Eustoma is a beautiful plant for interior decoration
Eustoma is an incredibly beautiful indoor plant, but not all gardeners are familiar with it. Translated from Latin it means “beautiful mouth”. It also has other names. It is also known to flower growers by the genus name Lisianthus. Another popular name is “Irish rose”, since the half-opened flower looks a little like a rose.
The plant's homeland is South America. It is found in Mexico and the Caribbean islands.
Eustoma is also popular as a cut plant, as it lasts a long time and does not fade.
Eustoma grows both in the garden and at home. For the room it is better to choose low-growing varieties.
Varieties of eustoma and photographs of those grown at home and in gardens
Externally, eustoma looks a little like a rose. Eustoma has many varieties. Some of them reach 1 meter, while others are very low. Due to its diversity, the plant is extremely popular when arranging bouquets. The color of the flowers is also different. They can be white, blue, purple. There are regular and terry varieties. About 60 varieties of this plant are known in nature; Russell's eustoma is usually grown at home.
For indoor planting, varieties up to 20 cm in height are most suitable. Eustoma in a pot feels great and blooms, so it is quite popular among gardeners, both amateurs and professionals.
Growing eustoma at home
Eustoma reproduces only by seeds
In order to grow eustoma, you will have to put in a little effort. Reproduction is available by seeds, so it will take time and a little patience. The seeds of the plant are very small, which is an additional difficulty when planting. It is better to purchase them in specialized stores, paying attention to the packaging date. To increase germination, some manufacturers treat seeds in a special way. Germination is about 60 percent, but since there are usually a lot of seeds, this is a good indicator.
The soil is taken with a neutral reaction, it is advisable to disinfect the ground before planting the material. The seeds are scattered over the surface of the soil; soil is not poured on top. The pot is covered with transparent film or glass. There must be holes for air circulation. For effective seedlings you will need light, so if the seeds were sown in winter, then install an additional backlight.
The temperature for eustoma germination should be about 20 degrees during the day, and about 14 at night. Since the seeds are small, watering will wash them away, so spraying is used. However, at first the soil will be moist, this may be enough for germination.
After about 2 weeks, the first shoots appear. As soon as this happens, the glass is removed. To prevent diseases, you can periodically spray with phytosporin. When the eustoma has several pairs of leaves, the seedlings will have to be planted in separate pots. Their diameter is about 5 cm. After 3 months they can be planted in a permanent place.
If flowering is required in winter, the seeds are sown from July to September. The best substrate for planting is a mixture of sand and peat, which produces light and breathable soil. Special peat tablets for planting are also suitable.
The eustoma plant is perennial; planting with roots is considered ineffective, which is why seed propagation is used. When picking seedlings, it is important to be careful, since the root system is very fragile, and if it is damaged, the plant dies.
The indoor eustoma conditions are slightly different from the garden ones. She definitely needs fresh air and enough light to bloom profusely.
Choosing a location for a plant
The most suitable place is east or west. The most suitable temperature is 19-22 degrees, which is quite possible to achieve indoors. An influx of fresh air is required, but in winter it is not advisable to place it next to an open window.
Watering and air humidity
When the seedlings are still small, it is more convenient to spray them with a sprayer or by immersing the pot in water. Subsequently, careful watering is carried out with settled and soft water at room temperature. Before the next watering, you should wait until the top layer of soil dries. This is especially important in winter. It is not recommended to spray an adult plant so as not to damage the leaves and flowers.
Feeding the flower
Use universal fertilizer. Before flowering begins, you can apply fertilizer to flowering plants.
An adult plant needs to be replanted from time to time
An adult plant may become overgrown and require replanting. You will have to deal with eustoma very carefully. To renew the pot, they use the transfer method, that is, without destroying the root ball, but only by removing part of the excess soil.
Bloom
With proper care and the chosen location, eustoma blooms approximately 20 weeks after the first shoots appear. Faded buds should be removed so that they do not spoil the appearance or provoke disease. If you follow the rules of care, re-blooming may occur after 3 months.
Possible problems when growing eustoma flowers
Like any plant, eustoma is susceptible to some diseases. It can be attacked by aphids, whiteflies and spider mites. Garden stores sell medications that will relieve such problems. Sometimes the flower is affected by powdery mildew and fusarium. Special remedies will also help against these diseases.
In indoor conditions, eustoma can become ill due to irregular watering and lack of sufficient light for proper development and flowering.
What to do after flowering
Sooner or later the plant fades and enters a dormant period. The stems of eustoma should be trimmed, leaving 2-3 internodes, and then placed in a cool room with a temperature of about 10-15 degrees. Feeding is stopped at this time, watering is done infrequently and very carefully. In the spring, as daylight hours lengthen, the plant will begin to appear new shoots. At this time, it can be carefully replanted using the transshipment method and normal watering can be resumed.
Eustoma in the garden and in landscape design
As an annual plant, eustoma is planted in the garden. Before doing this, seedlings are sown. It is more convenient to do this at home. You can also transplant adult specimens into open ground; this is done at the end of May. Seedlings for planting in the garden must have at least 6 leaves.
Important: the root system is very fragile, so even when planting in open ground, they use the transfer method, removing all the earthen food from the pot.
It is better to plant in the late afternoon, when there is no bright sun. For the first few days, it is better to cover the plant with film so that it adapts to the open air.
Eustoma is a beautiful plant that can be kept both at home and grown in the garden.
Choose a sunny site for planting in the garden with good fertile soil. Responds well to fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. It is important to monitor soil moisture, do not let the soil dry out too much and water it in a timely manner.
Reference: for better branching and more abundant flowering, seedlings that have reached the size of 6-8 leaves pinch the top.
Flowering can last up to two months. To prolong it, it is necessary to regularly remove dried flowers. After the flowers wither, seed pods appear in their place, which, after ripening, can be collected and used for further sowing. The plant is not afraid of slight frosts, so it blooms successfully until autumn. Flowering time depends on when the seeds were sown. If this happened in November-December, then the first flowering is expected in July, and if in January, then the flowers will appear in August.
Eustoma is a good plant not only for creating flower beds in the garden, but also for interior decoration. Its bright flowers will decorate any windowsill; they can also be temporarily displayed to decorate holiday tables and rooms.
Watch the video on this flower.