Has anyone had success in starting Lisianthus from seed?

Hi,

Hi. They are very VERY tiny seeds ... I got my best results but putting some seed starting mix that was on the dry side of moist or any really fine potting mixed in one of those clear clam shell containers you get for left overs at restaurants (poke a few holes in the bottom and the top). I smoothed over the mix then took a tooth pick and roughed up the surface just barely and sprinkled the seeds over it. I then gently pressed the seeds into the soil to where it was smooth again, closed the container and stuck it in a place where it got extremely bright sun but not direct. You probably won't have to water the soil as the humidity that builds up will keep it moist. I think it took about a week or so if I remember correctly for them to start germinating

Once they started coming up, I waited until they were about a half to an inch high then took a tooth pick and teased them out of the soil keeping as much potting mix around the roots as I could and transplanted into individual pots.

A quick word about seedlings. When you work with seedlings keep saying over and over and over in your head the Seedling Mantra:

Leaves can be replaced - stems cannot.

In other words never handle the stems of seedlings, always the leaves.

The picture is Lisianthus Sapphire Pink Rim

Thank you. I will give it a try. Appreciate your response.

You're quite welcome ... also wanted to add that when you press the seeds into the soil, check your fingers to make sure some of the seeds didn't stick to them .. sometimes for really tiny seeds I'll use the back of a spoons to press them into the soil.

The method above works really well for just about any super tiny seed.