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 The genus Eustoma (the outdated name of the genus is Lisianthus) includes annual and perennial herbaceous plants of the Gentian family.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.

Types of Irish rose eustoma - brief botanical information

Perennial eustoma is a delicate and luxurious flower that came to our country from Central and South America and immediately won the hearts of many gardeners. In nature, only blue and purple flowers exist, but thanks to the efforts of breeders, varieties of various shapes and colors have been developed.

The flower is original not only for its beauty, but also for its various names. In each country, the plant has its own name: in Ireland - Irish rose, in Japan - Japanese, in France - French love rose, and in Ireland - Irish rose or Texas bluebell. Eustoma is also called lisianthus, which means “bitter flower” in Latin. The flower received its second name for a reason, since it belongs to the Gentian family and contains a large amount of gentianin, genceopecrin and genteamarin. All these poetic names are true and show the love of many countries for this amazing and unusual perennial.

Lisianthus and eustoma are the same plant

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.

In what situations is a transplant needed?

The process of planting and transplanting eustomas is extremely painful and cannot take root in a new pot for a long time. Moreover, at home, these flowers do not grow for long - about two years, so the transplantation process is not advisable. Still, a transplant is needed:

1. When buying a young plant at a flower shop. Lisianthus must be replanted within three days after purchase.
2. In the case when the root system has completely filled the space of the pot. This happens extremely rarely and is typical for adult plants.
3. In case the seeds were planted not in peat tablets, but in a common container.

In any of the options, you need to remember that the transplant must take place together with the mother lump of earth from the previous place of growth.

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 annual and perennial

In its homeland, lisianthus is a biennial plant in nature, but when grown in open ground it is used as an annual plant, since its delicate root system cannot withstand winter cold. This is not surprising if we remember the origin of the flower - there is no frost in its homeland. Although scientists have developed varieties that are resistant to low temperatures, the geography of year-round cultivation of eustoma in the garden in our country is limited (in winter the air temperature should not be lower than +10°C).

At home, eustoma can be cultivated for more than one year, but according to reviews from amateur flower growers, even under favorable circumstances, the plant degenerates after two years and does not produce the expected flowering. Therefore, lisianthus are often grown as indoor flowers for one year and discarded after flowering.

There are many varieties of eustoma seeds on sale for every taste.

The seeds of this flower are almost always sold labeled “annual”. If you want to extend the life of a plant planted in open ground, when frost approaches, you need to dig it up entirely and store it at home. With proper care, there is a chance that in the spring the eustoma will begin to grow and will delight you with flowers for another season.

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.

Growing eustoma from seeds

Growing lisianthus indoors will require quite a lot of time and patience. But if you master this process, you can turn growing eustoma from seeds into a profitable business, since every year it is gaining more and more popularity among both flower growers and gardeners.

Difficulties can begin already during sowing, since the seeds of this plant are very small (there are up to 23 thousand of them in 1 g). Seeds sold in specialized stores undergo special treatment, which increases their germination rate. In this regard, out of 100 such seeds, about 60 sprout. If seedlings are grown for planting in open ground, then the seeds are sown in February–March, then in this case the bushes will bloom in July–August. The soil mixture for sowing is used the same as for other flowering plants, namely: disinfected, with a pH of 6–7 and a low nitrogen content. Fill the container with wet substrate and distribute the seeds evenly on its surface; you do not need to sprinkle them with a layer of soil, but simply press lightly with your hand. Cover the top of the container with glass (film), leaving gaps so that air can circulate. Also, crops will need additional illumination with fluorescent lamps for 10–12 hours a day. In order for the seeds to germinate, they are provided with a temperature of no lower than 14 degrees at night and no lower than 20 degrees during the day. Water the crops with a spray bottle, but only if necessary. At first, you don’t need to water, because the evaporated moisture will be enough for the seeds.

If you do everything correctly, then the first seedlings will appear in about 15 days, immediately after this the glass is removed completely, and the seedlings are systematically moistened with a sprayer with a solution of Fitosporin. After the seedlings have formed several pairs of leaf blades (after approximately 6 weeks), they are picked into separate pots, reaching 40 to 50 mm in diameter. After 3 months, the bushes are transplanted into the garden, and they are taken along with a lump of earth.

Eustoma from “A” to “Z” - a complete guide to growing!

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).

Description

Lisianthus is a perennial, but some gardeners grow it as an annual plant. In nature there are many different flower species that attract with their beauty. Some are unpretentious and do not require much effort when growing, but some require hard work to achieve the desired result. Eustoma is just that case. Most florists are fascinated and attracted by the appearance of flowers, and accordingly they are interested in growing and caring for them.

Lisianthus - simple and elegant

The flowers of the plant are very reminiscent of unopened rose buds. They are small in size, starting from 5 cm in diameter, and are available in a wide variety of colors: from light to dark colors, and there are even two-color ones. They can also be simple or terry. Lisianthus petals seem very delicate and silky. The stem is thin and graceful, it bears many flowers that open sequentially, although there are also varieties where flowering occurs simultaneously, forming a beautiful bouquet. The leaves are distinguished by a semi-oval shape, with a waxy coating, silvery-gray or blue-green in color. Today, breeders have achieved great success in creating new varieties where the stems reach a meter in height, and the so-called potted varieties are no exception, their maximum height is about 30 cm. There are flowers that have an incredible aroma.

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.

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.

Care

Lighting. Brightly lit rooms with some direct sunlight during the day are suitable for placing lisianthus. In the summer, these can be open loggias and balconies. If you illuminate with fluorescent lamps for about 16 hours a day, then in autumn and winter you can also achieve flowering.

Temperature. The optimal temperature for lisianthus in spring and summer is 20-25°C; higher temperatures are poorly tolerated. In autumn, the temperature is reduced, and in winter a rest period is arranged at a temperature of 12-15°C.

Air humidity. Lisianthus does not like high air humidity; spraying can cause fungal diseases on the leaves. Watering During growth and flowering, lisianthus is watered abundantly, as the top layer of soil dries, neither too much waterlogging nor drying out of the earthen ball should be allowed. In winter, when the conditions are cool, watering is carried out carefully.

Fertilizer. During the period of active growth, lisianthus is fed with complex mineral fertilizers for flowering plants 2 times a month.

Transfer. Lisianthus are most often grown as annual plants, so replanting is only necessary when grown from seeds or when propagated by dividing the bush.

It is recommended to sow eustoma seeds from February to August; after sowing, eustoma blooms in 6-7 months. A shrub with straight stems, grown indoors as an annual or biennial. Compact varieties with a height of no more than 45 cm are better suited for indoor culture.

A loose nutrient substrate with a pH of 6.5-7.0 is suitable for them. The pots are low and wide. At the bottom, be sure to provide a good drainage layer of expanded clay.

Trimming. Faded lisianthus stems are cut off, leaving at least 2 pairs of leaves. With good lighting, new flower stalks can grow from these stems.

Reproduction. Lisianthus is propagated by seeds and by dividing the bush.

Seeds are propagated in the spring, sowing them in small pots and sprinkling them with a thin layer of soil. The crops are covered with a transparent film and the air temperature is ensured at 23-25°C. Remove the film regularly for ventilation. Water with a fine spray bottle or through a tray. Shoots appear in 10-15 days. Seedlings are kept in a bright place at a temperature of about 20°C. When two pairs of true leaves appear, 1-3 copies are planted in separate pots. Young plants grown from seeds should overwinter in cool air and light. The first flowering occurs after 10-12 months.

Diseases and pests. Lisianthus can be affected by spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies. Among the diseases, lisianthus is susceptible to gray rot, mycosis, and fusarium.

Eustoma flowers come in a wide variety of colors, from simple to double, and their shape resembles a classic rose.

The leaves of eustoma are bluish in color, elliptical, with a matte waxy texture. The height of plants of different cut varieties of lisianthus reaches 50-70 cm. There are low-growing forms up to 30 cm high, which are suitable for potted plants.

Modern hybrids and varieties of eustoma

Every year more and more seeds of various eustoma appear on sale. Lisianthus seeds have now become available not only to professionals, but also to amateur gardeners. Also sold are cut eustomas with flowers of different colors and flowering plants in pots.

Breeders around the world have developed many varieties and hybrids of eustoma, among which there are spectacular variety series with different flower colors.

For example: - non-double variety series “Kyoto” F1 (“White”, “Picot Blue”, “Picot Wine Red”, “Picot Pink”); — non-double variety series “Twinkie” F1 (white, yellow, pink, light purple); — non-double variety series “Mermaid” F1 (white, lilac-pink, soft pink, blue, purple); — “Sapphire” F1 (non-double variety “Blue Chip”, terry variety “Double White”); — terry variety series “Echo” F1 (salmon-pink variety “Champagne”, “Blue Picoti”, “Pink Picoti”, “White”, “Yellow”, “Lavender”, Pink”, “With a pink rim”, “Blue” ); — terry mixture “Cinderella” F1.

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.

When will eustoma bloom?

Eustoma begins to delight with delicate flowers from about July until about mid-October (of course, it depends on the climate).

At first, the eustoma stem will branch abundantly (from the middle of the stem). Next, many buds form on the branch. Sometimes even more than 30 buds on one branch. It turns out that one branch is already a whole bouquet. The buds open gradually, thanks to which flowering will delight you for almost two months continuously! Of course, if you don’t cut it off first for a vase. But cutting also has a beneficial effect on the plant - the eustoma will begin to grow from the root again and may bloom again if there are climatic conditions favorable for this (for example, the south of Russia).

It should be noted that eustoma is an easily pollinated flower. Over time, boxes are formed in which a large number of seeds with high germination rates ripen. But the similarity with the parent plant is preserved only in the seeds of the second generation. In the seeds of the third generation there will already be a strong splitting of the genetic material, and therefore if it is necessary to grow the same plant from seeds, then you should not use the seeds beyond the second generation.

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.

Lisianthus sowing dates and plant flowering

Flowering of eustoma, depending on the characteristics of the hybrid used, as well as on growing conditions, occurs approximately 15-20 weeks after germination. Therefore, amateur gardeners planning to plant lisianthus seedlings in the garden begin sowing this plant in winter.

In the industrial cultivation of eustoma, sowing is carried out at different times and is possible all year round. For example, to obtain cut lisianthus in May, seeds are sown in August of the previous year, and to begin flowering in August, seeds are sown in April.

Source: https://rostok.in.ua/eustoma-ili-liziantus/

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.

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: mobilmusic.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

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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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Types of eustoma

In home gardening, one single species is most often found - large-flowered eustoma. But even it is divided into dozens of varieties and subspecies of pink, white, yellow or exotic blue shades. The palette is almost unlimited, and this is not counting the multi-colored decorative eustomes.

Eustoma Rosina Lavender

The very delicate appearance of the rare lavender shade fully lives up to its name. This is a very elegant and romantic flower with elastic, dense buds. The textured edges of the petals give Rosina Lavender a certain airiness.

Photo: mobilelords.ru

Eustoma Beppin-San

This elegant light variety of eustomes is interesting due to the unusual shape of its petals. They resemble either feathers or fluffy fringe, due to which they instantly attract attention. The classic Beppin-San color scheme is a subtle gradient from milky white to pastel pink.

Photo: bell-bukett.ru

Eustoma Yellow

The name Yellow speaks for itself - it is a large, tall eustoma with large double flowers. The striking yellow hue made this series legendary in its form. In addition to it, there are several more similar variations - Yellow ABC and Yellow Super Magic.

Photo: 7dach.ru

Eustoma Amber double marron

Not all eustomas are one-color, and this is clearly demonstrated by the two-color variety Amber double marron. The yellowish-light green shade turns into a noble pink. The flower looks much more impressive and expressive than a small tea rose.

Photo: bell-bukett.ru

Eustoma Pure White

The classic white eustoma Pure White is very versatile and unpretentious. It can be grown at home, in a greenhouse for cutting, and in the garden. It has fairly tall peduncles from 60 cm and large double snow-white flowers without interspersed with other shades up to 6 cm in diameter.

Photo: oir.mobi

Eustoma Fringe mint green

Among the varieties of eustoma there are many interesting and non-trivial colors. Among them is the juicy mint-lime color Fringe mint green. It looks very fresh and unusual!

Photo: kkmperm.ru

Eustoma Carmine

Eustoma Carmine is a luxurious large variety with large purple-red flowers. The diameter can reach up to 7 cm, and this is a real find for making bouquets. They retain their beauty for a particularly long time even in a vase after transportation.

Photo: amsterflowers.ru

Eustoma Blue Flash

Blue Flash or “Blue Flash” is one of the most popular blue varieties of eustoma. The stem stretches up to a meter in height, and on top it is crowned with a large double flower. Among the blue and purple varieties, pay attention to Milka Piccolo, Blue Rosita and Blue Corelli.

Photo: travnik.photoweblog.ru

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