There are many ways to propagate a Prairie Gentian, although not all of them are that reliable compared to the method that I am about to introduce to you. The method that I am about to tell you is very easy, simple, and above all, cost-efficient. Additionally, I will also give you a little bit of information about the Gentian plant. In this post, I will introduce you to stem cutting, the best method of propagating a Prairie gentian plant.
About Prairie Gentian plant
Prairie Gentian, also known as Lisianthus or Eustoma is a genus of plant that is part of the flowering family of gentian. These small genus of flowering plants are native to the warm regions of Mexico, the Caribbean, the United States, and northern South America. Prairie Gentian plants are frequently found in grasslands and other disturbed habitats. These unique wildflowers grow in almost all areas around the world with the exception of Antarctica.
Prairie Gentian is a perennial plant that produces flowers in blue or violet with opposite-facing leaves. They are unusual wildflowers with crowns that face upward and bloom later in the season. Prairie gentian has fine hairs that are attached to its erect or ascending stems in a horizontal way.
Aside from its beautiful flower, Prairie gentian is also a herb. Its roots and oftentimes its bark is used to make medicines. Gentians are excellent for treating digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, and heartburn. In addition, the plant is also used to treat fever and muscle spasms. Prairie gentian is a popular bitter herb that is thought to increase saliva production which also encourages the production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes.
How to propagate a Prairie gentian?
Although gentians can be propagated by dividing an adult plant or by cutting its stem, this should be done carefully, or do not do it at all as gentians do not like being disturbed. The most common way to propagate a Prairie gentian is by sowing its seeds. It is also better to sow the seeds of Prairie gentian indoors first.
Propagating a Prairie gentian plant through seeds
Propagating a Prairie gentian plant can be a tricky process. The seeds have an unpredictable germination process. Therefore, it is advised to start propagating one by using a seedling if you are new to growing these flowers.
However, if you really prefer to grow them from seeds. You can follow these instructions to have a higher chance of success in propagating your Prairie gentian plant.
Preparing the seeds
Obtain seeds from an adult Prairie gentian plant or you can directly buy them from your local shop. Propagating a Prairie gentian plant through seed is best done in spring. It is a general rule that if you want to propagate a gentian seed, it must be started four to six weeks before the last frost date. Prepare a container as well, and then fill it with a soil mixture that drains water well. Most of the gentian varieties prepare to grow in rock gardens or wooden areas.
Sowing your seeds
A day before sowing your gentian seeds, water the soil on your container to keep it moist until the next day when you sow your gentian seeds. Lightly cover the seeds with your soil mix and put the container in a shaded location. You can also cover the container with plastic to maintain the humidity inside the container throughout the seed’s germination process. They ought to be separated from one another by at least one foot. If you plan on planting a larger gentian variety, then leave at least two feet of space for each plant.
Watering and fertilizing
Weeks after the initial sowing of the seeds, while your seedlings are actively growing, you can choose to apply fertilizer to enhance the growth speed and development of your plant. Regularly water them to keep the soil in the container constantly damp. Lightly misting them with water using a spray bottle is already enough for them. The seed’s germination time depends on the variety of Gentian plants that you planted. Some of them take only a few weeks, while others take up to six months to germinate.
Transplanting
Allow your Prairie Gentian plant to grow in that container for a year, and by the end of the year, you can transfer them to another pot. And wait for its second year to transplant them into their own permanent location. Find a location where your gentian plants can be consistently moist by natural means. This will help them deal with the hot temperatures during summer. You won’t have to worry about these plants during winter as cold weather doesn’t affect them that much. The plant’s perfect growing location would be the area where it will be able to receive full to partial sunlight.
Is it hard to propagate Prairie gentian plants?
Propagating a Prairie gentian is really easy if you know the proper steps in raising one. Given that you already know the steps, propagating them is really easy as they are fast-growing and do not need a lot of care. Gentian plants grow even in average soils and do not need regular watering as they become drought-tolerant once they mature.
Reason why you need to propagate this plant?
Propagating a Prairie gentian is worth all the risks. Not only do they produce beautiful flowers, but they can also be used as a medicinal herb that can cure a lot of digestive ailments. They are also very easy to propagate and do not require a lot of time once they are established.
Conclusion
The best way to grow or start to propagate a prairie gentian plant is through its seeds. Although you can propagate them through division and cutting, the two processes are tiresome because they must be done very carefully. This is because gentian plants do not like being disrupted. They do not grow as fast as other flowering plants but they have a long lifespan to compensate.
Meet Tomas Clayton, a seasoned plant gardener who has been passionate about horticulture since he was a child. Tomas John developed a love for the natural world and a strong appreciation for the beauty of plants while growing up on a farm.
