The cut flower market is growing in the United States, and many growers are looking to expand production. However, field-grown lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) often faces challenges with stem length and flower quality. Our sister company, American Takii, has conducted a study on ‘Arena’ white lisianthus under three shade levels (0%, 30%, 50%) to assess the impact on flower development, quality, marketability, and yield.
The results show that adding shade delays harvest timing, particularly for Group I plants, which also experienced reduced flower quality under heavy shade. Group II was less affected, and both groups benefited from 30% shade, which increased average stem length by 6.3 cm (Group I) and 9.0 cm (Group II), while maintaining good marketable quality. This suggests that using affordable shadecloth can enhance stem length and marketability for field-grown lisianthus. Further research is needed to explore optimal lower shade levels for growers in the southern United States.
Want to improve your lisianthus production? Contact our lisianthus expert to discuss practical strategies for your growing operations. For a deeper dive into the study, you can read the full research here.
