Eustoma exaltatum is native to North America. It is found in from the southern United States and the West Indies, south to Mexico and Belize...
Eustoma exaltatum also called as Seaside gentian, Arenbergia glauca, Dupratzia scoparia, Erythraea plumieri, Eustoma chironioides, Eustoma lacteum, Gentiana connata, Gentiana exaltata, Urananthus chironioides, is a species of the genus Eustoma. This species was described by Richard Anthony Salisbury ex George Don in 1838.
IDENTIFY EUSTOMA EXALTATUM - SEASIDE GENTIAN
Eustoma exaltatum is native to North America. It is found in from the southern United States and the West Indies, south to Mexico and Belize. Its natural habitat is wet places, such as alkaline marshes, stream beds, and saline coastal areas.
Seaside gentian is a herbaceous annual up to 1 meters in height. The sessile leaves are arranged oppositely, to 10 cm in length, ovate, with an entire leaf margin. The leaves are light green with a pale gray waxy cuticle and slightly succulent.
The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers are arranged in few flowered panicles. The calyx has 5 unfused, green sepals. The corolla has 5, fused lavender or white petals that are yellow at their base. There are 5 stamens fused to the base of the corolla. The ovary is superior with a single locule and numerous seeds. The fruit is a capsule at maturity.
EUSTOMA EXALTATUM - SEASIDE GENTIAN CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Eustoma exaltatum needs the light levels of 40000 to 60000 lux. Higher light promotes high bud count and good flower development. However, excessive light (over 70000 lux) could reduce stem length. Shading may be needed to increase stem length.
During winter when daylength is shorter than 12 hours, supplemental light can be used. Long day (greater than 14 hours) or night interruption from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. (light the plants with 500 lux) will accelerate flowering. If plants are lighted and a minimum temperature of 15°C is maintained, the plants should start to flower in late March to early April. If no lighting is applied and a minimum temperature of 15°C is maintained, the plants should flower in late April. If the plants are not lighted and the night temperature drops below 15°C at night, the plants will begin flowering in May.
Temperature:
Seaside gentian grow best with a temperature of 16-18°C at night and 20-25°C during the day. If the temperature is higher, keep night temperatures approximately 4˚C cooler than day temperatures. Cooler growing temperature will add to stem strength and caliper, but will increase the production time. Higher temperatures (above 28°C) during the first 4 weeks after transplant can induce rosetting in susceptible varieties.
Substrate and growing media:
Eustoma exaltatum can be grown in pot. One plant per 10 cm pot and 3 plants per 15 cm pot is recommended. Overcrowding of plants can promote disease; especially botrytis. Use a rich media with abundant organic matter that is well-drained such as manure, compost, or leaf mold, especially in the cool season where media is slow to dry. Maintain a Ph of 6.5-7.0 and an EC level between 0.5 and 1.0 is recommended. If soil testing reveals acidic soil, you can add limestone to your soil mixture to increase its alkalinity.
Watering:
Begin with overhead irrigation, then switch to drip irrigation 2 to 3 weeks following transplant. Keep the media moist but not wet; allow drying slightly between waterings. The plant grow slowly at first, and therefore require little water. Do not allow the soil to dry out when plants are in flower.
Fertilizer:
Pests and diseases:
Fungus gnats are one of the most common pests that the plants deal with, and they can travel with the plants from early on in the greenhouse stage. The flying adults aren’t the problem, but rather the larva are, who live beneath the soil and feed heavily on roots, devastating your plants. To rid your plant of fungus gnats, focus on not overwatering (or waterlogging) the plant. You can also treat the plant with a mild insecticide or neem oil until all signs of an infestation have gone.
Propagation:
Eustoma exaltatum are usually grown from seed, which should be sown in early spring. Seeds should be planted in a moist mixture of moss and peat.
- Stage 1 (10-12 days): Maintain soil temperature at 20 to 22˚C. Keep media evenly moist but not saturated. Do not cover or bury the seed. Light levels of 100 Lux or more is required for germination. Keep soil pH at 6.2 to 6.5 and EC at less than 0.75 mmhos/cm (1:2 extraction).
- Stage 2 (14-21 days): Maintain soil temperature at 20 to 22°C. Reduce moisture levels once radicals emerge. Allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering to control algae growth. Light levels of 4500 to 7000 Lux are optimal. Keep soil pH at 6.5 to 6.8 and EC at less than 0.75 mmhos/cm. Fertilize once cotyledons are fully expanded. Alternate fertilizer applications with clear water. Irrigate early in the day so foliage is dry by nightfall.
- Stage 3 (28-35 days): Maintain soil temperature at 18 to 20°C. Allow media to dry thoroughly between irrigations. Avoid extreme wilting, which can induce rosetting. Keep soil pH at 6.5 to 6.8 and EC at less than 1.0 mmhos/cm. Fertilize every 2 to 3 irrigations with 14-0-14 or other calcium/potassium nitrate fertilizers. Alternate with 20-10-20. Irrigate with clear water following fertilizer applications.
- Stage 4 (7 days): Maintain soil temperature at 17 to 18°C. Allow media to dry thoroughly between irrigations. Avoid permanent wilting, which can induce rosetting. Keep soil pH at 6.5 to 6.8 and EC at less than 1.0 mmhos/cm. Fertilize with 14-0-14 or calcium/potassium nitrate as needed. Do not hold the plugs until rootbound as this induces rosetting.
Transplant should be when the seedlings reach a height of 5 cm. Seedling grows very slowly, 4 leaves will develop in about 2 months. It blooms about 5 months after sowing. When cut, the flowers can last anywhere from two to three weeks in a vase.
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