Guide to growing Prairie Gentian Eustoma
Although a perennial Eustoma is normally grown as an annual in the garden.
They require to be grown in areas that have hot summers, and flower in the summer with double bell shaped flowers of purple, pink or cream, atop an upright stem.
They can reach heights of 15 to 60cm making them great to use in borders. Common names for Eustoma include Prairie gentian.
How to grow Prairie Gentian (Eustoma)
It is best to start Prairie Gentian off indoors first. The seeds should be sown on the surface of a moist soil in a peat pot, about ten weeks before they are due to be planted out in spring. It takes about one to three weeks to germinate; they require a steady temperature of 20 to 22 degrees Centigrade and light to germinate. Once the Prairie Gentian have grown to a height of about 15cm transplant them into a sunny part of the garden with good drainage about 30cm apart.
Caring for Eustoma
If you require more Eustoma plants then they should be grown from seed. Once growing the young Prairie Gentian should be pinched to encourage branching and more blooms. It is important that the plants be kept very dry, though they can have an occasional light watering from below.