How to Grow Eustoma (Lisianthus) and Its Yield: When to Sow?
Speaking of Eustoma (lisianthus), many people are very fond of it, because the Eustoma flower is very beautiful and elegant, comes in a rich variety of colors, and is brightly eye-catching. So do you know how to grow Eustoma? Let's learn about the growing techniques for Eustoma together with the editor below!
How to Grow Eustoma
Eustoma seeds are especially tiny, like dust, and seem as if they could be blown away even by a heavy breath, so you must be very careful. It is best to have something underneath to catch them, laying down a sheet of white paper, so that even if they accidentally fall, you need not worry about not finding them. Then use a toothpick dipped slightly in water, touch it to the seeds, and they will stick to the toothpick, making it much easier to plant them into the seedling tray. Note that Eustoma seeds do not need to be covered with soil on top; simply place them directly on the surface of the soil.
The Yield of Eustoma
From 2005 to 2015, the overall market for Yunnan Eustoma showed an upward trend, with the average price maintaining a growth rate of 15.88% over the 10 years. The average price was highest in 2014, reaching 2.3 yuan per stem, and fell to 1.52 yuan per stem in 2015, but was still 2.4 times the average price of 2005. In 2016, the Eustoma market corrected, with the average price in the first quarter at 3.56 yuan per stem, up 36.35% year on year, and the market remained at a high price level in April and May.
Looking at the monthly average price trend over the past 11 years, under normal circumstances, the highest peak in Eustoma prices is concentrated from December to March of the following year, but this year prices in April and May still remained at a high level, with the average price in May reaching as high as 4.77 yuan per stem, a record high. The annual price trough is concentrated from June to August, with the lowest in July 2007 at only 0.23 yuan per stem. But after 2008, the trough value rose year by year, reaching 1 yuan per stem in the past two years, which is mainly attributed to improved quality, an increase in new superior varieties, and a large increase in consumption.
Judging from the market conditions and production benefits of Eustoma cut flowers in recent years, Eustoma has become one of the most dynamic cut flower varieties with the greatest development potential in Yunnan, with relatively good comparative benefits for flower farmers and high production enthusiasm. The yield of Eustoma cut flowers across the province is 30,000-40,000 stems per mu, with a net income of 20,000-30,000 yuan per mu.
When to Sow Eustoma
Winter sowing or spring sowing: winter sowing is from November to January of the following year, and spring sowing is from March to April. Winter sowing is preferable, generally using broadcast sowing. When sowing, mix the seeds evenly with moist fine sandy soil (ratio: 1 pot of soil mixed with 0.3kg of seeds) and scatter over the seedbed surface, sweep lightly once with a broom until the seeds are no longer visible, and press lightly. In the following spring, seedlings emerge early and evenly. For spring sowing, to achieve uniform emergence, seed treatment must be carried out, or the seeds should be covered with grass after sowing to retain moisture (treatment method: place the seeds in 30°C warm water to soak, soak for 8 hours, remove them, wrap them in a wet cloth, place them in a spot at 25-30°C, cover them with a wet hemp cloth on top to promote germination, and rinse with warm water once a day. After about 5 days, the seeds can be sown once they begin to sprout). The sowing method is the same as winter sowing, keeping the soil moist for a long time, and seedlings generally emerge in about 15 days. The seeding rate is 2.5kg per mu.
Growing Management
1. Light: Eustoma flowers are relatively sensitive to light, and long-day conditions are very favorable for the growth and development of Eustoma, helping stem and leaf growth and flower bud formation and achieving the goal of earlier flowering. Generally, 16 hours of light per day gives the best results.
2. Temperature: Eustoma prefers warmth, with an optimum growing temperature of 15-28°C, and the nighttime temperature during the growing period should not be lower than 12°C. When the winter temperature is below 5°C, the leaf rosette becomes rosette-shaped and cannot flower. It can also tolerate short-term low temperatures of 0°C. When the growing period temperature exceeds 30°C, the flowering period is noticeably shortened.
3. Watering: Eustoma likes a moist environment, but excessive water is unfavorable for the root growth of Eustoma and makes it susceptible to disease invasion. After the flower buds form, avoid high-temperature and high-humidity environments, otherwise fungal diseases are likely to occur. At the same time, insufficient water supply during the growing period causes thin and weak stem and leaf growth and premature flowering.
Through the above content, I believe everyone has gained some understanding of how to grow Eustoma. Eustoma flowers represent purity and innocence, and many people like to grow one or two Eustoma potted plants at home, adding brilliant color to their homes.