In the form of a potted plant, lisianthus in our country gained popularity in the 1990s. Flowering occurs during the summer, during this period it can be found on sale. Most often on sale there is one species - L. russelianus. This species has several varieties, which differ in shape and color, and have different heights.
Russell Lisianthus is another name for Eustoma Russell, but in most sources the name Eustoma is large-flowered. This type of plant grows in Central America.
As an indoor plant is grown either as an annual, or as a biennial with straight stems. The flowers are gathered in a bunch, and are similar to poppy flowers. Flowers are terry or non-marble, purple, blue, white or mauve. By the way the color depends on the grade of lisianthus. Bicolour varieties are considered the most beautiful. In indoor conditions it is better to grow compact varieties that do not grow above 45 centimeters.
Care of the plant
The plant needs bright diffuse light, carries a certain amount of solar direct rays. For normal life, the eastern window and the western one are suitable, but it can also grow on the southern window, but with the condition of shading from the sun's rays. On the northern window, because of the lack of light, the indoor flowers of lisianthus will grow badly.
It is worth noting that the newly purchased lisianthus can not be immediately placed under the direct rays of the sun, or else the plant can get burnt. To accustom to the rays of the sun you need to gradually.
The plant in autumn-winter time can also bloom, but provided 16 hours of additional lighting, which can be done with fluorescent lights.
Flowers lisianthus is better to buy at the end of June or in July. In the street the plant grows well in flower beds and containers.
In spring, the plant is kept at 20-25 degrees, in summer it is also desirable to keep it at the same temperature, since the heat of the lysianthus is poorly tolerated. But if you decide to grow lisianthus as a two-year-old plant, then winter time should be made a rest period, to reduce the temperature to 12-15 degrees from fall.
Watering these houseplants should be abundant, permanent and soft water, as the upper layer of the earth dries. Watering is reduced in cool weather, so you avoid waterlogging the land. If the plant is left for the winter, then water the plant carefully, and only after the substrate dries.
Watering should be done with extreme caution, not allowing that the leaves get water. This type of plant does not need to be sprayed, since water, falling on the leaves, causes fungal diseases (for example, gray mold), which lead to the death of the plant itself.
Fertilizer is produced by complex mineral fertilizer every week during active growth. Fertilizer should be taken for flowering plants.
The stems, after the plant has faded, can be cut off, but not too low. If you leave a part of the stem with the presence of two leaves, then after a while new peduncles will appear, but this will require a lot of light.
Since this plant is grown as an annual or biennial plant, transplantation is possible only if the plant is grown from seeds, or multiplied by division.
The plant is better to grow in a wide container with a nutritious, loose substrate
(pH = 6.5-7). To avoid souring the land, it is advisable to make a good drain at the bottom of the tank.
Reproduction of plants
Lizianthus - flowers that are propagated in the spring with seeds, in autumn by division.
Lysianthus has small seeds, which are advised to be sown from July to September, sprinkling with a small amount of land. Humidification of the surface is best done with a spray gun. For picking, you can use a universal floral substrate. Young emerging sprouts need to be kept indoors at 20 o C in a bright place, but so that they do not get sun rays.
Seedlings with the presence of 4 leaves are planted in separate pots, or from each other at 4 cm distance. If a young plant forms a rosette of leaves for winter, then it will continue to develop normally. For the winter, seedlings are placed in a room from 12-14 o C, if necessary for the plant, additional lighting should be provided (use fluorescent tubes).
With the onset of spring, the seedlings are transplanted into pots or flat low pots. In one container, you can plant three plants. Watering should be moderate. The plant does not like waterlogging.
Probable difficulties
Lysianthus does not tolerate a lot of water, and if there is no good drainage, the substrate turns sour and the plant begins to die.
Some varieties of lisianthus have long stems that need support.
Sometimes, after the first flowering, some parts of the plant become ill.
It affects: thrips, spider mite.