Corelli Eustoma grandiflorum

Published February 25, 2016

Lisianthus Corelli is a new series from Takii. Beautiful large, double flowers have slightly ruffled petals giving it an elegant, yet playful appearance. Corelli is top branching, making it superb for bouquet usage. Its long vase life also makes it ideal for arrangements. Available in Apricot, Light Pink, Rose, White and Yellow. All colors are Group III (mid-late). Blue is a new introduction for 2016.

Tim is a cut flower specialist at Takii, www.takiiseed.com

Production

Germination

10 to 14 days at 68 to 70°F/20 to 21°C, do not cover seed (light required for germination).
Pelleted seed needs to be completely saturated to dissolve coating.

Plug

Lisianthus is a slow growing plug. Typical crop times can take nine to 11 weeks.
pH of 6.5 to 6.8; Lisianthus prefers higher pH than most bedding plants to thrive.
Fertility — Low to medium; plugs are sensitive to high salts. Calcium Nitrate based, well-balanced soluble feed helps to promote strong, thick stems later in crop life cycle.
Temperatures between 60°F/15°C and 70°F/25°C at night are recommended for finishing the plugs to prevent resetting. Temperatures above 75°F/23°C at night or 86°F/30°C during the day can induce rosetting. Low temperatures result in slow growth.

Finishing

Transplant at fourth true leaf stage or as soon as the young plant can be pulled from the tray.

Root-bound plugs can encourage branching and create bushy, more compact plants.
Keep plants evenly moist through the vegetative stage.
Dry plants between watering once buds are visible to reduce soil-borne pathogens.
Do not allow plants to wilt and stress.

Timing: Group I is early flowering, Group IV is the latest to flower from sowing.

Group I typically is sown for transplanting in winter months, Group IV are the latest to flower and will withstand more heat and longer days of summer while still producing strong, tall stems.
Finish times range from 12 weeks from transplant in summer to 22 weeks from transplant in winter.
Lisianthus stems have multiple flowers. Some growers harvest when the first flower opens. If the first bud/flower is removed, the same stem can have 2 to 7 open flowers, increasing the value of the crop significantly (fewer stems per bunch).

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