Eustoma how to grow from seeds at home?

Its amazing view of eustoma can decorate any flower bed. Delicate flowers form a dense carpet, almost hiding the green foliage beneath them. A visitor from South America not only has taken root in our latitudes as an annual, but became a popular garden flower. Eustoma unpretentious, original and universal from the point of view of landscape design. In addition, it can be grown indoors and specially cut. Talk about how to grow eustoma from seed where it is to determine where and how to take care of a plant.

Eustoma, or “pretty mouth”

“Pretty mouth” - that is interpreted from the Latin name of a plant, consisting of two roots: “ei” and “stoma”. Such an allegorical comparison is connected with the shape of a flower. Currently, the Botanical environment called "eustoma" means only one specific kind-grandiflora. He was assigned to the plant in 1806, scientist R. Salisbury, seeing and admiring Lisanthus a grandiflora. In fact, it was he loved by gardeners and gave rise to many and varied varieties.

Generic name Lisianthus was awarded to representatives of the family Gentianaceae Irish botanist and physician Patrick brown. Sometimes the credit mistakenly attributed to Carl Linnaeus. You can also find eustoma under the name Texas Bluebell, Prairie gentian or Tulip gentian.

A Legend about the flower

Exotic and colorful eustoma (planting and care described below) has its own legend about its origin. American Indians say the old story about the leader of one of the tribes who had a beautiful daughter. She was so beautiful that she fell in love with the spirit of war and wished to take the girl to wife. She turned him down. The deity has come to indescribable fury and killed the poor girl. In the place of her burial came through the day of unearthly beauty eustoma flowers. Since then, in Indian folklore, they represent the innocence of a dead soul.

Recommended

The most effective methods of seed germination

Despite the fact that the method of seedling in vegetable production is a very time consuming process, it is used by most gardeners. Planting seeds in open ground is an easy and convenient method, but it is effective only in certain climatic zones. I...

Retro-reflective paint. The scope of

When the vehicle began to fill the road, their popularity began to gain reflective paint. Thanks to this paint, as drivers and pedestrians becomes much easier to avoid accidents in the dark. Purpose paint Reflective paint – paint material, whic...

How to make icon with your own hands - options izgotovleniya (simple and complex)

In Soviet times, many collecting badges, emblems, pennants. To get them was not easy. And today, thanks to technology, you can make them yourself. Knowing how to make icon with your own hands, and you can make original gifts to your friends, and make...

Growing Area and description of flower

Responding to a question about how to grow eustoma from seed to seedling, and then in the field or at home, we should start with a story about the homeland plants, and its morphological features. These two aspects largely determine the rules of care for the flower.

The Natural habitat area eustoma is very wide and covers the southern United States, Northern South America, the isthmus of Panama, Mexico, and partly the Islands of the Caribbean.

Currently, the genus includes only three species: it is eustoma grandiflorum, or Russell, small, and Berkeley. They have some phenotypic differences, but at the same time share some common characteristics on which we dwell. Eustoma is a herbaceous plant with stiff erect stem, reaching a height of 60 cm Around the middle it begins to ramify, for this reason, in bloom it is a ready-made bouquet. Leaves ovate-lanceolate bluish-green color, opaque. Calyx funnel-shaped, deep, the diameter is 5-8 cm In the natural environment the petals have the color deep blue hue. Breeders brought many varieties, differing in color, and fluffy form.

Types of eustoma

Before you try to grow eustoma in a pot at home or in the garden, you should decide which kind of plant we are dealing in a particular case. How would you convince the sellers about the species, remember that in our markets and in specialized stores while you can only find Lisianthus Russell (or large). It is sold with buds in early spring in pots, plant it in their gardens of experienced gardeners. A distinctive feature of the species – blue-green waxy leaves and showy bell-shaped blue (sometimes white) flowers. Grows in the region of the Great plains. Pictures of this type presented in the review.

The Second known species – small eustoma (Eustoma exaltatum). You can see it in the photo above. The flower is simple in form, five-petal hue from pale lilac to purple.

The Third kind - Eustoma barkleyi, which is a tropical plant. It was first described in 1957.

How to grow eustoma from seed: seedlings or directly in the ground?

As mentioned above, eustoma – this is a biennial plant. However, in the climate of the middle band it can be grown only as annuals, and only in the southern regions - as two years. Sowing seeds can be as seedlings and directly into the ground. The first method is most relevant for the Central part, Ural and Siberia, the second – South. In addition, you need to pay attention to the structure of the soil if it is heavy, very small seeds eustoma is simply lost in her, and are unlikely to germinate. Seedling to early June, with proper planting is already formed and strong, and in July the plant will bloom and will retain their decorative effect until the frost.

Sowing

The First thing you need to know about how to grow seedlings of eustoma, – the sowing of seeds. From the moment of germination until flowering takes about 5-6 months. This means that in orderto get the flowering plant in June, plant his seedlings should be in early January. However, at this time of year daylight is short, so you will need supplementary lighting.

If you want to grow eustoma at room conditions, the period of sowing seeds it is possible to move at the beginning of March. In this case, additional lighting is not required.

Phase 1: seeding

Learn how to grow seedlings from seeds of eustoma written quite a lot. Inexperienced gardeners are often warned that the process is not simple and sometimes it makes sense to think about the purchase of the plants. The cultivation of Lisianthus, indeed, the power is not everything. Seedling capricious, long evolving, sensitive to waterlogging. In addition, note that seed packet (10 pieces) eustoma varietal will cost on average from 40 to 100 rubles. Anyone who wants to grow this flower, we recommend you to select granular planting material (pictured above) and the peat pill, like the picture below. It will significantly increase your chances of a successful outcome.

The Peat pill that is too large is not necessary, just take those that are in diameter equal to 4 cm Prepare in advance a propagation case, for example, from the packaging from the cake. Put the pills and gradually add some water until they swell, drain the excess. In the center of each of them make a small indentation with a toothpick or a match and place the seed eustoma. To bury it is not necessary, placed, left, and closed the lid of the greenhouse. A preliminary study of information about how to grow eustoma from seed at home, greatly simplifies the process and prevents errors.

Place a Container under the fluorescent light. Supplementary lighting make the assumption that daylight is for eustoma should be about 12 hours. The most favorable temperature for germination – this is +20-25°C during the day and not below +15°C at night.

Stage 2: seedlings

If you have the necessary environment eustoma seeds begin to germinate after approximately a week after planting. Seedlings are very small and fragile, are developing very slowly. At this time, is building up the root system, so they require special attention.

At this stage it is important to know how to grow eustoma of these tiny sprouts. First, watch for condensation inside the greenhouse and promptly delete it. If a drop of water will fall on the plants from above, the probability of development of mold and death. Second, daily ventilate the container. Thirdly, watering seedlings rarely, only when I notice that the pills are starting to settle down. Add water into the container, and then remove the excess.

After the appearance of the seedlings first pair of leaves you can start to increase the time of winding, thereby accustoming them to the dry air of the room. Approximately mid-March to stop supplementary lighting and fully translate eustoma the natural light.

Step 3: Seating in individual pots

Evidence that the peat pill began to plant small, will be the emergence of roots beyond. As a rule, visible to the naked eye, and seedlings by this time, have 1-2 pairs of true leaves. Do not delay a transfer, otherwise the roots will grow into neighboring pill (this happens very quickly) and then they have to split damage will be inevitable.

When studying the question of how to grow eustoma from seed, you need to pay attention to the preparation of soil for planting. For seedlings need fertile and loose soil with good permeability for water and air. You can use a special store-bought mixes intended for the violets, or to prepare the soil yourself. To do this you need humus, peat, ordinary garden soil and good quality river washed sand. To take them in the ratio 1:2:1:0,5. Eustoma prefers soil with a neutral pH, so it is useful to add to the mix wood ash in the amount of two tablespoons to one litre of the earth.

The New pot should not be too big, enough 6-7 cm in diameter. On the bottom pour the prepared soil layer of 2-3 cm and slightly tighten it. Carefully, trying not to damage the roots of plants, remove the cover from the tablet. Next, place eustoma in a pot and fill the space with soil. If the roots do grow out and planting you were late, do not remove the shell, just cut it in those places where they are less likely. Seal the ground around the plants, ensure the root collar was buried. Pour the plants, directing a jet of water around the perimeter of the pot, not in the center. The surface, lightly sprinkle dry potting soil.

Step 4: caring for seedlings

Aftercare for seedlings is a timely watering. It is important not to fill the young plants, pay attention to the condition of the soil and their appearance. Pots with seedlings put on a well-lit place (South or West window). Draw your attention to how to grow eustoma flower from seed for open field and room, because there are certain differences in farming practices.

If you plan to replant a plant in the garden or youa tall cultivar, you will need another transplant. It should be held in mid-March, to do this, prepare the pots for 3-4 cm in diameter more than the previous one.

In the case when eustoma is prepared for planting in pots, then put in a room, on the balcony, loggia or patio, the intermediate stage can be omitted. Re-pot the plant immediately in the pot, that is in a permanent place.

Step 5: transplanting in pots

After Learning about how to grow eustoma from seed, and realizing all of the tips in life, you can move on to the next stage. Eustoma when transplanting in pots (indoor cultivation) soil requirements are the same, but for best growth suggest to add 1 tablespoon for every three quarts of soil mix nitrophoska or azofoski. Carefully move the fertilizer to the ground as the Lisianthus is sensitive to excess fertilizer and may get burned.

At the bottom of the pots, be sure to pour a layer of expanded clay with a thickness of 2-3 cm For dwarf varieties will be enough to pot 15 cm in diameter or in width. Increasing the volume of the pots, add to the bottom more expanded clay. Next, pour a small layer of soil mix, remove the seedling from the pot and carefully (keeping the soil ball), place it in a new capacity. The voids fill with soil and lightly uplotnaet. Then water the plant and sprinkle dry earth on top.

A Few words about how to grow eustoma home. Caring for it indoors simple. Place the pots with the plant in a light place, it is not afraid of direct sunlight and they will be only too happy. In the summer eustoma ordinary room temperature, in the winter – it is necessary to maintain it at the level of 16-18°C. Watering should be abundant, let the soil in the breaks a little to dry. This plant is native to tropical and prefers damp air, pojetomu regularly spray.

For those who want to put a plant in the garden, on the questions about how to grow a flower eustoma does not end there. The most difficult stages (from seed to large seedling) passed. However, it is necessary to keep plants in the open ground, and this too requires some effort.

Step 6: planting in the open ground

After eustoma to grow from seed successfully did it, and you have excellent seedlings, it is important not to ruin. Do not rush to planting in the ground, let the threat passes the return of frost. The timing is directly dependent on the climate zone, approximately mid-may to early June. The principles of selection, planting and preparation of soil mixture are the same as for eustoma grown in pot culture.

The Optimal time for planting – the evening or cloudy day. Plant the bushes at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other to prevent thickening.

Step 7: caring for outdoor plants

Basic tips on how to grow eustoma from seed in the home, operate and in relation to street copies. Weeding, watering, fertilizing, soil loosening, pruning old blossoms – these are the main points that should pay attention.

First, be careful with watering. It is important to find a middle ground, as eustoma harms not only the excess moisture, but its not enough. When the plants are 6-8 pairs of leaves, pinched the tip to stimulate the formation of lateral shoots. The fertilizer plant complex mineral preparations is carried out according to standard procedure.

Second, the weeding and hoeing. The procedures are mandatory for all crops. After watering, do not forget to loosen the soil, but shallow, to ensure the access of oxygen to the roots.

Third, safely remove the faded flowers. So the plant will look more tidy, moreover, it is likely that in 6 weeks it will bloom again.

In the culture room eustoma less susceptible to pests and diseases, unlike street copies. Plants are most susceptible to Botrytis, the appearance of which is associated with disruption of the water regime. Pests of danger thrips and whiteflies. Treat street eustoma to prevent several times a season with fungicide and insecticide.

Can I use my own seeds?

Many novice growers wonder whether it is possible to grow eustoma from seeds obtained from their own plants. It has two answers. First – Yes, if your eustoma was heirloom. Second – not if the flowers are a product of crossing and the packaging was the icon of F1. In this case, the probability that eustoma seed will be similar to the parent plant, a small, likely splitting according to various criteria.

Now you know all about how to grow from seed eustoma. Begonia hanging plant, Lobelia and ornamental deciduous species will be to her wonderful neighbors on the balcony, patio or on the summer terrace. In the garden it prefers solitude. Monoposte on beds, along the border look particularly impressive. Do not forget that suitable for cut flowers eustoma in a bouquet. Use the bushes, which blossomed at least 3-4 of flower.