Evaluation of Eustoma/Lisianthus Cultivars for Assessing their Suitability as Prominent New Cut Flower Crop under Mid Hill Conditions of H.P

Lisianthus/Eustoma has emerged as one of the top ten cut flower crops in international flower trade during the past few years. It is a prominent cut flower from Japan where it has been in cultivation since 1960. The main reason behind its growing popularity is the range of varieties available as different series with vast charming colour shades, flower shapes, suited for growing under varying agro climatic conditions, having a good vase life. Studies carried out at H.R.S & T. Kandaghat and on the farmers' fields with Echo Double series, Roshita series and Flamenco series from Sakata Seeds, Japan and 10 new double flowering cultivars from Miyoshi Seeds, Japan during 2010-2012 have indicated that pelleted seed sowing of Lisianthus was basically done in conventional germination media containing sieved soil, FYM, leaf mould, coco peat and sand in 98 cavity plastic plug trays. The initial germination percentage obtained was 90% but the final seedling survival was only 68 percent. Final transplanting of seedlings was done after 65- 80 days of sowing. Responses obtained from growers have indicated that Lisianthus took approximately 6 months to come into full bloom under mid hill conditions. April sown seed resulted in flowering stems after 150-185 days of sowing in September, followed by a second flush in October- November. Sakata cvs. Echo double having various colour shades and Roshita pink produced comparatively smaller and thin stems when compared to all the Miyoshi cultivars. Cultivars brought from Miyoshi seeds were much better because of the attractive colour shades and good stem length due to their recent breeding origin. Cultivars Art Marine, Bolero Blue Picottee, Gavotte Yellow, Purple Flamingo and Bolero white from Miyoshi seeds have been liked by the Indian customers after the feedback received from the producers and the sellers and thus are recommended for commercial growing in mid hill areas as spring to autumn crop.