|
Thu, Jun 2, 05 at 20:41
| What can you tell me about this flower? I saw some in a bouquet at a farmers market last summer and fell in love. What are the secrets to growing them successfully? I'm not in the cut-flower business. I just have a cutting garden for my own home and to give away. |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by flowerfarmer 5/6 MI (My Page) on Thu, Jun 2, 05 at 22:23
| Lisianthus -- Seed is fairly expensive. It takes forever for germination. The little thing just sits there for the longest time before it decides to do anything. We don't start ours from seed. If you do, you will need to start them in January. We order plugs from a broker. Those plugs are not even the size of a dime in diameter. They also sit in the growing bed in our unheated hoophouse for about three weeks before doing anything. They don't like stress. They get stressed from too much heat. They get stressed if you look at them the wrong way. If they get rootbound at all in the seed tray, they will be stunted. We grow them in the hoophouse in order to get the desired height. Some people have success growing them in the field. Lisianthus aren't for the faint of heart. They are just a beautiful flower for bouquets, and are much sought after. We participate in several farmers markets in Michigan. Out of curiousity, I am wondering which market in Michigan you had seen the lisianthus last summer. |
|
- Posted by ruthiegarden z5 MI (My Page) on Fri, Jun 3, 05 at 22:09
| Thank you for the information. I planted some from seedlings and they don't look too happy. I figured if they were easy to grow I would have seen them around more. I visit the farmers market in Okemos. Where do you sell? |
|
| Also - be aware that some varieties that you may see are dwarf varieties, meant for pots or annual beds. The cutting varieties are generally not available, or at least I haven't seen them! I grow mine in the field, transplanted as plugs that were planted in January. I usually get flowers by late August - October. I underplant them under taller flowers to provide shade and wind protection. And, keep them evenly moist. Once they get going, they're great and hardier to cold. They're great cutflowers though!! |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Cutting Garden Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.