The birthplace of the unusual garden flower Lisianthus is Mexico and North America. This spectacular perennial plant belongs to the gorchakov family. At home, since ancient times, it is very much appreciated for its medicinal properties. In Mexico, lisianthus (or eustoma) is often used in all sorts of religious rituals and festivities. In our country, this crop is grown in suburban areas, mainly as an ornamental.
General Description
Until recently, this plant was considered not very suitable for making bouquets, and therefore it was not grown industrially. The fact is that wild lisianthus has a very short stem and does not look very attractive in flower arrangements. However, since the bells themselves are very beautiful in this plant, it eventually interested biologists-breeders. As a result, many tall varieties of eustoma (up to 70 cm) were bred. Today, Lisianthus is quite common, including in our country, a garden ornamental plant.
Lisianthus flowers: growing from seeds in seedlings
The eustoma plant is southern, and therefore thermophilic. Lisianthus is grown by domestic gardeners mainly from seeds, seedlings. The best time for sowing in boxes is the end of February - the beginning of March. The soil for seedlings is prepared slightly acidic or neutral, fertile. Ready-made purchased soil intended for indoor violets is very good for these plants. In order to make it a little looser, you need to add a little sand to it.
How to plant?
Before filling the boxes, the soil for eustoma must be steamed. The fact is that this plant is not too resistant to various kinds of bacterial and fungal diseases. Lisianthus (eustoma) flower seeds are very small. Therefore, they are usually sold in the form of dragees. They are planted in boxes in a superficial way. The soil is pre-moistened a little. After the seeds are spread on the ground, the box is covered with film or glass. Lisianthus seedlings germinate approximately 10-12 days after planting. All this time, you need to ensure that the soil in the box does not dry out.
Seedling care
The emerging shoots of eustoma are gradually accustomed to room air, removing the film or glass for an ever longer time. At first, Lisianthus seedlings activelygrow the root system. At the same time, their green mass develops very slowly. After about 6-8 weeks, young eustomas have 2-3 pairs of true leaves. At this time, they are transplanted into separate pots. It is not recommended to delay the picking of plants. For seedlings that are too large, overgrown roots can easily be damaged during transplantation.
The pick is usually carried out in small plastic pots (6 cm in diameter). Since the roots of this plant develop very quickly, somewhere in the middle of March, the seedlings are transferred to larger containers (up to 9 cm). Lisianthus flowers are transferred to open ground in early June, when the threat of return frosts has passed.
Seedlings are watered with eustomas for the first time exclusively using a spray bottle. Young Lisianthus do not like overdrying. Therefore, soil moisture in boxes and pots must be monitored carefully. It is best to fertilize plants with a complex agent intended for flower seedlings. Such top dressing should be applied once every two weeks, reducing the concentration indicated on the package by half.
Where to plant?
In the garden, lisianthus flowers feel best in slightly shaded, well-protected places from the wind. The soil these plants love is fertile, neutral, drained. It is not worth planting eustoma in the lowland. In such places, they will definitely begin to develop bacterial diseases.
Very high varieties of Lisianthus oftenplanted in the background of courtyard flower beds or fences. Undersized look good on alpine slides, as well as in group plantings of bright annuals.
How to plant correctly
Lisianthus flowers should be planted in open ground along with an earthen clod. It is advisable to fertilize the soil in the flower bed with azophos or nitrophos. If the land in the area is acidic, it is worth adding ash or dolomite flour to it when digging.
When transferring to flower beds, in no case should you bury Lisianthus flowers. Planting should be done in such a way that the plants are at the same level above the surface of the flower bed as in the pot. The distance between the bushes should be quite large. Eustoma of all varieties grows very lush and at the same time does not like thickening very much. If, according to forecasts, a rainy summer is expected, it is advisable to treat the planted lisianthus with a solution of "Fundazol" or "Fitosporin". The soil under the plants should be mulched with a thick layer of peat.
Feeding in the summertime
This ornamental plant consumes quite a lot of nutrients. Therefore, in order to achieve lush flowering, the soil under it must be periodically fertilized. Fertilize under eustoma 3-4 times per season. In this case, an infusion of cow or horse manure or compost is usually used as a fertilizer.
How to water properly?
Adult Lisianthus flowers, like young ones, do not tolerate overdrying very well. With a lack of moisture, they can even drop buds. Therefore, eustoma should be watered quite often andplentifully. It is best to do this in the morning or evening, otherwise you can burn the leaves of the plant. Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. Otherwise, eustoma may develop a black leg. A day after watering, it is advisable to loosen the soil under the lisianthus.
Plant diseases
Bacterial and fungal infections of various kinds, as already mentioned, very often affect Lisianthus flowers. Caring for them, therefore, should include various activities aimed at preventing the development of such diseases.
If these flowers are not given good conditions, they can pick up mycosis, fusarium or gray rot. In order for this not to happen, certain rules must be observed. When watering, for example, you need to try to make sure that water does not fall on the leaves or stems of eustoma. The same applies to manure infusion. This top dressing contains a large amount of nitrogen, which can soften the cells of the green parts of plants and make them vulnerable to infections.
If Lisianthus does get sick, they should be treated several times with a solution of soap and copper or 1% boric acid.
Of the eustoma pests, the most commonly affected are whiteflies and spider mites. In order to save the flowers from this scourge, they just need to be treated with an infusion of garlic or tobacco.
Lisianthus: the meaning of the flower according to beliefs
As you can see, caring for eustoma is a rather complicated procedure. However, in most cases it's worth it. Flowers arereally amazingly beautiful. At home, in Mexico, Lisianthus are treated with great respect. Varieties with white buds are considered a symbol of femininity, tenderness and love and are used to decorate wedding halls, as well as bridal bouquets. Lisianthuses with dark colors, on the contrary, symbolize deep sorrow and sadness. They decorate burial places, use them in mourning bouquets.
In Russia, Lisianthus is considered mainly only a wedding flower. It is allowed to give these flowers also for anniversaries or birthdays. Especially spectacular eustoma look in combination with white or red roses.
