Eustoma room: variety description, planting, growing and care at home in pots

Eustoma indoor, although a difficult flower to grow, this does not in the least deter plant lovers. He is valued for his tenderness and grace, in popularity he is in second place after the rose. It is also called the Texas bluebell, Japanese or Irish rose, Lisianthus - a bitter flower. Eustoma can often be found on the main pages of the floriculture manual. In order for the plant to bloom profusely, you need to know the rules for planting and caring for it.

Characteristic features of room eustoma

At home, the plant is represented by a low bush of compact size with strongly branched stems.The leaf plates are quite dense and have an oval-lanceolate shape. On the outside there is a wax coating that helps protect against the scorching rays of the sun. Outwardly, the flowers are very similar to roses, the only difference is the presence of a funnel-shaped notch.

But already in a loose state they can be compared with poppies, the number can reach 35 pieces. There are specimens with pink, lilac, white or purple buds. There are also varieties of plain or with contrasting piping around the edges.

It is noteworthy that under natural conditions, eustoma lives only 2 years, and when grown in the garden - only one season. As an indoor culture, it is able to please with its attractive appearance up to 4-5 years.

Common species and varieties

There are over 60 varieties of the flower, but Russell's eustoma is chosen for keeping the house, the height of which does not exceed 45 centimeters.For planting in a garden, the most popular options are species with large flowers. If you plan to use flowers in the future to make bouquets, then it is recommended to plant crops that are tall.

Among eustoma with an intensive growth rate, gardeners enjoy special attention:

• Aurora with early flowering. The color of the buds is white, blue, light blue or pink.
• Echo, which is almost 70 centimeters tall. There are 11 varieties of it. The stems grow spreading, and the buds are large.
• Heidi, characterized by stable and abundant flowering, its height is 90 centimeters. The variety has 15 varieties.
• Flamenco, which has established itself as tall and unpretentious in care, its height is 90-120 centimeters. Also, the variety is distinguished by many shades.

The following varieties of eustoma are used for indoor cultivation:

• Mermaid, characterized as a low plant with branched stems 12-15 centimeters long. Small flowers are painted white, pink, blue or purple.
• LittleBell - eustoma is only 15 centimeters high, it does not need pinching, its cups form a simple funnel shape.
• Fidelity - eustoma grows up to only 20 centimeters. It is a white flower with numerous spirally arranged buds.
• FloridaPink - eustoma with regular pink flowers.

Necessary conditions for growth and flowering

For the successful cultivation of eustoma in an apartment, it is necessary to create comfortable conditions for growth and development. Only an optimal microclimate, moisture- and breathable soil and competent care will achieve bright and lush flowering.

Optimal location and lighting

Eustoma room is characterized by increased light-loving. For the winter period, it is recommended to transfer the pot to the window sill of a south-facing window, and for the summer season - to the west or east. Do not allow direct exposure to the rays of the sun on the leaves of eustoma, otherwise there is a high probability of burns. Given this feature of the flower, in winter it will be necessary to use fitolamps for additional illumination (15 hours a day).

Temperature readings

For tender eustoma, it is required to maintain temperature indicators in the range of + 20-24 degrees. These are the conditions that a plant needs to lay new buds. If the temperature is within + 27-30 degrees, then in the first year the ovaries will accumulate useful components, and they will bloom only the next year. When the budding phase ends, the eustoma needs a rest period.

Humidity

For eustoma in winter, maintenance in dry air conditions is especially detrimental. The plant is also contraindicated to be near the air conditioner, heating appliances. For eustoma, it is preferable to stay at a humidity level in the room in the range of 40-60%. If the plant began to fade, then the humidity in the room should be increased.

The critical parameters for room eustoma are the humidity level of 10-30%. It is possible to increase these indicators by using pallets of water placed near the pot .

How to plant a plant at home

Properly carried out planting work allows the eustoma to take root faster and grow.

Suitable soil and drainage

You can also plant room eustoma in a mixture for violets. But you can prepare the soil substrate with your own hands, using peat and sand in equal proportions or in the same proportions of peat and tree bark. The acidity level should be between 6.7-7.0.

When growing eustoma in an acidic environment, it has a growth retardation and the appearance of chlorosis on leaf plates. Expanded clay pebbles are used as drainage.

Pot size

For planting eustoma, it is best to choose a wide vessel with low sides. This is due to the location of the root system of the flower, it is located in the upper layers of the soil. There must be drainage holes in the pot to drain excess moisture, otherwise the roots will rot.

Step by step planting technique

Algorithm of actions regarding sowing work:

1. Fill a container or personal containers with light soil, level it and compact it a little.
2. Spread the seeds on the surface of the soil or in shallow grooves at a distance of 1-1.5 centimeters. Sprinkle with a layer of sand to avoid the development of a black leg. At the same time, the crops should be slightly visible.
3. Moisten crops with a spray bottle.
4. Create greenhouse conditions with a glass container, polyethylene.

When finished, place the container or flowerpot in a warm place for germination, where the air temperature is between 21-24 degrees.

Features of home care

Eustoma, as an indoor culture, needs regular moisturizing, fertilizing, pruning and protection from harmful insects and diseases.

Water in winter and summer

In summer, eustoma should receive moisture often, but in moderate doses, and in winter, on the contrary, rarely. The next irrigation procedure should be carried out when the top layer of soil dries by 2-3 centimeters. Only soft and settled liquid is used for these purposes, the excess must be removed from the pallet.

Do not allow water to get on the leaves and flowers of eustoma, otherwise there is a risk of infection with a fungal infection. You need to pour water under the root.

Feeding

To maintain a he althy eustoma, it is necessary to apply nutritional formulations twice a month. Suitable for top dressing is any universal fertilizer for flowering crops, which are bred according to the manufacturer's instructions. Procedures are required only at the stage of active vegetation, they are stopped in winter.

Shaping cut

After the end of the flowering phase, only three internodes and 2-3 pairs of leaves are left on the flower, the rest of the branches are removed. The pruned plant is placed in a cool place.

Nuances of care after flowering

Faded eustoma needs pruning and cool air. The plant needs rest to recuperate and lay buds for the next year.

Diseases and pests: methods of dealing with them

Given the fact that eustoma is characterized by bitter juice, it is rarely attacked by parasitic individuals and diseases. But, with violations in care, she can suffer from ticks, small aphids and whiteflies. To combat them, preparations such as Actara, Confidor, Actellik, Fitoverma are suitable.

For the treatment of plants from powdery mildew, fusarium, root rot, it is recommended to use fungicidal preparations such as Fundazol, Ridomil Gold. As a preventive measure, it is good to do 2-3 sprays with one of these products. If the flower died from a fungal disease, then it must be disposed of, and the container and tools should be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate, alcohol.

Organize a rest period

When the eustoma is in a state of rest, its life processes slow down. At this stage, trimming should be done, leaving up to three internodes. It is not required to irrigate the plant, the flower must be determined in coolness, where the temperature is up to +15 degrees. After waking up, the eustoma is transplanted into a new pot and all care activities are resumed.

Reproduction of room eustoma

To get a new plant, you can use one of the methods: through seeds or rhizome.

Rhizome

A plant grown in the garden is transplanted into a large container in autumn, cut off the stems and transferred to a cool place (8-10 degrees), where it is periodically watered. When new shoots form in the spring, the flower is propagated by dividing the rhizome. An earth lump is treated with a solution of potassium permanganate (withstand for 2 hours), excess soil is removed and divided into 2-3 parts. Sections are powdered with foundation or crushed coal, and planted in the ground.

Seeds

Crops are done in early December in containers filled with loose substrate. Then it is moistened, the seeds are laid out and sprayed again with a spray bottle. They are covered with a mini-greenhouse, placed in a room where the air temperature is +25 degrees. Periodically moisten the soil, ventilate. The first sprouts will be visible in 2 weeks.

Eustoma is a luxurious home plant. Even a beginner can grow it, the main thing is to follow the recommendations regarding planting and care.

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