Eustoma (lisianthus) and caring for it at home. Eustoma flower: photo, description and luxurious varieties of Eustoma growing in a cemetery

Eustoma, also called lisianthus or Irish rose. Belongs to the Gentian family, and is considered to be native to the southern regions of North America.

Eustoma will decorate your garden

Eustoma is a very attractive plant with bluish, waxy leaves and large funnel-shaped simple or double flowers in delicate shades. The flowers of Eustoma grandiflora reach 7–8 cm in diameter. They come in a wide variety of colors - white, pink, lilac, violet, white with a colored border, etc. Half-opened flowers look like buds, and when they open completely, they look like large ones. The stems of eustoma are strong, 80–90 cm in height, branching strongly from about the middle, making one plant look like a whole bouquet. I once counted 35 buds on one plant. All varieties of tall eustoma produce long peduncles and are suitable for cutting. And cut flowers last a long time in a vase.

Eustoma is gradually conquering our hearts and gardens. Its high decorative qualities and long-term preservation of cut flowers contribute to the fact that eustoma quickly became popular in Europe. For example, in Holland, among cut flowers, it ranks in the top ten. And in Poland, at summer flower exhibitions, eustoma is valued quite dearly.

Modern varieties and hybrids

Every year more and more seeds of different varieties and hybrids of eustoma appear on sale. Seeds have now become available not only to professionals, but also to amateur gardeners. When buying eustoma seeds, you need to know that it can be tall and short (dwarf). Tall eustoma is grown in gardens and also for cutting, while low-growing eustoma is intended for planting in balcony boxes and growing as an indoor crop.

The second thing you need to pay attention to is that the bag of eustoma seeds says “annual” or “biennial”. Of course, choose an annual one, since only professional gardeners with greenhouses can grow biennial eustoma. It is not suitable for an amateur gardener, unless it is short enough to grow in an apartment.

Eustoma flowers can be simple or double. Eustoma with double flowers is, of course, more beautiful than with simple ones. As for the color, you can take any: they are all very beautiful.

Eustoma seeds are small, so they are sold mainly in coated form. This makes them easy to see and easy to sow.

I really like the ABC F1 terry variety series: Misty Pink, Misty Blue, Purple, Blue Rome varieties and the Echo F1 terry variety series: Champagne, Deep Blue, Rose Picoti varieties and others. The eustoma of these series is distinguished by early flowering, strong shoots 80–90 cm high, on which beautiful large double flowers seem to be planted.

Growing eustoma seedlings at home

Reproduction

Unfortunately, eustoma does not reproduce by dividing the bush - this, as a rule, ends in failure. Since adult lisianthus does not tolerate disruption of the root system, all resulting cuttings may die. Cut eustoma cuttings do not take root either. Therefore, the main and most reliable way to propagate this beautiful flowering plant is by seeds.

There is an opinion that growing eustoma from seeds is not easy, and in cultivation it requires special skills and knowledge. But it is not so. From personal experience, I was convinced that growing eustoma is easy, only the first two months are difficult, when it is necessary to create certain conditions for the seedlings.

Timing of sowing seeds

Amateur flower growers begin sowing eustoma seeds in winter (December - January). This is due to the fact that eustoma blooms 15–20 weeks after germination, so when sowing in spring it simply does not have time to bloom. I sow eustoma seeds from the end of November to the first days of February. There is no point in sowing later, I was convinced of this when my first eustomas with buds were covered with snow. We were never able to admire their blossoms.

Details about sowing

I sow eustoma seeds in disposable cups (50 g) with light, damp peat soil, to which I add sand or perlite to make it more loose and breathable. From purchased substrates, ready-made soil for Saintpaulias is suitable. I sow the seeds superficially and lightly press them into the soil; I put 3-5 seeds in each cup, since in a month or a month and a half I will still have to pick. After sowing, I put plastic bags on the cups to create a greenhouse effect and wait for the shoots to appear.

Our readers offer another landing option: I plant peat tablets, soak the tablet in water and put the seed in the hole without pressing it and put it in a disposable transparent container, cover it with a lid, open it periodically. After such planting, the plant does not get sick during transplantation, and the roots are not injured. I advise you to try it, it’s very convenient.

Lighting and temperature

The first two months after sowing, eustoma seedlings need bright, diffused lighting so that they grow compactly and do not stretch out. Such lighting can only be created using fluorescent lamps. Since I grow various indoor flowers at home on racks with artificial lighting, my eustoma seedlings grow on racks for the first two months. And at the end of February I place them on the sunniest windowsill in the house, because sunlight is still better for eustoma than artificial light. As soon as the sun begins to warm up, the eustoma grows faster.

If you don't have a rack, it doesn't matter. Buy a fluorescent lamp and hang it over some shelf - and now you have a corner for growing eustoma seedlings.

The optimal temperature for germination of eustoma seeds is 20–25°C, small shoots appear in 10–15 days, they develop slowly in the first two months.

Watering seedlings

For the first two months, I practically don’t water the seedlings, because immediately after sowing I put plastic bags on the cups, and the moisture remains under the bags for a long time. Once every week and a half I take the bags off, turn them inside out and put them on again. This procedure is necessary to remove the condensation that forms, and at the same time check whether the seedlings need to be watered. If watering is necessary, I water it moderately along the edge of the cup, and then put the bag back on for one and a half to two weeks. As experience shows, eustoma seedlings growing in such greenhouse conditions need watering only once every 2-3 weeks, and even then not abundantly.

Prevention of seedling diseases

For the first two months, I water (if necessary) the eustoma with foundationazole (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water). Fundazol prevents eustoma seedlings from getting sick, and they grow healthy. In order for the seedlings to develop well, you can spray them with epin or zircon at least once. The seedlings then become strong and grow quickly. These medications also prevent blackleg.

Picking seedlings

Small eustoma seedlings need to be planted in separate cups a month and a half after emergence. This is a jewelry procedure and I don’t really like it, but what can you do, it’s necessary for better and faster growth of eustoma. Therefore, I take a thin awl, use it to hook the tiny plant and easily remove it from the peat soil.

In a separate glass, I make a hole with a pencil or pen and insert the seedling there up to the leaves, lightly pressing the previously moderately moistened soil on the sides. After transplanting, I put a plastic bag over the cup and leave the plant alone for one and a half to two weeks.

It should be noted that I’m the only one who doesn’t like this procedure (every time I worry about damaging the thin roots), but eustoma really likes it, because the tiny seedlings take root well (which can’t be said about adult plants). A week after picking, the seedlings double in size and grow “right before our eyes.”

At the end of February - beginning of March, I transplant young plants that have already grown up using the transshipment method, without destroying the earthen ball, into pots with a diameter of 8 cm. At the bottom of the pots, I always pour a thin layer of drainage made of expanded clay, zeolite, or just finely crushed polystyrene foam. I place the transplanted plants on a well-lit windowsill and gradually, by removing the bags and accustoming them to the sun, I adapt the seedlings to film-free conditions. So eustoma grows in these pots until the seedlings are planted in the garden.

Growing in the garden

In mid-May I plant seedlings in the flowerbed. Eustoma is ready for transplantation when it has formed 4–8 true leaves. This year my seedlings were much smaller than last year's, but nevertheless they bloomed earlier. I noticed that as soon as you plant the eustoma in open ground, it immediately begins to grow. So in a month she will no longer be recognizable.

Transplanting

I try to plant eustoma in the evening. I carefully remove each plant with a lump of earth from the pot and lower it into a well-watered hole, filling the cavities with earth. It is necessary to plant eustoma no deeper than it grew in the pot. After planting, I cover each plant with half a plastic bottle. Such a shelter protects against night frosts and prevents moisture from quickly evaporating, which is simply necessary for young plants in the first three weeks. Then I remove the bottles.

Location, soil type

Eustoma prefers sunny places where it fully reveals its beauty, so I plant it in the sunniest place in the garden. As for the soil, it grows very well on our black soil. I have no information about other soils.

Watering

Eustoma requires moderate watering as the soil dries out. This season I practically didn’t water it. For the first two weeks it was under a bottle cover, where the moisture is retained for a long time, and then it was watered by rains, which at times were too heavy. To protect against diseases, I had to spray the plants with foundationazole a couple of times.

Fertilizers

Feeding eustoma should begin after the seedlings are well rooted, about a month after planting. To do this, you can use high-quality mineral fertilizers for flowering plants, which are completely soluble in water. For example, the Plantafol series of fertilizers. First (in June) I take “Plantafol Growth” with a high nitrogen content, and then (in July, August) I take “Plantafol Budding” with a lower nitrogen content and a higher phosphorus content. Feeding flowering plants with fertilizers promotes more luxuriant and longer flowering. If you don’t find “Plantafol”, then it is quite possible to use “Kemira” or “Kemira Lux” fertilizer; it dissolves well in water and is suitable for watering at the root. However, whatever fertilizer you choose, apply it in a lower concentration than indicated on packaging.

Bloom

Flowering of eustoma begins in mid-July and ends in October. First, the eustoma stem, approximately in the middle, begins to branch strongly, then many buds are formed - 20-35 on one branch, a kind of stem-bouquet with beautiful flowers opening one after another, which you can admire for quite a long time. One eustoma can bloom for two months if you don’t cut it and put it in a vase. And if you cut it, it will begin to grow back from the root and bloom again. Unfortunately, in our area it is not always possible to wait for eustoma to bloom again; it all depends on how warm the autumn will be. But in Crimea there will be no problems with this.

Collecting seeds

Eustoma is easily pollinated and over time, boxes with many small seeds with high germination capacity are formed. It is quite possible to collect seeds if you are growing hybrid eustoma F1. The second generation of eustoma is mostly similar to the parent plants, but some distinctive features may already appear. The third generation will have more severe cleavage. Therefore, I try not to grow third-generation seedlings - I collect seeds only from F1 queen cells.

Diseases and pests

To protect eustoma from diseases during the growing process, it is necessary to periodically carry out preventive spraying with fungicides. If the summer is rainy, spray the eustoma with foundationazol (or ridomil gold). This is a good prevention and treatment for, and, which are especially dangerous for eustoma. You can spray 2-3 times with different preparations.

The main pests of eustoma are slugs. Against them I use the drugs Confidor, Actara, Fitoverm, Actellik.

Wintering of eustoma

I read that eustoma can be transplanted into a pot in the fall and placed in a cool (10°C) and bright room, and in the spring it can be planted again in open ground. This information interested me, although how effective this method is is unknown, it needs to be checked.

You bought an eustoma - what next?

Landing dates

The timing of planting seedlings is December-February, that is, taking into account that hybrid varieties begin flowering 20 weeks after emergence.

For indoor cultivation, sowing can be done at any time.

Landing

The seeds are laid out on the surface of loose soil with slight pressure and moistened with a sprayer. A shallow wide container is covered with glass or film. Plastic cups are quite suitable for sowing. Each one contains several seeds.

Priming

The following mixtures are suitable as soil: for violets, Saintpaulias, peat with a small amount of sand and perlite.

Germination conditions

The optimal temperature for seed germination is 23° C. Germination time is 10–21 days. After 5 days, it is necessary to open the film (the first time for 10 minutes, then adding 10 minutes every day). Upon reaching 3 hours, the cover is removed completely. Before sprouts form, ventilation is carried out once a week to prevent condensation accumulation.

Alternative method of germination

Another way to grow from seeds is picking. This is carried out when the seedlings reach 2–2.5 cm. They are divided into separate containers of 3–5 pieces and kept for 5 days in the shade, watered abundantly. The main thing is not to injure the roots during transplantation. It is better to do this in peat pots up to 5 cm in diameter. The plant does not tolerate direct sunlight and dry air from the radiator; it requires sources of moisture, spraying (3 times a day), and placement on a north or west window.

About watering

If the plant is grown only indoors, then drops of water should not fall on the flowers and buds. This can lead to rotting. Watering is moderate; the soil should not be allowed to dry out or become waterlogged. You can add a few drops of lemon juice to 1 liter of water.

Transplanting into a pot

Before planting in a container, it is necessary to organize drainage. For example, pre-boiled pebbles, fine gravel or foam granules.

Transplantation into open ground

Regardless of the chosen growing method, planting in open ground is best done when the temperature at night does not fall below 18°C.

What does an eustoma root look like?

Seed propagation of eustoma is a long and painstaking process; you can save time and minimize effort by purchasing seedlings. But it must be remembered that eustoma rhizome is highly branched, fibrous, with thin fragile roots, which easily rot, are affected by nematodes and aphids.

Thin suction roots spread in the upper layer of soil, are almost not buried; if excavated incorrectly along a small perimeter, the plant loses a significant part of the root system, withers and dies from lack of moisture.

It is best to purchase an eustoma bush in a specialized store, and when buying a seedling on the market, you should refuse specimens with bare roots. A plant with a closed root system, with proper planting and careful care, will take root well and will delight you with delightful flowers all summer.

Buying eustoma seedlings from hand, you can return home with another plant, for example,. To prevent this from happening, you should take a close look at the leaves - in phlox they are oblong, while in eustoma they are round or ovoid and slightly pointed at the ends. In addition, phlox develops more actively and produces strong shoots faster, while eustoma is more whimsical, slow and looks a little flimsy.

A common mistake is to buy bulbs from an unscrupulous seller, under the guise of which there can be any bulbous species - from to, except for the eustoma, which is not a bulbous plant. The optimal time for purchase is the second half of May; eustoma is planted as soon as possible after purchase.

Features of rhizome division

In the fall, a strong bush grown in a flowerbed can be transplanted into a wide, large pot, cutting off the stems and left to overwinter in a frost-free room, watering from time to time. The desired temperature is between 8–10°C. In the spring, tender shoots will appear from the roots, and as soon as the threat of frost has passed, you should propagate eustoma by dividing the rhizome.

The lump of earth is moistened with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, left for a couple of hours, and then the bush is carefully shaken out and divided into 2-3 sections with sprouts and full roots with your fingers. Pruners are used as a last resort, cutting the supporting root or stem. Broken roots are sprinkled with crushed charcoal or foundation, wetting the root system with Kornevin will significantly improve survival rate.

The roots of the acquired seedlings are also inspected and treated, if possible trying not to expose the root system, cutting and sprinkling only noticeably damaged roots with fungicide.

Rules for planting eustoma seedlings

For eustoma, you do not need deep, but rather wide holes - at least 40 cm in diameter, which are filled with light nutritious soil from a mixture of turf soil, perlite and humus. It is acceptable to add neutral peat - the plant does not like acidic soils. It is better to purchase a ready-made mixture, avoiding contamination of the soil with fungi and pests at the initial stage.

Drainage must be laid at the bottom, since stagnation of water is the most common cause of root rot, which leads to wilting and death of the plant. That is why many flower growers believe that it is impossible to propagate a beautiful flower by dividing the rhizome. On the contrary, foreign flower growers successfully use this method.

Place the seedling in the hole, carefully straightening the roots, immediately sprinkle it with moist, loose soil, compacting it and watering it abundantly to squeeze out the air from the voids in the soil. The root collar should not be buried. After planting, the hole is watered with a solution of foundationazole, repeating the procedure every other week.

The next day, the top layer of soil is loosened, improving air access to the roots, and mulch (peat) is placed in a layer of 2–3 cm or lutrasil. In the future, loosen the soil very carefully, remembering the shallow location of the roots.

Young shoots must be shaded from the scorching sun. Despite the fact that the flower comes from hot South America, the juicy tender shoots suffer from the heat, getting burned and stunting. This resident of tropical rainforests requires regular weekly watering. Uneven moisture will lead to weakening and deterioration of flowering. It is good to grow tall varieties near a moisture-loving plant, whose dense clumps will additionally shade the soil surface, improving the microclimate.

Video about planting and transplanting eustoma seedlings

Beautiful silky eustomas are a wonderful decoration for a flower garden and a tempting acquisition for a collector. And although their propagation by dividing the rhizome is still not widespread, this method deserves attention.

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

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

On the Internet, on 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, these are the names of the same plant.

What kind of flower is Eustoma? If we briefly go into details and the 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 lips” - whichever you prefer.

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

Features of the eustoma flower

Not only do they differ in names, but also in the colors of the buds and the shape of the flowers themselves. Representatives of a particular variety significantly resemble a rose. A person far from the world of floristry may even confuse them. Some varieties, in their size and shape, resemble poppies, double mallows, and some representatives of the lily family. Lisianthus stems are most often massive (like, for example, carnations); 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 do not stand out in any way; they are of medium size, slightly elongated in shape with a sharp tip. But the color range of flowers, as mentioned above, is simply amazing in its multicolor. Red, blue, cream, snow-white, lilac, two-color - with a transition from one shade to another, pink, lilac, yellow - eustoma-lisianthus can be any shade! With its exquisite beauty, this flower can give strong competition to the bride’s bouquet - and for good reason! In addition to their visual appeal, these flowers are very durable when cut. Her bouquets are often used to decorate various celebrations, banquets, and decorative arches. And all because they can not lose their freshness and beauty for 15 or 20 days (naturally, while in water or in a special damp floral sponge).

Irish roses vary in size and stem height. For example, depending on the variety, it can grow in open ground, in a greenhouse, or 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. But potted varieties 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 are used to decorate bouquets and all kinds of decorations, while low-growing lisianthus delight your eyes at home, on window sills and flower shelves.

Lisianthus, by the way, is quite difficult to grow and care for. It will not require any special “dances with tambourines” even from a novice florist, both at the dacha and at home. Naturally, if you treat this matter with interest and care, do not forget about watering, adhere to 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 flowers, of course, lie in the external differences of each variety, in colors and shades, and in the variety of shapes. On flower forums you can most often find references to the varieties listed below. I'd like to show them here too.

Russell's large-flowered eustoma (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 fringe. May have completely different shades of buds.

Eustoma Russell, photo:

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

Variety Echo, photo:

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

Eustoma Aurora, photo:

The Flamenco variety is a highly decorative type of lisianthus, also reaching a decent height (about 1.3 meters). It is very easy to care for and also boasts a variety of buds.

Flamenco variety, photo:

The Florida Pink variety has pink flowers! At least here it is not difficult to get confused in the bright diversity. This is a perennial whose shoots are abundantly covered with flowers.

Lisianthus Florida Pink, photo:

The variety “Mermaid” (Mermeid) is a potted species with a stem height of up to 15 cm. It is presented in a predominantly blue-violet color scheme (mermaid-sea association), but sometimes pink and white representatives are also found.

Variety Mermeid, photo:

The Little Bell variety may seem quite simple in appearance, especially compared to some of its lush counterparts, but this is precisely its charm and touching quality. It is also suitable for pot propagation.

Lisianthus Little Bell, photo:

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

Variety Lisianthus grandiflorum, photo:

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

The main thing is to remember all the nuances, temperature conditions, lighting (especially in winter) - and everything will work out for you. For pot growing 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. Bright, slightly diffused lighting is what is needed for indoor eustoma, but on the south window, especially at midday, it is better to create light shading. There is a high probability that on a northern window the Irish rose 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 immediately expose it to direct sunlight so that the leaves and flowers do not get burned.

Make sure that when watering, water does not get on the flowers and buds, otherwise rotting will not take long to occur. In general, when watering, try to stick to the golden mean - do not let the soil dry out, but also do not water it too much. The optimal soil condition for watering at home is the formation of 1.5-2 cm of dry top layer of soil mixture in the pot. Containers for this plant should always have drainage; small crushed stone, clean disinfected small pebbles or fine gravel can be placed on the bottom. In general, according to observations, homemade eustoma-lisianthus produces flowers best and feels comfortable in a slightly cool, well-ventilated room.

Remember about the love of lisianthus for light and light shade; the eastern or western sides of the site are the best places for its growth. Water it moderately but regularly; when watering, do not wet the foliage, so as not to provoke the appearance of gray mold and harmful fungi. An adult flower no longer needs irrigation, and the water for irrigation should ideally be soft or settled. When the air temperature drops, the volume 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-off plastic bottles for the first couple of weeks. This is recommended for the adaptation of the flower, getting used to a new place of residence, protection from drafts and winds, as well as for preserving moisture in the top layer of soil.

After the lisianthus eustoma fades, it enters a dormant period, life processes slow down and the plant seems to “fall asleep” and stops growing. By this time, fertilizers should be completely eliminated, watering should be kept to a minimum, in short, the flower should be given a rest. In order for the Irish rose to delight you with its splendor next year, be sure to trim all the branches, leaving a maximum of two or three main tillering points (branching).

Eustoma - cultivation, summing up

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

The perennial tall eustoma will decorate your plot and local 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 without moisture. Under no circumstances should the soil be allowed to dry out. Excessive waterlogging will also not lead to anything good - the plant will begin to hurt, the roots may rot. The soil around the flower should be fluffed carefully (remember the delicate roots), and the weeds, of course, should be removed.

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

Flowers that look like roses - eustoma

Eustoma or lisianthus is a perennial herbaceous plant with a strong stem reaching a maximum height of 1 m. It belongs to the Gentian family. About 35 stunning flowers bloom on one bush - a whole bouquet. The most delicate petals have different colors: from snow-white to purple; it can be monochromatic or combine several shades. The inflorescences are very beautiful: some look like roses, others like bells or tulips.

The name of the plant is derived from two Greek words meaning good (beautiful) mouth. In its homeland (in America) eustoma is called Texas bell, tulip gentian, prairie gentian, and is also called Irish rose.

Are eustoma roses annual or perennial?

In open ground, eustoma is cultivated as a one- or biennial plant, and grows well on a windowsill for several years.

Inspired by the charm of a flower, you definitely want to see it in your home or on your property. When growing eustoma, you need to study all the nuances and follow them.

The plant reproduces exclusively by seed. Don’t even try to propagate by cuttings - they will never produce roots. Also exclude the method of dividing the bush. The root system is underdeveloped: you will destroy the plant.

Growing eustoma from seeds

A little about seed quality

- a painstaking task. Beginning flower growers may be upset that germination is low or that seedlings have not appeared at all. The reason for this is a violation of agricultural technology or poor-quality seed material. Don't despair, analyze your mistakes and try again. The result is definitely worth it.

Purchase seed material from specialized sales outlets. The seeds are very small (about 20,000 pieces per 1 g of weight). By themselves they have a germination rate of about 30%, their processing increases the rate to 40%. The packaging must indicate information about the treatment (untreated seeds should not be taken). As a rule, they are sold in the form of dragees (sealed with a special gel). This not only increases germination, but also makes sowing convenient.

The diversity of the genus is represented by 60 species; only a few of them are cultivated. Special compact varieties (about 45 cm high) have been bred for indoor growing. The flower beds are decorated with bushes 0.6-1.2 m high.

How to grow eustoma seedlings from seeds

When to plant

• For subsequent sowing of eustoma seeds for seedlings, start in February-early March. In this case, expect flowering in July-August.
• If you want to get flowering indoors in winter, sow the seeds in July-September.

How to sow eustoma seeds for seedlings

How to sow eustoma seeds photo

The optimal soil composition for growing eustoma seedlings is a mixture of peat and humus from the bark of deciduous trees (coconut shavings are suitable) in equal proportions.

As soil, it is best to use a universal mixture for growing seedlings, purchased at a flower shop. It has already been sterilized, the reaction is neutral or slightly acidic.

You can use peat tablets, which are pre-soaked for a day.

• Lightly moisten the soil so that it becomes soft in texture.
• Carefully distribute the seeds over the surface at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other, only lightly pressing them to the ground.
• Do not cover it with soil under any circumstances.
• Water by spraying with a fine sprayer so as not to overwater and the seeds do not “sink” into the soil.
• Cover the top of the crops with a plastic bag or film. For air circulation, make several small holes (with a needle or toothpick).
• Expect seedlings to appear in about 15 days.

• Remove the cover immediately as soon as the first shoots appear.
• Spray with phytosporin solution to prevent fungal and putrefactive diseases.

How to care for eustoma seedlings

Air temperature and lighting

It is important to ensure the correct one. During the day, keep it in the range of 20-22 °C, at night a slight decrease is recommended, but the temperature should not fall below 14 °C.

Lighting stimulates the awakening of life processes. The duration of daylight hours should be 12-14 hours. Use artificial lighting.

How to water correctly

Water periodically, but do not allow the soil to become waterlogged. By evening, the leaves must dry out. Be sure to control the humidity level, since when affected by blackleg (rotting of the root system), eustoma sprouts are difficult to cure and most often die.

After 1.5-2 months, the seedlings will reach a height of 4-5 cm. They should have several pairs of true leaves. At this time, they are carried out in individual containers (pots with a diameter of about 6 cm). Proceed with caution. The soil mixture is the same as when planting seedlings.

• Fill the containers with soil, make holes according to the size of the root system.
• Roll over together with the earthen lump.
• The root collar should be at the same level as before transplantation.
• Water the plants after picking with a solution of phytosporin to prevent the development of diseases.
• If after watering the root collar becomes bare, add more soil.
• To adapt, cover the seedlings with a plastic bag.

• Another intermediate transplant by transferring it into larger pots promotes active growth of seedlings. Carry it out when the plants completely fill the intermediate container with roots.

A couple of weeks before transplanting into open ground, it is necessary to accustom it to street conditions. Take it outside for several hours: do this only in good weather, keep it away from direct sunlight.

Planting eustoma seedlings in open ground

It should be carried out based on weather conditions. The risk of return frosts should pass; as a last resort, build a temporary film shelter.

• Choose a secluded place for planting eustoma without drafts or direct sunlight.
• Pre-dig the soil, remove weeds, water.
• The soil must be loose, nutritious, breathable, and must allow moisture to pass freely - stagnation of water will destroy the plant.
• The day before planting, water the eustoma seedlings so that the moisture softens the soil and the pot can be easily removed from it.
• When replanting, save the earthen ball; the hole should correspond to the size of the root system. Water the soil before planting seedlings to create dirt. Place the seedlings in this dirt, carefully adding soil. After planting in the mud, eustoma is not watered. The root collar should be flush with the earth's surface; it can be planted in slightly recessed holes. Keep a distance of about 15 cm between individual plants; for tall varieties, increase the distance by 5 cm.

In the future, water the eustoma regularly, but moderately, focusing on the amount of precipitation and air temperature. To maintain optimal moisture levels, mulch the soil.

Thin stems can lie down under the weight of the inflorescences. Tie individual plants to stakes; for larger plantings, string rows of twine or wire.

How to plant eustoma in the ground, watch the video:

Conditions for growing eustoma and proper care in open ground

Lighting

For successful growth and development of eustoma, it is necessary to provide bright, diffused lighting. Avoid direct sunlight. Solar lighting is required only to stimulate the awakening of sprouts (during seed germination). Should not be grown in the shade; only slight shading is possible.

Priming

The acidity of the soil should be neutral. To check the acidity of the soil, take a handful of soil and add a drop of table vinegar. If a chemical reaction begins (hissing, bubbles), then the soil is neutral or slightly acidic. In acidic soil, a reaction with vinegar will not occur. If the soil is acidic, it will need to be deacidified: add wood ash, chalk or dolomite flour. You can sprinkle lime, but such preparation is only possible in the fall; in the spring it can harm the plants.

How to pinch eustoma

To stimulate branching (which contributes to further abundant flowering), at the stage of appearance of 6-8 true leaves, the apex follows.

How to feed

During the period of active growth, fertilize. Potassium promotes the development of the root system. It’s good if there is ash, if there is none, use store-bought fertilizers. To strengthen the plant, focus on nitrogen-containing fertilizers.

So that the eustoma blooms profusely

The beginning of the flowering period is regulated not only by the time of sowing the seeds, but also by the time of transferring the seedlings to open ground. Sudden changes in temperature, even within acceptable limits, not only delay the onset of flowering, but can also cause the death of the flower. If the weather is changeable, it is better to build a temporary shelter. Install the rods and cover with film or geotextile.

After the end, you can stimulate a second wave. Cut off the faded flowers and new buds will appear in 1.5-2 months. There are varieties that are resistant to the first frosts - they will bloom longer.

When growing eustoma for sale (cut flowers), the technology is slightly different. Close attention is paid to the watering and fertilizing regime. In greenhouses it is possible to create an ideal microclimate. The stem is cut at the root, awaiting a new generation of flowers.

Caring for eustoma at home

The level of lighting and watering are the same as when growing in open ground. Water with moderately softened water at room temperature.

• Provide access to fresh air: ventilate regularly, avoid drafts.
• In the warm season, a comfortable temperature range is within 22-24 °C. In winter – 14-16 °C.
• During the period of active growth, fertilize indoor flowering plants. Regarding frequency and dosage, follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
• To extend the flowering period in indoor conditions, it is necessary to ensure a cool air temperature.

The main enemy of eustoma is excess moisture. Water only from the top of the pot. Be sure to do amelioration (mulch the soil surface with small pebbles, a layer of about 2 cm).

Rest period

Such a beautiful flowering plant needs rest. By winter, the vital activity of eustoma decreases significantly. After flowering ends, trim the shoots, leaving 2-3 internodes. With minimal watering and an air temperature of 14-15 ° C, keep the flower until spring. Lighting is required to be bright but diffuse. Eustomas that grew in open ground can be dug up and also stored until spring.

As soon as the first signs of resumption of vegetation appear, carefully place in a slightly larger container and resume regular watering. Coming out of a dormant period is not always successful - don’t let this be a surprise to you. Have seeds in stock and in case of such trouble, start sowing.

Diseases and pests of eustoma

• Possible diseases: gray rot, powdery mildew, fusarium. It is necessary to remove the affected areas and treat with a fungicide.
• Pests when grown indoors: spider mites, aphids.
• Pests in the garden: whitefly, slugs.

Remove gastropods (slugs, snails) mechanically (collect by hand), use traps. Treatment with an insecticide will help get rid of other pests.

Eustoma, lisianthus, Irish rose or Texas bluebell are one flower of the Gentian family, which attracts with its beautiful bells. America and the Caribbean islands are considered its homeland. This flower was discovered by the Irish botanist Patrick Brown.

This plant is now grown by many for sale, as it can stand in water for more than 3 weeks when cut. It is also grown as a houseplant, in this form it has become widespread since the 90s.

The stems, although small in diameter, can grow up to 1 meter. Somewhere in the middle of the stem, several branches begin to branch off from it, because of this, one such shoot can replace a whole bouquet. About 35 buds can form on one stem; they will bloom one after the other.

The flowers are large, funnel-shaped, they can be double or regular, reaching 8 cm in diameter. The color of the buds is very diverse: lilac, violet, pink, white, and there are also variations with a contrasting border (see photo). When a bud just begins to bloom, it immediately looks like a rose, and when it fully opens, it can be compared to a poppy.

The leaves of eustoma are lanceolate-oval, they are painted in a grayish matte shade; when you look at them, it seems that they are made of wax. In the ground, the plant can reach 1.5 meters, but at home it can be very miniature and grow up to only 12 cm.

In the garden it usually grows as an annual, but in a pot it is a perennial plant.

Features of growing eustoma

When planning to grow this flower in your garden, you must take into account all the necessary conditions for its comfortable development:

• Lighting. For eustoma, it is necessary to provide bright but diffused light, so you need to display the pots on eastern windows, and when choosing a site for a flower bed, also take into account solar exposure.
• Priming. You can prepare it yourself from peat and humus, taken in equal parts. When planting several cuttings, it is necessary to maintain a distance of 15 cm.
• Temperature. Daytime temperatures up to 25 degrees are comfortable for the plant, and night temperatures are 15 degrees. In winter, it is advisable to move the lisianthus to a cooler room, in which the temperature will be up to 12 degrees.
• Watering. In the open air, the plant can easily tolerate drought and heat, but loses its decorative effect. In order for the flower to please with its buds for a long time, regular watering should be provided. Plants in pots should not be left for a long time without watering; they may dry out. Water should always remain in the pan, but it should be taken into account that watering can only be done after the top layer has dried. When watering, it is necessary to direct the stream of liquid under the root so that it does not fall on the leaves. If you soak the foliage in cold weather, you can provoke the appearance of fungal diseases.
• Feeding. After transplanting and planting the plant, it is fed after 10 days, and then every two weeks during the active growth of the plant.
• Transfer. It is carried out by transshipment, so that an earthen lump is preserved around the root. The root system of the plant is very fragile, it is advisable to handle it carefully.
• Reproduction. It is best to do this by seed, since it is difficult for such a flower to take root by cuttings due to the fragile root system.

Types and varieties of eustoma

There are 60 varieties of this plant, the variety Eustoma Russelianus is grown in pots, and Eustoma Grandiflorum, a large-flowered species, is often planted in the garden.

Among the most popular varieties are:

• Aurora is a double variety of flower; its stem can reach a height of 1.2 meters. The flowers are blue, blue, white and pink. It blooms for a very long time. In addition, it is distinguished by early flowering; if it is planted in collaboration with other varieties, you will notice that on Aurora the stems are decorated with buds a couple of weeks earlier than everyone else.
• Heidi. The variety has an average height and blooms with ordinary buds, but they populate the stem very densely.
• Echo is a lower variety of eustoma, the stem height is 70 cm, it is decorated with rolling branches on which large flowers are located. The variety is an early flowering variety; among its many varieties there are both two-color and one-color representatives.
• Little Bell. This is a low-growing variety, reaching a height of about 15 cm. Its funnel-shaped inflorescences are small, but they are abundantly located on the stem.
• Florida Pink is an indoor species of lisianthus that pleases with its light pink flowers; after cutting one such stem you can get a beautiful bouquet as a gift. The variety is in extraordinary demand because of its unique flowers with edges in the shape of a lace skirt.

It’s worth noting right away that this is a difficult task, and sometimes the similarity of the seeds is not at all pleasing. But if you sow and grow them correctly once, you can grow such flowers for sale and significantly replenish your budget.

Purchased seeds undergo special treatment, but this does not help to achieve 100% germination. So, out of 100 seeds, on average, about 60 are accepted. Seeds are usually planted at the end of winter, the exact time is determined depending on where the adult plants will be grown.

To plant them in the garden, it is necessary to sow the seeds in February or March, then the plant, after being exposed to the open sky, will be able to bloom in July-August.

Seeds are planted in a sterilized substrate with a low nitrogen content pH 6-7. The seed material is scattered on the surface of the container's soil, it is sprinkled with a little soil, and then covered with film or glass; slots must be provided in them for air circulation.

Since there will not be enough natural light, it is necessary to install a fluorescent lamp near the container to provide the plant with enough light for 12 hours. Seeds are germinated at a certain temperature, it should not be less than 20 degrees during the day and less than 14 degrees at night.

You cannot water the seeds; you need to spray it to moisten the soil. If everything is done correctly, seedlings will appear within 14 days. As soon as the first leaves appear, they need to be sprayed with a solution of phytosporin, and then, after picking, transplanted into special pots with a diameter of 4-5 cm. After three months, the shoots are planted outside.

Eustoma at home

The process is similar to that described above, only planting plants in open ground is excluded. Initially, it is necessary to grow seedlings, and then, after the appearance of home seedlings, transplant them into pots. There are perennial varieties of this plant, but they are often too tall to grow indoors.

Planting eustoma

Not only seeds, but also young plant shoots dug from open ground can be used as seed material. But they can take a very long time to be accepted at a new place, sometimes you will have to wait up to 1 month. In order for their adaptation to occur successfully, it is necessary to plant them from open ground in pots somewhere at the end of August. It is then that the temperature in the house and outside is approximately the same and the plant will not feel the difference.

It is recommended to keep the plant on the balcony or veranda for some time, where it will receive more light, and then move it into the room. Watering the Irish rose at this time should be minimal, since in this form the plant will not be able to absorb much liquid.

After receiving the seedlings, they are very carefully looked after, the condition of the soil is constantly monitored, each subsequent watering is carried out only after the top layer has dried. As the sprouts grow, water them only in the morning, which helps to avoid the plant becoming infected with blackleg.

After the first two leaves appear on the seedlings, the seedlings need to be pricked, this will happen 1.5 months after planting the plant in the pot. To get a branched, lush plant, the tops of the seedlings must be pinched.

The first transplantation of seedlings is carried out when it already has a couple of leaves, the shoots are buried to the very bottom of the leaves and polyethylene is put on the pots to create a “greenhouse” effect. After the growth of the seedlings has doubled, the oilcloth can be removed. In March, the seedlings are replanted, and pots are selected with a diameter of at least 8 cm.

Caring for eustoma at home

For good growth of lisianthus, you need to place the pot with it on the western or eastern side of the house or apartment, preferably right on the windowsill. The plant is usually grown at home as an annual and is disposed of after flowering.

Successful flower growth will depend on air, which should not stagnate and diffuse lighting. Water the plant only with settled water; do not allow the soil to dry out or flood. When buds appear on the shoots of the flower, it needs to be fed with complex fertilizer.

It is better to choose their liquid version, 10 ml of which should be diluted in 10 liters of water. To prolong flowering, it is necessary to remove all dry inflorescences in time. 3 months after planting the planting material, the plant will begin to bloom.

Eustoma in the garden

You can buy ready-made seedlings and immediately place them in a prepared flowerbed, or grow them yourself, as described above, but you should take into account some of the nuances of this activity. Nevertheless, it will have to decorate flower beds and alleys, and its proper cultivation even at the stage of planting seed will guarantee the decorative appearance of the plant.

Planting eustoma for seedlings

Its seeds are so small that they are sold in the form of granules, but even in this case, the germination rate is 60%. When buying seed material, it is worth taking this into account. It is planted in January-March, the soil chosen is light, it is pre-moistened, and the seeds are simply poured onto its surface without covering them. You must try to carefully press them into the ground, and then spray them with a spray bottle.

Some gardeners have learned from their own experience that if you plant seeds in March or April, adult flowers may begin to bloom earlier than those planted in February.

During the growth of seedlings, the soil must be kept moist and the room in which the flowers grow must be constantly ventilated.

Growing eustoma in the garden

It is better to plant it in the ground at the beginning of the second month of summer. Most often, purchased seedlings are used, but home grown seedlings have also acquired strong roots by this time and this gives them the opportunity to better take root and adapt to street conditions.

Planting seedlings occurs as follows:

• transplanting plants from pots into the ground is carried out in the evening;
• each flower is taken out of the pot along with a lump of earth;
• planting is carried out in a previously prepared hole filled with water;
• To create a greenhouse effect, it is better to cover each sprout with a cut plastic bottle.

Almost immediately after planting, the plant begins to bloom, some buds are replaced by others until frost. Watering for it is provided moderate, since the plant is usually planted in partial shade, but on dry days it should be increased, and on rainy days fungicides should be used to prevent plant disease. For long flowering, use fertilizer.

Eustoma after flowering

The plant develops boxes in which the seeds ripen; they need to be collected to obtain future seedlings. At the end of August, when flowering has stopped, the sprouts and foliage are cut off, leaving two leaves so that new flowering begins in September.

In open ground, eustoma does not overwinter; to preserve the bush you like, you should transplant it into a pot in the fall, put it in a cool room, and plant it outside again in the spring.

Eustoma is an amazing flower that makes you fall in love at first sight, and although it is quite difficult to grow it yourself from seeds, you can still try it, following the recommendations described above.

A very beautiful flower, currently 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 seeds, it will be very useful to get acquainted with its biological characteristics. Such knowledge will allow you to avoid some mistakes and increase the chances of success in your business. We will give one piece of advice to novice flower growers - if your seeds do not germinate in the first year, do not lose heart. Carefully analyze your actions, find mistakes and start over. Be sure that the result will justify all your efforts.

1. Plants love uniform, diffused light. Don't keep it in the shade or in the sun. Sunlight is useful only during seed germination; its rays stimulate the awakening of sprouts.
2. The optimal soil is equal parts mixed humus from the bark of deciduous trees (you can use coconut shavings) and peat.

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

How to test soil acidity at home? Very simple. Place a few drops of table vinegar on the lump of soil being tested. If bubbles begin to appear, it means that a chemical reaction is occurring between the vinegar and the lime in the ground; the soil is neutral or slightly acidic. In acidic soil, the presence of “intrinsic 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 produce 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 division; both bushes will certainly die. For the same reason, the flower cannot be replanted.
2. In order to increase flowering time at home, the plant should be kept in a cool room.

Take these features of plant development into account and avoid annoying troubles.

There are more than 60 plant species in nature, 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 bed you can also take tall ones with a height of 60–120 cm.

It should be noted right away that this is a painstaking task; the seeds may not always sprout. Reason: violation of recommended agricultural technology or low-quality seeds. It is very important to buy seeds only from verified, trustworthy distributors. One of the difficulties is that the seeds are very small; on average, one gram contains more than 20 thousand pieces. In addition, they have a very low germination rate; if approximately 30% of the planted seeds germinate, then this indicator is considered a great success.

Important. The germination rate of treated seeds does not exceed 40%, although manufacturers claim that this figure is 60%. In many cases, untreated seeds will not germinate at all, do not purchase them, do not waste your time.

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

How to achieve maximum results when growing from seeds?

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

You can also use peat tablets, but before doing this you need to soak them for at least a day.

Step 2. It is advisable that the seeds be processed by the manufacturer and sealed with a special gel. This not only significantly increases the germination rate, but also allows the seeds to be sown evenly in the soil.

Step 3. Sow the seeds into the prepared substrate. The soil should be moist, but not soaked, and soft in structure. Do not sprinkle the seeds under any circumstances, just press them lightly to the ground. You only need to water with a sprayer, making sure that the seeds do not “fall” underground.

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

Important. The germination of eustoma is greatly influenced by light; it serves as a natural stimulant for the awakening of life processes. In this regard, the use of artificial light is mandatory; the duration of the light period should be approximately 12 hours a day. Place the containers in a place where the daytime temperature is at least +20°C, and at night at least +14°C. Temperature parameters are very important when growing plants from seeds; their violation often causes a complete lack of seedlings.

Step 5. As soon as the shoots appear, immediately remove the film, and 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 picking. The height should 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 begin the hardening procedure. Do this gradually; in the first days, expose her to the open air for only a few hours. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Hardening should only be done in warm weather.

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

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

Important. The amount of water during irrigation should be carefully monitored. Make sure that the leaves dry out in the evening.

Rotting of the root system (black leg) is almost untreatable 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 so that the light is diffused. The optimal temperature is approximately +22°C.

As for irrigation, water from city networks should be left for at least a day. The root system reacts poorly to the presence of large amounts of calcium ions in water; it is recommended to water it with soft water. Waterlogging and drying out of the soil become stressful for plants; such situations should not be allowed to happen. During intensive growing season, especially during the period of 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 limits. If all care recommendations are followed, there is hope that in about three months you will be able to enjoy new flowers.

How to grow eustoma in the garden

Only move plants when the risk of frost has completely disappeared. The place should be cozy: without scorching sun rays and drafts. The soil should not have excessive moisture. It is better to water the soil; these problems are easier to deal with, but excessive moisture is much more difficult to deal with.

Immediately after planting, it is recommended to cover tender and weakened plants with cut plastic bottles. During replanting, do not tear the lump of old soil from the roots under any circumstances. Very carefully remove the eustoma from the container; before doing this, moisten the soil 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 piece of advice should be used wisely, and be sure to take into account the growth characteristics of the plant. If you decide to grow flowers for sale, then the technology changes somewhat. The closest attention is paid to compliance with watering and fertilizing regimes. Breeding in greenhouses makes it possible to regulate important microclimate parameters, and control soil moisture and frequency of watering to be fully automated. Flowers are cut down to the roots, and then new generations are grown.

Rest period

In winter, the plant significantly slows down its life activity. After the flowers have completely fallen, the stems should be trimmed, making sure to leave up to three internodes. There is almost no need to water; pots with plants should be kept in rooms with a temperature no higher than +15°C. In spring, the plant begins to awaken. 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 regime must be resumed.

Unfortunately, bringing flowers out of the dormant period will not always be successful, especially for novice gardeners. To always have beautiful flowers in your room, keep some 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 carefully monitor their condition, then the eustoma will be healthy. Prevention measures are well known to everyone: plants are treated with drugs with an antiseptic effect.

Video - How to grow eustoma from seeds