Lisianthus is a member of the Gentianaceae family.
Varieties
The Lisianthus assortment includes both single and double flowered cultivars.
Tips for care
During shipment:
Lisianthus is easily damaged and sensitive to bacterial and fungal diseases.
If the flowers are crowded together, humidity increases and the development of Botrytis can result.
The ideal storage temperature is between 41 and 59º F. The lower the storage temperature is kept the better the chance that fungal diseases can be prevented.
It is advisable to keep the temperature constant. Temperature fluctuations cause condensation to form and increase the risk of Botrytis.
During transport
If possible, always transport and store Lisianthus in water. This increases the vase life of the flowers.
In the shop
Remove 1 ½ inches from the lower part of the stem, taking care to cut stems at an angle. Remove all leaves that could potentially hang in water. After doing this, allow flowers to properly hydrate leaving them in the plastic sleeve they arrived in or by wrapping them in newspaper. After they have hydrated properly, place the flowers in fresh water containing cut flower food. Freshen water regularly as dirty water will shorten their vase life.
Never place too many flowers in a flower bucket. When the flowers are crowded together, humidity increases and Botrytis infection can result.
The ideal storage temperature is between 41 and 59º F. The lower the storage temperature the more fungal development is inhibited.
Keep the temperature constant. Temperature fluctuations cause condensation to form and increase the risk of Botrytis.
In the home:
Fresh water and cut flower food improve the vase life of Lisianthus and chance that the flowers will open properly.
It is therefore advisable to use a glass vase. Earthenware is more difficult to clean and a glass vase has the added advantage of being able to more easily check the water level.
Carefully cut the stems at an angle. Remove the lower leaves to prevent the development of bacteria in the vase water.
Never place Lisianthus in full sunlight. The thin leaves can evaporate and loose more water than the stems can take up to replenish themselves.
Lisianthus, if well taken care of, have a vase life of 8 to 14 days. The brightly colored flowers do not fade during this time. It is best to remove dead flowers immediately.
Top 10 double flowered Lisianthus
(Based on sales at the Dutch auction in 2006)
1. ‘Cessna White’
2. ‘Mariachi White’
3. ‘Mariachi Blue’
4. ‘Mariachi Pink’
5. ‘Mariachi Green’
6. ‘Echo Pure White’
7. ‘Mariachi Yellow’
8. ‘Cessna Green’
9. ‘Excalibur Pure White’
10. ‘Echo Champagne’
Sales and supply data for double flowered Lisianthus
Dutch auction sales (x 1,000 Euro):
2006: 14,414
2003: 10,495
2001: 10,542
Dutch auction supply (x 1,000 stems):
2006: 45,414
2003: 34,256
2001: 31,343
Relevant Internet sites
Explanation of the name
Eustoma (Lisianthus) literally means "having a large mouth ". Eu means ‘good’, stoma means ‘mouth’. The name refers to the wide open flowers.
No information.
www.vbn.nl (general product specifications)
1. white
2. purple
3. pink
4. yellow
5. green
6. bi-color
More information
Novelty of March 2007: Lisianthus (Eustoma russellianum) 'Excalibur Yellow'
