Lisianthus Cut Flower Production in Utah Melanie Stock, Sheriden Hansen, Maegen Lewis, Anna Collins, Brent Black, and Dan Drost Lisianthus (Eustoma russellianum) is a tender perennial grown as an annual in Utah. Blooming June through October with tall, multi-branching stems, lisianthus is known for its rose-like appearance and long vase life. Lisianthus can be transplanted in the high tunnel six weeks before the last frost date and two weeks before in the field. Stems can reach 30 inches tall and benefit from a horizontal trellis to promote straight growth, especially in windy locations. In North Logan, UT, high tunnels produced an average of 6 to 10 marketable stems per square foot (ft2), compared to 3 to 5 stems per ft2 when field-grown.
Lisianthus Groups
Lisianthus are grouped by bloom timing that is a response to light and heat. Group 1 is rated to bloom the earliest under moderate light and heat, Group 2 in summer with high light and heat, while Group 3 blooms later and requires moderate light and heat. Group 4 is less common and grown in warm climates for winter production. Overall, Groups 2 and 3 are highly recommended for high tunnel and field production, 1 has potential for very early high tunnel production, and 4 is not recommended.
options. A soil test is recommended in new planting areas or where soil testing has not occurred in two years. USU’s analytical laboratory performs soil tests with pricing available on their website and instructions for sampling here. Rake the tilled soil smooth and form beds that are 3 to 4 feet wide. Wider beds make it difficult to reach the center rows. Install drip irrigation and plastic mulch, if desired, before planting. For lisianthus grown in high tunnels (Figure 1), planning and preparation begin the previous fall by installing the plastic high tunnel covering before heavy rain or snowfall. This ensures the soil will have the right moisture content for workability early the following spring and decreases the risk of disease.
Site Preparation
Soil testing is highly recommended and careful use of soil amendments (i.e., fertilizer, compost, manure) is necessary because lisianthus is sensitive to soil salinity, with stress occurring by 1.8 dS per m. Till the soil to incorporate fertilizer or compost based on routine soil test recommendations. Incorporating one inch of lowsalt compost into the soil before planting increases organic matter and fertility, with minimal pH or salinity risk. See USU’s Compost and Manure Guidelines for
Figure 1. Lisianthus MarichiTM (front), RositaTM (left) and DoubliniTM (right) harvested from a high tunnel.
Utah State University Extension | October 2022 | Peer-Reviewed Fact Sheet | CutFlower/01
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