Eustoma

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Eustoma (lat. Eustoma) –Genus of annual and perennial plants of the Gentian family. The second name is Lisianthus (Latin Lisianthus). Under natural conditions, it grows in the southern United States, in Mexico, the Isthmus of Panama and on some islands of the Caribbean Sea. In Russia, large-flowered eustoma has become widespread; it is grown as an indoor or ornamental plant.

Characteristics of culture

Eustoma is a herbaceous plant with erect, densely leafy stems 45-60 cm high. Leaves are sessile, light green, ovoid or lanceolate. The flowers are bell-shaped, single, can be white, pink, lilac, purple, blue, light yellow and apricot. Depending on the varietal accessory, they are terry and simple, there are bordered and two-colored forms.

Relevant among flower growers Eustoma Russell (lat. Eustoma russellianus). The plant is a shrub with straight, branched stems and oval grayish-green leaves. The flowers are large enough, bell-shaped, can be of the most varied shapes and colors.

Growing conditions

Eustoma prefers well-lit rooms with few direct rays for 24 hours. In winter, plants need additional lighting with fluorescent lamps. The soil for eustoma needs loose soil with a pH of 6, 6-7, 0, rich in trace elements.

The optimum temperature for growing in spring and summer is 20-25C, in autumn and winter - 12-15C. Eustoma has a negative attitude to high air humidity, negatively perceives spraying, from this procedure it is often affected by fungal diseases.

Reproduction, planting, transplanting

Propagated by eustoma seeds and dividing the bush. Seeds are sown in early spring in low containers filled with sterilized soil substrate. The crops are covered with glass or plastic wrap, and kept at a temperature of 23-25C until shoots appear.

Periodically, the shelter is removed for ventilation. Watering is carried out using a spray bottle. As a rule, seedlings appear in 10-15 days. With the appearance of two pairs of true leaves in seedlings, they are dived into separate pots. Plants bloom one year after planting.

Vegetative propagation is carried out with the help of divisions, they are planted in wide and low containers, on the bottom of which a layer of expanded clay and a soil substrate are poured. When the delenki take root, they are transplanted into separate pots.

Care

Eustoma needs regular and abundant watering, drying out and waterlogging should not be allowed. In winter, the amount of watering is reduced. Top dressing is carried out during the period of active growth twice a month; complex mineral fertilizers are ideal for this purpose.

It is necessary to promptly remove the faded stems of the plant, leaving at least two pairs of leaves. Due to the fact that eustoma is often affected by thrips, spider mites and whiteflies, plants require preventive treatments against pests.