[muckyboots]

Hi has any one grown Lisianthus from seed,I have some seed and have been told they are not easy to germinate.Any help will win me brownie points with the good lady.Cheers 

[Mrs Bee]

I don't know if this is any use to you.
I love these flowers but haven't tried to grow them form seed as I have heard that they are difficult little beasts.

Thompson and Morgan do sell them as plug plants.
Sowing Information
 Common/Latin Name: Eustoma. Texas Bluebell or Prairie Gentian
 Type: Annual
 Temperature: 15-20°C
 Cover: Sow on compost surface
 Date:
 Advice: Sow late Nov to early March approx 12-14 weeks before last frosts. Grown for pot plant and cut flower production. Space pots 10x15cm field or border gown space 15x15cm.

[muckyboots]

Thanks Mrs Bee thats a start, if the little monkeys fail I shall have to think about plug plants but I like a challenge. Cheers.

[Mrs Bee]

Your most welcome. You have started me thinking that I may give them a go from seed.

I haven't been able to find the seeds before now.

[snowdrops]

Do they need chilling after sowing or a little bit of the casing rubbing away before sowing like sweet pes used to need. Sorry the proper terminology escapes me

[muckyboots]

I don't think so as the seeds I have are coated ,with what I have no idea.It may be because it makes them easier to handle as they are tiny.They need a constant temp of 70-75 f for a  long time, 5-6 weeks I'v found out from the inter web,so i'v sown them today fingers crossed.

[Mrs Bee]

Blimey that is a long time not sure I will have the propagator space. Although I could always buy another one.

Good luck with them let us know how you get on.

[muckyboots]

Will do Mrs Bee,just managed to squeeze them in ,mine is now full.

[muckyboots]

HI,well its about 3 months since sowing 2 lots of lisies and the result is 1 tray of mixed sown, result 1 plant germinated,1 tray of vulcan purple picotee 20 plants germinated.Both sown same day same propagator and same seed compost.I am a bit disappointed the mixed didn't do better but its challenge i like.

[Mrs Bee]

Oh, well done you.

Will you post some pictures when they are in flower?

To my shame I didn't get my 'arris in gear to buy the seeds.  But will have a go next year.

In all honesty the beds are stuffed to the gunnels at the moment so I wouldn't have space this year.

Pity I am not nearer to you as I would offer a swap of cake for some of your plants.

[muckyboots]

Hi just an update on this venture with lisianthus.Well what a disaster they grew to about 4/5 inches and that was it a few leaves and i'm not growing anymore,so as I havn't the room to grow them in the greenhouse where I think the may have not spit their dummy out I won't be trying them again,a friend bought som plug plants and they had the same results. Trying Carnations next year fingers crossed.

[Aunt Sally]

Sound like a difficult job to do at home.  I googled it, do you have grow lights? 

http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/72lisianthus/

[muckyboots]

Hi Sally,no i don't have lights do you think it would have changed the outcome,it sounds like a greenhouse venture and that means cutting down on my toms.