I fell in love with this flower the first time I saw it years ago in a boquet (this is a different boquet) and now I am wondering if it will grow well here in Long Beach. I have very acidic soil and camellias and lillies of various kinds are very happy here. Also have a canopy from city strip elms that creates a dappled shade. Think I could grow these under such conditions? I read that they like semi shade and acid soil. Also, could someone tell me what variety this one is?
B.
I was hoping someone who lives closer to you would answer but since they haven't I'll throw in my 2 cents...these have grown fine for me in morning sun. And my soil is somewhat alkaline, so they're probably not that picky about soil pH. As far as which one yours is--I'm not sure if there are other different cultivars that are grown for the florist trade or not, but if you look through Plant Files there are a couple where the flowers look similar so even if they're not exactly the same it should give you the look you're after http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=lisianthus&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&searcher%5Bgrex%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search
Thanks so much for the reply. I'll see if I can hunt some down and try them.
Barbara
I've tried numerous times to grow these and they were an abyssmal failure. I'm pretty sure that Long Beach is too humid in the summer for them to do very well...that along with the fact that they prefer long hours of heat and daylight to do well.
Our mornings tend to be overcast in the summer, then they can be hot one week and cool the next.
My sister in Simi Valley grows these with minimal effort where they get full blazing sun and dry heat, and they get over 3 feet tall.
Try checking at Cottage Nursery Garden's in Westminster. They usually carry them.
This message was edited Aug 26, 2008 9:52 PM
Mine do well on an east facing wall that just gets morning sun. Some are continuing as their 3rd year. I believe the flowers are Echo Blue or Echo Purple. I have purchased some of these at Home Depot. Generally I find them at my local nursery. They come in a large number of colors and are one of my favorites. Check out http://www.greenleafwholesale.com/flwr_ctg/index.php?pg=1&m=Lisianthus for some samples. One of my tags is from Do Right's http://www.dorights.com/plantsigns/pages/Lisianthus%20Echo.htm
I also found this reprint of a 1985 Sunset Magazine article http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1216/is_v174/ai_3661354
You might find this of interest http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/416193/ - An Aussie saw some of my photos and asked for large files to use to make some cake decorations.
This message was edited Aug 29, 2008 7:24 AM
The ones I planted this June (six) are doing fine. They get the morning and afternoon sun (up 110 degrees F.) with regular watering. They aren't real large and they can't keep standing up by themselves but the flowers are just beautiful.
Take care,
Chuck
Thanks to everyone for the great information. Sadly, I think if Jasperdale can't grow them in Long Beach I certainly won't be able to and probably shouldn't try. Oh well :-)
