Any body can help me grow lisianthus?

Answer 1

Abstract:

Lisianthus is a warm season cut flower that transplants best from plugs. They grow best in full sun and in soils that have a high organic mater, excellent drainage and a pH of 6.0-7.0. Lisianthus will need to be grown in netting to provide stem support from winds and rains. They flower best with a weekly application of 150 ppm of nitrogen from a complete fertilizer. The diseases that affect Lisianthus include
the damping off fungi Pythium and Rhizoctonia, some virus and Botrytis. Whitefly and Thrips are the insect pests of Lisianthus. Harvest in the early morning when 2 -4 flowers are open, re-cut the stems underwater and place stems in water with a pH of 3.5 and a temperature of 65º. Add a floral preservative
for a longer shelf life.




















Eustoma grandiflorum (Lisianthus) Dwarf
GERMINATION – Stage 0
Media pH: Neutral, 6.8 – 7.0. Amend media with additional lime to adjust for a neutral
pH. Lower pH levels (acidic), will decrease the finish size of the plug.
Plug Tray: Lisianthus prefers large deep plug cells which will promote a better root
system. A 200 – 406 tray is preferred in finding a balance between small plugs and deep
root systems.
GERMINATION – Stage 1
Throughout the germination process, Lisianthus seeds are sensitive to temperatures in
excess of 75°F (24°C). If not utilizing a germination chamber, place plug trays in a cool
environment to prevent rosetting. Radicle emergence will occur in 10 – 14 days. Do not
cover the seed.
Visual Note: At the end of Stage 1, the radicle will have emerged and roots are
beginning to form.
Moisture: Moisture level 5 (saturated). Water is easily observed in media. Drench seed
thoroughly to breakdown pellet.
Media Temperature: 70 – 75°F (20 – 23°C)
Fertilizer: Not recommended.
Media EC: 0.5 – 0.75
Lighting: Light is needed for germination. Provide 100 – 300 foot candles (1000 – 3000
lux) in the chamber. Do not cover the seed.
GERMINATION – Stage 2
Careful attention to temperatures is critical to producing a quality Eustoma plug. High
temperatures trigger rosetting, an induced resting stage. Seedlings are most sensitive to
rosetting until two sets of true leaves have formed. Seedlings that are affected by rosetting will have delayed or inhibited flower stem production. These seedlings will resemble small cabbage plants

Visual Note: At the end of Stage 2, germination is completed. The roots are developing,
a stem is present and the cotyledons have expanded.
Moisture: Moisture level 4 (wet): Media is wet to the touch, but not saturated.
Watering early in the day and providing good ventilation is important.
Media Temperature: 70 – 75°F (21 – 24°C) days, 60 – 65°F ( 15 – 18°C) nights. Daily
Average Temperatures (DAT) above 78°F (25°C) can trigger rosetting in the young plant
stage. Days should not exceed 75°F (24°C) and nights should not drop below 60°F
(15°C) to avoid inducing rosetting. Once induced, rosetting is difficult to overcome.
Lighting: Under low light conditions, supplemental lighting at 300 – 400 foot candles
(3000 – 4000 lux) for a 16-hour day will promote earlier flowering.
Fertilizer: Lisianthus are light to moderate feeders during Stage 2. Fertilize at 50 – 75
ppm nitrogen with a calcium-based fertilizer (13-2-13) once a week.
Media EC: 0.5 – 0.75
GERMINATION – Stage 3
Eustoma is a very slow growing crop in the seedling stages. To keep the seedlings actively
growing careful management of temperature, light and fertility is important to produce a
high quality plug.
Visual Note: At the end of Stage 3, the roots should be penetrating the plug cell and the
first true leaves have developed.
Moisture: Alternate moisture level 4/2. Moisture level 4 (wet): Media is wet to the
touch, but not saturated. Moisture level 2 (medium): Media has changed color from dark
black to a medium brown. Seedlings are slow to grow. Do not over water.
Humidity: Lisianthus is native to arid regions. Excessive humidity will encourage disease.
Media Temperature: 70 – 75°F (21 – 24°C) days, 60 – 65°F ( 15 – 18°C) nights. After
two pairs of true leaves are established, Lisianthus is no longer prone to rosetting under
high temperatures.
Fertilizer: 100 – 150 ppm nitrogen twice a week with a calcium-based fertilizer (13-2-
13) to promote strong shoot and root growth.
Media EC: 0.75 – 1.0
Lighting: Under low light conditions, supplemental lighting of 300 foot candles (3000
lux) may be necessary to raise light levels. Low light levels may promote stretching.
Growth Regulators: Not necessary during the plug stages.
GERMINATION – Stage 4
Lisianthus has a sensitive root system which needs to be kept actively growing.
Development of a good root system is critical for the success of a Lisianthus crop.
Visual Note: At the end of Stage 4, the roots should hold the plug mass together easily.
The shoots should have 2 – 3 sets of true leaves.
Moisture: Alternate moisture level 4/2. Moisture level 4 (wet): Media is wet to the
touch, but not saturated. Moisture level 2 (medium): Media has changed color from dark
black to a medium brown. Seedlings are slow to grow. Do not over water.
Media Temperature: 70 – 75°F (21 – 24°C) days, 60 – 65°F ( 15 – 18°C) nights.
Fertilizer: 100 – 150 ppm nitrogen twice a week with a calcium-based fertilizer (13-2-13).
Media EC: 0.75 – 1.0
Lighting: If needed, provide supplemental lighting at 300 foot candles (3000 lux).
GROWING ON
Key to growing a successful Lisianthus crop is the development of a well established root
system. Good ventilation is necessary to create strong plants and reduce the incidence
of disease.
Transplanting: Transplant into the finish container when at least 2 – 3 pairs of true
leaves are visible and before plugs become root bound. The plug surface should be planted
slightly above the soil surface to prevent Rhizoctonia infection. Note: Seedlings held too
long in the plug tray will form twisted root balls that will result in delayed flowering on
shorter stems. Take precautions to minimize root damage to the seedling during transplant.
Stress of any kind will delay active root and stem growth and may promote rosetting.
Media: Select a porous media that drains well. Lisianthus requires a soil rich in organic
material to promote active root growth. Lisianthus root systems have high oxygen
requirements. Provide good air porosity. Soils with a high calcium and a rich phosphate
content are preferred by Lisianthus.
Media pH: 6.5 – 7.0. Lisianthus prefers a neutral media.
Moisture: Alternate moisture level 4/2. Moisture level 4 (wet): Media is wet to the
touch, but not saturated. Moisture level 2 (medium): Media has changed color from dark
black to a medium brown. Once flowers have initiated, allow media to dry slightly
between waterings. Watering early in the day and providing good ventilation is important
to producing a strong, healthy crop. Rapid drying of the foliage will discourage
disease outbreaks. Do not let plants wilt.
Humidity: High daytime humidity, low nighttime humidity is necessary the first 10 – 14
days after transplant. Maintain low humidity conditions after transplants are established
to prevent disease outbreaks. High humidity and over watering will promote disease outbreaks.
Drought stress in combination with low humidity levels may promote marginal
leaf burn. Stem breakage can be attributed to sudden fluctuations in temperature and
humidity.
Fertilizer: Initially start fertilization with a N:K ratio of 1:1 at 100 – 150 ppm nitrogen
with a calcium-based fertilizer (13-2-13). Once flower buds are visible, change the N:K
ratio to 1:2 at 100 – 150 ppm nitrogen with a near neutral fertilizer (15-10-30) to keep
plant compact.
Media EC: 0.5 – 1.0
Temperature: Finish the crop at 70 – 80°F (21 – 27°C) days and 60 – 65°F (16 –
18°C) nights.
Lighting: Lisianthus need 14 – 16-hour days to promote early flowering and active
growth. Interrupted nights i.e. lighting from 10pm to 2 am under short days at 30 – 45
foot candles (300 – 450 lux), will promote earlier flowering. Begin treatments after 6 sets
of true leaves are present. High light levels (5000+ foot candles, 50,000 lux) during the
standard day will help to intensify flower color.
Growth Regulators: Growth regulators may be necessary during periods of high heat
> 85°F (30°C).
Common Pests: Aphids, Thrips and Leafminer. Fungus gnats are a major pest of young
seedlings. The larvae feed on roots causing many problems from delayed stem growth,
flowering, and stunted stems.
Common Diseases: Botrytis, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Peronospora, Powdery Mildew,
Thelaviopsis, Pythium, Phytophthora, Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus, Impatiens Necrotic
Spot Virus, Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Viruses are commonly transmitted by thrips.
SCHEDULING
Plug crop time: 8 – 10 weeks
Green packs from time of transplant: 8 – 10 weeks
4 inch crop time from transplant: 12 – 14 weeks
6 inch crop time from transplant: 14 – 16 weeks
GARDEN PERFORMANCE
Commonly grown as a potted crop, ‘Lizzy’ Lisianthus can also be planted in a sunny garden.
Plant on 8 – 10 inch centers. ‘Lizzy’ will naturally begin to bloom Mid–summer and
continue until the frosts begin. Expect ‘Lizzy’ to obtain a height of 10 – 12 inches (25 –
30 cm).
GARDEN SPECIFICATIONS
Light: Full sun
Garden Height: 10 – 12 inches (25 – 30 cm)
Garden Width: 8 – 10 inches (20 – 25 cm)
USDA Hardiness Zone: 8
AHS Heat Zone: 12 – 1

Answer 2

It wants full sun. Here are some links:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=lisianthus+plant+image&fr=ush-ans