Lisianthus Petite Blue Picotee ( Eustoma grandiflorum ) is a miniature version of the popular cut flower commonly used in bridal bouquets, wreaths and corsages. Some varieties of Lisianthus look very much like a mini rose; including this one.
The Lisianthus La Petite Blue Picotee are great in pots, table displays, as border plants or in window boxes. They can be used as a cut flower but are much shorter in length than the larger varieties, that can grow to almost one metre tall.
Although Lisianthus are perennial in their natural dry, warm habitat; they are generally grown as annuals in other climates. If growing in tropical regions, this species must be protected from heavy rain.
Growth
Lisianthus La Petite Blue Picotee flowers are rose like and white with blue-purple tips on their petals. This variety grow to approximately 25 cm’s tall and 15-20 cm’s wide making them an excellent potted flower. The leaves of this variety are dark green and contrast well against its beautiful flowers.
These flowers have a long life once they are cut, usually approximately 2 weeks, so are a great addition if you like to enjoy flowers in a vase indoors as well.
The seeds provided are pelleted for ease of sowing as Lisianthus seeds are tiny and almost dust like, you must be gentle when handling these pelleted seeds as pressure can cause them to crumble. Lisianthus growing is not for beginners; to grow from seed and require patience and care.
FAMILY:
Gentianaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5 to 35°C / 23 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist, well draining, compost rich.
LOCATION:
Full sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 25 cm (10 inches)
WIDTH:
Up to 20 cm (8 inches)
pH:
6.5.-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial-Annual dependent on climate
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Bees, butterflies and other insects. Flowers are bisexual.
MATURITY:
5-6 months
GERMINATION RATES:
72-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
2-3 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 800
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT EUSTOMA GRANDIFLORUM (Lisianthus La Petite Blue Picotee)
Eustoma grandiflorum is native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Southern parts of the United States & Northern South America (warm, humid & dry climates). Other common names for this species are Texas Blue Bell, Prairie Gentian & Eustoma
The word Lisianthus means ‘bitter flower’; so it is not a flower you want to add to a salad.
Germination Instructions
HOW TO GROW EUSTOMA GRANDIFLORUM (Lisianthus La Petite Blue Picotee)
Step 1
Do not sow Lisianthus until after any threat of frost has passed. Soil should be rich in organic matter and MUST be well draining as Lisianthus does not do well in wet boggy soil and will rot/mould.
pH needs to be slightly alkaline between 6.5-7.0 Plugs are a great way to grow these.
Sow the seeds on the surface of your medium, Lisianthus do not need to be covered with any further soil. If you do cover only use a sprinkled thin layer of vermiculite, Lisianthus seeds require light to germinate and the vermiculite will allow light to penetrate and also help prevent mould.
Step 2
Moisten your soil with a light spray bottle being careful not to completely soak the soil.
Temperatures needed for germination are between 20-25°C/70-80°F
A sunny position is vital to encourage germination, avoid any shady spots.
If germinating indoors or in a greenhouse ensure there is plenty of air circulation.
Keep moist at all times during germination but again never wet! Allow the soil to dry out a little in between watering but never completely.
Germination in ideal conditions will begin around 14-21 days.
Step 3
Lisianthus is slow growing in some climates and can take 2 months before it is ready for transplanting. Make sure the seedlings feel sturdy enough and have 4 true leaves before you attempt moving them.
Sowing initially in plugs is ideal for this reason, making them easy to transplant.
Transplant into a full sun location in most climates – in areas where the summer sun is very hot, Lisianthus may benefit from some afternoon shade. In tropical climates, this species will require protection from heavy rain.
If growing in a greenhouse a fan may be needed to keep air circulating.
Step 4
Lisianthus do not like heavy rain so will appreciate being covered when rain is expected but remember to remove the covering after the rains have passed so that they don’t miss out on plenty of light and air circulation.
As Lisianthus are slow growing, they can take 5-20 months to bloom. To get a head start on flowering, these can be started indoors 6-8 weeks prior to Spring – as long as the conditions are appropriate and they have plenty of light.
Pinch out the first flowers to promote further blooms, if in the right spot they can bloom continuously from Summer though to late Autumn.
Harvest in the morning when the flowers are just starting to open to prolong them in a vase.
