Inspiration Page

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Montana Lisianthus

Lovely, hip, trendy, versatile and extremely popular with florists and designers: the Lisianthus. In recent years, breeders and growers have put a lot of effort into improving the vase life, diversity and image. And with success! The Lisianthus is strong, durable and an indispensable part of the flower sector. Frank and Corine van Holst, of Montana Lisianthus, grow a wide range of Lisianthus and remain committed to innovation and improvement of the varieties! We were given a fantastic tour of the company and were introduced to the very latest varieties.

Montana

Frank and Corine van Holst have been specialized in growing various types of Lisianthus for more than 30 years. Despite the fact that both Frank and Corine learned the nursery trade from home, neither of them joined their parents' company. Corine worked at an advertising agency and Frank worked as a crop consultant.
During his work Frank visited several growers, including the first Lisianthus growers.
This was true pioneering! Lisianthus is a beautiful crop, but at the time it was still in its infancy. This beautiful, but complicated crop nevertheless had the necessary appeal for Frank and Corine. A crop with a challenge, but above all potential! Together they took on the challenge and over the past 30 years they have grown into a fantastic company full of love, passion, patience, surrender, trial and error. About 30 high-quality Lisianthus varieties are grown on 4 hectares, most of which are available all year round.

Progressive and innovative

In recent years, the Lisianthus has increased in popularity enormously. The range has not only been broadened, but the vase life and quality of the product has also improved enormously. Frank and Corine are progressive and are always looking for innovation. Montana does not have mass production, but focuses on exclusivity and diversity and wants to produce as many varieties as possible year-round for the largest possible target group.
Frank and Corine have close contact with the trade, but also with designers and florists, so that they can present the demand from the market to the breeders in Japan, who can include this in their breeding process.

Blue Chateau, Stracciatella Lavender and the Antica

Three new varieties in Montana's range are the Blue Chateau, Stracciatella Lavender and the Antica.
Blue Chateau is striking because of the special beige color, which even changes to a cool lavender shade in the vase, very unique! A beautiful, large double flower, which fits very well in the current vintage trend.
Stracciatella Lavender has been specially developed for Montana. A lavender colored Lisianthus was still missing from the range, making this a very nice addition. The flower is large, double and has a dark speck in the petal, which makes the color really unique and very elegant. A beautiful variety to have in a vase, but it also fits very well in beautiful chic bouquets and arrangements.
The Antica is a vintage-like pink Lisianthus with a remarkably large flower, wonderful for autumn arrangements and also very different and striking.

Botanical species

Lisianthus, or actually Eustoma, originally grows in Latin America. Montana's Botanic strains are truly 'retro'. These species come close to the primitive, botanical Lisianthus species from the Wild West. That is where the name Botanic comes from. They are lush, fragile, lovely, give a summery feeling and fit perfectly into the current trend of field and picking bouquets. The Botanic varieties are available in 5 colours.
The white and pink Exotic are the double-flowered variant of the Botanic. In 2019 Montana won the Dutch Tulip Award with the Botanic Pink!

How is Lisianthus grown?

In Japan they are masters in breeding new Lisianthus varieties. The seed is delivered to the growing companies. After sowing, it takes about three months before the cuttings are large enough to be planted at the grower.
After planting, the first flowers can be harvested after about eight weeks.
Frank and Corine have a strict cultivation schedule. Every week a number of boxes are harvested and replanted. In this way they try to offer as complete a range as possible all year round.

How to care for Lisianthus?

Tip from the grower: cut flower food is important and necessary for the Lisianthus!
The Lisianthus likes to be in a clean, preferably glass vase. Cut a small piece off the stems before putting them in the water. Make sure there are no leaves hanging in the water. Adding cut flower food to the water is very important! Do not put her in the sun or in a draft. This way you double the life of the flower in the vase and your Lisianthus continues to shine for twice as long.

Organic farming

Not only quality and diversity are of paramount importance, sustainable cultivation is also very important to Frank and Corine. Biology is used as much as possible to combat diseases and improve the crop. Lisianthus has very sensitive roots. By digging, steaming and adding biology to the soil after each harvest, Frank and Corine try to optimize the soil quality. Strong roots give a healthy crop and are more resistant to diseases and pests.

Future

Lisianthus is popular and still rising in popularity. It is a popular product and both Frank and Corine's sons have seen that. Son Frank Jr. can be found a lot at all kinds of nursery companies. He is still finishing his studies and would like to gain experience at other companies. Jerom, the older of the two, has been working in the company for two years and is very eager to continue the passion and love of his parents and to ensure the future of the beautiful, versatile Lisianthus!

FloraPodium, 22 September 2022