Eustoma grandiflorum ABC™ Misty Blue I F1 | Lisianthus | Pelleted Seeds
Professional Group 1 Lisianthus with romantic misty lavender-blue double flowers, strong stems and exceptional vase life – a beautiful choice for cut flowers, wedding bouquets and elegant floristry.
Eustoma grandiflorum ABC™ Misty Blue I F1 is a professional cut flower Lisianthus from the renowned ABC™ series. It produces elegant fully double flowers with a high petal count on strong, long stems. The ABC™ series is specifically bred for high-quality cut flower production and has reduced sensitivity to rosetting.
What makes Misty Blue particularly special is its delicate, romantic colour. The flowers have a soft misty lavender-blue tone, creating an airy, sophisticated look that is especially beautiful in wedding and garden-style floristry. This subtle colour combines beautifully with white, cream, blush pink, apricot, lavender and other soft pastel flowers. The variety has also been described in cut-flower trials as having a soft lavender-blue flower colour.
Plant Information
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Botanical name: Eustoma grandiflorum
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Common name: Lisianthus
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Series: ABC™ F1
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Variety: Misty Blue I
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Group: I (Group 1)
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Flower colour: Misty lavender-blue
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Flower type: Double, high petal count
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Stem height: approx. 91–114 cm
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Exposure: Full sun / high light
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Use: Cut flowers, bouquets, wedding floristry
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Best for: Greenhouse and high tunnel
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Seed form: Pelleted
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Plug crop time: 8–10 weeks (56–70 days)
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Days to bloom from sowing: approx. 126–168 days (4.5–5.5 months) for the main spring-to-autumn growing period
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Vase life: Excellent
ABC™ Misty Blue I is officially listed as a Group 1 variety, with a professional greenhouse height of approximately 91–114 cm and pelleted seed supplied for easier sowing.
What Does Group I Mean?
The “I” in ABC™ Misty Blue I F1 means Group 1. In the ABC™ Lisianthus series, the group number is a speed or seasonality guide: Group 1 represents early-flowering varieties.
Group 1 varieties are particularly suited to cooler production periods and lower light conditions. ABC™ Misty Blue I is recommended for winter and spring production as well as late autumn under suitable controlled growing conditions.
This makes Misty Blue I particularly useful when an earlier-flowering Lisianthus is required.
Romantic Misty Lavender-Blue Flowers
The colour is the standout feature of this variety. ABC™ Misty Blue I produces sophisticated pastel flowers that sit beautifully between soft lavender and misty blue.
Unlike stronger purple Lisianthus varieties, Misty Blue creates a softer and more romantic effect. It is especially beautiful for:
- Wedding and bridal bouquets
- Romantic garden-style arrangements
- Pastel flower combinations
- Elegant seasonal bouquets
- Professional cut flower production
The fully double flower form and high number of petals give each bloom a luxurious, almost rose-like appearance. The ABC™ series is recognised for its outstanding double flower form and strong stems.
An Exceptional Cut Flower
ABC™ Lisianthus was bred specifically for professional cut flower production. The plants combine strong stems, uniform growth and high-quality double flowers, making them particularly useful for growers producing flowers for bouquets and florists.
Misty Blue is particularly attractive for wedding work, where its muted lavender-blue colour can add a cool pastel tone without overpowering other flowers.
Excellent Vase Life
Lisianthus is valued for its impressive longevity as a cut flower, and the ABC™ series is noted for exceptional vase life.
In an independent cut-flower trial, ABC Misty Blue averaged 12.9 days of vase life with holding solution, although individual stems varied depending on treatment and conditions.
For best results, harvest strong stems when the first flower has opened and place them promptly into clean water.
Sowing & Germination
Lisianthus seeds are extremely small and should not be buried deeply. ABC™ Misty Blue I F1 is supplied as pelleted seed, making the tiny seeds considerably easier to handle and sow accurately.
Fill a plug tray with a fine, pre-moistened seed-starting substrate. Place 1 pelleted seed per cell on the surface and gently press it into contact with the moist substrate.
Do not bury the seed deeply. Leave it on the surface or use only a very thin layer of fine vermiculite.
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Sowing: 1 pelleted seed per cell
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Sowing depth: Surface sow
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Cover: None or a very thin layer of fine vermiculite
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Germination temperature: 20–22°C
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Approximate germination: 8–12 days under optimal conditions
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Plug crop time: 8–10 weeks
Keep the substrate consistently moist but never waterlogged. It is particularly important that the pelleted seeds do not dry out during germination.
After germination, provide plenty of light and good air circulation and avoid excessive heat.
Beginner tip: Lisianthus seedlings are tiny and develop slowly during their first weeks. This is normal. Do not try to accelerate their growth with excessive heat or fertiliser – consistent moisture, good light and patience are much more important.
How Long From Seed to Flower?
Lisianthus is a relatively slow-growing flower, so early sowing is recommended.
The initial plug stage takes approximately 8–10 weeks (56–70 days). After transplanting, the ABC™ series requires approximately:
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Summer: 10–12 weeks
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Spring / Autumn: 12–14 weeks
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Winter: 14–18 weeks
For the main spring-to-autumn growing period, allow approximately 126–168 days (4.5–5.5 months) from sowing to flowering. Winter production can take longer.
Planning tip: count backwards approximately 4.5–5.5 months from the time you would like your first flowers when deciding when to sow.
Growing
ABC™ Misty Blue I F1 performs best in a greenhouse or high tunnel, where temperature, moisture and light can be managed more consistently. Professional recommendations for the ABC™ series give a planting density of approximately:
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Summer: 84 plants/m²
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Winter: 64 plants/m²
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil and provide good light and air circulation.
One of the important advantages of ABC™ genetics is its reduced sensitivity to rosetting, both during plug production and after transplanting. The series also offers uniform vigour and a relatively concentrated harvest window.
Harvesting for Cut Flowers
Harvest when at least the first flower on the stem has opened. Strong stems and multiple buds allow the remaining flowers to continue opening in the vase.
For the longest vase life, use clean cutting tools and place freshly harvested stems into clean water immediately.
Why Choose ABC™ Misty Blue I F1?
- Unique misty lavender-blue colour
- Elegant, fully double flowers
- High petal count
- Professional Group 1 early-flowering Lisianthus
- Long, strong stems for cutting
- Approx. 91–114 cm stem height
- Uniform professional-quality growth
- Reduced sensitivity to rosetting
- Excellent vase life
- Exceptional colour for wedding floristry
- Beautiful in pastel and garden-style bouquets
- Ideal for greenhouse and high tunnel production
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Pelleted seeds for easier, more precise sowing
ABC™ Misty Blue I F1 is an exceptional Lisianthus for growers looking for a sophisticated pastel colour combined with professional cut flower performance. Its misty lavender-blue double flowers, strong stems and excellent vase life make it particularly valuable for wedding bouquets, romantic floral arrangements and premium cut flower production.
