With its amazing view, eustoma can decorate any flower bed. Delicate flowers of the plant form a dense carpet, almost hiding the green foliage underneath. A guest from South America not only took root in our latitudes as an annual, but also became a popular garden flower. Eustoma is unpretentious, original and universal in terms of landscape design. In addition, it can be grown indoors and specially cut. Let's talk about how to properly grow eustoma from seeds, where to determine the place and how to take care of the plant in the future.
Eustoma, or "beautiful mouth"
“Beautiful mouth” - this is how the name of the plant is interpreted from the Latin language, consisting of two roots: “eu” and “stoma”. A similar allegorical comparison is associated with the shape of the flower. Currently, in the botanical environment under the name "eustoma" is meant only one specific species - large-flowered. It was appropriated to the plant in 1806 by the scientist R. Salisbury, having seen and admired Lysanthus grandiflora. As a matter of fact, it was he who was loved by gardeners and gave rise to numerous and varied varieties.
The generic name Lisianthus was assigned to these representatives of the Gorechavkov family by the Irish botanist and physician Patrick Brown. Sometimes this merit is mistakenly attributed to Karl Linnaeus. You can also find eustoma under the name of the Texas bell, gentian prairie or tulip gentian.
Legend of the flower
Exotic and vibrant eustoma (planting and care described below) has its own legend about its origin. American Indians tell an old story about the leader of one of the tribes who had a beautiful daughter. She was so beautiful that the spirit of war fell in love with her and wished to marry the girl. She refused him. The deity came into indescribable rage and killed the poor girl. At the place of her burial, flowers of eustoma appeared unearthly beauty a day later. Since then, in Native American folklore, they personify the innocence of a dead soul.
Habitat and description of the flower
When answering the question of how to properly grow eustoma from seeds for seedlings, and then in open ground or at home, you should start with a story about the plant’s homeland, as well as its morphological features. These two aspects largely determine the rules for caring for a flower.
The natural habitat of eustoma is very wide and covers the southern United States, the northern part of South America, the Isthmus of Panama, Mexico, and also partly the islands of the Caribbean.
Currently, the genus includes only three species: this is large-flowered eustoma, or Russell, Malaya and Berkeley. They have certain phenotypic differences, but at the same time they have a number of common features, which we dwell on. Eustoma is a herbaceous plant with a rigid upright stalk, reaching a height of up to 60 cm. From about the middle, it begins to branch strongly, for this reason in color it is an already prepared bouquet. Leaves of oval-lanceolate form of a bluish-green color, matte. The calyx is funnel-shaped, deep, reaching 5-8 cm in diameter. In the natural environment, the petals are deep blue in color. Breeders also bred numerous varieties that vary in color, as well as terry form.
Types of Eustoma
Before you try to grow eustoma in a pot at home or in the garden, you should decide what kind of plant we are dealing with in this or that case. No matter how the sellers convince you about the species, remember that in our markets and in specialized stores so far you can find only Lisianthus Russell (or large-flowered). It is she who is sold with pots in early spring in pots, and experienced gardeners plant her in their gardens. A distinctive feature of the species is blue-green wax leaves and spectacular bell-shaped blue (sometimes white) flowers. It grows in the Great Plains region. Photos of this type are presented in the review.
The second known species is the small eustoma (Eustoma exaltatum). You can see it in the photo above. The flower is simple in shape, five-petalled, a shade from pale purple to violet.
The third species is Eustoma barkleyi, which is a tropical plant. It was first described in 1957.
How to grow eustoma from seeds: seedlings or immediately into the ground?
As mentioned above, eustoma is a biennial plant. However, in the mid-climate, it can only be grown as an annual, and only in the southern regions as a two-year. Sowing seeds can be carried out both on seedlings, and directly into the ground. The first method is most relevant for the middle zone, the Urals and Siberia, the second - for the south. In addition, you need to pay attention to the structure of the soil: if it is heavy, then very small seeds of eustoma will simply be lost in it and are unlikely to germinate. Seedlings by the beginning of June with proper sowing will be already formed and strong, and in July the plant will bloom and will retain its decorativeness until frost.
Sowing dates
The first thing you need to know about how to grow seedlings of eustoma is the timing of sowing seeds. About 5-6 months pass from the moment of their germination to the onset of flowering. And this means that in order to get a flowering plant in June, plant it on seedlings in early January. However, at this time of the day, daylight hours are still short, so additional illumination is required.
If you want to grow eustoma indoors, then the sowing time for seeds can be easily shifted to early March. In this case, additional lighting is not required.
Stage 1: sowing
Quite a lot has been written about how to grow eustoma seedlings from seeds. Inexperienced gardeners are often warned that this process is not the easiest and sometimes it makes sense to think about purchased plants. Growing lisianthus, indeed, is not for everyone. Seedlings are capricious, develops for a long time, and are sensitive to waterlogging. In addition, it should be noted that a bag of seeds (10 pcs.) Of varietal eustoma will cost an average of 40 to 100 rubles. We recommend everyone who wants to grow this flower to choose granular planting material (pictured above) and peat tablets, as in the picture below. This will significantly increase your chances of a successful outcome.
Peat tablets too large are not needed, it is enough to take those that are 4 cm in diameter. Prepare also a mini-greenhouse in advance, for example, from the packaging from the cake. Place tablets in it and gradually add water until they completely swell, drain excess. In the center of each of them, make a small indentation with a toothpick or match and place an eustoma seed there. It is not necessary to bury it; they placed it, left it and closed the lid of the greenhouse. A preliminary study of information on how to grow eustoma from seeds at home greatly facilitates the process and prevents mistakes.
Place the container under the fluorescent lamp. Carry out the illumination on the basis that the daylight hours for eustoma should be about 12 hours. The most favorable temperature for seedlings is + 20-25 ° C during the day and not lower than + 15 ° C at night.
Stage 2: seedlings
In the presence of the necessary environmental conditions, eustoma seeds begin to germinate approximately a week after sowing. Shoots are very small and fragile, develop extremely slowly. At this time, the root system is growing, so they require special attention.
At this stage, it is important to know how to properly grow eustoma from these tiny sprouts. First, monitor for condensation inside the greenhouse and remove it in a timely manner. If water drops fall on the plants from above, then the likelihood of the development of the fungus and their death is high. Secondly, ventilate the container daily. Thirdly, water the seedlings rarely, only when you notice that the tablets begin to settle. Add water to the container and then remove excess.
After the first pair of true leaves appear in the seedlings, one can begin to increase the airing time, thereby accustoming them to the dry air of the room. Around the middle of March, you can stop the illumination and completely transfer the eustoma to natural light.
Stage 3: planting in separate pots
Evidence that peat tablets have become small for the plant will be the emergence of roots outside of them. As a rule, this is visible to the naked eye, and seedlings by this time have 1-2 pairs of true leaves. Do not delay the transplant, otherwise the roots will sprout into neighboring tablets (this happens very quickly) and then they will have to be separated, damage will be inevitable.
When studying the question of how to grow eustoma from seeds, you need to pay attention to preparing the soil for planting. Seedlings require fertile and loose soil with good permeability to water and air. You can use special store mixes designed for violets, or prepare the soil yourself. To do this, you need humus, peat, ordinary garden land of good quality and washed river sand. They should be taken in a ratio of 1: 2: 1: 0.5. Eustoma prefers soil that has a neutral pH, so it’s worth adding wood ash to the mixture in the amount of two tablespoons per liter of land.
The new pot should not be too big, 6-7 cm in diameter is enough. At the bottom, pour the prepared soil with a layer of 2-3 cm and slightly compact it. Carefully, taking care not to damage the roots of the plant, remove the shell from the tablet. Next, place the eustoma in a pot and fill the space with soil. If the roots nevertheless sprouted out and you are late with planting, then do not remove the shell, only cut it in those places where they are least. Compact the earth around the plant, make sure that the root neck is not deepened. Water the plants by directing a stream of water along the perimeter of the pot, and not in the center. The surface can be lightly sprinkled with a dry soil mixture.
Stage 4: Seedling Care
Further care for seedlings is timely watering. It is important not to flood the young plants, pay attention to the condition of the soil and their appearance. Place pots with seedlings in a well-lit area (south or west window). We draw your attention to how to grow an eustoma flower from seeds for open ground and a room, because there are certain differences in agricultural technology.
If you plan to transplant the plant into the garden or you have a tall variety, then another transplant will be required. It should be held in mid-March, for this, prepare pots 3-4 cm in diameter larger than the previous ones.
In the case when the eustoma is being prepared for planting in a pots and then placed in a room, on a balcony, a loggia or a patio, the intermediate stage can be omitted. Transplant the plant immediately into a pot, that is, to a permanent place.
Stage 5: transplant in a cache-pot
Having learned about how to grow eustoma from seeds, and having put all the tips into practice, you can proceed to the next stage. When transplanting eustoma into a cache-pot (indoor cultivation), the requirements for the soil are the same, but for best growth, we recommend adding 1 tablespoon for every three liters of soil mixture of nitrofoska or azofoska. Carefully move the fertilizer to the ground, as lisianthus is sensitive to excess fertilizer and may cause burns.
At the bottom of the pot, be sure to pour a layer of expanded clay 2-3 cm thick. For low-growing varieties, a pot of 15 cm in diameter or width will suffice. Increasing the volume of the pots, add more expanded clay to the bottom. Then pour a small layer of the soil mixture, remove the seedlings from the pot and carefully (keeping the earthen lump) place it in a new container. Fill the voids with soil and lightly compact. Then water the plant and sprinkle with dry earth on top.
A few words about how to grow eustoma at home. Caring for her in a room environment is simple. Place the flower pot with the plant in a bright place, it is not afraid of direct sunlight and will only be happy. In summertime, eustoma is suitable for normal room temperature, in winter - it is necessary to maintain it at 16-18 ° C. Watering should be plentiful, let the soil dry out during breaks. This plant comes from the tropics and prefers moist air, shake it regularly.
For those who want to plant a plant in the garden, this does not end the questions about how to grow an eustoma flower. The most difficult stages (from seeds to large seedlings) are passed. However, you need to save the plants in the open ground, and this also requires some effort.
Stage 6: landing in open ground
After growing eustoma from the seeds, it turned out safely, and you have excellent seedlings, it is important not to ruin them. Do not rush to land in the ground, let the threat of return frosts pass. Dates directly depend on the climate zone, approximately in mid-May - early June. The principles for choosing a place for planting and preparing the soil mixture are the same as for the eustoma grown in pot culture.
The best time for landing is evening or a cloudy day. Plant bushes at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other to prevent thickening.
Stage 7: care for outdoor plants
Basic tips on how to grow eustoma from seeds at home, apply to street specimens. Weeding, watering, top dressing, loosening the soil, pruning old inflorescences are the main points that you should pay attention to.
First, be careful with watering. It is important to find a middle ground, as an eustome is damaged not only by excess moisture, but also by its lack. When plants form 6-8 pairs of leaves, you can pinch the top to stimulate the formation of side shoots. Plant nutrition with complex mineral preparations is carried out according to the standard scheme.
Secondly, weeding and loosening. Procedures are mandatory for all cultivated plants. After watering, do not forget to loosen the soil, but not deep, to provide oxygen access to the roots.
Thirdly, feel free to remove wilted flowers. So the plant will look more neat, in addition, there is a likelihood that after 6 weeks it will bloom again.
In indoor culture, eustomas are less susceptible to pests and diseases, unlike street specimens. Plants are most susceptible to gray rot, the appearance of which is associated with a violation of the water regime. Of the pests, thrips and whiteflies are dangerous. Treat street eustomas for prophylaxis several times a season with fungicide and insecticide.
Can I use my own seeds?
Many beginner gardeners are wondering if it is possible to grow eustoma from seeds obtained from their own plants. He has two answers. First, yes, if your eustomas were not hybrid. The second - no, if the flowers are a product of crossbreeding and the F1 mark was on the packaging. In this case, the likelihood that the eustomas from the seeds will be similar to the mother plants is small, most likely, there will be splitting according to various signs.
Now you know all about how to grow eustoma from seeds. Ampelagic begonia, lobelia and decorative deciduous species will be her wonderful neighbors on the balcony, patio or on the summer terrace. In the garden, she prefers solitude. Monoplants in the flower beds along the curb look especially impressive. Do not forget that eustoma is suitable for cutting into a bouquet. Use for this purpose bushes on which at least 3-4 flowers have blossomed.