Eustoma: a demanding French rose will definitely thank you for its delicate flowers. Perennial eustoma: description, planting and care Eustoma excellent F1 terry mixture

In this article, I would like to tell you and show you what perennial eustoma is - planting and care, photos of buds and inflorescences that simply amaze with their different shades. This delicate and at the same time luxurious flower has many names. Where does the eustoma grow? The plant belongs to the gentian family, its homeland is Central America, but it is also very widespread in South America, Mexico - wherever it is quite humid and warm at the same time. She does not like drafts and sudden temperature changes (and what flowers do they like, if you think so?).

As for the names, they are no less attractive than the flower itself - "Irish rose", "Texas bell", "tulip gentian", "prairie flower". And yet, despite the fact that this botanical name of this genus is considered rather outdated, eustoma is also called lisianthus, which in Latin means “bitter flower”. Since this representative belongs to the gentian family, it is easy to draw parallels. Moreover, the plant itself contains many bitterness, such as gentianin, genseopicrin, genciamarin and other similar derivatives.

On the Internet, on the relevant flower forums and in groups, you can often come across the following question: eustoma and lisianthus - what is the difference? The answer is predictable - there is no difference, this is the name of the same plant.

Eustoma what kind of flower? If we briefly go into the details and origin of the names, then Eustoma - from the Greek "Eu" means: "beautiful", "beautiful", and the same Greek word "Stoma" - means "mouth". As a result, we get a "beautiful mouth" or "lovely mouth" - whichever you prefer.

It is interesting that in each country this flower is called in its own way: in Ireland - the Irish rose, in Japan - the Japanese one, in Mexico - it is generally called the Texas bell, in France - the French rose of love. Be that as it may, these poetic names correspond to reality and once again demonstrate the sympathy of many nationalities for this amazing flower.

Features of the eustoma flower

Not only does it differ in names, but also in the colors of the buds, the shape of the flowers themselves. Representatives of a particular variety essentially resemble a rose. A person far from the world of floristry may even confuse them. Certain varieties resemble in size and shape poppies, double mallow, some representatives of the lily family. Lisianthus stems are most often massive (as, for example, in a carnation), it is noteworthy that one shoot can accommodate 20, or even 30 flowers (and sometimes even more!).

Eustoma - photo of flowers:

The leaves of the plant are not particularly distinguished, they are medium in size, slightly elongated with a sharp tip. But the color scheme of colors, as mentioned above, simply amazes with its multicolor. Red, blue, cream, snow-white, lilac, two-color - with a transition from one shade to another, pink, lilac, yellow - any shades can be eustoma-lisianthus! With its exquisite beauty, this flower can compete with the bride's bouquet - and for good reason! In addition to their visual appeal, these flowers are very durable when cut. Various celebrations, banquets are often decorated with her bouquets, decorative arches are made out. And all because they can not lose their freshness and beauty for 15 or 20 days (naturally, being in water or in a special wet floral sponge).

Irish rose differs in size, stem height. For example, depending on the variety, it can grow outdoors, in a greenhouse, in a pot on a windowsill at home (the so-called dwarf varieties). In its natural growing environment, this plant is a biennial, however, if you want to grow it in your summer cottage, count on the fact that it will be an annual for you. But potted versions of lisianthus are perennials.

Thus, perennial eustoma can exist exclusively in the home (apartment) version. The same factor applies to the length of the stems - tall representatives go to decorate bouquets and all kinds of decorations, and undersized lisianthuses delight your eyes at home, on window sills and flower shelves.

Lisianthus, by the way, is not quite capricious in cultivation and care. He does not require any special "dances with tambourines" even from a novice florist, both at their summer cottage and at home. Naturally, if you take this matter with interest and care, do not forget about watering, adhere to the simple rules and recommendations of experienced florists or neighbors in the country, where it successfully grows and blooms.

Some popular varieties and types of eustoma

The main differences between these colors, of course, consist in the external difference of each variety, in colors and shades, a variety of forms. On flower forums, you can most often find references to the varieties listed below. I would also like to show them here.

Eustoma large-flowered Russell (Eustoma russellianum). It has a straight stem, the bud itself is somewhat similar to a poppy (in shape), the petals can be with or without fringes. It can have completely different shades of buds.

Eustoma Russell, photo:

Lisianthus Echo is probably the most common variety for bouquets. It can reach a height of 60 cm, and the color range of the buds has approximately 11 shades, both monochromatic and with a gradient (one shade, smoothly turning into another).

Echo variety, photo:

Lisianthus Aurora (Aurora) - an early cultivar, reaching 1.5 m in height, double flowers, saturated pink, snow-white, blue shades.

Eustoma Aurora, photo:

The Flamenco variety is a highly decorative species of Lisianthus, also reaching a decent height (about 1.3 meters). It is very unpretentious to care for and also boasts a multicolor bud.

Flamenco variety, photo:

Florida Pink has pink flowers! At least here it is not difficult to get lost in the bright variety. This is a perennial, the shoots of which are abundantly covered with flowers.

Lisianthus Florida Pink, photo:

Variety "Rusalka" (Mermeid) is a potted species with a stem height of up to 15 cm. It is presented in a predominantly blue-violet range (mermaid-sea associations), but sometimes pink and white representatives are also found.

Mermeid variety, photo:

The Little Bell variety may seem quite simple in appearance, especially against the background of some of the lush tribesmen, but this is precisely its charm and touchingness. It is also suitable for potting.

Lisianthus Little Bell, photo:

White Large-flowered (Lisianthus grandiflorum) is probably one of the most impressive varieties. This is exactly the eustoma from which wedding bouquets are made and with which they decorate the interiors of banquet halls. A very impressive and luxurious variety.

Lisianthus grandiflorum, photo:

In fact, there are about 60 varieties of this flower in nature, all of them are somewhat similar at the same time, but at the same time, they are completely different in appearance.

Features of growing eustoma in the garden, collecting seeds

In order for this beauty to feel comfortable and bloom in a violent color on your site, you need to decide in advance on the landing site. It should be sunny, and the soil on it should be fertile. Watering lisianthuses should be done as the upper layer of soil dries up.

Top dressing and fertilization is a matter of course, as in the case of any flowering garden dweller. This flower should be fertilized when it is already firmly rooted in a new place, this happens about a month after the seedlings are transferred to the flowerbed (in open ground). According to experienced florists, lisianthus prefers special complex preparations, similar to those recommended for the vast majority of their flowering counterparts.

How to grow eustoma? Top dressing "Plantafol Growth" or simply "Plantafol" is applied at the very beginning, when the flowers require fertilizers with a high concentration of nitrogen. When they begin to form buds (about mid-summer / August), you can begin to add Plantafol Budding to the root - it contains much more phosphorus than nitrogen. Preparations "Kemira" or "Kemira Lux" will contribute to a longer and more luxuriant flowering. The main thing is not to forget that all such additives must be diluted with water. And, one more important nuance, which is not indicated on the fertilizer package, but is strongly recommended by experienced flower growers - dilute a slightly lower concentration of fertilizer in water than is written in the instructions for use!

The Irish rose begins to bloom in mid-summer (July) and continues to delight the eyes with lush buds until mid-autumn (until about October). As mentioned above, this flower is quite "tenacious", both in cut and in natural form - Lisianthus inflorescences on one shoot may not fade up to 2 months. If you carefully cut the twig, it will grow back and be covered with new flowers. The duration of flowering also depends on the growing region: the warmer it is in your area, the longer it will bloom. For example, in our Kuban lisianthus will bloom for a long time and will repeatedly give new buds!

Eustoma - photo of flowers:

How to collect eustoma seeds

Now let's get to the more serious part of the growing process - collecting seeds and further manipulating them. The seed pods of the flower are formed after pollination. In the open field, of course, plants are pollinated by insects. If you are breeding Lisianthus at home, then solving this problem with an ordinary (soft) brush will not be difficult and will not take much time. As with other flowers, seed pods remain in place of dried buds that have not been removed from the shoots.

Planting eustoma with seeds almost always has a positive result. The seeds sprout pretty well, both those that you managed to collect yourself and those that were purchased from the flower shop.

They are very small in size, those that are sold in the store are already "rolled" in a special thin shell, which consists of components that contribute to better germination and growth of plants. It is most convenient to stock up in advance with special cassettes for seedlings, and even better - peat tablets! In these tablets, the soil mixture has already been selected with a competent calculation of the composition, and it is much more comfortable to plant these tablets later in open ground. And there - see how it is more convenient for you.

What eustoma seeds look like, photo:

Both purchased store-bought and self-collected seeds are most conveniently buried in the soil with a toothpick, as shown in the photo above. Seeds are sown in winter or at the very beginning of spring - most often in February or early March, but there are also frequent cases of successful planting in January.

Eustoma, growing from seeds, how to plant

As mentioned above, for convenience, saving time and effort, you can buy peat tablets, you can also buy a ready-made soil mixture in a flower shop (one that is designed for planting Saintpaulias or violets is perfect).

At the same time, you can approach this process in detail and make up the soil mixture yourself. At the time recommended for sowing, take a light garden soil that should pass water and air well. It should be clean land from a garden plot (without any plant residues or stones), peat and calcined river sand. Put all these components together in equal proportions. Additionally, you can add a couple of tablespoons of wood ash.

To play it safe and be sure that the sowing will be done in a clean earthen mixture, decontaminate the soil - this can be done by spilling the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate or steaming (not roasting in the oven!) a quarter is filled with water, put on fire. From above, earth is poured into a colander and covered with a lid on top. The whole process takes about 1 hour. The hot steam from the water flows through the holes in the colander and kills any bacteria in the soil. However, this method has one drawback - with harmful bacteria, beneficial microorganisms can also be destroyed that help resist future plants. In any case, the choice is yours. Subsequently, the steamed soil will have to be saturated with useful biofungicides, such as "Fitosporin" or, for example, "Trichodermin", "Baikal M1".

It is also extremely important to take into account that sowing should be done only in disinfected containers! It can be like cassettes for seedlings (you can see them in the photo above), ordinary plastic or paper cups. Drainage holes are required for any containers you choose. Not only the soil mixture, but also the pots must be treated with appropriate disinfectant solutions. Even the container for peat tablets should be decontaminated as well.

How eustoma is planted with seeds:

1. We take containers and fill them with a moistened earthen mixture.
2. We put the seeds on top (you can use a toothpick or a sharply sharpened match - for convenience), do not deepen it much, just press it a little into the soil.
3. Sprinkle with water from a spray bottle.
4. We cover the containers with plastic (or thin food) film so that it must transmit light.
5. Then the seedlings are transferred to a bright, warm place with an average air temperature of + 20 .. + 25 ° C. Advice - a south window is perfect for this. Sometimes it happens that the usual daylight hours are not enough for the harmonious development of plants. In this case, fluorescent lamps will come to your aid (i.e. supplementary lighting of seedlings). It is important that the plants do not start to stretch out from the lack of light!
6. Once a day, briefly lift the film and ventilate the seedlings, along the way, gently moisten the soil with a spray gun.
7. With the onset of night, you can move the containers to a cooler room, but with a not too significant temperature drop - this is not a prerequisite, but with the right approach it will not be superfluous.

If you do everything right, then the first small sprouts will appear in 10-12 days. After the eustoma-lisianthus has shown itself to the world, the protective film should be removed, the irrigation should be moderated, the containers with the plants should be moved to a cooler room - with an air temperature of about +15 .. + 18 ° C. This flower is gaining growth slowly, the first true leaves appear after about a month and a half. By this time, it is already worth thinking about diving, although it is usually done two months after sowing.

Eustoma seedlings in the photo:

About diving:

1. Before diving, water the soil in containers with plants.
2. The fact is that even one seed can give 5 or 7 shoots, therefore, at a given time (2 months), the best, strongest representatives are selected, After which it should be very carefully, using a suitable miniature object, to remove the sprouts from the ground, and then transplant in individual pots or, again, in cups.
3. Do not forget about drainage - pour a thin layer of fine expanded clay or even foam balls on the bottom of the pot.
4. Deepening in the soil mixture can be done using an ordinary pencil, and the "operation" of the transplant itself using a metal manicure spatula, for example.
5. Lisianthus seedlings have a very delicate root system - remember this always, not only at the time of transplanting.
6. In the process of diving, bury the plant in the ground up to the very leaves.
7. After that, it is advisable to place the containers with flowers in a shaded place where the air temperature will be about +18 ° C.

In most cases, lisianthus tolerates the picking process very comfortably, so the adaptation period in a new place is successful and the plant begins to grow rather quickly. After two or three months (as the weather in your region will allow), the Irish rose is transplanted to a permanent place of residence - either in a room pot, or on a flower bed, a summer cottage. This must be done carefully, using the transshipment method, together with the earthy lump - there is nothing new here. For this process, it is better to choose late spring / early summer, when any frost is 100% excluded.

Lisianthus after a dive, photo:

How to grow eustoma in peat tablets

If we pay attention to the method of planting Lisianthus in peat tablets, then, I repeat, it is undoubtedly more convenient in all respects. Just take tablets of the appropriate size - for this plant you need a "circle" with a diameter of at least 5 cm. Further, I think, you will figure it out according to the instructions - the tablet is moistened with water at room temperature, swells to the required size, excess water is removed. The seed with the help of tweezers or a toothpick is placed in a specially designed hole, slightly pressed, and irrigated with water from a spray bottle.

Eustoma - cultivation in peat tablets, photo:

Then, too, everything goes as usual - covering with a film (creating a kind of greenhouse), airing, placing in a warm and bright room. Everything is the same as in the case of planting in soil. But when the first small leaves appear, immediately put the pill in a plastic cup. Thus, the roots will not intertwine, and each Lisianthus will be in its place.

Eustoma lisianthus - we plant it in the ground

We already know that it is preferable to choose an unshaded place on the site. About the absence of winds and drafts - too. For planting in open ground, choose a cloudy day or evening after sunset. The month is May or June, when sudden cold snaps will definitely not come. To release the plant from the pot, we use the transshipment method (remember the delicate root system of the eustoma). The distance between the bushes should be approximately 20-25 cm.

An Irish rose Lisianthus is placed in a previously prepared hole along with a lump of earth, lightly sprinkled with soil and carefully squeezed. The hole itself should correspond in size to the size of the pot in which the flower grew. Its volumes should freely accommodate the extracted plant along with an earthen clod. By the way, additional protection of Lisianthus at the beginning of life "on earth" will not be superfluous - on a sunny day, cover the bushes with glass jars or cut plastic bottles. Eustoma blooms regardless of which month of winter or early spring you sowed the seeds. By about the middle of summer, in July, you can see the first flowers of this delicate and graceful flower.

Perennial eustoma - root planting

Due to the fragile and vulnerable root system, this plant cannot be propagated by dividing the bush into fragments or by cuttings (they do not germinate). As a last resort, ready-made seedlings can always be purchased in the appropriate flower shops. It reproduces only by sowing seeds, by growing seedlings - and nothing else. Lisianthus roots do not tolerate replanting, any sudden or incorrect movement can ruin the plant!

Sometimes it happens that novice growers under the concept of "Perennial Eustoma - planting by the root" mean precisely the division and subsequent planting of separated roots. Here it is necessary to clarify this small misconception, under the phrase "planting by the root" the usual action of transferring a plant into open ground with a "native" earthen lump and, naturally, roots formed in it, is often used. These two concepts should not be confused.

Eustoma - when to sow seedlings in an apartment?

The main thing is to remember all the nuances, temperature conditions, backlighting (especially in winter) - and you will succeed. For potting at home, low-growing (dwarf) varieties of Lisianthus are used. The plant will feel more comfortable on those windows that face the east or west side. Bright, slightly diffused lighting is what is needed for a room eustoma, but on the south window, especially at noon, it is better to arrange light shading. There is a high probability that the Irish rose on the north window will not be able to develop harmoniously and may wither away from lack of sunlight. If you purchased a ready-made flower in a store, give it time to adapt, do not expose it immediately to direct sunlight, so that the leaves and flowers do not burn.

Make sure that when watering, water does not get on the flowers and buds, otherwise decay will not take long. In general, when watering, try to adhere to the golden mean - do not let the soil dry out, but also do not overmoisten it too abundantly. The optimal soil condition for irrigation at home is the formation of 1.5-2 cm of a dry upper layer of soil mixture in a pot. There should always be drainage in containers for a given plant; fine gravel, clean disinfected small pebbles or fine gravel can be placed on the bottom. In general, according to observations, home eustoma-lisianthus gives flowers best and feels comfortable in a slightly cool, well-ventilated room.

Remember the love of Lisianthus for light and light shade, the east or west sides of the site are the best places for its growth. Water it sparingly, but regularly, while watering, do not wet the foliage, so as not to provoke the appearance of gray mold and harmful fungi. Irrigation is no longer necessary for an adult flower, and water for irrigation, ideally, should be soft or settled. When the air temperature drops, the volumes of water for irrigation should be reduced. Sometimes, after planting in the ground, some gardeners recommend covering the plants with large plastic cups or cut plastic bottles for the first couple of weeks. It is recommended for flower adaptation, getting used to a new place of residence, protection from drafts and winds, as well as to retain moisture in the upper soil layer.

After the eustoma-lisianthus fades, it begins a dormant period, life processes slow down and the plant seems to "fall asleep", stops growing. By this time, fertilizers should be completely eliminated, watering should be minimized, in a word - to give the flower a rest. In order for the Irish rose to delight you with its splendor next year, be sure to cut off all the branches, leaving at most two or three main tillering points (branching).

Eustoma - growing, summing up

Wherever she grows up, she needs to create a comfortable environment. On the site or at home, in the room - it should be good, then it will bloom and smell, please you with a healthy look. This plant is capable of producing flower stalks throughout the entire flowering period, if the shoots are not cut at the root. But in warm regions, even such radical pruning can lead to the re-development of stems and flowers on them.

Perennial tall eustoma will decorate your site and the surrounding area, it will harmoniously combine with other flowers and shrubs, will remain fresh for a long time and will perfectly tolerate transportation in cut form, if the situation requires it. Low-growing varieties will become a bright decoration of your home, balcony, window sill.

It must be remembered that the Irish rose is a plant that will inevitably wither away without moisture. Drying out of the soil should not be allowed in any case. Excessive waterlogging will also not lead to anything good - the plant will begin to ache, the roots may rot. Plowing the ground around the flower should be done carefully (remember the delicate roots), we naturally remove the weeds.

Reading, getting acquainted with all the nuances, it may seem that this is too troublesome business, and the lisianthus eustoma itself is a capricious and characteristic plant. In fact, this is not at all the case, any green inhabitant we cherish and cherish requires attention and care, sometimes individual. Trees, shrubs, any plants and flowers are creatures of nature, they are alive and also need comfortable living conditions. And the beautiful eustoma is not so different in terms of avoiding her neighbors with roses, fragrant hyacinths, surfinias and other decorations of our gardens and plots. There is hardly a florist or summer resident who does not like perennial eustoma with its delicate beauty, planting and care, photos of various varieties and shades will not leave anyone indifferent!

Flowers that look like roses - eustoma

Eustoma (and also the "Irish rose" or lisianthus) is considered one of the most beautiful houseplants. To some growers, it resembles a miniature version of a rose, to others it seems like a colorful poppy. In this material, you will learn about the features of growing eustoma at home.

Indoor views

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

• Large-flowered eustoma. It is the most common variety and is 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 "Riddle". 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. Inflorescences are small, funnel-shaped, most often of a light shade.

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

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

Among domestic plants, eustoma is considered a very finicky lady. Not all conditions are suitable for growing this flower indoors. Here are the main points to look out for for those wishing to grow such a flower.

Temperature and humidity

Unfortunately, eustoma cannot be called a frost-resistant flower - these plants can get sick and dry out even from minimal drops in temperature. In addition, the temperature in the room, as well as the level of humidity, affect not only the immunity of eustoma, but also the development of dangerous fungal diseases.

If we talk about optimal temperature values for growing seedlings of this plant, they should not fall below + 22-23 degrees... If we are talking about the night time, then slight fluctuations in temperatures are allowed here - not lower than +18 degrees Celsius.

The same requirements apply to water for irrigating eustoma - it should be exclusively at room temperature. If we talk about the level of humidity, then it should be moderate - no more than 50-60%. To increase it, containers with water are installed near the plant pot; alternatively, you can resort to regular spraying of the soil near the flower, without touching its leaves and buds.

In any other conditions, and especially with high or low humidity levels, the immunity of eustoma becomes defenseless against fungal diseases that adore large amounts of moisture.

The soil

If we talk about the type of soil for growing healthy and beautiful eustoma at home, then the purchase option is best suited - ideally, this is the soil for growing violets.

You can create a substrate for growing eustoma yourself. The composition of the optimal soil for growing lisianthus at home should consist in equal proportions of peat, humus, river sand and meadow land.

Particular attention should be paid to the acidity of the selected soil - it is better if it is weak or neutral. To neutralize high acidity, lime or chalk is added to the soil.

If you do not know how to determine the acidity of your soil, you can use the following scheme: just drop a little vinegar on a piece of selected soil. If after that the soil began to bubble a little, this means that it contains some amount of lime, and you are dealing with slightly acidic or neutral soil. If bubbles are absent or weakly manifested, you are dealing with acidic soil, where there is practically no lime and reactions with the release of hydrogen oxide are impossible.

Regardless of the type of soil chosen, a drainage layer made of pebbles or expanded clay must be placed on the bottom of the tank. Since eustoma does not tolerate stagnation of moisture, drainage is needed to remove it from the roots.

Choice of containers

The choice of capacity when growing eustoma too is very important and includes several subtleties, which will be indicated below.

• To grow healthy and beautiful eustoma, plastic pots are best. It is in this case that the use of clay pots is optional.
• Regarding the size of containers for these plants, it is better to choose medium containers with a shallow depth. In this case, the depth should be sufficient to establish a high-quality drainage layer on the bottom of the container. Such requirements for the size of the pot relate to the special preferences of this flower. The flowering period of eustoma begins only when the root system of the flower touches the walls.
• Choose only containers with holes for moisture removal. If we are talking about plastic containers, these holes can be made by hand.

Growers believe that peat pots or peat tablets are best suited for growing eustoma at home. The latter are small washers made of tightly compacted peat, which swells with moisture.

The advantages of such tablets are obvious - they contain essential vitamins and minerals for flower growth and can later be planted in large pots without picking.

Lighting

In order for the eustoma to feel comfortable, this flower needs a lot of sunlight. In addition, the flowering period of this culture falls precisely in the winter period, and therefore the eustoma will require excellent lighting even in winter.

When choosing a place to install eustoma pots, you need to focus on open areas on the south side of the apartment. If in winter, autumn or spring the plant does not have enough natural light, artificial lighting is provided to the flowers using phytolamps.

If we talk about Lisianthus seedlings, then for its active growth you need at least 10 hours of good lighting. When choosing a place, it is best to select window sills or loggias, however, the place should be free of drafts, and direct sunlight should not fall on the plant. They can burn the leaves of the plant and make the buds pale.

Despite the light-loving nature, indoor eustoma prefers coolness more than heat, therefore, such plants are advised to be taken outside in pots in summer, placed on an open loggia or balcony with good ventilation, but without drafts.

Care features

Indoor eustoma can hardly be called a picky plant - caring for this flower includes many small but important nuances, if not observed, the eustoma can simply wither.

Watering

In the case of Lisianthus seedlings, watering should be moderate rather than abundant. It will be better if the plant receives less moisture than to suffer from stagnant water. When watering the eustoma, you need to focus on the drying of the soil in the near-stem circle of the flower. Watering is carried out if the soil has dried to a depth of 2 cm.

The watering procedure itself will be most reasonable in the evening or in the morning. When watering, try not to get water on the leaves of the seedling, so as not to provoke burns.

Particular attention should be paid to the temperature of the water - it should be warm, settled.

As for very young eustoma seedlings, watering is carried out at least 1 time a week - the container with flowers is covered with a film or glass to form a favorable microclimate and temperature. After abundant watering, condensation will form on the film, which must be removed immediately.

If the seedlings are grown in peat tablets, water is added to the container with the tablets, and not to the plates themselves. Since the tablets are a thin layer of earth, watering is carried out immediately after they dry.

When the dormant period begins for the flower, the number of watering should be reduced to 1 time per month.

Top dressing

For abundant flowering and strong immunity, eustoma simply needs nutritious and regular fertilizers. Liquid types of fertilizers with a large amount of potassium and phosphorus are best suited for feeding this crop.

When applying a certain fertilizer to the soil, determine the required doses, which should be indicated on the package.

The very first feeding of this plant is carried out at the time of the first emergence of seedlings - this happens approximately 2 weeks after planting the seeds in the container. The first feeding must necessarily include fertilizers containing nitrogen - it stimulates root growth and increases the amount of greenery. Potash and phosphorus fertilizers should be applied to the soil after transplanting into a permanent pot (after picking or when the seedlings have 5-6 full leaves).

All other feeding of this flower should take place only during certain important periods of growing seedlings: during flowering, after an illness or during active growth. During the dormant period, fertilizers cannot be applied to the soil.

Dormant period

The dormant period is considered to be the time period after the flowering of the eustoma. During this process, the flower is cut off and then transferred to a room with a low temperature (not higher than +15 degrees). The frequency of watering at this time is reduced to 1 time in 3 or even 4 weeks. Any feeding and fertilization during this period is not applied to the plant pot.

Pruning

This procedure is not carried out by all breeders, which is a serious mistake. Timely pruning of eustoma helps to get rid of dry branches and buds, which stimulates the growth of new flowers and has a beneficial effect on the decorativeness and appearance of the plant.

When pruning this flower, it is important to leave a few internode shoots intact. Pruning is carried out after the onset of the dormant period.

How to grow from seeds step by step?

Most often, eustoma is grown from seeds with the help of peat tablets, and therefore it will be useful to consider this planting method step by step. From the point of view of plant breeders, this method is considered the safest, since in the future such tablets can be transferred directly into a permanent container without diving. Below we will consider the features of a Lisianthus transplant.

Landing

For such a procedure, you will need a plastic pallet and a metal grate with small windows. The grate is needed in order to keep the peat tablets directly above the water and not allow moisture to linger at the roots of the sprouts.

• The tray is filled with water or a solution containing a growth stimulant. Here you can also add other mineral or nitrogen fertilizers, as well as protective agents that disinfect the soil.
• The tablets are placed on the grid in such a way that the grid itself barely touches the surface of the water. The tiles should be placed on a lattice at a distance of 5–7 cm from each other - this is necessary so that the fungus from diseased flowers does not spread to other seedlings.
• As soon as peat tablets swell from water, planting material should be sown. Up to 3 potted eustoma seeds can be planted in one tablet.
• The first shoots should appear in about 2 weeks. Strong shoots with developed leaves remain in the tablets, weak, diseased or underdeveloped ones are removed.
• A container with a grate is installed in a warm room with diffused light and covered with a film or glass on top to create a favorable level of humidity.
• Every day, the container with seedlings is ventilated, while drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations should be avoided. Watering is done only if the tablets dry out.
• The shelter is removed from the container as soon as 4 full and healthy leaves appear at the seedlings. As soon as there are 5, 6 or more leaves, the sprouts are placed in separate containers for permanent storage. At the same time, peat tablets are transferred to a new place together with the plant.
• The procedure for planting seeds and subsequent transplantation to a permanent place is carried out in the evening.

Transplant from a temporary pot

Unfortunately, transplanting eustoma is very painful and cannot take root in a new place for a long time. In addition, these plants are usually grown at home for no more than 2 years, and therefore transplanting as such is impractical. Usually, eustoma transplant is carried out only in 3 cases.

• When buying an eustoma in a store, the flower will need to be transplanted within the first 3 days.
• In rare cases, the root system of an adult flower fills the entire pot or container, forcing the owner to look for larger pots for further growing the flower.
• If eustoma seeds were planted not in pots, but in peat tablets or in large common containers, transplanting is also required.

In any case, the transplantation procedure should take place only by the transshipment method - this means that the plant is transplanted to a new place along with the mother's lump of earth from the past pot. In the new place, the same conditions of care must be observed (the same lighting, the same regular watering and the outside temperature of the room), while top dressing of the soil is required to make it easier for the plant to take root.

To make the transshipment as painful as possible, the flower is taken out of the pot with the help of a garden spatula.(remember to hold the bottom of the roots). To make the plant more free from the pot along with a clod of earth, it should be watered abundantly.

During transplantation and getting the maternal coma, try to have minimal contact with the flower stem and root neck.

How to propagate by cuttings?

There is a very common myth that Lisianthus can be propagated by cuttings. Unfortunately, cuttings of these flowers are not able to germinate in a new place and do not form an independent root system. The same problem applies to reproduction by dividing the bush - the separated parts of this plant do not take root in new conditions and rot.

You should not believe sellers who guarantee that it is their variety of room eustoma that is propagated by cuttings - most likely, this is the most common deception, which only inexperienced gardeners are bought for.

Diseases and pests

In addition to increased requirements for care, eustoma does not have a particularly strong immunity, which is why it becomes a frequent target for pests and fungal diseases. Most often, the plant is affected by the following ailments.

• The flower withers. A wide variety of reasons: from insufficient watering and irregular feeding to the development of a fungal disease.
• Gray spots. The cause of the appearance of gray spots with a characteristic fluff can be the so-called gray rot - a fungal disease that spreads very quickly throughout the flower and infects the plants standing nearby.
• Lack of flowering. A small number of buds or their complete absence indicates a lack of sunlight.
• Sharp wilting and yellowing. Excess sunlight or regular drafts.

A very beautiful flower, it is now gaining popularity among many indoor plant lovers. Eustoma ("Irish rose", "Texas bell", "beautiful mouth") has strong stems up to a meter high, one can have up to 35 flowers. The color of the petals is varied, from almost white to purple, from monochromatic to with various combinations. In the ground, flowers can be grown as biennial or annual plants. At home in pots, the flower feels great for several years.

Before you start growing a flower from seed, it will be very useful to get acquainted with its biological characteristics. Such knowledge will allow you to avoid some mistakes, increase the chances of success in the business you have started. We will give beginner flower growers one piece of advice - if your seeds did not sprout in the first year, do not lose heart. Analyze your actions carefully, find mistakes and start over. Be sure that the result will justify all your efforts.

1. Plants love even, diffused light. Do not keep it in the shade as well as in the sun. Sunlight is useful only during seed sprouting, its rays stimulate the awakening of sprouts.
2. The optimal soil is equal parts mixed with humus from the bark of deciduous trees (you can take coconut) and peat.

Important. Check acidity carefully, it should only be neutral.

How to check the acidity of the soil at home? Very simple. Place a few drops of vinegar on the soil to be examined. If bubbles begin to appear, it means that a chemical reaction is taking place between vinegar and lime in the ground, the soil is neutral or slightly acidic. In acidic soil, the presence of "own acid" has already used up all the lime, chemical reactions with the release of hydrogen oxide do not occur.

1. Do not try to propagate eustoma by cuttings, they will never give a root system. The method of dividing one bush into several will not work either. Even on large plants, the root system is so underdeveloped that it will not tolerate any separation, both bushes will certainly die. For the same reason, the flower cannot be transplanted.
2. In order to increase the flowering time at home, the plant should be kept in a cool room.

Consider these features of plant development and avoid annoying troubles.

In nature, there are more than 60 plant species, but only a few are used for breeding. For indoor breeding, it is recommended to take low-growing species with a height of no more than 45 centimeters, and for a garden or flower beds, you can take tall ones with a height of 60-120 cm.

It should be noted right away that this is a painstaking task, the seeds cannot always sprout. Reason: violation of the recommended agricultural technology or poor quality seeds. It is very important to purchase seeds only from trusted, reputable distributors. One of the difficulties is that the seeds are very small, in one gram, on average, there are more than 20 thousand pieces. In addition, they have a very low germination rate, if about 30% of the planted seeds grow, then such an indicator is considered a great success.

Important. The germination rate of treated seeds does not exceed 40%, although producers claim that this figure is 60%. Untreated seeds in many cases will not sprout at all, do not purchase them, do not waste time.

If you plan to plant plants in the garden, then you need to deal with seeds in February or early March. Specific dates are selected depending on the climatic characteristics of the area with the expectation that flowers appear in July – August.

How to get the most out of seed growing?

Step 1. Substrate preparation. There is only one recommendation here - use the purchased one. It must be sterilized, neutral or slightly acidic in acidity.

You can also use peat tablets, before that they need to be soaked for at least a day.

Step 2. It is advisable that the seeds are processed by the manufacturer and sealed with a special gel. This not only significantly increases the percentage of germination, but also allows you to evenly sow seeds into the soil.

Step 3. Sow seeds into the prepared substrate. The earth should be moist, but not soaked, soft in structure. In no case do not sprinkle the seeds, just press them lightly to the ground. It is necessary to water only with a sprayer, make sure that the seeds do not "fall" into the ground.

Step 4... Cover the container with plastic wrap or plastic bag. It is recommended to leave small gaps through which air will circulate. Seeds germinate in 14-15 days, be patient.

Important. Light has a great influence on the germination of eustoma; it serves as a natural stimulator to awaken life processes. In this regard, the use of artificial light is mandatory, the duration of the light period should be approximately 12 hours per day. Place the containers in such a place that the daytime temperature is not less than + 20 ° С, and at night not less than + 14 ° С. Temperature parameters are very important when growing plants from seeds, their violation often becomes the reason for the complete absence of seedlings.

Step 5. As soon as shoots appear, immediately remove the film, as the substrate dries, spray with a solution of phytosporin.

Step 6. After one and a half to two months, the plants should have several pairs of true leaves, at which time you can start diving. The height must be at least 4–5 centimeters. Do the procedure very carefully, the root system of plants is underdeveloped, the roots are easily injured or torn off.

Step 7. Two weeks before planting eustoma in open ground, you should start the hardening procedure. Do this gradually; in the early days, expose it to the open air for only a few hours. Avoid direct sunlight. Hardening should be done only in warm weather.

Step 8. If the plants are planted in open ground, then you should first prepare the place: loosen the soil, weed the weeds, water.

If you want the eustoma to bloom in the room in winter, then the timing of sowing seeds should be postponed to July – September. The cultivation technology is no different from the one described above.

Important. The amount of water during irrigation should be carefully monitored. Pay attention to the fact that the leaves must dry up by the evening.

Rotting of the root system (black leg) is almost not treated and in most cases causes the death of plants.

Tips for caring for plants at home

The plant is quite capricious and reacts very quickly to deteriorating conditions. Fresh air is always needed, but drafts should not be allowed. In addition, flowers do not like direct sunlight; choose the location of the pots in such a way that the light is diffused. The optimum temperature is about + 22 ° C.

As for irrigation, water from city networks should be defended for at least a day. The root system does not react well to the presence of a large amount of calcium ions in the water, it is recommended to water it with soft water. Waterlogging and drying out of the soil become stress for plants, such situations should not be allowed. During an intense growing season, especially during bud formation and flowering, plants need to be fed. It is better not to experiment on your own, but to use purchased liquid fertilizers. Follow the instructions for use, do not exceed the recommended rates. If all the care recommendations are followed, then there is hope that in about three months you will be able to enjoy new flowers.

How to grow eustoma in the garden

Only transfer plants when the frost risks have completely disappeared. The place should be cozy: no scorching sun rays and drafts. The ground should not have excessive moisture. It is better to water the soil, it is easier to deal with these problems, but it is much more difficult to deal with excessive moisture.

It is recommended to cover delicate and weakened plants with cut plastic bottles immediately after planting. During transplantation, in no case tear off a clod of old earth from the roots. Very carefully remove the eustoma from the container; before that, moisten the earth a little. The plant sits in the prepared hole along with a lump of earth. The distance between individual plants is approximately 15 centimeters. If you have taller varieties, then the distance needs to be increased.

There are several "secrets" with which you can increase the number of flowers on one stem and extend the flowering time.

Each advice must be used wisely, be sure to take into account the peculiarities of plant growth. If you decide to grow flowers for sale, then the technology changes somewhat. The closest attention is paid to compliance with watering and feeding regimes. Breeding in greenhouses makes it possible to regulate important parameters of the microclimate, and fully automate the control of soil moisture and the frequency of irrigation. Flowers are cut to the roots, and then new generations are grown.

Dormant period

For the winter, the plant significantly slows down its vital activity. After the flowers have completely fallen off, the stems should be cut off, while leaving up to three internodes. There is almost no need to water; plant pots should be kept in rooms with temperatures no higher than + 15 ° C. In the spring, the plant begins to wake up. As soon as the first signs of resumption of vital activity become noticeable, the eustoma must be carefully transplanted into a new container and the normal care regimen resumed.

Unfortunately, the withdrawal of flowers from the dormant period will not always be successful, especially for novice florists. To always have beautiful flowers in the room, keep seeds in stock. Plants have not come out of winter - start growing from seeds.

Diseases

Aphids and spider mites are dangerous for indoor plants. These pests can appear from other plants located in the same room. If you closely monitor their condition, then the eustoma will be healthy. Prevention measures are well known to everyone: plants are treated with drugs with antiseptic action.

Video - How to grow eustoma from seeds

Let's talk about how to grow tender eustoma in your garden. When we first see this flower, we are amazed at its impeccable resemblance to a rose! Eustoma can be of various colors and heights, low - up to 15 cm for borders, high up to 110 cm - for a cut. One stem has up to 30 flowers, which bloom for a long time and stand well when cut.

Eustoma blooms from mid-summer to early autumn. But when the cold begins, you can plant a bush with a flower in a pot and admire its flowering on the windowsill for another month.


So you want to have this unusually beautiful flower for yourself! But when you start to study the question of how to grow eustoma yourself, one gets the impression that this is a very capricious flower with which there is a lot of trouble.

5 tips from experienced gardeners on how to grow eustoma.

As soon as you start growing eustoma in your country house, you will be surprised how easy it is to deal with it! Eustoma today is the most fashionable cut flower, and if you master the little tricks, you will not only decorate with this luxurious flower, but you can easily realize its excess. Professional advice from florists who grow this flower on a large scale from year to year will help us to understand the peculiarities of its cultivation and make friends with this fantastically beautiful flower.

1. Plant the eustoma on April 1st.

One of the main inconveniences for newcomers to growing eustoma is that it grows slowly. In order to see flowers in July, seeds are planted for seedlings in December-January. And if you have not yet encountered the sluggishness of this beauty, then you will feel it on your own experience in the very first year.


Less well known is another important fact that although the flowers of the plant love the sun and do not tolerate cold weather, its roots thrive and thrive in cool weather, resulting in a strong, generously flowering bush.

Experienced flower growers recommend planting eustoma seedlings in the ground on April 1, regardless of the spring weather. Tiny rosettes of leaves hug the earth and are therefore well protected from frost. If the weather is extremely cold, you can cover the planted seedlings with foil, but this is extremely rare.
This early planting gives the plants ample time to grow before the sweltering summer heat, and also gives them a slight time advantage over the tenacious summer weeds.

How to grow eustoma from seeds.

And although most summer residents grow their seedlings themselves, experienced florists advise to abandon this approach for eustoma and buy seedlings - this way you will save both time and nerves. But if you do not have such an opportunity, we will tell you how to grow eustoma yourself from seeds.


The seeds of this flower are similar to petunia seeds - very small, covered with a dense shell.

• We sow eustoma from late February to mid-March... Do not delay, if you sow the seeds at the end of March, you may see flowers only in August. The February seedlings will bloom in July.
• It is better to take Soil for violets as soil for seedlings.- it contains the acidity we need and a small percentage of nitrogen.
• Temperature for germination of seedlings +20 degrees during the day and at least +14 at night.
• Be sure to highlight the seedlings so that its daylight hours are at least 12 hours, because the plant is light-loving and the seeds germinate in the light. It is better to use a special phytolamp for this.
• Planting containers the same as for ordinary seedlings - it can be a ready-made plastic greenhouse with cups with a transparent lid or even an ordinary glass jar with a lid.
• How to plant eustoma seeds. We moisten the soil in a glass (jar) by 2 cm and pour the seeds on top, without deepening, but gently pressing them to the ground. We remind you that seeds germinate in the light. We close it with a lid or foil, put it in a warm, bright place.

Why eustoma does not sprout.

Be patient. The first point shoots appear after 14 days, after another 14 days the first true leaf will appear. When 3-4 real leaves appear, we make the first pick (if your seeds grow all in one container). The second pick is carried out when there are 5-6 leaves. It is better to water the seedlings through a pallet or a spray bottle with water at room temperature 26-28 degrees. Avoid waterlogging.

What to feed. We feed the eustoma seedlings every two weeks with a full complex of mineral fertilizers for flowers, do not do this immediately after the pick, but wait 14 days before feeding.

2. How to care for eustoma: the weed is the main enemy.

If you are going to grow eustoma, you need to have a serious weed control plan. Because these plants remain tiny for several months and the leaves are rosette close to the ground, aggressive summer weeds quickly overtake the plant and choke it. Do not hesitate to buy a piece of agrofibre for flowers, in the holes of which you will plant seedlings, and the rest of the film will inhibit the growth of weeds.


But agrofibre isn't your magic wand. Weeding in your flower bed should become a regular habit of yours. Don't wait for the situation to get dire and you will pluck as many flowers as you pluck weeds. Be sure to water after each weeding so that the delicate roots can sink back into the soil.

3. What does eustoma like?

When preparing a flower bed for planting, be sure to add well-rotted compost and sod soil to it. The plant loves loam, which retains moisture well, but does not become waterlogged. In addition, it is important to choose a sunny place, but not the sun itself, so that a light shadow falls on the flower.

4. What kind of eustoma to choose.

Although eustoma is a biennial plant, in the middle lane it is grown as an annual. For growing from seed, choose hybrid varieties (F1 tag on seed bag). They have a high germination capacity, they are less susceptible to diseases, more resistant to weather conditions. The best varieties of eustoma are considered hybrid varieties Pan American - they have been nominated for several awards in the world series "Best Flowers for Cut" - stem height 90-110 cm - an elegant flower shape reminiscent of a half-opened rosebud.


Because the choice of flowers for a plant is large enough, when choosing your variety, take into account it, flowering time, stem height. Some varieties have quite fragile stems, and if you have frequent strong winds, the stems can break. For such plants, a special support from a horizontal plastic mesh is needed, when each bush will be in its own cell. Therefore, observe the varieties growing in your place and draw conclusions for the next season. For example, if you pinch the top of the plant in the summer, you will get a more lush bush, but it will bloom later.

5. The second wave of eustoma flowering.

Assuming that you were diligent and consistent and planted seedlings in the ground on April 1, and live in the south of the country - you have a good chance of getting a second wave of eustoma blooms - usually the end of September, October.


To take advantage of this opportunity, there are several important tasks to accomplish. After blooming starts in July, make sure you cut the flower all the way down to the ground - almost level with the ground. Do not leave pieces of stems that will only lead to sluggish secondary growth. On the same day, after cutting, thoroughly weed the flower bed, water and add compost. All this must be done in one day, then the plants will receive the most active impulse for further growth, instead of hibernating.


Remember to keep fighting the weeds as aggressively as you did for the first wave of bloom. Remember that every time you weed, you water the plant diligently. The results of what you are doing now for the flower, you will see in numerous tall stems and abundant luxurious buds in mid-September.


Now is the time to start thinking about what can grow eustoma in your country house ... we hope the little secrets of this graceful flower will come in handy!

Perennial eustoma is a charming delicate flower that is not inferior to a rose in its beauty. The birthplace of the plant is considered to be Central America, Mexico and South America. Eustoma chose these countries due to the fact that it is both warm and humid there. But in Russia, the royal plant takes root quite successfully.

What is perennial eustoma - photo and description

Eustoma is also called lisianthus and Texas bell

Eustoma is a biennial (perennial) plant, but due to cold winters in central Russia it is grown as an annual. Its stems extend to a height of 70 cm, and in varieties for cutting - up to 100 cm. At about a height of 30–40 cm, branching begins.

15–20 medium-sized buds ripen on one plant, so even one bush can make a good bouquet.

The rhizome is a highly branched root-thread. They are very fragile, they can easily rot or become covered with aphids. Therefore, you should not believe the sellers who, under the guise of luxurious eustoma, offer bulbs or tubers: this is a guaranteed deception.

Popular plant varieties

Plant varieties differ from each other in shades of flowers and their diameter. The most popular among gardeners are 3 varieties:

• large-flowered Russell eustoma - has a straight and long stem, the buds are shaped like a poppy, their shades can be different, the petals of some varieties are fringed;

  Cut plants of this variety can be stored in water for up to three weeks.

• Echo - stretches 60 cm in height, it is considered the most favorite variety of gardeners because of the variety of shades: some buds are monophonic, others with a gradient;

  The Lisianthus Echo variety has 11 different shades of flowers.

• Aurora is a giant eustoma 1.5 m high, its stems are decorated with large double flowers of rich blue, white or pink tones.
  

  Lisianthus Aurora is a tall plant with large flowers

Conditions for successful cultivation

Perennial eustoma is a very thermophilic plant, therefore it develops ideally in the southern regions. To achieve good flowering in central Russia, you will have to provide it with maximum comfort.

Air temperature

For full development, the plant requires a daytime air temperature in the range of + 20 ... 25 ° C, at night it should be at least + 15 ° C. In winter, the plant goes into hibernation and lives in a container at an air temperature of + 10 ... 12 ° C.

Soil for planting

When transplanting eustoma into open ground, it is important to ensure that the soil is:

• fertile (if the soil is ship-based, feed it with mineral fertilizers);
• drained (add river sand or small pebbles to the ground so that it allows air to pass through and the roots breathe);
• homogeneous (without large lumps and foreign objects);
• moderately moist (the ground should be moist, but not too wet so that the roots do not rot).

For planting a plant, a mixture of humus with peat in equal proportions or black soil is ideal.

Soil acidity

Eustoma grows only on neutral soil; it will not develop in an acidic environment. The condition of the soil can be easily checked at home. To do this, take a lump of earth and drip table vinegar on it. The appearance of bubbles indicates that the vinegar has reacted with lime, that is, the soil is slightly acidic or neutral. The lack of reaction signals an increased acidity. To normalize the environment, chalk, wood ash or dolomite flour are added to it.

Site selection and lighting

For planting flowers, the western or eastern side of the site is suitable. It is best to avoid places where groundwater is close to the surface.

It is important to choose a place with good lighting - diffused, without direct sunlight. Otherwise, the plant will "burn". Also, the future eustoma bed should be hidden from drafts.

Eustoma planting instructions

Eustoma is planted both in the ground and in pots.

In most cases, eustoma is planted in the ground in the form of seedlings. It is sown into moist soil, and after the appearance of 4–5 full-fledged leaves, small eustomas are ready for planting. It happens according to the following algorithm:

1. Wait for the right time. The procedure is carried out in mid-May, when the plant is no longer afraid of frost. The soil should be well warmed up. The ideal time for a transplant is evening or cloudy day.
2. Prepare the wells. It is necessary to provide a distance of 10-15 cm between the bushes.
3. Place the seedlings with a clod of earth in the holes. Then water the roots and cover with dry soil.
4. Close each bush with a "cap" from a cut plastic bottle or glass jar.
5. After about 2-3 weeks, remove the cover and start caring like an adult plant.

Outdoor care

With proper care, eustoma tolerates well even the first autumn frosts.

After transplanting into the ground, the plants do not require special care. The procedures differ little from the care of other flowers.

Watering

Eustoma does not like too wet soil. Watering is carried out after the soil dries well from the previous watering. But if it is very hot outside, the amount of watering is increased. Eustoma does not tolerate drought.

The plant is watered with warm water under the root, trying not to touch the leaves, otherwise a burn may form in the place of a drop from watering.

Top dressing

Fertilizers are applied only after dense rooting of the flower (about a month after planting). Before setting buds, "Plantafol Budding" is applied, a week later - fertilizer "Kemira" or "Kemira Lux" for lush and long flowering.

Pruning

Dried buds must be cut to stimulate the development of new flowers. When the buds fade, seed pods appear in their place, which can be used for the next sowing.

Wintering

Eustoma is extremely sensitive to cold weather. The plant will not survive if left to winter in the garden bed. But you can save the flower until next season. To do this, the bushes are carefully dug up and transplanted into flowerpots. All shoots must be removed, leaving only 2-3 internodes.

Vases are sent to a room with a temperature of + 10 ... 12 ° C. For the winter, all watering and feeding are stopped. And when young shoots begin to appear on the stems, the plant is transplanted back and care is resumed.

Problems and illnesses

Eustoma grows rarely

If the plant is properly cared for, no problems should arise. In rare cases, eustoma can suffer from powdery mildew or from attack by pests - whitefly, slugs, aphids. If the plant is sick, it is treated with insecticides or fungicides.

How to propagate a plant

Reproduction of eustoma is a complex process

The only sure way to reproduce eustoma is by sowing seeds. Vegetative methods are extremely difficult to implement, and they are used only for selective purposes to obtain a new variety. It is almost impossible to carry out the rooting procedure at home: it requires special conditions and tools.

Eustoma seeds are more like dust than sowing material: 1 gram contains about 25,000 seeds. Therefore, when buying material, it is better to choose granular seeds - it will be easier to work with them.

If growing outdoors is planned, the seeds are sown in February - early March. If the eustoma will show off in flowerpots, the sowing time can be slightly shifted. In both cases, the plant will bloom in 4–5 months after the first sprouting.

The soil for sowing is disinfected and filled with useful microelements. To prevent the roots from rotting, drainage material is placed on the bottom of the containers with seedlings and holes are made to drain excess liquid. The containers are placed on trays and the seeds are germinated at a temperature of + 18 ... 25 ° C.