How to Plant Lisianthus Seeds? A Detailed Guide to the Growing Method

Lisianthus is a common flower in everyday life with extremely high ornamental value, and many people like to grow some at home, so how do you plant lisianthus seeds?

1. Seed selection

There are many varieties of lisianthus, broadly divided into three types: early, mid and late. The suitable cultivation periods for early varieties are March, August and September; for mid varieties, March, July and August; and for late varieties, March to July. The seedling stage usually lasts two months. Therefore, sowing should be timed according to the variety, about two months before the suitable transplanting time.

2. Soil selection

First prepare seedling soil or seedling blocks. If using a substrate, a slightly alkaline one with a pH of 6-6.5 is best; you can use peat moss plus some vermiculite and perlite, add some carbendazim and stir, then sterilise the substrate to prevent the growth of pathogens. Before sowing, water the substrate thoroughly so that it stays moist.

3. Sowing

Lisianthus seeds are especially tiny, like dust, so you can dip a toothpick in a little water, touch it to the seeds so they stick to the toothpick, and then plant them into the seedling tray, which is much more convenient. After sowing, do not cover with soil, then spray with a diluted carbendazim solution, which can improve the seeds' adhesion and antibacterial properties. Keep them in light and maintain the temperature at around 20-25°C. During the seedling stage, also take care to keep the substrate moist.

Generally seedlings emerge after two weeks. Once they have emerged, move the lisianthus to a ventilated place and lower the temperature to around 15°C. Be careful that the daytime temperature does not exceed 25°C and the nighttime temperature does not fall below 5°C. At this point you can apply 100-150ppm nitrogen fertiliser.

4. Transplanting

When the seedlings have grown two pairs of true leaves, they can be transplanted. Do not damage the roots when transplanting. Low temperature, dryness, insufficient light and excessive nitrogen fertiliser can all easily cause flower bud abortion.

(1) Light: Lisianthus is quite sensitive to light. Long-day conditions are very favourable for the growth and development of lisianthus, helping stem and leaf growth and flower bud formation, and achieving the goal of earlier flowering. Generally, 16 hours of light per day gives the best results.

(2) Temperature: Lisianthus likes warmth, with an optimum growing temperature of 15-28°C, and the nighttime temperature during the growing period should not be lower than 12°C. If the winter temperature is below 5°C, the leaf rosette forms and it cannot flower. It can also tolerate short periods of 0°C. If the temperature during the growing period exceeds 30°C, the flowering period is noticeably shortened.

(3) Watering: Lisianthus likes a moist environment, but excessive water is bad for root growth and makes it susceptible to disease invasion. After the flower buds form, avoid high-temperature and high-humidity conditions, otherwise fungal diseases are easily triggered. At the same time, insufficient water supply during the growing period makes the stems and leaves grow thin and weak and causes early flowering.

Overall, lisianthus seeds are still quite easy to plant. As long as you choose good soil or substrate, then sow the seeds evenly on top, and finally cover with a layer of film and water appropriately, it will be fine.