Eustoma, or lisianthus: planting, care, growing from seeds at home and in open ground, including perennial varieties

The eustoma plant, also called lisianthus (Lisianthus - “bitter flower”), or “Texas bell”, or “Irish rose”, or “Japanese rose”, is a member of the Gentian family. The name eustoma is literally translated from Latin as “beautiful mouth,” but there is another more literary version - “beautifully speaking.” This plant comes from Mexico, the Caribbean islands, and also from the northern part of South America and the south of North America.

There is a legend among the American Indians that says that lisianthus first bloomed on the grave where an innocent girl was buried, who was killed by the spirit of war because she did not want to marry him. Lisianthus came to Europe thanks to Patrick Brown, who was an Irish botanist and doctor. Eustoma is very popular among flower growers and is grown for cutting. The fact is that freshly cut flowers of such a plant can stand in water for a very long time (up to 20 days). Eustoma began to be cultivated as an indoor flower only in the nineties of the twentieth century.

Features of Eustoma

Eustoma (other common names are lisianthus, gentian, Japanese, French or Irish rose) is a beautiful flowering plant, usually grown by gardeners as an annual (less often perennial) ornamental crop.
Among the undeniable advantages of this plant, landscape designers note its very spectacular, long-lasting and almost continuous flowering. The genus Eustoma (the outdated name of the genus is Lisianthus) includes annual and perennial herbaceous plants of the Gentian family. In the wild, they are found in Mexico, southern North America and northern South America. Their habitat also includes the Isthmus of Panama and a number of islands in the Caribbean Sea.

Representatives of the genus are herbaceous, medium-sized plants, the height of which can vary from 40 to 60 centimeters. The height of individual representatives of this genus can be 90-100 centimeters or more. The plants have many erect, graceful stems, densely covered with ovoid or lanceolate sessile leaves. The color of the stems and leaves varies from pale green to silver-emerald.

Eustoma flowers can be simple, semi-double or double, looking like bells, poppies, roses or daylilies. The average size of flowers in diameter is 5-8 centimeters. The shape and color of lisianthus flowers usually depend on the species/varietal characteristics of the plant. The color palette includes creamy white, peachy pink, lavender lilac, violet-lilac, golden beige and many other tones. The color of flowers can be either monochromatic or variegated.

During the flowering period, lisianthus look very impressive. This is facilitated by their tendency to mass formation of flower ovaries. Thus, some varieties can have up to 20-25 flowers and flower ovaries on 1 stem at the same time. Visually, flowering eustomas resemble bushes of varietal roses, with the only difference being that their stems do not have thorns.

Lisianthus blooms usually last from late May to October. Some varieties are able to bloom profusely before the onset of persistent cold weather.

Description of the plant

Eustoma is a very beautiful decorative flowering indoor plant of the Gentian family. These flowers are still often found in the southern regions of Mexico, in the south of North America and the north of South America, on the islands of the Caribbean. Eustoma is translated from Latin as beautiful mouth.

An American Indian legend says that Eustoma first bloomed on the grave of an innocent girl who refused reciprocity to the God of War and was killed by him for this.

This wonderful flower was discovered for Europeans by the Irish doctor and botanist Patrick Brown. Under natural conditions, it is a biennial herbaceous plant with an erect stem up to 60 cm high. The leaves are whole, large, greenish with a bluish tint. Flowers are bright, blue, single.

Cultivated varieties of Eustoma appeared relatively recently. They, unlike wild species, have flowers of different colors. This is the merit of numerous breeders. Varieties with two-color colors and double flowers appeared. New varieties are being actively developed by breeders in Japan and the USA. Their Eustomas no longer look like bluebells from the wild prairies.

The appearance of the bush and its flowers, of extraordinary beauty and grace, conquer the hearts of flower growers. The tall, stable stem, similar to the stems of another flower - the carnation, has an elegant shape and is strewn with green leaves with a bluish tint, with a slight waxy coating on them. Somewhere, from the middle of the length of the bush, the stem begins to branch. During flowering, each bush gains from 30 to 35 buds and looks like an unusually beautiful bouquet.

Bicolor eustoma

The buds open alternately, one after another, and stay on the stem for a long time. The flowers, reminiscent of roses in shape, have a large, funnel-shaped, deep cup. Their petals are colored, depending on the variety, in different colors. Eustomas are snow-white, blue, yellow, pink, lilac, purple, violet, lilac, dark burgundy. It is impossible to list all the colors that nature has given to this extraordinary flower!

There are bicolor Eustomas with simple or double flowers. Only about 60 varieties are known. More than half of them are tall species for growing in the garden. At home, low-growing varieties of Eustoma are usually grown as a houseplant.

Types and varieties

In ornamental gardening, both natural types of eustomes and their cultivated forms and varieties have become widespread. To date, breeders have developed many varietal lisianthus with very large double and semi-double flowers of various colors.

• Eustoma grandiflora is one of the natural species, whose natural habitat is the southern United States. In the wild, this type of lisianthus usually grows in floodplains and lowlands of rivers. Plants can reach 35-95 centimeters in height. The stems are thin, highly branched, pale green with a silver-gray tint.

The leaves are ovate, with a rounded or pointed apex. The flowers are large, reaching 7 centimeters in diameter, and bell-shaped. The color of the flowers is purple-violet or lilac-blue.

• Eustoma minor is another natural variety of lisianthus found in the southern United States and Mexico. Another common plant name is seaside gentian. In the wild, this species is found mainly in damp places - in swamps and the banks of fresh and salt water bodies. The plants have numerous erect stems, densely covered with small gray-green leaves.

Flowering continues throughout almost the entire growing season. The flowers are bell-shaped, large, lilac-violet in color. The core of the flowers is golden yellow.

• “Champagne” is an original variety of large-flowered eustoma from the Magic series, bred by Japanese breeders. The average plant height is 75 centimeters. The flowers are densely double, with strongly corrugated edges, reaching 8 cm in diameter. The color of the flowers is soft pink, with a slight pistachio tint on the periphery of the petals. The variety is recommended for cutting.

• “Carmen” is a series of varieties of low-growing eustomas recommended for cultivation in closed ground. The height of the plants is about 20 cm. The bushes are compact, multi-stemmed. The leaves are ovate, with a pointed apex, light green. The series includes a number of varieties of different colors: “Rose” - with soft pink flowers, “Lilak” - with lilac-pink flowers, “Blue Rome” - with white and blue flowers.
• “Pink” is a very spectacular variety of tall, large-flowered eustomas from the Echo series. The height of plant bushes can reach 85-95 centimeters. The flowers are large, double, deep pink.

The variety is recommended for cutting, as well as for creating multi-tiered flower beds and high beds.

Indoor views

Today, flower growers actively grow about 5 species and varieties of perennial eustoma at home. A brief description of these varieties will be given below.

• Eustoma grandiflora. This is the most common variety, characterized by oblong or oval leaf blades, large bell-shaped flowers, and bright colors of white, red, blue or orange.

The species includes the following varieties: Wonderus Light Brown, Colorado Purple, Roccoco Marine White, Advantage Green.

• Eustoma "Mystery". It is characterized by a small height (up to 20 cm), as well as large double petals with a bright cobalt or blue color.

• "Little Bell" It also has a small height of up to 20 cm and is distinguished by a large number of green shoots. The inflorescences are small, funnel-shaped, most often light in color.

• Eustoma "Loyalty". It is distinguished by its small height and many small white buds.

• "Florida Pink". It is characterized by large pink buds that lighten and decrease in size over time.

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.

This may be interesting: Indoor pomegranate (dwarf) - home care

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:

1. Eustoma Cinderella - bush height up to 50 cm. Blooms with double flowers of delicate pink or yellow color.
2. Variety Twinkie - stem height is not higher than half a meter. It blooms with white, yellow, pink or purple flowers of extraordinary beauty.
3. Eustoma "Mariachi Lime" - the height of the bush reaches a meter. The flowers on it are double lime-colored.
4. 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.

How to grow eustoma at home

Eustoma is a flora with amazingly beautiful flowers in delicate shades. They are often added to bouquets - they last a long time and do not fade. This plant also has a minus - it is quite capricious and requires a lot of attention. The color of this flora is very similar to pink, which is why it is sometimes called Irish or Japanese rose.

Important! Some people wonder whether it is possible to grow eustoma as a houseplant. The answer to this is positive: it is grown both in the garden and at home. What is noteworthy is that the same species is used everywhere - large-flowered eustoma, or eustoma grandiflorum. It is now called Russell's lisianthus.

The height of an adult lisianthus bush ranges from 15 to 90 centimeters and produces about twenty flowers during the flowering period. They do not bloom simultaneously, but one after another. Because of this, the beauty of blooming flora is preserved for quite a long period.

Until recently, this crop was considered a garden or greenhouse crop. Today, eustoma can often be found in the home. When preparing to acquire such a flower, you need to consider the following:

• In nature, lisianthus is a perennial plant. It is often kept in the house only during the flowering season. For the winter it requires conditions that are quite difficult to recreate in an apartment. Even if it succeeds, it cannot be turned into a full-fledged perennial at home.
• Be sure to clarify what type of flower it is. For the home, you need crops that can survive in pots. They should not grow higher than 30 centimeters.
• Most likely, after purchase, the bush, even a dwarf one, will begin to grow in breadth and upward. This is because, in order to speed up and reduce the cost of growing plants, they are fertilized with growth inhibitors.

To avoid the latter, you can grow this flora at home yourself. It is best to start from scratch, that is, from germinating a seed.

Lisianthus flowers - an organic decoration for home and celebrations (with photo)

Eustoma, which belongs to the Gentian family, is native to Central America with its humid, warm climate. If previously lisianthus flower seeds were available only to professional flower growers, now any variety of lisianthus can be purchased in every flower shop or on a specialized website. In fact, lisianthus flowers are an organic decoration for any celebration and home interior. Look at the photo of lisianthus flowers in various applications: If you want to purchase a specific variety of flowers, you can consult with specialists or view photos of lisianthus on the Internet with the names signed under them. It is also worth considering that for a home business, growing different varieties of these bright, non-standard representatives of the flora can be a real financial boon. Low-growing varieties are used as potted decorations, while tall varieties are used for making bouquets.

Compositions of such bright, original flowers are often used by florists as interior decoration and decorative elements at various celebrations. Lisianthus can also play an important role in a wedding bouquet.

Subtleties of growing at home

Eustomas are considered quite demanding plants, requiring the most comfortable conditions and proper care. The exotic origin of these beauties largely determines the specificity of their requirements for lighting, temperature and humidity conditions, and soil composition.

Eustomas prefer moderately bright, diffused sunlight. For this reason, it is recommended to place pots with plants on window sills located in the southeast, east, southwest or west of the house. On very hot days, plants should be protected from the scorching sun.

It is important to remember that direct sunlight is harmful to these delicate representatives of decorative flora.

In the summer, indoor eustomas will feel comfortable at a room temperature of +20-23°C. With the onset of autumn, it is recommended to reduce the temperature to +18°C. In winter, when plants are at rest, it is preferable to maintain the air temperature in the room at +10-15°C.

To maintain optimal air humidity, indoor eustomas should be watered regularly, preventing the soil in the pot from drying out. These plants do not need spraying or additional air humidification.

In very hot weather, it is permissible to place a wide container filled with water next to the plants.

To grow lisianthus at home, it is recommended to use soil mixtures with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. Experienced gardeners often use store-bought soil mixtures intended for Uzambara violets to grow indoor eustomas. It is also possible to use soil mixtures prepared from peat soil, garden soil and clean river sand (1:1:1).

Before placing it in a planting container, it is recommended to disinfect the prepared soil mixture with a hot solution of potassium permanganate.

The main care for lisianthus grown at home consists of regular watering, periodic feeding and timely removal of dried inflorescences. Indoor lisianthus should be watered frequently, but moderately. In summer, the frequency of watering is increased, in winter it is reduced.

For irrigation, use only soft, settled water. Watering tender eustomas with cold, hard water is strictly prohibited. When watering, a stream of water is directed to the base of the bush.

It is important to ensure that drops do not fall on the leaves, stems and flowers of the plant. It is best to water eustomas in the morning or evening.

Regular feeding will ensure lush and long-lasting flowering of indoor eustomas. It is recommended to use complex fertilizers based on potassium and phosphorus as basic fertilizers. The recommended frequency of feeding is once every 2-3 weeks.

The main stages of plant nutrition:

• active growth phase, requiring the application of nitrogenous fertilizers;
• budding phase (potassium-phosphorus fertilizers);
• the beginning of flowering phase (potassium fertilizers).

Brief description of cultivation

1. Landing . Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out in the last days of February or the first of March. The seedlings are transplanted into open ground 3 months after the seedlings appear.
2. Bloom . From mid to late summer.
3. Illumination . Partial shade or shade.
4. Soil . Loose, dry, light and well permeable to water and air. Also, the soil should be neutral.
5. Watering . The soil should be moistened systematically, but sparingly. The drip irrigation method is best suited for eustoma.
6. Fertilizer . Complex mineral fertilizer is regularly applied to the soil once every 2 weeks.
7. Reproduction . Growing from seeds.
8. Pests . Thrips, whiteflies, spider mites and slugs.
9. Diseases . False gray rot, fusarium, late blight, powdery mildew, root rot and tobacco mosaic virus.

Reproduction methods

To propagate eustoma, gardeners most often use seeds, less often cuttings. Seed method of propagation of these beautifully flowering plants

To obtain lisianthus seedlings from seeds, it is recommended to sow the seeds in February or March. The seeds are sown in containers with a very loose soil mixture consisting of peat soil and fragments of the bark of deciduous trees (1:1). A ready-made store-bought substrate intended for growing seedlings is also suitable for sowing seeds.

Before sowing, the surface of the substrate is leveled and well moistened. Then the seeds are laid on the moistened soil (it is recommended to purchase seed material in pelleted form) at a distance of 2-3 centimeters from each other. The spread seeds are lightly pressed to the ground with a fingertip, after which the crops are sprayed with warm water from a spray bottle. You cannot sprinkle the seeds with sand or soil.

Next, the container with the crops is covered with a transparent film, in which several small holes are made for better air circulation. Before the emergence of seedlings, they carefully monitor the level of humidity of the soil and air in the improvised “greenhouse”. The waiting period for the first shoots is 2-3 weeks. Before the emergence of seedlings, the container with crops must be periodically ventilated, occasionally spraying the substrate.

In the second half of March, the container with seedlings should be sent to a place with soft diffused light, protected from drafts. The air temperature in the room should be +20-22°C. Strong seedlings can be planted after 6-8 weeks, when they have formed 2-3 pairs of true leaves. Postponing picking to a later date is strongly discouraged.

Some tall varieties of lisianthus can be propagated by apical or intermediate cuttings. This procedure is usually carried out during the period when plants are in the phase of active growth and budding. To obtain planting material, the strongest multi-stemmed eustoma bush is selected, from which a healthy, well-developed shoot is separated. This shoot is cut into pieces so that each cutting has about 4-5 internodes.

Next, the lower leaves on the resulting cuttings are removed, and the upper ones are cut in half. Then the lower cut of each cutting is powdered with a root formation stimulator (“Kornevin”) and placed in a glass of water for 6-8 hours. Root lisianthus cuttings in plain water. If all recommendations are followed, the first roots of the cuttings appear after 2-3 weeks. After this, the rooted planting material can be planted in separate cups with loose soil.

How and when to grow seedlings

Eustoma - growing from seeds at home

For a plant such as eustoma, growing from seeds at home is quite possible, although it is associated with a number of difficulties (as is all care). That is why you should take into account all the factors necessary for this particular flower.

Lisianthus blooms in the summer season. Considering this, as well as the fact that it usually takes about six months from the first shoots to flowers, sowing should begin in January.

When sowing seeds in winter, keep in mind that the sprouts need a lot of light. In the cold season, daylight hours are short, so you will have to organize additional illumination with a special lamp. If we talk about growing a purely indoor crop, then sowing can begin in early March. Then you won't need a lamp.

You can plant eustoma seeds like this:

• In purchased soil. In a floriculture store you need to ask for a mixture for Saintpaulias or violets. You will have to add a little perlite to it.

• In soil made in person. The composition of suitable soil is as follows: peat, garden soil, sand in a ratio of 2-1-0.5.

• In peat tablets. The easiest way to sow seeds is in peat tablets with a diameter of 4 centimeters. First, they are placed in a container disinfected with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Then add water little by little until the tablets swell. Excess water is carefully drained.

Important! If soil is selected for dilution, it must be steamed for an hour. Eustomas require sterile soil.

To propagate lisianthus using seeds, a medium-depth container (from 7 centimeters) is suitable. In the case of tablets, the container should be such that they fit entirely into it.

Eustome seeds are very small. Therefore, they are most often sold coated, that is, enclosed in a hard shell (it is also a top dressing for the first time), which is destroyed by moisture. You usually don’t need to do anything with it, but such seeds take a long time to germinate. An experienced gardener can help lisianthus germinate faster. To do this, carefully try to crush the shell of the dragee with a toothpick, spread out on the soil and well-moistened.

You can also choose untreated seeds. They should have a dark, almost black color. Their sprouts will have to be fed more often.

Eustoma seeds without pelleting

Note! Some unscrupulous sellers may advertise bulbs of other colors, claiming that they are Irish roses. But eustoma is not a bulbous crop; it can only be grown from seeds.

Step-by-step cultivation of eustoma from seeds at home looks like this:

1. Soil preparation.
2. Preparing a container for seedlings.
3. The soil is placed in a container and leveled. The seed should be placed on it without sprinkling on top. Then the seeds are sprayed with water through a spray bottle.
4. At the request of the grower, you can crush the shell of the dragee, without in any case removing it from the container.
5. In conclusion, you should definitely organize a greenhouse by covering the container with the seeds with glass or polyethylene.

Japanese roses are quite capricious, delicate plants. Eustoma requires a lot of attention both when planting and when caring for it at home. Its seedlings require strict adherence to the following points:

• Long daylight hours. Seeds need at least 12 hours of light per day. If the sun sets earlier, you should use a lamp.

• Optimal temperature. For seedlings, 20-25 °C is needed, neither higher nor lower.

• Patience. Sprouts usually appear 10-12 days after sowing (in the case of pelleted seeds with an uncrushed shell, this period increases slightly). They will be ready for transplantation only after an average of 7 weeks. During this time the sprout will grow slowly. This is because first of all it grows roots, then leaves.

• Sufficient amount of water. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out. The soil should always be moist.

The right place and lighting

When growing and caring for indoor eustoma, it is important to choose the right place for it. Eustoma needs a lot of light. Window sills oriented to the south are suitable for winter, and to the west or east for summer. This way, in the hot season, the plant will be protected from burns, and on cloudy and cold days, more diffused light is required. The quality and duration of flowering will depend on compliance with these rules. Additionally, during the winter months, additional illumination with phytolamps is used (at least 15 hours a day).

How to properly care?

Lisianthus, being rather whimsical plants, require special attention. Failure to follow the recommendations for caring for these capricious garden inhabitants can negatively affect both the quality of flowering and the health of the plants.

Eustomas grown in open ground require moderate but regular watering. The frequency of watering is determined based on weather and climatic conditions. Thus, in regions with a cool climate and cool/cloudy summers, the frequency of watering can be no more than 2-3 times a month. In hot and dry southern regions, the frequency of watering can increase to 5-6 or more times a month. It is recommended to water lisianthus in the morning using settled water.

A lack of moisture in the soil is just as harmful for these plants as an excess, so under no circumstances should you fill lisianthus with water.

2 weeks after planting in open ground, it is allowed to feed the plants with nitrogen-containing fertilizer. This procedure will promote active growth of shoots, leaves and roots. During the budding period, all flower crops need fertilizing containing potassium and phosphorus. At this stage, you can use ready-made complex formulations, for example, “Kemira” or “Kemira Lux”.

Another feeding is provided at the beginning of flowering plants. With the appearance of the first flowers, it is recommended to feed the bushes again with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Experienced flower growers advise using Plantafol Budding and Kemira Lux fertilizers at this stage. These drugs stimulate the active formation of buds and contribute to a brighter color of flowers.

The main secrets of the lush and lush flowering of eustomas are regular application of fertilizers and timely removal of dried inflorescences. Observations show that these simple manipulations can not only enhance, but also significantly prolong the flowering of lisianthus. It is worth noting that not all novice gardeners know what to do with plants after flowering.

At this stage, the faded bush must be carefully dug up and transplanted, together with a lump of earth on the roots, into a separate container. Next, the shoots of the plant should be trimmed so that 2-3 internodes remain on them. In this state, the plant can be sent to a cool room for the winter, or it can be placed on the brightest windowsill in the house, stimulating the development of new shoots and flowering shoots. With sufficient lighting and timely watering, a pruned bush can quickly grow green mass and bloom again.

Eustoma seeds are collected from healthy varietal plants. Usually this procedure is carried out in the second half of September, in dry and windless weather. During the work, dried light brown or gray-brown seed pods are carefully separated from the plants, serving as a container for many very small dark seeds, visually similar to lobelia seeds.

With proper storage, a new generation of eustomes with the same varietal characteristics as the mother plants can be grown from the collected seeds.

Eustoma, grown on the site as a perennial crop, overwinters well at home. To do this, the faded plant is transplanted into a separate pot in the fall, its stems are cut to a height of 2-3 internodes from the surface of the ground.

After this, the container with the plant is placed in a cool room with a constant air temperature of +12-13°C. Water the bush as needed. In such conditions, the eustoma, which is in the dormant stage, is kept until spring.

Planting and care in open ground

Sowing

If you decide to grow lisianthus in the garden, then sow the seeds in December-January. In this case, the bushes will bloom in June–July. To do this, take 50 ml cups and fill them with violet substrate. From 3 to 5 seeds are laid on its surface, and they are not sprinkled, but only slightly pressed into the soil mixture. Be sure to cover the cups with film (glass) on top to create greenhouse conditions for the crops. Raise the shelter regularly once every 1.5 weeks to remove condensation from it and ventilate the crops. Seedlings appear best at temperatures from 20 to 25 degrees, and they should appear after half a month.

During the first 2 months, the bushes will need additional lighting. However, even with sufficient light, seedlings still grow extremely slowly. In the last days of February, the seedlings are transferred to a well-lit windowsill.

Seedling care

Preventive treatment of seedlings against diseases is carried out with a solution of Fundazol (1 tsp per 1 liter of water). And to accelerate growth, the bushes are treated with a solution of Epin or Zircon. 4–6 weeks after the appearance of the seedlings, when a pair of true leaf blades have developed on them, they should be picked into separate pots of 3–5 pieces, while the plants are planted in the substrate up to the lower leaves. Next, the bushes are watered and a plastic bag is placed on top of the pots to create greenhouse conditions. After 7 days, the plant should have doubled in size. In the last days of February or the first days of March, plant the seedlings in larger pots, up to 80 mm in diameter, by transferring them together with a lump of earth. Don't forget to make a drainage layer at the bottom of each pot. Further, the seedlings will actively grow and develop.

Planting seedlings

Grown seedlings should be planted in open ground in mid-May, at which time return spring frosts should be left behind. A suitable place for planting is chosen that is well lit (the light should be diffused) and has reliable protection from drafts. The soil needs to be well drained. Seedlings are planted on a cloudy day or in the evening.

Planting holes are made in the prepared soil, which must be shed with water. When the liquid is absorbed, the seedling is planted into it using the transshipment method, and try to ensure that the earthen ball does not collapse. Lisianthus grows in open ground as a bush; therefore, when planting, the distance between plants should be from 10 to 15 centimeters. For the first 15–20 days, the bushes should be covered with cut plastic bottles or glass jars, and there is no need to water them at this time. How to water the plant is described in detail at the beginning of the article, just do not forget that eustoma can be harmed by both lack of moisture and stagnation of water in the roots.

EUSTOMA WILL GROW 100% IF YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS / Garden Guide

Features of flowering

After 6–8 leaf plates have formed on the shoot, pinch its upper part, in this case the bushes will be more lush. About 30 days after planting, when the flowers have completely taken root, they are fertilized with a solution of mineral fertilizer. In this case, you can use Plantafol.

In June, flowers are treated with Plantafol solution for growth, which contains a lot of nitrogen, and in July–August, budding is treated with Plantafol. A solution of Kemira is also suitable for feeding; it is poured directly under the eustoma root. Just remember that the concentration of nutrient solutions should be slightly less than what the manufacturer recommends (look on the packaging).

The flowering time of lisianthus depends on when exactly you sowed the seeds. If the seeds were sown in the last days of November or the first days of December, then the bushes will bloom in the first half of July (it also depends on the weather in the spring). Bushes grown from seeds sown in mid-January usually begin to bloom in August. Flowering lasts continuously until October, after some flowers fade, others open. Lisianthus is not afraid of early frosts; only when the temperature drops to minus 10 degrees and snow falls does flowering stop. If flowering has ended too early, it is recommended to cut off all the faded flowers, and maybe after about a month and a half the bushes will bloom magnificently again.

Diseases and pests

Slugs, spider mites, aphids and whiteflies can settle on such a plant. To save flowers from such pests, use the following products: Fitoverm, Confidor, Aktara or Aktellik.

Flowers can get sick with fusarium, powdery mildew or gray mold; to help them, they resort to preventive treatments with Fundazol solution, you can also use Ridomil Gold.

Care after flowering

After the indoor lisianthus has faded, its stems are shortened to two or three internodes, and the bush itself is stored in a room with a temperature of 10 to 15 degrees. During the dormant period, water the plant sparingly and infrequently; fertilizers are not added to the soil mixture. When young shoots appear in spring, the substrate is replaced with a new one. Resume regular watering and begin caring for the flower as usual.

In order for garden lisianthus to bloom longer, it is dug up and, together with garden soil, planted in a pot, which is placed on a balcony or windowsill. Take care of the bush as usual, and it will continue to bloom for a while. However, someday it will bloom anyway. Remove all faded flowers, and when the plant’s foliage turns yellow, do the same with garden lisianthus as with indoor lisianthus, namely: shorten its stems to 2-3 internodes and put the bush in a well-ventilated cool room, watering is greatly reduced. It will stay there until spring.

Care during growth and flowering

During the period of active growth, the plant requires additional nutrition. The type of feeding depends on whether it is gaining green mass or is already blooming.

No.	Period	Fertilizer type
Set of green mass	Nitrogen; Organic
Formation of buds	Phosphorus; potassium
3.		Bloom

In order to prevent flower diseases, specially designed products can be used.

For example, these:

• Topsin;
• Topaz.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the quality of water for irrigation. It should be settled and soft.

Tall varieties are usually planted in open ground, for which appropriate support must be provided. This point should be thought out in advance, before flowering begins.

All flowers on eustoma do not open at the same time, so it is necessary to promptly remove flowers that have already bloomed. At the same time, the decorative effect of the bush itself is maintained and the formation of new inflorescences is stimulated.

When cutting flowers for a bouquet, new flowers will appear in 1-1.5 months.

What does lisianthus of different shades symbolize?

The above values ​​depend on the shade of the buds. Moreover, the variety of varieties allows you to create unique, inimitable messages.

• Pastel pink

  inflorescences are associated with youth, girlish naivety and ease.

• Deep purples and violet

  create a sense of grandeur, power and dignity.

• Blue and light blue

  They are given to emphasize a person’s calm and balanced disposition.

• Modest white

  the tone evokes images of purity and innocence. Therefore, white lisianthus is used in wedding compositions. The groom's eustoma boutonniere will mean loyalty to his companion and eternal, sincere love for her.

Lisianthus look great in mono bouquets, but also go well with other flowers: roses, hyacinths, tulips, miniature varieties of gerberas. The bouquet will be a worthy gift. And for what occasion it can be presented, find out in the article “To whom and when are lisianthus given as a gift.”

Care after flowering

After flowering, eustoma’s life processes slow down - it goes into a dormant state. At this time, reduce watering and do not introduce fertilizing. What to do next depends on whether the plant will be grown as a perennial or not.

For regions with warm climates, the plant must be prepared for winter: cut off the branches, leaving only 2 or 3 growing points. If in winter the temperature drops significantly below zero, the eustoma can be transplanted into a pot and placed on a loggia or on a closed veranda. This should be a place where the air temperature does not drop below +10°C.

Despite all the efforts and the most correct handling of the flower, it is not able, in the conditions of even the warmest regions of Russia, to become a true perennial plant. The lifespan of this plant is no more than 5 years. At the same time, fewer and fewer flowers will be formed every year.

The eustoma tolerates any transplantation very hard - it adapts slowly and weakens.

Features of growing eustoma as a perennial crop

Eustoma looks great both in a bouquet with other flowers and on its own

Despite the fact that eustoma is called a perennial crop, gardeners in central Russia usually grow it as an annual. The problem is that the plant is very difficult to preserve in the autumn-winter period - in its homeland (which is the south of North America), eustoma is accustomed to a mild climate, thanks to which in the wild it grows and blooms all year round and reproduces by self-sowing.

In Russia, on packages with eustoma seeds, as a rule, there is an indication: an annual or biennial type of plant can be obtained from them. Biennials (and actually perennials) are purchased by gardeners who have reliable greenhouses in which the plant will be able to survive our harsh winters. In addition, biennial eustoma is used as a houseplant, while in a flower pot on the windowsill it can feel great not for 2 years, but for 4–5 years. If the gardener plans to place flowers in open ground, he chooses the annual option.

There are a lot of eustoma varieties for home cultivation - for every taste!

Annuals are most often tall varieties, the length of their stems approaches a meter. Perennials designed for indoor growing are low-growing, 15–20 cm high. However, this division is very arbitrary: depending on the plans of the grower and for growing as annuals, dwarf flowers may be required.

Another significant difference between the two types of plants is that even a novice gardener can easily cope with annuals. But growing a two-year-old (perennial) specimen in the garden is within the power of a person with extensive experience. The flower requires special care during the growing season and proper preparation for wintering and its implementation - even minor miscalculations can lead to the death of a delicate plant.

In landscape design, planting is used both in open ground and in pots.

For a long time, Russian flower growers knew eustoma exclusively as a houseplant. Today it is grown in greenhouses, winter gardens, and flower beds. On alpine hills and in mixed borders, eustoma fits perfectly into the overall picture due to its long flowering: starting in mid-July, it continues into September. And if the weather permits, then during the first ten days of October. A single plant can bloom for 4 months, gradually opening bud after bud. If a flower is cut, it will begin to grow back from the root and in the southern regions it will even have time to bloom again, which, unfortunately, does not happen in the middle zone.

A flower bed with eustomas is prepared taking into account the flowering time of certain varieties.

Flowering times can be adjusted:

• sow the seeds in November or early December - eustoma will bloom in June (at the beginning or middle of the month);
• sow before the New Year - it will bloom in July;
• sowing in mid-January will ensure flowering in August;
• sow at the end of January or the beginning of the last month of winter - expect flowering in September.

Eustoma tolerates light autumn frosts well. However, novice gardeners often make the mistake of starting to take care of eustoma seedlings in the spring. In this case, the plant simply does not have time to bloom - even if buds form, they go under the snow.

Container planting, for which various containers are used - pots, tubs, helps to extend the life of the plant and its flowering. While it is warm, they are kept outdoors, with the onset of cold weather they are brought indoors. Flowering continues, although it becomes more modest.

An important point: experts recommend using light-colored containers so that in the summer, in the sun, the roots do not overheat - eustoma is very sensitive to this.

Container technology helps preserve the plant's rhizome during the winter so that it can later be planted, with new shoots, in a flowerbed. The disadvantage of this method is that the flowering will not be as rich as usual.

Of course, chernozem is fertile soil for most plants, but not everyone can provide such conditions

The soil for eustoma should be:

• well dug (without large lumps);
• drained, which means breathable;
• fertile (mineral fertilizers and compost are added to the soil);
• moderately moist, since waterlogging can cause root rot;

As for the composition, the most suitable options are chernozem or a mixture of peat and humus in a 1:1 ratio.

Since eustoma is a heat-loving plant, it feels more comfortable in the southern regions. In central Russia, for its full growth and flowering, temperatures are needed: 20–25°C during the daytime and 15°C at night. In winter, it is advisable to keep the container with eustoma in a room where the temperature does not drop below +10–12°C.

Eustoma grandiflora

Eustoma grandiflorum. Another name for eustoma is lisianthus.

This close relative of gentians (family Gentianaceae) comes from the arid regions of the Americas and northern Mexico. The botanist Salisbury registered the genus Eustoma in 1806, but scientists Patrick Brown, Linnaeus and Hooker were able to provide more accurate information about the plant. Introduced into culture in the late 1880s.

Presumably, the first seeds were brought to Europe from Japan in 1931. Serious supplies of seeds began in 1977. Since then, the assortment has changed a lot - double, bicolor, cut and even indoor plants have appeared.

Eustoma description

Eustoma is a biennial plant. In the middle zone it is grown as an annual crop; it does not overwinter in open ground.

The stems are about 50-70 cm high, up to a meter in cut varieties. The shoots branch starting from the middle of the trunk. Eustoma blooms in a bouquet type - one plant can have about 15-20 flowers and buds. The flowers are large bell-shaped, about 5 cm in diameter. Color: white, yellowish, apricot, pink and reddish, blue, lilac, purple. There are two-color options. The leaves are 5-8 cm long, elliptical, bluish-green, with noticeable veins and a waxy protective layer.

Excellent plants for the foreground of flower beds and container culture. At home, low-growing forms of eustoma are grown as indoor plants.

Conditions for growing eustoma

Lighting : Bright diffused light, protection from direct sunlight. Shading is necessary on southern windows; it is advisable to choose western or eastern ones.

Planting location : Raised flower beds with well-drained soil and low groundwater levels, away from buildings that might run off rainwater. In open ground, try to avoid proximity to objects that reflect the sun's rays. Because of this proximity, eustoma leaves can burn.

Soil : When growing eustoma in the garden, sandy loam, light or medium loamy, well-drained soil with a neutral reaction (pH 6.5-7.0) is preferred. When grown at home, the composition of the soil mixture is high peat and humus in equal parts, it is possible to add fine pine bark.

Temperature : It blooms better and sets buds in a cool, ventilated room at +16...+20°C. When growing in container culture, pots should be light in color to prevent the plants from overheating. Sensitive to fresh air.

Types and varieties of eustoma

The original view is e. Russell (E. russellinum), or grandiflora eustoma (E. grandiflorum). Height 60-90 cm, blooms with blue or purple flowers with a diameter of 5 cm in July-September.

Mainly a series of F1 hybrids are grown: 'Yodel', 'Echo' (usually tall or cut), 'Marmaid Blue' (dwarf), 'Matador' (short).

When purchasing, choose hybrids with early flowering. In the middle zone, plants with late flowering will not bloom.

Eustoma: reproduction

Eustoma propagates by seeds. In warm climates - self-sowing. In the first year it forms a rosette of leaves, and if wintering is favorable, it blooms the following summer. In the middle zone it is grown by seedlings. Seedlings are sown indoors at the end of January-February, the seedlings are ready for planting in open ground at the end of May.

Propagation of eustoma by cuttings is impossible - eustoma cuttings do not root.

Eustoma: propagation by root and planting of bulbs. Beware of unscrupulous sellers. Eustoma cannot be sold in the form of bulbs - it does not form bulbs. Sometimes the roots of perennial plants are sold by type of eustoma. Lisianthus does not reproduce by dividing the bush. If you're lucky, you'll get an unpretentious perennial, such as phlox or hosta. Eustoma sections die after transplantation. Eustoma is not a perennial plant; its root system is very poorly restored and does not take root. The only reliable way to get lisianthus is to sow seeds.

Growing eustoma for cutting

Spectacular single or double flowers last a long time when cut. They are often used by florists for wedding bouquets and celebration decorations.

Every year, Japanese breeders present more and more exotic cut varieties of eustomes at flower exhibitions. Eustomas are grown for cutting in greenhouses. There artificially create favorable conditions that allow the plant to be cultivated throughout the year. First, seedlings of mother plants of tall varieties are grown using the seedling method. After cutting the first flower stalks, the mother plants are cut off and kept for some time in a dormant state at a temperature not exceeding +10°C. Then watering and fertilizing are resumed, and after 3-4 months re-blooming occurs.

Eustoma at home

Potted, or indoor, home eustomas appeared in the 90s. Pots go on sale during the flowering period. Indoor specimens have single-double flowers of blue, purple, mauve or white color. It does not tolerate winter in an apartment well, requires maintenance at low temperatures and has special requirements for watering. It is part of the group of so-called “bouquet” plants, which are usually replaced with new specimens after flowering. When purchasing, try to choose specimens with colored but not open buds.

Diseases and pests

Little damage is caused by pests. When signs of diseases and pests appear, the eustoma is treated with appropriate medications.

Pests: aphids, whiteflies, miners, fungus gnats, slugs.

Common diseases: gray rot, fusarium, downy mildew, root rot, late blight, tobacco mosaic virus. It is necessary to thoroughly disinfect the soil and protect the seedlings from dripping moisture. Seedlings are very sensitive to blackleg.

Growing eustoma from seeds

The development process from sowing to the onset of the flowering phase lasts about three months. For seedlings in February, seeds are sown superficially under film or glass. Typically, eustoma seeds are sold in granules. They are offered by “Kitano”, Gavrish. The best results are obtained by growing seedlings from pelleted seeds in Jiffy-type peat tablets. This facilitates subsequent eustoma transplantation.

For sowing, use light sandy soil with a neutral reaction (pH 6.5-7.0). The seeds are lightly pressed into the soil with a damp toothpick and sprayed with a spray bottle. The technology for germinating eustoma seeds is similar to growing petunia and lobelia from seeds.

Seeds germinate for 10-14 days in a bright place at a temperature of +21...+24°C, then it is advisable to lower the temperature to +15°C.

The crops are periodically sprayed, ventilated once a day, and drops of condensation are removed from the film (glass, lid). If the seed shell is difficult to separate, you can drop a little warm water from a pipette onto the seedling cap. After the first cotyledon leaves appear, usually after two weeks, the film is removed.

Eustoma seedlings are very sensitive to light. Eustoma is kept until March with additional artificial lighting with fluorescent lamps, providing additional illumination for about 16 hours during the day, turning off the lamp at night. The distance from plants to lamps is 34 - 36 cm.

Before two pairs of true leaves have formed, the shoots are sensitive to rosette. Rosettes, similar to cabbage heads, retard and suppress the growth of stems. Such specimens die in open ground. To avoid the appearance of sockets, the temperature during the day should not exceed +24ºC, and at night should not fall below +16ºC. At the sprout stage, seedlings develop very slowly, building up a powerful root system. Avoid overwatering to prevent rot and blackleg.

After 3 true leaves appear (usually after 10 weeks of cultivation), the eustoma is planted in separate deep containers. A 200ml tray is best for maintaining a balance between small sprouts and deep root systems. When transplanting, try not to disturb the roots; take seedlings with a clod of earth. After transplantation, the temperature is temporarily reduced to +16 °C. High temperatures stimulate the formation of rosettes and lead to growth arrest.

The seedlings are watered as the top layer of soil dries, excess water is drained from the trays, preventing the soil from becoming waterlogged. At the first signs of lodging of seedlings and to prevent the disease “black leg”, the seedlings must be treated with “Fitosporin”, and the interval between waterings must be shortened.

After picking, fertilize with a solution of calcium nitrate (20 g per 10 l) or fertilizer for seedlings, for example, Plantafol (NPK 30:10:10) according to the instructions. If you do not start feeding the seedlings, rosette development of plants is also possible. Then the seedlings are fed weekly with complex fertilizer for flower seedlings according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For better branching, pinch the ends of the shoots.

In April, when the temperature approaches +15°C, the seedlings begin to gradually harden, taking them out onto the balcony for a while. Planted in open ground after the threat of frost has passed.

How to grow eustoma seedlings, read a detailed master class with photos here >>>

How to grow eustoma seedlings in peat tablets, see the master class and photos >>>

Caring for eustoma in open ground

Plants are planted in pre-prepared and fertilized holes at a distance of 15-30 cm from each other. When plantings are dense, fungal diseases can quickly spread. It is important to ensure good drainage since eustoma comes from dry areas. Keep the soil loose and weed-free throughout the year. Mulching makes it much easier to grow eustoma.

In the garden, eustoma blooms from July to September. A tall and thin peduncle cannot support multiple large flowers, so it is better to immediately install a support. In rainy weather, the buds get wet and may rot. It is advisable to immediately tear off soured and unopened flowers and faded buds to prolong flowering.

In rainy summers, to prevent fungal diseases in dry weather, treat the plantings with Fitosporin according to the instructions or with foundationazole (1 g per 1 liter of water).

Plants prefer drip watering as the soil dries out. Twice a month, watering is combined with fertilizing with a complex of fertilizers. During flowering, watering increases, reduces the amount of nitrogen and increases the content of potassium and phosphorus.

In dry and long hot summers, it is possible to ripen and collect its seeds. They are dried and used for sowing next year. The exception is F1 hybrids. Their seeds do not transmit parental properties, so there is no need to collect your seeds from hybrid plants.

In warm areas, when growing eustomas in container culture, you can save the rhizome and replant it the following spring. When there is a threat of autumn frosts, container eustomas are brought into the house, where their modest, but still flowering continues. For winter, the stems of eustoma are cut off, leaving 2-3 internodes. In winter, store in a pot at a temperature of +10°C in a cool, dry room, water rarely to slightly wet the soil, and do not feed. Watering is resumed as new shoots grow with the onset of bright days - at the end of February. In the second half of June, when the threat of frost has passed, the plant is planted in open ground. Flowering next year will be very weak.

CARE RECOMMENDATIONS

The plant is grown by seedlings.

It is important to ensure good drainage since eustoma comes from dry areas. Watering - as the top layer of soil dries.

Differences from annual flowers

Since a perennial can only be grown in a subtropical climate, its growth can reach 15-20 cm. An annual can grow in outdoor conditions and reaches a height of up to 1.2 m. Perennial eustoma requires a lot of gardener experience, and growing annual varieties can be done even by yourself for a beginner flower lover.

Long-term cultivation is possible only in indoor conditions.

Why is eustoma compared to a rose?

Eustoma (lisianthus) is an ornamental plant that, thanks to its beautiful flowers, resembles a rose in many ways. Flowers are up to 8 cm in diameter. Eustoma has a straight trunk with branches, matte bluish leaves and no thorns. The height of tall varieties can reach 1.2 m.

Landscape designers use the plant to decorate the garden, and florists actively introduce it into spectacular bouquets. This is facilitated by the fact that even cut plants can retain freshness in a bouquet for a long time.

Popular varieties of perennial eustoma, grown in the middle zone, include the following varieties:

• Russella - large-flowered variety;
• Echo – grown primarily for bouquets;
• Aurora, which blooms early and has double, showy flowers;
• Mermaid - a potted version of eustoma, has a height of about 15 cm;
• Flamenco is an unpretentious tall flower;
• Little Bell variety.

Lisianthus has many varieties that differ in size and color.

Sources

• https://stroy-podskazka.ru/eustoma/opisanie/
• https://stroy-podskazka.ru/eustoma/vyrashchivanie-v-domashnih-usloviyah/
• https://pocvetam.ru/komnatnye-rasteniya/eustoma-vyrasivanie-iz-seman-v-domasnih-usloviah.html
• https://glav-dacha.ru/yeustoma-komnatnaya-vyrashhivanie-i-ukhod/
• https://glav-dacha.ru/yeustoma-mnogoletnyaya-posadka-i-ukhod/
• https://nashgazon.com/tsvety/klumby/eustoma-mnogoletnyaya-posadka-i-uhod-foto.html
• https://stroy-podskazka.ru/eustoma/mnogoletnyaya/

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