Lisianthus or eustome can be found in gardens very rarely, as they are most often grown on window sills.
This flower is also called the "Irish Rose", since it resembles it in form.
Lisianthus is an unpretentious plant, and its planting and care will not cause you much trouble.
Did you know? The name "Lisianthus" comes from the Greek "lysis" and "anthos", that is, "blossoming flower", translated from Latin "Lisianthus" means "bitter flower", which is quite justified. Indeed, like many gentian, wild lisianthuses contain a large amount of bitterness: genziopikrin, genzizin, genziamarin, gentianin, flavonoids, etc.
Lisianthus Description
The genus Eustoma from the family of gentian includes three kinds of flowers. Lisianthus has a different name, namely eustoma grandiflora and Roussel's eustoma.
Eustoma can be tall and miniature. Tall reach up to 1 m in length, and miniature - only up to 30 cm. On a thin peduncle there are multiple flowers that unfold in turn, forming a whole bunch. The flowers are terry, semi-double and densely double, but it depends on the variety.
Terry varieties look like roses or carnations. Other varieties have simple flowers that look like tulips, poppies or bluebells. Some varieties have a spiral petal shape.
Eustoma flowers can be of a different color, ranging from white to red. There are also two-colored Lisianthus.
In Europe, these flowers were brought from North America. The pioneer of this beautiful plant is considered to be Richard Anthony Salisbury. Currently, the plant is popular in America, New Zealand, Australia and Mexico.
Growing Lisianthus from seed through seedlings
Lisianthus can be grown at home, and this process is quite simple if you do everything competently and clearly. In the following sections, you will learn how to grow eustoma from seed at home and what rules to follow.
When to sow on seedlings
Seedlings can be sown at different times. For example, if you grow eustoma in order to later plant it in your garden, then the planting of seedlings should be in February or March. After that you will be able to observe its flowering in July-August. If you want to decorate your apartment with lisianthus in winter, it is better to plant the plant from July to September.
Did you know? Irish, Japanese, French, mountain roses - these are all names of lisianthus in different countries.
Soil for growing seedlings
Since Lisianthus seeds are small, it is better to buy planting material in the form of granules. This will simplify the planting and provide the first feeding of eustoma, as it consists of their nutrient fertilizers and materials.
The earth mixture should be with the addition of peat and sand, with a low nitrogen content, the pH is 6.0. Such a mixture can be bought at a flower shop or made independently.
How to sow seeds
A small container needs to be filled with a moist, prepared substrate, and then scatter the seeds over it. After that, the container should be covered with film or glass and put in a warm and bright place. Seeds need to be sprayed as needed. After three weeks you can see the first shoots.
You can also use peat tablets for sowing. They should be of medium size and their diameter should be 4 cm.
A small container in which you put the peat tablets, you need to wash in a pink solution of potassium permanganate. Then, after the peat tablets are placed in the container, you should pour a little water there. Water is added until the tablets are completely swollen. Excess water needs to be drained.
Then in the tablets should make a finger small recesses. According to them, and need to decompose the seeds - one in each pill. Make it more convenient wet toothpick. DTo help the seeds germinate through the shell, you should carefully break it with a toothpick when it is wet. After that, the container must be covered with a lid or film.
How to create conditions for seed germination
Place a seed container under a fluorescent lamp. Every day it should be turned on for 12 hours. The temperature should not be higher than +25 ° C, and at night - not lower than +20 ° C. In two weeks you will see the first shoots.
Care for Lisianthus seedlings
Seedlings can be watered with a light stream of water around the edge of the tank once a day. Seedlings do not need frequent watering, as they are covered with plastic wrap that retains moisture.
But plants need to be ventilated often to prevent condensation on the container and film. This should be done once a week and more. Also airing you can temper the plants. It is better to do this during the day and remove the film briefly, each time increasing the time intervals.
If you decide to grow eustoma for home decoration, you need to put the pots in a shaded, cool place and leave them there until they grow to 10 cm in height. Seedlings should be watered regularly.
After that, the flower should be transplanted into a pot with a diameter of 15 cm and put it on a warm window-sill with diffused sunlight.
If you decide to grow lisianthus, then to land it in open ground, you need to wait 3 months after planting. When the seedlings are stronger and will reach 15 cm in height, you can replant the plants in a flower bed.
Spray seedlings do not need, as this leads to diseases of young leaves. During active growth, lisianthus should be fertilized with liquid complex fertilizers (15 ml per 10 l of water).
Dive seedlings
After 8 weeks after sowing the plants need to dive. This should be done very carefully, as the Lisianthus root system is very delicate. 
Important! When transplanting can not violate the earthen room.
Sprouts should be spiked in special containers for seedlings. They need to pritenit, but the temperature should not be below 18 ° C.
Matured plants are transplanted into pots with a diameter of 15 cm, as the roots of the plant become larger, and they need more space.
Planting lisianthus seedlings in open ground
After you dive eustoma, it takes a little time for it to grow. Then you can safely begin to transplant the plant in the open ground.
When to plant seedlings in the ground
Planting seedlings in open ground is necessary when the threat of even light frost has passed. Lisianthus usually grows in the tropics, which means that any frost can lead to its death. It is better to do this near the end of April or in the middle of May. Understanding when you can transplant seedlings in open ground is very simple.
If it has 8 leaves, then the plant is fully prepared for planting. To do it better in the evening windless time.
Choosing a place on the site
Eustoma is very light-loving, but it is better to plant seedlings in a place where diffused light will fall on it. The soil for cultivation must be rich in nutrients. You must also take into account the conditions of the Lisianthus native climate, namely, high humidity and warm, mild temperatures.
How to plant seedlings on the site
Before planting lisianthuses in your garden, you need to dig small holes the size of the pot in which your eustomas were. These wells should be poured abundantly.
After that, we begin to engage in transshipment of earthy coma, because this is how we will land eustoma. Each flower should be covered with half a plastic bottle. This will protect the plant from frost and retain moisture. At this time it is better not to water the plants.
About 3 weeks after the last frosts have gone, a plastic bottle can be removed.
The landing distance should be approximately 30 cm apart.
Care features for heavy flowering
Eustoma is a beautiful decoration in your garden, especially if it is abundant in bloom. To do this, you need to properly care for the plant.
Shelter young plants from frost
Since eustoma is conventionally called a perennial plant, it must be preserved until next year. After transplantation, the adaptation of a plant in a new place takes about a month. If the temperature drops sharply, eustoma begins to languish and weaken.
Carry them better in late August or early September. Before that, put the pots on a closed loggia, and only then into the room. It gives the plant to get used to the lack of light.
After you cut the plant bush, the eustoma will be wintering in your home in a pot. You can not worry, after cutting the plant will start new basal shoots, and again it will be possible just to plant on a flower bed near the house.
The main thing, before transplanting them back into the pot, you should carefully check the roots for possible diseases and pests, sterilize the soil and the pot. 
You also need to limit watering until the plant gets used to the new place and conditions. The question arises whether Lisianthus should be pinned, and our answer is not necessary. A plant without your intervention will grow well and will be well and actively develop.
It is better to plant a lisianthus as a one-year-old, because after a couple of years the plant will bloom or shallow. Sometimes the plant dies at all, even with the best care for him.
Did you know? One eustoma plant produces a real bouquet that can be used as a gift at any celebration.
Prevention and protection against pests and diseases
We present you a list of diseases and pests that can affect your flower, as well as methods to combat them:
- Gray rot. With this disease, spots on the leaves appear and the stems are affected. Disease appears with increased humidity. You can cure the plant by spraying with an antifungal medication.
- Root rot. You can notice this disease on the roots during transplantation. The roots on the tips darken, the plant growth slows down. This disease occurs with high humidity. Since the treatment takes a lot of time and effort, it is better to do prevention. To do this, you need to pick up healthy plant material, decontaminate the soil and avoid excessive moisture.
- Fusarium On the stems appear rotten spots that damage them and the plant may simply fade. The risk of injury will reduce reduced humidity and excellent breathability. Heating can also be used, but, unfortunately, it is impossible to save a plant that has already fallen. It is better to simply destroy and sanitize the pot or area.
- Downy mildew. You can notice it on the damaged leaves and the change in their color. It is very difficult to treat this disease, so it’s best to protect the plant right away. The treatment consists in stopping fertilizing and watering, as well as in treating the plant with means of downy mildew or Bordeaux mixture.
- Sclerotia In this disease, the flower is covered with white fuzz, inside of which black sclerotia develop. It is better to destroy the plant immediately, so as not to infect the rest.
- Mosaic virus. It is very easy to notice, as a small mosaic appears on the leaves, the plant growth slows down and vegetative points are lost. Typically, this disease is transmitted by parasites. It is better to destroy the diseased flower and process the pot and tools.
- Nematodes. These parasites develop in the roots, and this can lead to various diseases. Pests need to be destroyed and the soil treated.
- Aphid. This parasite penetrates the bud or lays the larvae in the leaves. Get rid of them can be a drug for aphids.
- Caterpillars They eat leaves. This slows the growth of the crown and the whole plant. To get rid of them, you need to use deterring drugs.
- Thrips. You can see them on white spots on the leaves. They damage the buds and devour the leaves. For prevention, it is better to treat the plant with special fungicides before planting.
How to conduct watering
Eustome is not difficult to grow at his dacha, but you need to water it properly, because the most important thing in caring for eustoma is the optimal mode of watering. The ground should be constantly wet, but the ground should not be over-wetted. To understand that your plant needs watering, you just need to touch the ground. If it is dry, water it. This should be done with soft water.
During active growth, eustome should be watered frequently, and in winter it should be cautious. Watering is done at the root, the main thing - do not fall on the leaves. This can lead to fungal diseases. Spraying is best avoided for the same reason.
During flowering Lisianthus needs watering, so it should be increased and done more often.
Did you know? Another name for eustoma is prairie bell: it grows in nature in Mexico, the US states of Texas, Colorado, Nebraska and in the northern part of South America.
When and how to feed
It is necessary to feed the plant, if you want to get abundant flowering.
Eustome will approach a comprehensive feeding, especially for the first time - a week after transplantation into open ground. Best of all flower perceives water-soluble fertilization. 
Do it better in the period of active flowering. When the plant is actively growing, you need to feed the plant with complex mineral fertilizers every week, but it is better to do a lower concentration than suggested in the instructions.
During the blooming of the Lisianthus, nitrogen fertilizers should be replaced with potash and phosphate fertilizers.
In this article, you could learn all about eustome flower, as well as how to grow it at home. Plant the plant in your flower bed and catch the envious glances of your neighbors.
