Prairie Gentian, Lisianthus, Texas Bluebell 'Heidi Red' (Eustoma exaltatum subsp. russellianum)

Prairie Gentian, Lisianthus, Texas Bluebell 'Heidi Red'
Eustoma exaltatum subsp. russellianum

"Heidi Red"

What a wonderful color in a lisianthus, George. I haven't seen that before; I really like it. I have also seen a yellow lisianthus which is lovely. Do you grow your own from seed? It is hard to find them around here and then they are beyond my budget. I am tempted to start them from seed but it seems to me that I read that they take a loooong time from seed.

I guess we are fortunate out here in the SF Bay Area. I purchase them in 6 packs for $3 or $4. I too understand that great patience is needed to grow from seed and we have such a large variety available (even at Home Depot) from local growers that I don't think it is worth the effort. Housing prices are outrageous, but we do have a great climate.

So true, George. I lived in Berkely in the early 70's and it was like heaven. I left Columbus Ohio in early February with temps in the teens and deep snow on the ground. Took the train and arrived in Oakland 3 days later to temps in the 70's and roses in bloom. Talk about a thrill!
I can't believe you can get six packs of lisianthus for that price. I pay that much for a small individual plant when I can find one.

George, what a great rich colour. I grew 'Red Glass' a couple of years ago & after waiting 7-8 months for it to bloom, it turned out to be a washed out wine colour. Not what I was looking for. I will definitely be checking out the seed catalogues this year for 'Heidi Red'. They are such excellent flowers for flower arrangements as they can last up to 3 weeks. Great photo by the way.

What a georgeous photo of a georgeous plant. I tried for years to start these plants from seed and had no luck. I tried to buy plants here in Homer, Louisiana and could not find any. Finally, I ask a guy I knew who owned a nursery about them and he said he did not fool with them because they were so tempermental. But I don't give up easily. A few years ago I kept ordering seeds from Park Seed and then bought some Jiffy Seeding Pots with clear plastic covers. As the seeds need light to germinate, you can't cover them with soil; this method with the clear plastic lids worked. I don't know if the seeds got blown away before or what but I have 2 apricot colored lisianthus that I have kept for 3 years. I put it in the greenhouse in the winter as it does take about 90 days for it to bloom from seed. If I'm too busy to get my seeds planted really early in the greenhouse, then they hardly have time to bloom before summer is over.

I guess I am really lucky to have local growers that like this plant. Here is some more info on growing them.
http://www.dontveter.com/howtogrow/eustgran.html
http://gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Harbaughpubs/PottedLisianthus1.htm
I found a wholesale seed source at http://www.sakata.com/flowers.asp?menu=catalog&item_id=69&x=15&y=22 (be sure to look at "related items" for more varieties) and it does have a link to distributors, by area http://www.sakata.com/page.asp?content=distributors&menu=distributors
and if all else fails - order them in silk, they will never die - all you have to do is dust them! http://www.silkflowersandmore.com/lizzy.html

I would really like to grow this plant. I live in Central Texas. I came on the photo when looking for Texas Bluebells. They are blooming in the fields and along the road sides now. I would like to know more about this Heidi Red. Thank you in advance for any responses.