Lisianthus Flower (Eustoma grandiflorum)

Lisianthus Flower (Eustoma grandiflorum)

General Classification		Latin : Eustoma grandiflorum, group : Plantae, genus : Eustoma, family : Gentianaceae, species : Grandiflorum.
Description	Originally	Southern United States, Mexico, Caribbean, and Northern  South America
	Habitat	growing indoors or in a warm climate
	Size	15 - 60 cm in height
	Shape	Long straight stems. The sepals are only fused close to the base. The petals form a trumpet or funnel-shaped corolla. Inserted stamens. Long and slightly twisted anthers.
	Color	Purple, lilac, pink, white varieties, lavender, deep purple, and bi-colors such as blue-violet.
	How to plant	1.      Choose root-bound plugs. 2.      Select an appropriately sized container 3.      Make sure your container has drainage holes. 4.      Fill the pot with a loose potting mix 5.      Test the pH of the soil. 6.      Dig a hole that is as deep as the plug. 7.      Remove the plug. 8.      Place the plug plant inside the hole. 9.      Place the pot onto a saucer.
	Useful	As an ornamental, a potted indoor plant, and a cut flower.

Lisianthus Flower (Eustoma grandiflorum)

            Lisianthus flower or Eustoma grandiflorum is belongs to a group of plantae. Lisianthus is a genus of 3 species in the family Gentianaceae. Lisianthus flowers are of the Grandiflorum species and belong to the Eustoma genus. Lisianthus are found in warm regions of the Southern United States, Mexico, Caribbean and Northern South America.

The plants are best suited to growing indoors or in a warm climate. The plant grows well in neutral or mildly acidic soils and will thrive in a moist environment with good drainage. Lisianthus plants should be propagated in a warm environment and planted out in late spring, once the last frosts are over. The plant flowers in the summer and early autumn, but can be bought all year round from garden centres.

The plants can grow from 15cm to as much as 60cm in height depending on conditions. Lisianthus are long-stemmed flowers in cymes, with often only a few openings at a time. Sepals on Lisianthus are only fused close to the base and are much smaller than petals. The petals form a trumpet or funnel-shaped corolla. The stamens of the Lisianthus are inserted close to the base of the petals along with long and slightly twisted anthers. The Lisianthus stigmas are bilobed. Lisianthus also have oval leaves. The flowers come in various colors such as purple, lilac, pink, white varieties, lavender, deep purple, and bi-colors such as blue-violet.

Lisianthus is popular in horticulture, as an ornamental, a potted indoor plant, and a cut flower. When cut, Lisianthus flowers can last anywhere from two to three weeks in a vase.

To planting this flower, you have to follow this step :

First, Choose root-bound plugs. In order to transplant a plug cleanly into a new location, the plant should be well held together by its own roots. Otherwise, the transplanting process could get messy and may end up damaging the sensitive plant.

Second, select an appropriately sized container. The best size will depend on the variety you choose.

Third, make sure your container has drainage holes. Lisianthus roots can rot if allowed to sit in excess water, so good drainage is important. If the container you chose does not have holes in the bottom, drill one or two holes into the bottom using a power drill.

Fourth, fill the pot with a loose potting mix. A commercially available potting mix should be fine, and both soil and soilless mixes can work.

Fifth, test the pH of the soil. These plants demand a soil pH between 6.5 and 7.0m and serious problems can arise if the pH dips below 6.5. If your potting medium has a low pH, mix in some limestone to bring the pH back up.

Sixth, dig a hole that is as deep as the plug. Center the hole in the middle of the pot.

Seventh, remove the plug. Gently squeeze on the sides of the plastic to loosen the plant from the plug container. You should be able to remove the plant, soil and all, without any breakage.

Eighth, place the plug plant inside the hole. Pack the soil in the pot around the lisianthus plant to keep the new seedling in place. 

And the last is place the pot into a saucer. A saucer prevents excess water and soil from spilling out onto your counter or windowsill.