How to grow Eustoma (Lisianthus)? A detailed guide to the latest cultivation methods
Eustoma (Lisianthus) is also known as prairie gentian, Turkish gentian, and Lisianthus, among other names. It is a perennial plant of the genus Eustoma in the family Gentianaceae. Its plant form is elegant, and its colors are fresh and subtly refined. Potted plants placed in a room, on a balcony, or on a windowsill present a fresh and elegant feel. Cutting a few stems and pairing them with white lilies for flower arranging is also very tasteful. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods for Eustoma!
Growth habits of Eustoma
Eustoma is native to the areas of Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, and New Mexico in the United States. Starting in the 1970s, it began to become popular as a cut flower in places such as Japan and Korea. It likes a warm, humid, and sunny environment. It is relatively drought-tolerant and not tolerant of waterlogging. It has strict water requirements and likes humidity, but too much water is also unfavorable for root growth. It is relatively sensitive to light and requires loose, fertile, and well-drained soil, with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0 being suitable.
Propagation methods of Eustoma
Eustoma is commonly propagated by sowing. Its seeds are very small, usually about 10,000 seeds per gram, so Eustoma seeds are mostly coated. Coated seeds have a relatively high germination rate. It is best to sow indoors in pots from September to October or from January to February. The seeds like light, so covering with soil is not necessary. The suitable germination temperature is 22 to 25°C. They germinate 12 to 15 days after sowing. About half a month after germination, thin out or transplant the seedlings. The seedlings grow very slowly. From sowing to flowering takes 120 to 140 days, and cut flower varieties take 150 to 180 days. In the seedling market, a small number of tissue-cultured seedlings and cuttings of Eustoma are also available.
Cultivation methods of Eustoma
1. Soil: Eustoma flowers require fertile, loose, and well-drained soil. Continuous cropping must be avoided. The soil used for potting must be sterilized. The soil can be treated with high-temperature steam or methyl bromide, and the soil pH should preferably be 6.5 to 7.0.
2. Light: Eustoma flowers are relatively sensitive to light. Long daylight is very favorable for the growth and development of Eustoma and helps stem and leaf growth and flower bud formation. Generally, 16 hours of light per day gives the best results.
3. Temperature: Eustoma likes warmth. The suitable growth temperature is 15 to 28°C, and the nighttime temperature during the growth 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 a short period of 0°C low temperature. When the temperature during the growth period exceeds 30°C, the flowering period is noticeably shortened.
4. Watering: Eustoma likes a humid environment, but excessive water is unfavorable for root growth and makes it susceptible to disease invasion. After 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 growth period makes stems and leaves grow thin and weak and causes early flowering.
Pest and disease control of Eustoma
1. Stem blight: In the early stage of the disease, spray 1% Bordeaux mixture. In severe cases, 50% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder 500 times solution and 50% baicaoqing wettable powder 500 to 800 times solution can be used alternately, spraying once every 3 to 5 days. In addition, pay attention to strengthening ventilation and light transmission, reducing planting density, applying nitrogen fertilizer reasonably, and appropriately increasing phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to improve the plant's disease resistance.
2. Root rot: Root rot mainly infects the roots and root crown. When the disease occurs, black necrotic spots form on the root crown, and in severe cases the plant dies. The spread of this fungus mainly depends on soil, fertilizer, watering, and so on. Apply thoroughly decomposed fertilizer, water appropriately, and avoid water accumulation. In the early stage of the disease, 50% carbendazim wettable powder 600 times solution can be used, spraying once about every 10 days for 2 to 3 times in succession.
3. Insect pests: The main insect pests of Eustoma are leafminers and aphids, which can be killed with BT biological agents. For aphid control, 50% phoxim 1000 times solution or 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1000 to 1500 times solution can also be sprayed.