Planting time for eustoma seeds. Eustoma growing from seeds at home

Among flower growers, the splendor of eustoma from the gentian family is of particular interest. The legend of the Indians says that for the first time the flower appeared on the grave of an innocent maiden, killed by the formidable Spirit of War, after refusing to marry him. The birthplace of this picturesque flower is North and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

The name in exact translation from Latin means “beautiful mouth”, and in the literary version - “beautifully speaking”. It is also called "lisianthus", bitter flower, Irish/Japanese rose, Texas bluebell, "blooming flower". The color of its inflorescences is similar to the differences in the names: pink, white, yellow, blue, purple, purple or with a border of a contrasting color.

Lisianthus or eustoma.

Upon closer examination of the flower, it is noticeable that its external similarity with rosebuds is complemented by a number of differences in stems, leaves, the number of inflorescences and their structures, life expectancy on the soil and indoors.

Graceful, but strong stems without thorns reach almost a meter in height. Due to the strong branching from the middle of the stem, the flower resembles a bouquet filled with numerous alternately blooming buds. Their number can be up to 40 pieces.

Oval, cylindrical matte, like wax, leaves have a bluish or grayish tint. Lisanthus flower, up to 8 cm in diameter, has a large, deep, funnel-shaped cup. A half-opened bud looks like a bell or a rose, and an open one looks like a double poppy.

It pleases with the bright originality of the inflorescences, from the first summer month to the very frosts. The advantages of eustoma also include a long period of preservation of freshness and flowering - more than 20 days. If it is grown in a winter garden or greenhouse, you can count on re-blooming.

In the open field, the natural lifespan of eustoma is 2 years, but gardeners grow it more often as an annual plant. But lovers of indoor plants manage to make this flower a perennial.

Populartypes and varieties of eustoma

Since the discovery of the charms of this amazing representative of the flora, breeders have bred more than 60 of its varieties, hybrids in different color variations. Therefore, the first step in growing a flower is choosing the right variety. After all, each of them has features of appearance, namely:

• stem height
• roughness or lack of it
• coloring
• degree of germination
• disease resistance, susceptibility to temperature fluctuations and light conditions.

Based on the height, the eustoma is divided into:

• dwarf (up to 50 cm) - adapted to reproduction indoors, on a balcony, covered terraces. This mermaid, littlebell, fidelity, FloridaPink and so on.
• tall (over half a meter), grown in open ground. They are usually meant to be cut. Here, such varieties as Aurora, Echo, Heidi, Flamenco deserve attention.

According to the external structure of the inflorescence, 2 types are distinguished:

• non-terry ( Single) distinguished by elegance, sophistication, elegance of colors. These are varieties such as: Kyoto, Mermaid, Sapphire, Sharm, Laguna, Piccolo, etc.
• terry (double) with large full buds (diameter up to 10 cm) in different colors are presented in varieties ABC, Borealis, Dream (Eсho), Mariachi, Rosita.

We offer a brief overview of the features of the most common variety series:

Simple eustoma:

Terry eustoma:

1. ABC has a white, light yellow, lilac color with pink, purple edging around the edges
2. Aurora refers to a tall species with flowers of white, pink, blue, white color. This variety blooms earlier than others by almost a month.
3. Cinderella attracts with the height of the stem, a variety of mixtures of colors (yellow and pink palette)
4. Echo (tall) are distinguished by plain fluffy inflorescences in lavender, pink, yellow, white tones
5. Pikot, where the leading varieties are Blue, Pink, Wine Red. In this series, high stems, large inflorescences in a bright red palette
6. The tall-stemmed Magic is characterized as a multi-colored super-double variant of the Japanese selection.

Sapphire Series

In this far from complete list, it is worth mentioning the undersized Sapphire series of Russian selection, which is represented both among simple and terry eustema flowers. With a small growth of up to 15 cm, they, not afraid of dark places, delight with their rich colors with pink or blue borders. Very popular varieties are Blue / Pink Haze, BlueChip, Pink Rim, etc.

When choosing, hybrids of the 1st generation are now preferred, which are designated as "F1". Their advantage is increased viability due to crossing different varieties, genetic resistance.

The advantages also include the acceptability of seeds for growing in our climate (duration of natural light, temperature level, good germination, high resistance).

When sowing seeds for growing seedlings, it is important to remember that the period from the first shoots to the beginning of flowering is more than 5 months. Only a month after planting, the eustoma throws out color.

Therefore, seeds should be sown at the optimum time: November-January. Based on the fact that this is a time of short daylight hours, when growing seedlings for open ground, illumination will be required.

If this is planned for room conditions, the sowing of seeds can be shifted to a later time (March) and do without additional illumination.

Seed germination becomes visible after about a week. At first, small shoots appear and develop rather weakly, since the roots grow. This is a period of increasing airing time, adaptation of seedlings to air, increased attention to the state of soil moisture. According to experienced flower growers, it is better to use boiled water at room temperature for irrigation.

About soil preparation and seed selection

After selecting and acquiring planting material, a light soil with a neutral reaction should be prepared in the form of a mixture: equal parts of garden soil with humus of tree bark, peat, sand.

An alternative to its self-preparation can be the purchase of ready-made soil for indoor violets. Before use, the soil mixture must be disinfected: roasted in the oven or doused with boiling water, and then poured with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Given the smallest size of Irish rose seeds, it is recommended to choose them in an enlarged granular (coated) form. The existing shell provides a minimum of protective, nutrients needed at first for these seedlings.

To accelerate germination, facilitate the emergence of sprouts, it is necessary to carefully destroy the shell of the granule by piercing (usually it dissolves itself from moisture).

We select containers for the right sowing

For planting seeds, you can use ordinary plastic cups, food containers with lids, provided that proper soil drainage is ensured. However, it is preferable to purchase seedling boxes, special containers, and even better - peat tablets in specialized stores. To further create favorable indoor growing conditions, you will need a large flower pot.

Before planting, the substrate placed in the container must be leveled, well moistened and allowed to drain excess water. Then make small depressions, “nests” and spread one seed at a time at a distance of up to 1.5 cm from each other, without filling it with soil mixture, but only slightly pressing it. After that, to dissolve the protective shell, moisten the entire contents again. To avoid "spreading" of seeds, it is better to do this with a spray bottle.

This is how the first shoots of eustoma, cotyledon leaves look like

Sowing in peat tablets

Application . So, for example, they should be of medium size with a diameter of at least 4 cm. Before planting seeds, they must be placed in a container disinfected with potassium permanganate and filled with water. After the tablets swell, drain the excess water and push the recesses into them with a toothpick or a pointed match, into which they are spread over the seed. For better germination, its shells can be carefully broken with the same toothpick.

And in this photo, the first real leaves appeared in eustoma

After filling any of the containers, it is necessary to cover them with a transparent lid, plastic film to create a greenhouse effect, put under a fluorescent lamp with “daylight” light, thus providing a 12-hour daylight hours. It is important to observe the temperature regime (during the day - up to 25 ° and 20 ° - at night), regularly ensure moderate watering of the planted seeds.

Eustoma - landing in a jar and in boiling water: video

Eustoma pick

At the picking stage, plants are transplanted into larger containers. A favorable time for its implementation is the early stages of sprout development, since tightening is fraught with damage to overgrown roots. For this very delicate procedure, you will need funds to pry the plants (for example, a thin awl), create recesses (pencils).

After the appearance of 3-4 pairs of leaves and roots on the soil surface, future seedlings can be carefully transplanted into pots with a diameter of up to 7 cm. The hole should allow the root system to be freely placed, and its neck to remain flush with the ground. After moistening the soil with the fungicide, the plants are again covered from above and remain dormant for 2 weeks.

If we are talking about seedlings in tablets, it is necessary to remove or cut the shell. After that, it is necessary to place the tablet with the sprout in a pot and fill the voids with the same soil mixture as when planting the seeds, and then compact.

When 5-6 leaves appear, the seedlings are re-seated. Tall varieties for open ground are transplanted into a more spacious pot from the middle of March, and undersized ones for a room / balcony are moved immediately to the pots. Upon completion of the picking, a decrease in temperature (up to 20 °), shading of plants is allowed.

How to care forseedlingsseedlings

It is possible to achieve successful cultivation of seedlings by following the above recommendations. After picking, caring for seedlings consists in preventing both waterlogging of the soil and its drying; adaptation to air; regular feeding; pest control. To this end, it is important to adhere to the "golden mean" and constantly monitor the development of seedlings.

To do this, pay attention to the following:

• watering should be careful without moisture on the leaves. The best way to moisten here is from below, directly into the tray.
• regular top dressing is carried out every 7-10 days with soluble mineral fertilizers. During active growth, reinforcement with organic matter, nitrogen is required, and in the process of the formation of buds, buds - with phosphorus and potassium
• constant ventilation and elimination of excess condensate on the lids that close the containers with seedlings. This avoids waterlogging, the appearance of pests, damage by powdery mildew, gray mold, Fusarium and other diseases.
• the formation of a dense, lush, compact plant appearance by pinching. However, this shifts the timing of the appearance of the first inflorescences by almost 14 days.

Growing Eustoma (Lisianthus) from seeds: video

Landing eustoma in a permanent place in the ground

The signal for planting seedlings in open ground is the presence of 4 to 6 already true leaves. Before this, you should choose a well-lit or slightly shaded, calm place, not subject to drafts. The preferred places for this southerner will be places in the east or west of the site. The soil here should be neutral, loose enough without prerequisites for stagnant water.

Site preparation consists in digging the soil (for 1 bayonet of a shovel), applying mineral fertilizers with a uniform distribution over the site (azofoska, nitrophoska, etc.). With increased acidity of the soil, the introduction of wood ash or dolomite flour will be required.

"Relocation" of eustoma to a permanent place is recommended to be done during a period when there is no threat of frost, and the night air temperature rises to + 18 ° C. For the middle lane, the last days of the 2nd decade of June are considered the most optimal planting dates.

The best way to do this is to carefully “transship” the seedlings together with a clod of earth in the evening in cloudy weather, observing the required distance between the shoots of about 20 cm. Negligence in this matter due to thin roots can irrevocably damage such still fragile plants.

When planting, try to ensure that the level of backfilling of the soil of the sprouts in the holes is the same as in the pots. The planted seedlings should then be well watered without getting moisture on the leaves. After that, in order to preserve its moisture for a longer time, in order to avoid cracking the earth, mulching with peat will be required.

It is important to remember that plants should not be planted near stone fences, walls, metal fences, which can cause them to burn. To protect against direct sunlight, already a few weeks after planting, it is necessary to cover the seedlings that have not yet grown strong with jars and plastic bottles.

The main conditions for the proper care of these flowers in the summer is to maintain moisture and looseness of the earth, the absence of weeds. After all, overdrying will provoke the drop of buds, and waterlogging will cause damage to the stems and their death. Here it is necessary to ensure the moderation of water supply as the soil dries up. When watering, even drops should be avoided on flowers, buds in order to prevent damage to their appearance, creating conditions for decay processes.

Special means (phytospiron, fundazole, etc.) help to protect eustoma planted in open ground from various kinds of fungi in rainy times. To do this, you can use pre-prepared liquid top dressing with an underestimated concentration.

After rooting seedlings, a month after planting, you can start feeding. You can start fertilizing with any mineral product for flowers that dissolves well in water (Plantofol, Kemira, etc.). When top dressing, do not increase the recommended concentration of fertilizers and the amount of their application. After all, eustoma does not require the intensity of nutrient intake. For fertile, humus-saturated soil, it is enough to do this a maximum of 3 times for the entire season.

An important point is the creation of optimal lighting, ventilation. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the degree of brightness of the light and, if necessary, ensure its dispersion by shading with improvised materials. And yet - a flower that came to us from a humid, warm climate is able to please with healthy growth and colorfulness only in fresh, not overdried air.

Keep in mind that tall Lisianthus varieties need a tie as their own weight tends to tilt their long stems towards the ground. To do this, it is good to install a decorative support that will be in harmony with the color palette of the eustoma and the overall design of the site.

In order to prolong the flowering period, obsolete buds are removed. Those who wish to collect seeds on their own can leave a few of those that began to bloom before everyone else.

Similarly, favorable conditions are created regarding illumination, watering, fertilizing for caring for eustoma, which is also grown in pots on windowsills or balconies. In cold, rainy weather, they, unlike flowers growing in open ground, can be transferred to another place.

Compliance with these rules will allow you to enjoy the fruits of your labor and enjoy the first tender buds of eustoma already in the middle of summer.

Seeing eustoma, you fall in love with it at first sight. She is graceful and beautiful, like a rose, but only much more tender. Many flower lovers, fascinated by her, decide to plant eustoma in their garden. However, she is a foreign guest from the southern regions, therefore she is thermophilic and requires attention. Planting eustoma seedlings is the main way to propagate it. And if you are not afraid of difficulties, and the desire to grow a fabulous flower is great, then we will try to help you.

Eustoma (Eustoma) or Lisianthus (Lisianthus) is a mysterious overseas beauty that came to us from Mexico and the south of the United States. She was revered by the American Indian tribes for her gentle charm. In the wild, eustoma is 30-60 cm high, has matte greenish-gray leaves, and its funnel-shaped flowers are rich blue-lilac in color. Once first in Europe, eustoma was cultivated as a houseplant and did not receive much distribution. Made it popular in the eighties of the last century, the Japanese. Having fallen in love with this flower, they began to select it quite actively. As a result, we have many wonderful unique colors of eustoma, as well as terry forms.

It is believed that there are three types of this plant: large-flowered eustoma (Eustoma grandiflorum), Russell's eustoma or lisianthus (Eustoma russellianum), small eustoma or small gentian (Eustoma exaltatum). But some scientists believe that this is actually one species - large-flowered eustoma.

Eustoma grandiflora
Eustoma Russell or Lisianthus
Eustoma small or gentian small

Flower growers divide them according to the method of use into undersized and tall. Low (up to 45 cm) are used in indoor floriculture and grown in pots. And high (up to 70 cm) are planted in the garden as a decorative element and professionally for cutting.

Eustoma is annual and biennial. But since it is actually a greenhouse plant, in our climate it is most often grown as an annual.

Annual eustomas are widely represented by F-1 hybrids. They form a series of varieties that have a wide variety of colors within each of them. Let's take a look at just a few of the most popular.

Tall:

• "Cinderella" (terry mixture of delicate shades of yellow and pink, 50 cm high).
• "Echo" (dense double flowers are lavender, pink, yellow, white, champagne, peduncle height 70 cm).
• "Twinkie" (non-double series is represented by yellow, pale purple, pink and white flowers, grows up to 50 cm).
• "ABC" (terry series, which has lilac, light yellow and white with a pink and purple edge).

Eustoma tall "Echo"
Eustoma tall "ABC"

• "Flamenco" (non-double flowers have very delicate shades of yellow, blue and pink, grows up to 70 cm).
• "Magic" (super-double series of Japanese selection of various colors of pink, champagne, white and others, up to 80 cm high).

Undersized:

• "Sapphire" (simple and double flowers of Russian selection have a double color - white with a blue-violet or pink border, as well as a solid purple, white, pink, their height does not exceed 15 cm, they can grow in shading).
• "Mermaid" (a series with non-double flowers of white, lilac and pink color, peduncle up to 15 cm).
• "Matador" (representatives of this terry series are the least demanding in care, they are most often white in color, less often pink or blue).

Eustoma undersized "Sapphire"
Eustoma undersized "Matador"

How to propagate eustoma

The easiest way is to buy a seedling in a pot in the spring on the market and plant it immediately in the garden. But this is not cheap, especially since eustoma is very diverse and there is a strong desire to plant several of its species.

Unfortunately, eustoma is so sensitive to root injuries that its reproduction by dividing the bush is impossible. Also, her cuttings do not take root. Therefore, in this case, there is only one way out - growing eustoma from seeds.

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Choosing seeds

Eustoma seeds are tiny, like dust, so they are most often sold granular (coated). Choose the variety you like, just do not forget that it is more difficult to grow a two-year-old.

If you already have a eustoma, then you can collect seeds from it. After flowering, a box with seeds is formed, when it ripens (darkens) it can be cut. Plants grown from these seeds of the second generation in most cases inherit parental traits (differences can be very slight). However, each subsequent generation will have more and more intensifying splitting.

When the seeds of eustoma are acquired, we proceed to the next stage - planting.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

Eustoma develops very slowly; you can see the flowering of this delicate beauty only two dozen weeks after sowing. Therefore, the deadlines cannot be delayed and it is necessary or even at the end of November-December.

Since all eustoma seeds have a fairly good germination rate, and in the coated ones the shell contains a certain amount of nutrients, they do not need stratification.

Sowing soil is prepared from a mixture of sand, garden soil and peat, it should be light with a neutral reaction. From purchased earthen mixtures, soil for Uzambara violets (saintpaulia) is suitable. Before use, the soil mixture must be disinfected. You can do this in the microwave (a few minutes at full power), fry in the oven or spill with boiling water. Additionally, when moistening the soil before planting, use a solution of manganese.

As a container for sowing, you can take plastic food containers with lids, disposable or peat cups, or special cassettes for seedlings. Be sure to provide adequate drainage - holes in the bottom of the container, and if possible, a small drainage layer of small pebbles.

Eustoma seeds need light to germinate, so we simply distribute them evenly over the surface of moistened and compacted soil, lightly press. You don't need to sprinkle them with anything. Spray the sown seeds well with a spray bottle so that the protective shell dissolves better. Then cover the container with glass, a transparent lid or a bag.

For best germination, eustoma seeds need a very bright place and a temperature not lower than 20 and not higher than 25 degrees. It is desirable to illuminate already at this stage. Also make sure that the soil does not dry out, water by spraying water from a spray bottle, or pour into a pan (if the seed pots are in the pan). Periodically do not forget to wipe the formed condensate.

Under favorable conditions, the first shoots will begin to appear in about 10-14 days. They will be very small at first. After spitting the sprouts, the film or glass can be removed immediately. Or you can leave them covered for a while (so that the cotyledons do not dry out), you just need to ventilate them several times a day.

Here is the end of the first stage. The longest and most responsible begins - to grow babies to the state of full-fledged seedlings.

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Seedling care

In the future, your worries about the sprouts will consist in maintaining the optimal daytime temperature for them at 20-25 degrees, and at night - not lower than 16. Also in the obligatory supplementary illumination with a phytolamp (or energy-saving daylight). Seedlings need light 12-16 hours a day. Watering as needed. It is better to water drip, you can use a syringe without a needle or a large pipette for this. To avoid diseases, occasionally use a solution of "Fitosporin" or "Previkur" when watering.

At this stage, beginner flower growers can literally panic, as eustoma seedlings, even with the most careful care, suddenly stop growing. This "sitting still" can last up to two months. Do not worry, this is the normal development mode for this plant. At this moment, an intensive growth of the roots occurs, so the growth of the aerial part of the plant stops. Flower growers should be patient and continue the necessary care for the seedlings.

When 1.5-2 months have passed and the first pair of leaves appear in the eustoma sprouts, it should be dived into separate cups with a diameter of 5-6 cm. Since your seedlings are still small and very sensitive to root injuries, the picking should be carried out especially carefully. You can remove small plants from the soil with an awl or toothpicks. In the new soil, make a depression with a pencil or finger and plant a sprout there. If the picking was carried out correctly and accurately, then in a week it will be noticeable that your "kids" began to develop intensively.

After picking, after 10 days, we feed the seedlings with complex fertilizer. In the future, they need to be fertilized twice a month.

It is especially important for plants to get enough light during this period, otherwise they will be strongly stretched, which will lead to weakening and death of seedlings. Watering gently as needed. Eustoma do not like locking.

After a short time, when your sprouts grow up (approximately in March), it is recommended to carry out another pick in larger peat cups (diameter about 8-11 cm). The use of peat pots in the future will help to avoid injury to the roots. This time, eustoma seedlings need to be transshipped. Do not forget about drainage and soil acidity (it should be close to neutral). And we continue further care until landing in the garden.

When it gets warmer outside, around the end of April, you can start hardening the seedlings, taking them out for a while to an open balcony or veranda.

If eustoma seedlings were grown for the home, then during the second pick we transfer it to prepared flower pots.

Seedlings in peat tablets

A very convenient way is to grow eustoma seedlings from seeds in peat tablets. In them, the seeds germinate better, and the first pick is easier.

Peat tablets about 5 cm in diameter are ideal for sowing eustoma seeds. We put them in a container (you can take a disposable food one with a lid), pour it well with warm water. The tablets will swell in a few minutes, and you can drain the remaining water from the container. Then, using a wet toothpick, put one granulated eustoma seed on each peat tablet. Lightly press the seed into the tablet and sprinkle well with water from a spray bottle on top so that the protective shell dissolves better. Then cover the container with glass or a transparent lid and put it in a warm and bright place for germination. As with germination in the ground, the temperature is 20-25 degrees, additional lighting with a lamp and condensate cleaning. You need to water as needed directly into the container.

When the time comes for the first pick - the first two leaves are formed and the roots begin to appear on the surface of the tablet, then transplant the sprouts along with the tablet into a small pot or glass. This should be done on time so that the roots do not germinate into neighboring tablets. Further care and second picking, as with seedlings sown in the ground.

Planting in the garden

The timing of planting eustoma seedlings in open ground will depend on your climate. The probability of night frosts (end of May - beginning of June) should be completely excluded.

We choose a bright place for planting eustoma, well protected from the winds. The soil should be fertile and light. In highly acidic soil, eustoma will disappear, so if the soil is sour, add wood ash or a little lime. Do not forget to equip good drainage, as stagnant water for eustoma is detrimental.

Seedlings are planted without deepening into the soil (as it grew in a pot). The distance between plants is about 15-30 cm. For tall varieties, do not forget to take care of the support.

Seedlings are watered as the soil dries up, at first slightly warm water is used for this.

Top dressing with complex fertilizers is carried out twice a month.

Dried flowers should be cut off immediately, this will stimulate further flowering. You can leave a few dried flowers for seeds. When they are fully ripe, they must be removed from the box and dried a little on the windowsill.

Eustoma bloom until the end of September. Most often, eustoma grows as an annual. But if, with the onset of a cold snap, it has not withered, then it is cut not quite short (you need to leave 2-3 internodes), transplanted carefully into a pot and stored at a temperature of 10-15 degrees in a cool room. Watering is very moderate, and fertilizing during the dormant period is completely unnecessary. When new young shoots grow, the usual care is resumed for the plant. And with the onset of warm days, they are again planted in the garden.

Diseases and pests

Like any seedling, eustoma sprouts can be affected by such a well-known fungal disease as the "black leg". When a part of the stem turns black in a young sprout, and it becomes weak, then there is only one way out - to urgently remove it. Then, in order to save other seedlings from infection, the soil should be replaced as much as possible and treated with the Previkur solution. Since it is impossible to cure a plant from this disease, prevention is very important here: disinfection of the soil before sowing, timely removal of condensate and compliance with the irrigation regime.

In adult plants, planting density and improper watering, as well as low temperatures, cause diseases of powdery mildew, Fusarium wilt and gray mold. To combat them, various fungicidal preparations are used. Proper care and preventive measures are very important here.

If, aphids, fungal mosquitoes or mining moths, you can treat the culture with an insecticide. Metaldehyde will help protect plants from slugs.

Helpful hints

1. If the seeds do not germinate for a long time, then you can pierce the granule, thereby facilitating the "pecking" of the sprouts.
2. At first, for safe watering of small sprouts, some flower growers recommend using cold boiled water.
3. When feeding eustoma, keep in mind that when growing green mass, the plant needs more organic matter and nitrogen, and when forming flower buds, potassium and phosphorus.
4. To make the eustoma bush more magnificent and thicker, you can pinch the seedlings. However, please note that this may delay flowering for another 2 weeks.
5. Do not plant eustoma near iron or brick walls and fences, as they get very hot under the sun, they can cause burns to a delicate plant.

Growing eustoma from seeds is, of course, a very long and rather laborious process. But many fans of this plant, having gradually gained experience, are now doing it relatively easily and successfully. If the overseas beauty eustoma has won your heart, do not be afraid and be sure to try to grow it yourself. And when it blooms in your garden, you will receive incomparable joy.

The beautiful and delicate eustoma flower is translated as "Irish rose". Recently, it has become more and more popular in our area. Many flower growers strive grow eustoma from seed in order to give the room even more sophistication and decorativeness. Although this flower is increasingly used for bouquets, anyone, even a novice florist, can create such beauty. Learn how to do this in this article.

How to grow eustoma from seeds: proper planting

Eustoma seeds

Seeds need loose, moist soil to which peat and river sand have been added. Such a substrate can be bought ready-made or made by yourself. The best time for sowing seeds is the period from June to October. You will also need small containers for planting. The seed falls inward and is crushed by the earth. To create the optimal temperature, the pot must be covered with a film, periodically watering the soil and moistening the air. And in a few weeks you will have the opportunity to observe small seedlings. This completes the first stage of cultivation.

Further care for eustoma

It is also important to gradually accustom to oxygen, periodically opening the film and letting the flower enjoy the fresh air. Over time, these "walks" can be increased. As soon as the plant grows up, before the appearance of a couple more leaves, it is time to transplant it into a separate pot.

As for caring for an already adult seedling, it is quite simple and does not require special strengths and skills:

The word "eustoma" literally translates from Latin as "beautiful mouth" or "beautifully speaking". The magnificent flower has several other names that are used in different countries and regions: lisianthus (Lisianthus - bitter flower), Texas bluebell, Irish or Japanese rose.

The houseplant eustoma, a photo of which can often be seen on the covers of floriculture publications, belongs to the Gentian family. It is believed that eustoma is a native of the southern regions of North America, the northern regions of South America, the Caribbean islands and Mexico. The American Indians have a legend that tells that for the first time this flower bloomed on the grave of an innocent girl who fell victim to the spirit of war. The proud beauty refused to become his lover.

For Europeans, eustoma was discovered by the Irish botanist and physician Patrick Brown. It is popular among flower growers as a cut flower, since eustoma can stand in a vase with water for up to twenty days, and as an ornamental plant for indoor cultivation. In the latter form, the flower has been cultivated since the mid-twenties of the last century.

Many flower growers dream of indoor eustoma blooming in their house. Growing and caring for this plant raises many questions even among experienced flower lovers. In this article, we will try to answer them. Today there are more than sixty species of this plant, which are divided into several conditional groups.

Growing type:

• tall eustomas, which are most often planted in the garden and in home gardens;
• low-growing varieties are suitable for indoor cultivation.

According to the duration of the growing season:

• annuals are suitable for hobbyists as they are easier to grow;
• two-year - for professionals;
• perennial varieties do not exist.

Flower type:

• simple;
• terry.

plant description

Eustoma has strong stems that can reach a meter in height in open ground. At the same time, they are very elegant, like a carnation. Almost from the middle, the stems begin to branch, turning into a whole bouquet of up to 35 buds that bloom alternately.

Eustoma leaves are lanceolate-oval, matte, as if waxy, painted in a bluish or grayish hue. The calyx is deep and large, funnel-shaped. Flowers can be double and simple (depending on the variety), painted in various shades - lilac, pink, purple, white, plain or with a bright contrasting border.

When the bud is half open, it is very reminiscent of a rose, when the flower is fully opened, it becomes like a magnificent double poppy. Under natural conditions, eustoma is a biennial plant, in garden cultivation it is usually annual.

Growing features

• eustoma needs bright but diffused light;
• the plant needs a soil consisting of equal parts of humus and peat;
• eustoma propagates by seeds, since the cuttings do not germinate, moreover, the very fragile root system does not tolerate division;
• watering the plant should be carried out only after the soil dries two centimeters deep;
• do not transplant eustoma: its roots will not tolerate transplantation;
• room eustoma, the photo of which you see below, blooms better in a well-ventilated room.

Growing from seed

A rather capricious plant is indoor eustoma. Growing and caring for it is a rather painstaking task that takes time. Nevertheless, for those who master the difficult process, it will bring real pleasure. Indoor at home grow their seeds, which are desirable to purchase in a specialized store. The complexity of this process lies in the fact that the seeds of eustoma are very small: in one gram they contain 23 thousand pieces. Seeds purchased in the store are processed using a special technology to increase germination.

Eustoma room: cultivation and care

Sow seeds at home should be in the first half of December. If you do this at this time, then by the end of August you will have blooming buds that you cannot take your eyes off. Disposable cups are used for planting. The substrate should be loose, with a peat component. Soil with the addition of coconut is excellent.

Seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil, which is pre-watered and then sprayed. After that, the cups should be covered with foil and transferred to a warm place (+25 °C). Once a day, the film is removed for a few minutes for ventilation, and the earth is moistened. After one and a half to two weeks, room eustoma gives the first shoots. Growing and caring from this point on becomes more complicated.

The film is removed, and a lamp is installed above the young shoots at a height of no more than 35 cm. When the seedlings reach 15 cm in height, they can be planted in permanent containers. For this, a ceramic pot is suitable. At the bottom, a layer of 3-4 cm spread drainage (expanded clay). Then the container is filled with soil mixture, without filling it up to the top edge by three centimeters.

Care

The eustoma flower covered with numerous flowers and buds is very beautiful. Home care for him is not an easy task for one reason: the plant is in dire need of diffused bright light and fresh air. This need can be satisfied by placing a eustoma pot on an east or west window in a room that can maintain a temperature of +19-22 ° C, with regular ventilation.

It is impossible to spray eustoma, as this can provoke leaf diseases. During the period of bud formation and intensive eustoma, they are fed with complex liquid fertilizers, at the rate of 10 ml per 10 liters of water. It is necessary to remove wilted flowers from the plant in time. Follow these simple rules, and eustoma will delight you in ninety days with repeated flowering.

Watering

These indoor flowers do not tolerate overdrying of the soil at all. Eustoma, which requires regular watering at home, is also afraid of waterlogging, so the soil should be moistened only after the top layer has dried. The plant is watered under the root, trying not to get water on the leaves, at a cool temperature this can cause fungal diseases.

Temperature

For growing Lisianthus, the optimum day temperature is +20-25 ° C, and at night - no more than +15 ° C. If possible, in winter the flower is transferred to a room with a temperature of +10 ° C.

Secrets of flowering

Often, novice flower growers are interested in why room eustoma blooms weakly? Growing and caring for this magnificent plant holds some secrets:

• a few minutes after watering, drain the water from the pan;
• in order for the plant to bloom more abundantly, maintain the temperature regime necessary for it and ventilate the room more often;
• if pests are found on a flower, start treatment immediately to prevent their spread to other plants.

Care after flowering

When the eustoma fades, its stems must be cut so that no more than three internodes remain on them, and the plant is transferred to a cool room (+10 ° C). During the dormant period, the plant is rarely watered, and top dressing is completely stopped. In the spring, after the appearance of new shoots, transplant the eustoma very carefully (by transshipment) into a new nutrient soil and resume normal watering and care.

Indoor flowers eustoma (care): why does the ovary dry?

This question interests many flower growers. It would seem that all the rules for caring for the plant are observed, and it drops the ovary. There are several reasons for this phenomenon. Here are just a few of them.

1. The plant stands in a draft. During ventilation, cold air can cause the buds to fall off, as well as the death of the leaves. At this time, the flower should be removed from the windowsill.
2. Too cold water is used for irrigation: it should be settled, soft, at room temperature.
3. You can not transplant the plant during the period when it has blossomed or gained buds. Even minimal, at first glance, damage to the root system causes stress, as a result of which not only the ovary falls, but also the flowers.
4. Another reason may be low humidity in the room. To increase it, gently spray the air around the plant, avoiding moisture on the flowers and buds.
5. With insufficient lighting, photosynthesis first slows down in the leaves, which ultimately leads to the fall of the buds. Sometimes, it seems that they are ready to bloom, but this does not happen.
6. The ovary can dry even at high air temperatures in the room. Eustoma blooms and pleases with its beauty for a long time at an air temperature of +12 to +15 ° C.
7. Pests can become the cause of the fall of the ovary: spider mites, whiteflies, thrips, scale insects.

Diseases and pests

Indoor eustoma is susceptible to fungal mosquitoes, which are dangerous distributors of fungal diseases, to fusarium wilt, to powdery mildew, gray rot. In the process of growing a plant, periodically carry out preventive spraying with special preparations. But if you still find pests, then do not delay the treatment. The following drugs are effective: Saprol, Topsin, Mospilan, Fitoverm, Confidor. Spraying produce 2-3 times.

As you can see, a rather whimsical plant is indoor eustoma. Growing and caring for it will require some effort from the owners, but believe me, you will be rewarded with excellent results when the eustoma blooms.

Such an amazing plant as eustoma is capable of decorating any bouquet or interior. Growing from seeds, when to sow and how to do it right - all this and much more about this flower is discussed later in our article.

plant name

Perhaps not everyone has heard the name, but the flower itself is most likely known to many lovers. It is possible that it is known by other names. Some call it Lisianthus, others call it the Texas bluebell. Many call or Irish rose. And this is not surprising. The plant itself resembles a rose, although it belongs to a completely different family (gentian).

Historical facts

The countries of Central America and the Caribbean are considered the birthplace of eustoma. A beautiful legend is connected with the appearance of the flower, which is told by the inhabitants of those regions. It says that the flower first appeared on the spot where an innocent girl was buried. She refused to marry the Spirit of War, who killed her for it.

In European countries, eustoma (its seeds in particular) appeared thanks to a botanist from Ireland, Peter Brown. Florists immediately fell in love with the novelty. This is primarily due to the fact that they are able to stand in a vase for more than 3 weeks. After that, in the 20th century, eustoma began to be grown as a houseplant.

What is a flower

The flower of an Irish rose in diameter can reach 5-8 cm. It has several shades: lilac, purple, pink, white. Flower color is not always uniform. Some varieties have a border of a contrasting color. Flower petals can be double or non-double, depending on the species. Eustoma resembles a rose while in the bud stage. When the flower is fully opened, it looks more like a poppy.

The stems of the eustoma are graceful, strong. They can reach a meter height. When grown in a pot, the height of the stem is approximately 25 cm. One branch can resemble a whole bouquet. This is due to the fact that the stem approximately in the middle begins to branch. On one such branch there can be up to 35 flowers. They do not bloom at the same time, but alternately.

The leaves of the plant are oval, matte. They have a bluish or grayish tint.

In nature, it is a biennial plant. Eustoma from seeds at home is usually grown as an annual. When planted in a pot, the flower can grow for several years.

Little secrets of proper cultivation

Consider the main biological features that eustoma possesses. Growing from seeds at home will bring the desired results if the following conditions are met:

• The plant should stand in a place with bright diffused light. It does not like the shade, but it does not like direct sunlight either. In the sun, you can keep the soil until the seeds germinate. In this case, sunlight will further stimulate growth.
• As a soil, it is best to use peat humus and hardwood bark. The components are taken in equal proportions.
• The acidity of the soil must be neutral. At home, the acidity of the soil can be checked using ordinary vinegar. A few drops are poured onto the soil. The appearance of bubbles indicates excessive acidity of the soil.
• The plant likes moderate watering. Do this only after the soil dries out 2 cm deep.

In addition, the plant has some other developmental features. For example, flowering will last longer if you keep the flower in a cool room. The root system of the Irish rose is underdeveloped. Therefore, it cannot be divided, otherwise it will lead to the death of the eustoma flower. Growing from seeds at home is the only way to propagate. Neither cuttings nor division of the root system are suitable. Yes, and transplanting a flower is not recommended.

The problem of growing a plant is that eustoma seeds are very small. In one gram, there are up to 23 thousand pieces. Lisianthus feels great outdoors in the summer in central Russia. In the cold season, flower pots are transferred to the house.

More than 60 varieties of Irish roses are known. But only a few are grown at home. For indoor breeding, undersized varieties are suitable, the height of which does not exceed 45 cm. These include Russell's varieties. In open ground, you can also plant tall ones with a height of 60 to 120 cm. This can be a large-flowered Irish rose.

Seeds of home eustoma are recommended to be selected with the marking F1. These are hybrids that are specially grown taking into account the climate of a large territory of the country. They are not so demanding on the duration of daylight hours, ambient temperature, are stable, and have the best germination rates. The most popular are:

• Varieties of Kyoto, the flowers of which are distinguished by their large size, various shapes and color shades.
• Picot, which belongs to the velvet varieties. A distinctive feature is the long stems, on which large bright red inflorescences flaunt.
• Plants of the non-double variety Mermaid are characterized by a wide variety of bud shades.
• Eustoma Sapphire has a warm shade of flowers with a border on the petals of pink or blue.

These are the most popular varieties that take root well in the climatic conditions of our country.

Planting a plant from seed

In our country, the most popular way in which eustoma is grown is seeds. Usually they do this in seedlings, even if the flower grows in closed ground. This method allows you to speed up the flowering process.

Eustoma (seeds) should mature in a small box that appears at the end of the flowering stage. Seeds treated by the manufacturer germinate better. At the same time, they are sealed in a gel. In addition, this treatment allows you to sow the seeds evenly. In order for the flowers to appear in the middle of summer (July-August), it is necessary to start seedlings in February-March.

Seeds are sown in soil prepared in the same way as for any other flowering plant. It should be sterilized, neutral (pH 6-7), low in nitrogen. Ready-made substrate is best purchased at the store. You can use peat tablets. In such a situation, they must be soaked for at least a day.

Approximately 30% of seeds grow. The rest dies. This is considered a good result. This must be understood in order to avoid disappointment if a small number of seeds hatch.

How to sow eustoma seeds?

They crumble on the ground and are slightly pressed. It is not necessary to cover them with soil from above. Instead, a film or glass is laid on top. But at the same time, it is necessary to leave gaps in order to create air circulation.

Next, you need to provide additional lighting. It should work for about 10-12 hours. For this, fluorescent lamps are used. The temperature should be maintained at plus 20 degrees. At night, the temperature can drop to plus 14 degrees.

Watering should be replaced by spraying. At first (up to 2 months), it may not be needed at all, since evaporating moisture will be enough.

The first shoots should appear in 2 weeks. If this happens, then everything is done correctly. From this point on, the coating is removed. Seedlings are sprayed with a solution of phytosporin. After about a month and a half, the seedlings will already have several leaves. This means that it's time to plant them in individual pots. A container of 4-5 cm in size will be enough. After 3 months, the plant is ready for planting in the ground.

Features of growing eustoma at home

The Irish rose is a very whimsical plant that reacts to the slightest growing conditions. Most importantly, the flower does not like direct sunlight. Therefore, it must be placed in places where sunlight is diffused. The air temperature should be within plus 22 degrees.

There should also be no drafts. But at the same time, fresh clean air is the key to successful plant cultivation.

Irrigation also has its own characteristics. The tap water used must be soft. The calcium ions contained in the water can severely damage the already small root system of the plant. Watering should be moderate. Waterlogging (or drying out) of the soil should not be allowed.

The plant needs to be fed. This is especially important during the period of bud formation and flowering. For this purpose, it is recommended to use ready-made liquid fertilizer, which can be bought at the store.

Growing in the garden

You can plant a plant in the garden only when the frost time has passed. The place for the eustoma should be protected from direct sunlight and drafts. Excessive soil moisture is also not needed.

During transplantation, do not tear the soil from the roots. The flower is carefully removed from the pot and placed in moist soil along with a lump. The distance between plants is about 15 cm. At first, it is recommended to cover the eustoma.

During cultivation, the plant is pruned to form a bush. This process can be started already at the moment when the trunk contains 6-8 leaves.

resting stage

After the end of flowering, a dormant stage begins. Plants grown at home are cut in such a way that 2-3 internodes remain. After that, the plant is transferred to a colder room with a temperature of up to 10-15 degrees. During dormancy, the flower needs only occasional watering. With the onset of spring, new shoots should appear on the plant. After that, the eustoma is transplanted together with an earthy clod into a new pot. Care continues as usual.

Flowers grown outdoors are dug up and planted in pots.

As you can see, eustoma seeds are used to grow a beautiful flower. Photos of plants of this genus could be seen in our article. Proper care will allow you to get beautiful flowers that will become a real decoration of the garden or home.