Delicate and graceful eustoma from the USA

Eustoma, or as it is also called lisianthus, belongs to the family of herbaceous plants. The natural habitat for this flower is located near rivers and in lowlands.

This plant came to us from the USA and immediately earned the attention of gardening enthusiasts.

Lisianthus earned its popularity due to large spectacular flowers that adorn the plant during flowering. Thanks to the work of breeders, eustoma pleases the eye with a variety of shades:

• pink;
• green;
• white;
• apricot;
• yellow;
• lilac;
• purple.

You can find stunningly beautiful varieties that combine two shades on their petals, creating a stunning decorative effect on the flowerbed.

Usually the plant reaches a height of 100 cm. Branched stems are covered with small leaves of an unusual grayish color.

In appearance, blooming eustoma can be confused with a rose. But its leaves are much thinner than its luxurious double. Despite the obvious differences, eustoma is called a Japanese rose.

One bush can be decorated with 20 large flowers at once. In this case, the flowering of the plant will last a long time, as the buds open in turn.

Shrubs are classified as gentian. Before deciding to breed eustoma, you should know that caring for such a plant is characterized by some difficulties. The maximum lifespan of a cultivated plant reaches only two years.

Usually eustoma is grown in pots or for cutting. In addition, some varieties are well established in the open ground. Such bushes look great in single plantings and in flower arrangements.

Breeders are creating new varieties that are widely available in specialized stores. Choosing an eustoma, you need to understand the classification. Bushes are divided into:

• high
• dwarf.

Long plants are suitable for cutting or landscaping. Low-growing varieties feel good in apartment conditions and in drawers for decorating balconies, terraces and patios.

 

You will also have to choose between annual and biennial varieties. Usually this information is indicated on the package with seeds. One-year varieties are more suitable for amateur gardeners, since two-year bushes will require specially equipped greenhouses and experience in caring for such capricious flowers.

Eustoma is divided by the type of flower into terry and simple. Terry varieties look more impressive. At the same time, they do not have restrictions on shades.

The most popular among terry varieties are:

• Misty Blue;
• Rose picoti;
• Misty Pink;
• Champagne
• Blue Rome;
• Purple;
• Deep Blue et al.

The advantages of these varieties include:

• strong shoots;
• large flowers;
• early flowering.

Initially, you need to pay attention to choosing a place for planting bushes. Since the plant loves the sun, it should be placed on the south side of the site. If the plant is indoor, then you need to put it at the window.

In this case, do not leave flowers under the scorching rays of the summer sun. In sultry hours it is better to try to provide shading to the bushes.

Also, attention should be paid to creating a suitable soil composition. The acidity of the earth should be at a normal level. The soil must be nutritious and well-drained. To grow eustoma, it is good to add fine sand to the composition.

Too dense soil should be diluted with perlite and peat. If you want to prepare the composition yourself, then you need to add to it:

• Part of the land;
• part of the sand (perlite);
• sheet earth;
• peat.

The best time for feeding is the growing season. For fertilizer, it is recommended to use liquid nutritional formulations. Before feeding, you need to make sure that the seedlings are rooted.

If eustoma grows in an apartment, then you should not create an excess of moisture. It is important that the land has time to completely dry between waterings. Water should be at room temperature and soft enough.

Eustoma growing on open ground may be content with rain water in case the rains were heavy this season. If the summer was dry, then watering should be regular.

As for temperature and lighting, the first months the plant needs bright lighting. This will ensure dense growth of the bush, instead of the appearance of long shoots. For indoor plants, you can arrange lighting using fluorescent lamps.

A temperature suitable for eustoma growth ranges between 20 and 25 degrees. The first shoots will appear on day 15. Flowering will begin in mid-summer and lasts until October.

Flowering is as follows: branching occurs in the middle of the stem. After that, approximately 20 buds will appear. Flowers will open one after another, providing continuous bright flowering.

Flowers will adorn the garden for two months. At the end, you can cut flowers and put in a vase. So the stems with flowers will stand for some more time. In addition, the stems will again grow from the root, which will bloom again.

Lisianthus will create a unique atmosphere in the garden. Bright multi-colored flowers will become a decoration of the landscape. In the apartment, such a bush will also bring a lot of pleasant impressions and create a cozy atmosphere.