favorable days according to the Lunar calendar, of course, have a positive effect on plant growth, but caring for the flower and creating favorable conditions is no less important.
When to plant eustoma seeds
To answer this question, you should take into account that from the moment a flower is planted until it blooms, 20-26 weeks pass, which is about 6 months. Because of this, in order to get eustoma blooming in July or August, the flower should be sown in January. If you sow at a later date, the Irish rose will bloom closer to autumn. If the autumn is warm, it will please the eye until the frosts. In this case, it makes no sense to plant the plant in pots, and it will continue to bloom at home.
Sowing eustoma seeds for seedlings
Eustoma seeds are sown in several ways:
- classic, that is, in seedling boxes, containers, cups;
- into peat tablets;
Sowing eustoma seeds in the classical way
With this planting method, eustoma is sown in various seedling containers. It is best to immediately sow the seeds in separate cups, this way you can skip the process of picking the plant.
Attention!!!
Containers for seedlings must have drainage holes.
The soil is disinfected before filling the containers. It can be calcined in the oven or sprinkled with Maxim or Fitosporin preparations.
For preventive purposes, in order to prevent the appearance of “black leg” and other fungal diseases, a thin layer of calcined river sand, vermiculite and coconut substrate should be applied over the soil.
Eustoma seeds are very small and have a low germination rate. Out of 100 seeds, only 60 germinate. The seeds are not buried, but scattered on top of the soil and lightly pressed to the ground. You can also use a toothpick to plant seeds. The crops are covered with glass or plastic film. Every day for 20-30 minutes you should remove the glass from the container and ventilate the crops. The seedlings should be regularly sprayed with Fitosporin. In order for the seeds to hatch without problems, the temperature in the room must be at least 20°C.
How long does it take for eustoma to sprout? The first shoots will appear in two weeks. After 1.5 months, 2-3 true leaves will appear on them and then it will be possible to pick the plant.
Eustoma in peat tablets
Growing lisianthus in peat tablets is easier than in regular soil. After all, there is no need to prepare or purchase soil. All nutrients and growth stimulants are already added to the tablets, so the seeds germinate well and grow without problems. If you plant one seed in each tablet, then such seedlings will not need to be picked. The substrate here is also sterile and does not require additional disinfection.
The only “minus” is that peat tablets dry out quite quickly and you need to constantly monitor their humidity. In order to avoid the tablets from drying out, you need to add sand, perlite or vermiculite to the bottom of the tray.
The size of the pallet is determined based on the number and height of peat tablets, taking into account their increase. After decomposing the seeds into tablets, the tray is covered with plastic wrap and placed in a warm place for germination.
Attention!!!
Peat tablets should be prepared for planting according to the instructions; as a rule, purchased tablets are placed in a container into which warm water is gradually added. That is, as soon as the tablets have absorbed all the water, a new one is added and so on until the products absorb water. The tablets increase in height by 5 times, but their width remains the original. The liquid that is not absorbed is drained.
Soil for eustoma seedlings
To grow healthy eustoma seedlings, you must choose the right soil. It should be loose, light, not retain water and provide the roots with good aeration. Irish rose loves slightly alkaline soil. The soil for eustoma should have an acidity level of ph-6-7. A ready-made mixture for violets (Saintpaulia) is ideal for growing the plant.
Important points
The substrate with seedlings should be moistened with warm water, to which you can add “Fitosporin”. This is done even if the soil has been disinfected in advance.
The seeds of eustoma are small and therefore are not buried in the soil, but rather laid out on the surface of the soil. In order for the seedlings to sprout more or less evenly, they need to be planted with a toothpick dipped in water. After the seeds are spread on the earthen surface, they are carefully sprayed with a sprayer. The crops are covered with film and placed in a warm place. When shoots appear, add additional light. To stimulate crop growth, Zircon is used.
On a note!!!
Eustoma seeds begin to germinate in approximately 10-14 days, sometimes the process of seed germination extends to one month.
The optimal temperature for seed germination is +21…+23°C; at night it can drop to 16°C. You should not keep the plant at temperatures above 26 °C, otherwise the leaf part will grow and the flowering will be less lush.
The seedlings are illuminated for 12-14 hours, and the lamp should be located at a distance of 15-20 cm from the plants. It is recommended to use LED or phytolamps, as an incandescent lamp can burn the seedlings.
Every day, film or glass is removed from the crops to ventilate the crops, and the condensation is wiped off with a rag.
When growing eustoma seedlings, the soil should be moist, but not over-moistened or over-dried. When watering, you only need to wet the soil; this should be done in such a way that water does not fall on the seedlings. You can use a syringe for watering. Be sure to treat the plant with a fungicide once a week. You can use Fitosporin or potassium permanganate.
When cotyledon leaves appear, the film is removed from the plants. This should be done gradually, increasing the ventilation time daily.
The seedlings grow slowly and some may think that there are problems with the seedlings. But in fact, flowers are expanding their root system and are in no hurry to grow.
Feeding eustoma seedlings
At all stages, eustoma must be treated with growth stimulants, such as Epin, Zircon, HB-101, etc. The plant is sprayed with these drugs. The products help the seeds to hatch and stimulate their growth.
Feeding eustoma
The eustoma is fed for the first time 5-7 days after picking. For feeding, take a solution of calcium nitrate. Nitrogen contained in the fertilizer will have a beneficial effect on plant growth, and calcium reduces soil acidity, stimulates growth and strengthens roots.
According to the instructions, calcium nitrate should be diluted in a bucket of water. This amount is too much. Therefore, it is best to prepare a stock solution. It must be used to prepare the solution. To make a mother solution, take 1 tbsp. l. calcium nitrate without a slide and diluted in 1 liter of water. The solution is poured into an opaque bottle and stored in a dark place. For feeding, dilute 10 ml of concentrate in 0.5 liters of water.
Eustoma responds well to eggshell infusion. To prepare it, take the shells of 6 eggs, crush them and add a liter of water. Leave for 2-3 days and then feed the plants 2-3 times a month.
As soon as the seedlings begin to grow, the seedlings will need to be fed once every 7-10 days with any universal fertilizer. For seedlings, the dose recommended in the instructions is halved.
Picking eustoma
Eustoma seedlings are planted into separate cups when 3–4 true leaves appear. It is not advisable to delay picking. At such a young age, plants tolerate transplantation better. At an older age, plants take longer to adapt.
The substrate used for picking is the same as for sowing seeds - loose, with a low acidity level.
Plants must be planted very carefully, as plants do not tolerate damage to the root system. It would be more correct to say that plants do not need replanting, but transshipment - replanting without damaging the earth clod.
When picking, you need to ensure that the root collar of the seedlings after planting does not end up buried in the ground, but remains at soil level. If the root collar is exposed during watering, then you need to add soil.
Watering after picking, and then after another 10-14 days with a growth stimulator - “Zircon”, “NV-101” has a good effect. It is also advisable to periodically water young seedlings with a solution of Fitosporin to prevent fungal diseases.
For five days after picking, the plants need to be kept in a greenhouse while the root system takes root.
Pinching the eustoma
Eustoma seedlings, except for dwarf varieties, need to be pinched at the top to form a lush bush. Such plants look much more impressive; they bear many more buds than those plants that have not been pinched.
But we must remember that this procedure slows down growth for a month, and subsequently flowering. If sowing was done late, there is no point in pinching - the plant will bloom very late.
Pinching is carried out as the plants grow. The top of the plant is removed after the fourth pair of leaves.
Outdoor growing conditions
Lighting
In order for eustoma to grow and develop well, it needs to be provided with good lighting without direct sunlight. Sunlight is only necessary during seed germination, as it helps stimulate the emergence of sprouts. Also, you should not plant eustoma in the shade; the area can only be slightly shaded.
Priming
The acidity of the soil should be neutral. If it is acidic, add wood ash, chalk or dolomite flour to the soil to deoxidize it. Lime can also be used for these purposes, but then it is scattered in the fall, and in the spring it may not harm the plants.
Topping
To stimulate branching, which is necessary for abundant flowering, the top is pinched at the stage of appearance of 6-8 leaves.
Top dressing
During active growth of eustoma, it is necessary to apply fertilizer. Potassium is needed for the development of the root system. It is contained in sufficient quantities in the ashes. You can also purchase potash fertilizer at a specialty store.
- To improve growth and strengthen the stems, use fertilizers containing nitrogen. At the very beginning, when flowers need fertilizer with a high amount of nitrogen, Plantafol Growth or Plantafol fertilizer is used.
- When buds begin to form, you can use Plantafol Budding nutrition under the root, since it contains more phosphorus than nitrogen.
- Fertilizers "Kemira" or "Kemira Lux" promote long and abundant flowering.
Important! The main thing is to dilute all fertilizing with water before fertilizing the name of the plant. Experienced gardeners recommend diluting a lower concentration of fertilizer in water than indicated in the instructions or on the packaging.
Watch the video! Eustoma seedlings. The beginning of flowering!
For abundant flowering
The beginning of eustoma flowering is regulated by the time of sowing the seeds, as well as the time of transferring the seedlings to open ground. It is necessary to monitor the air temperature, since sudden changes, even within normal limits, can lead to the eustoma blooming much later, and in some cases it may even die. If there are strong changes in temperature, it is better to build a temporary film shelter at this time.
After the eustoma has faded, the reappearance of buds can be stimulated. To do this, faded flowers are cut off and new buds form in their place after 45-60 days.
Advice! There are frost-resistant varieties of eustoma; they will bloom much longer.
Eustoma in cut
The stems are cut using a well-sharpened knife or pruning shears. All lower leaves are removed, otherwise they will rot in the water. Cut flowers can last in a vase for about two weeks. Specialized additives Chrysal, Tsvetalon, Bona Forte, and Etisso can prolong their freshness in the bouquet.
The variety of colors and shapes of flowers allows you to create bright bouquet compositions
Home care
Eustoma can be grown at home; for this you need to know the rules of agricultural technology and caring for this flower. When grown indoors, a flower requires the same level of lighting and watering as when cultivated in open ground or in a greenhouse. Rules for caring for indoor eustoma:
- Moderate watering with soft water at room temperature.
- Regular ventilation for fresh air.
- Protection from drafts and direct sunlight.
- During the warm season, the room temperature should be kept at 22-24 °C. In winter – 14-16 °C.
- Applying fertilizers for indoor flowering plants during the active growth of eustoma.
- Cool air temperatures will extend the flowering period.
Remember that eustoma does not tolerate excess moisture very well. Therefore, it is necessary to water the flower exclusively from above the pot. In this case, you need to take care of reclamation by mulching the soil surface with small pebbles in a 2 cm layer.
Caring for eustoma - recommendations
How to care for eustoma? Adding to the above, we can recommend preventive irrigation procedures with special products containing fungicides. Preparations “Topaz”, “Saprol”, “Topsin” will protect the plant from powdery mildew, fusarium, leaf spot, and gray rot. Unfortunately, it is difficult to protect yourself from pests if flowers grow in open ground. The main enemies of eustoma are whiteflies, slugs, aphids, miners, fungus gnats - drugs such as Mospilan, Aktara, Confidor and the well-proven Fitoverm successfully combat these parasites.
Remember about the love of lisianthus for light and light shade; the eastern or western sides of the site are the best places for its growth. Water it moderately but regularly; when watering, do not wet the foliage, so as not to provoke the appearance of gray mold and harmful fungi. An adult flower no longer needs irrigation, and the water for irrigation should ideally be soft or settled. When the air temperature drops, the volume of water for irrigation should be reduced. Sometimes, after planting in the ground, some gardeners recommend covering the plants with large plastic cups or cut-off plastic bottles for the first couple of weeks. This is recommended for the adaptation of the flower, getting used to a new place of residence, protection from drafts and winds, as well as for preserving moisture in the top layer of soil.
After the lisianthus eustoma fades, it enters a dormant period, life processes slow down and the plant seems to “fall asleep” and stops growing. By this time, fertilizers should be completely eliminated, watering should be kept to a minimum, in short, the flower should be given a rest. In order for the Irish rose to delight you with its splendor next year, be sure to trim all the branches, leaving a maximum of two or three main tillering points (branching).
Rest period
Like any plant, eustoma also needs rest. By winter, eustoma significantly reduces its vital activity. After all the buds have faded, it is recommended to trim the shoots, leaving 2-3 internodes. The flower is kept in this state until spring, providing the room with good lighting, minimal watering and a temperature within 14-15 °C.
Advice! Eustoma that grew in open ground can be dug up and stored until spring in the same way as a houseplant.
In the spring, as soon as the plant shows the first signs of resumption of vegetation, it is carefully transplanted into a larger pot and the amount of watering is increased.
It is not always possible to successfully bring eustoma out of the dormant period, so you need to be prepared for this and always have good seeds in stock in order to sow them on time and enjoy the blooming of your favorite flower for a long time.
Eustoma – photo
Eustoma is, without exaggeration, one of the most spectacular garden flowers. Landscape designers, florists, breeders and organizers of flower exhibitions are delighted with it. We have collected a small selection of photos of this beauty!
Photo: oir.mobi
Photo: 2gis.ru
Photo: artfile.ru
Photo: oir.mobi
Photo: rozsada.com.ua
Photo: oir.mobi
Photo: domashniecvety.ru
Photo: funart.pro
Photo: fermer.ru
Photo: oir.mobi
Photo: t.me
Photo: mykaleidoscope.ru
Photo: multiurok.ru
Photo: mobilemusic.ru
Photo: skolkogramm.ru
Photo: vkbase.ru
Photo: sadartemenko.ru
Photo: flowers-store.ru
Photo: ogorodishe.ru
Photo: keywordbasket.com
Photo: liveinternet.ru
Photo: ru.wallpaper.mob.org
Photo: hammer-shop.ru
Photo: udobreniya.net
Photo: oir.mobi
Hydrangea (80 photos): types and features of care
Diseases and pests
- The problem is that it is susceptible to diseases such as gray rot, powdery mildew, and fusarium wilt. The reason is high humidity and cold. Control methods: alternate spraying with Topsin and Saprol. For prevention, healthy plants must be treated.
- The problem is that it is affected by fungus gnats, aphids, whiteflies, and slugs. The reason is being close to an infected plant, incorrect agricultural technology. Control methods: treatment with Fitoverm, Mospilan, Confidor solutions.
- Indoor eustomas are susceptible to spider mites and aphids.
- In the garden, eustoma can be attacked by whiteflies and slugs.
Gastropod pests are removed manually or using traps. The remaining pests are destroyed using insecticides that are used to treat the plant.
Popular varieties
Eustoma has many beautiful hybrids. However, in our latitudes, only certain varieties of flowers are most popular. Among them:
- “White Kyoto” is one of the varieties of F1 hybrids, having delicate white buds. It is a fast-growing variety; this type blooms in July. The species is suitable for cutting.
"White Kyoto"
- "Picot Pink" is a bright hybrid with pink or burgundy round flowers and has a tall stem. Also suitable for cutting.
"Picot Pink"
- “Cinderella” is a double multi-colored plant with large flowers. It is mainly used in gardens and flower beds. Can produce bright purple, red or white buds.
"Cinderella"
- “Champagne” is a rare double yellow hybrid with a beautiful large bud. Petals of this type retain the purity of color in all generations and are excellent for breeding in large-scale farming.
"Champagne"
Almost all of the above varieties grow well in our latitudes. You can grow them from seeds at home.
Regardless of the variety of eustoma, all its hybrids fully retain their qualities in subsequent generations. This means that the gardener can continue to grow beautiful flowers from seeds obtained from an annual plant.
How to control pests in the garden
This plant cannot be classified as a resistant plant. Most attention is attracted to this plant by mites, as well as slugs and other insects.
In order to minimize the risk of plant infection, periodic preventive maintenance is necessary.
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