Most hobby gardeners are not familiar with Eustoma. Behind it is a plant that originally comes from very special habitats. It has become popular as a cut flower in Europe and is now being rediscovered as a pot plant.
The beautiful prairie gentian is mainly used as a cut flower in this country
Table of Contents
Show all- sorts
- in bouquets
- in planters for interior greening
- in larger pots for the conservatory
- ensure good ventilation
- Water the plant sparingly but regularly
- Improve substrate permeability with loose material
- Pour off excess water from the coaster
- do without cultivation in a humid greenhouse
- adom: Flowers violet-red or white and ending in reddish.
- Advantage: Early flowering variety with thick flower stalks. Suitable for particularly high temperatures. Double flowers in yellow, green-white, pink, purple or cherry.
- mazurka: Uniform growth with dense branching. Flowers white or blue, slightly fringed petals, medium-sized flowers.
- little summer: Multi-flowered varieties in white, off-white or orange. Flowers small and semi-double with firm petals.
- papillon: Small-flowered varieties, slow-growing. Suitable for culture in very warm locations. Flowers a light pink.
origin
Eustoma describes the genus of gentian with two to three species, but the Latin name is largely unknown. The frequently cultivated large-flowered prairie gentian is more widespread under the name Lisianthus russelianum. This name is now considered obsolete for the popular cut flower.
Eustoma grandiflorum originally comes from the desert regions and prairies in America. Their area extends from Mexico through Texas to Colorado and Nebraska. Their triumphal march within Europe began at the beginning of the 19th century. It belongs to the gentian family. Eustoma is the Greek expression for "beautiful mouth".
growth
Eustoma species grow as herbaceous plants that are annual to biennial. They reach stature heights between 15 and 60 centimeters. The habit is upright and loosely bushy. Prairie gentians grow in clumps and develop deep-reaching taproots that draw nutrients and water from the deeper layers. The root system is extremely sensitive to disturbances.
leaves
Prairie gentians develop dark green to blue-green leaves that appear slightly fleshy. The lanceolate leaves are arranged opposite each other on the stem. They reach a length between eight and ten centimeters.
blossoms
The plants develop bell-shaped single flowers that grow on pedicels that are 40 to 60 centimeters long. Some species are double-flowered, developing two flowers on one stem. The flowers grow up to two centimeters in size. Her color palette is wide. Gentians bloom in pink, purple, blue, or white. Some species form bicolored flowers. Occasionally carmine or yellow specimens appear. The flowering period of the ornamental plants extends from July to August. Under optimal conditions, the plants will flower well into September.
fruit
After flowering, prairie gentians form capsule fruits that belong to the scattered fruits. Once mature, they open along preformed structures and scatter the seeds as the wind stirs the flower stalks. They fall to the ground and are washed away with the rain or spread by the wind. The seeds are microscopic and visible to the naked eye as dust.
seed development
The seeds germinate very quickly under high temperatures. If the thermometer rises above 30 degrees Celsius, the seedlings develop into biennial plants. In the first year, a basal leaf rosette grows. The plants only flower in the second year. The weather also plays a role in this development. If the winter months are rainy and cool, Eustoma species grow as annual plants.
use
In the past, Eustoma species were grown for use as cut flowers. The exotic beauties are now conquering window sills and living rooms as a container plant. Their flowers are extremely decorative. Although the cultivated species are only annuals and are therefore kept for one season, a two-year cultivation is possible with good care.
The delicate flowers stand for charisma, appreciation and gratitude. That is why the plants are often used as cut flowers for bouquets. You can create a bushy still life with different plants. Ilex, amarine and sea lavender go well with the gentian.
Multiple uses:
Poisonous
Eustoma species are classified as non-toxic. There are no known signs of poisoning in pets or children. Nevertheless, you should point out to children that not every beautiful-looking flower should be eaten. Excessive amounts can irritate the gastrointestinal tract.
location
As plants of the deserts and prairies, Eustoma species prefer locations in full sun. Hot temperatures are not a problem for them. Indoor plants can be grown in a sunny spot. They also thrive at normal room temperatures.
Earth
Prairie gentians require well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. If the substrate falls below this value, there is a risk of zinc poisoning. The plants can no longer grow well and wither away. The plants like a slightly acidic to neutral environment. A loamy soil with a high proportion of humus is ideal.
multiply
Propagation makes sense for these plants, otherwise you will only enjoy their beauty for one season. You can buy prairie gentian seeds in specialist shops. It is easier to collect the fruit capsules as soon as they have dried up. Propagation by cuttings is also possible.
cuttings
Prairie gentians can be successfully propagated from cuttings. Cut a shoot into several pieces of at least two centimeters. Each cutting should have a pair of leaves for the metabolism to function. Put them in a nutrient-poor growing substrate and place the pot in a bright and warm location. The soil temperature should not fall below 20 degrees Celsius. Keep the substrate regularly moist so that root formation is stimulated.
sowing
Between October and March you can sow the seeds you have collected yourself and grow new plants. Fill a planter with nutrient-poor potting soil. An excess of nutrients will cause shoots to shoot up and become unstable. In poor substrate, the taproot can develop well and form numerous fine roots, which draw the nutrients far-reaching from the substrate. The pH is ideally between 6 and 6.5.
The seeds are light germinators and should only be lightly covered with soil. You can also leave the seeds out in the open. Direct sunlight does not bother the seeds. The desert plants have adapted their seeds to the hot conditions so that they do not dry out as quickly.
After a few weeks, the seed will begin to germinate. This development is faster the warmer the temperature. Make sure the soil temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. Keep the substrate constantly moist. A high level of humidity is not absolutely necessary, since the conditions in the original habitats are mostly dry during the growth period. With a foil or an upside-down glass over the cultivation vessel, you ensure that the substrate dries out more slowly.
In the pot
In Europe, prairie gentians are only cultivated as pot plants. Since the predominantly annual plants need warm temperatures, they quickly wither outdoors. Use a pot with a drainage hole and cover the bottom with a layer of expanded clay (€19.73) or pottery shards to ensure optimal water drainage. The pot should be deep enough for the taproots to develop optimally.
balcony
The desert beauty likes to spend the summer on the balcony. Put the pot outside when there is no more frost at night. If you previously cultivated the plant on the windowsill, it should be carefully accustomed to sunlight that is not filtered through window glass. A rain-protected location with morning and evening sun is ideal for acclimatization. The plant needs at least four hours of sunshine per day.
In the greenhouse
Eustoma varieties are grown in the greenhouse because warm temperatures can be guaranteed here. This cultivation causes the plants to develop long flower stalks. Such specimens have a particularly beautiful appearance. When grown in full sun conditions, gentian will grow compact and form short flower stalks.
Pour
Watering the Eustoma species requires a sure instinct, because this is where most mistakes happen. The substrate should be kept evenly moist. Irregular watering and strong fluctuations in the moisture balance of the soil cause problems for the plant. It does not tolerate waterlogging. If water collects in the coaster, you should throw it away immediately. If left for more than two days, the roots can rot. A dry substrate also causes stress for the plant. It withers away once the roots dry out completely.
Fertilize
Depending on how full the blossoms are, prairie gentians require more or fewer nutrients. You can give the plants a liquid fertilizer over the irrigation water once or twice a week. A half-strength dosage is optimal to meet nutritional needs. Fertilize between April and September. This measure does not apply if you have planted the plant in fresh substrate after purchase.
To cut
You can regularly remove faded flower stalks throughout the growth phase so that the plant can fully invest its energy in the development of new flowers. Cut off yellowed plant parts to preserve the beauty of your gentian. You do not need scissors for this care measure. The withered flowers and leaves can be snapped off with your fingernail.
transplant
It is not necessary to repot the prairie gentian. As a seasonal plant, most of the varieties offered only grow for one year. If you get your plant through the winter with good care, you can treat it to fresh soil by transplanting.
hardy
Eustoma species are not hardy. Overwintering in a bright and frost-free place is possible. In the winter quarters, temperatures should be between ten and 15 degrees Celsius. Make sure you keep watering it regularly. The watering amounts are more economical during the winter period. When the plant is dormant, it does not need additional fertilizing.
pests
Occasionally, gentians are attacked by thrips. They settle on leaf surfaces and flowers with predominantly light colors and suck the plant sap from the veins. You can recognize an infestation by finely speckled spots on the parts of the plant that shimmer silvery. If you look closely, you can see tiny spots of poop. If the plant is heavily infested, the leaves and flowers curl up and tend to turn brown.
The pests prefer to spread under dry conditions. Increasing the humidity or showering off the affected areas will destroy the pests and also damage the plant. It is better to use predatory mites to combat thrisps on your gentian.
fungus
Humid and cool conditions provide an ideal environment for fungal spores to spread en masse on plants.
Phytophthora
Waterlogging causes the roots to rot. Fungi of the genus Phytophthora spread on the roots, causing significant damage. The plants let their leaves and flowers hang limp until they finally die. If your plant is affected, you should dispose of it completely with household waste. Treatment is difficult and makes little sense for annual plants.
gray mold
The fungal pores of the genus Botrytis commonly infest the stem base of weakened plants grown in greenhouses. High humidity and a lack of air circulation allow the spores to spread ideally. They damage the plant tissue, so that the vitality is negatively affected. You can prevent an infestation with the right care.
How to prevent fungal infestation:
Brown spots
Occasionally brown spots form on the leaves. They can be a sign of sunburn. If the plants are suddenly moved from the window sill into the blazing sun on the balcony or terrace, the leaves cannot get used to the direct sunlight. In the room, the light was filtered through the window pane so that the radiation could not cause any damage.
Brown stains can no longer be removed. Place the plant in a shaded area for a while and remove the stained leaves.
not blooming
Eustoma species are extremely sensitive when their root ball dries out. In these circumstances, they will shed existing blooms and fresh buds. In their original distribution areas, the growing seasons are spread over spring and autumn. They are interrupted by summer drought and winter cold. Flower and bud loss in conditions that are too dry is a natural adaptation.
If the flower buds of your eustoma do not open shortly after purchase, the wrong location may be the cause. If the plant is too dark, it will not develop any flowers. Place the pot in a bright place with direct sunlight. The plant will recover quickly and open its flowers.
tips
If you have successfully grown a gentian from seeds or cuttings, you can enjoy the beauty of the plant for another year. In the early growth phase, cut off the shoot tip so that branches form just below the cutting point. Let them grow and separate the tips again after a short time. This is how the prairie gentian grows bushy.