Aucnet, the Japanese floral product exporter and trader, has been one of the most consistent distributors of these items, delivering a range of high-quality flowers to the international market. In the company’s wide portfolio of floral products, the beautiful Eustoma, commonly known as lisianthus or prairie gentian, never ceases to capture the attention of florists and flower enthusiasts worldwide.
These vibrant flowers, native to warm regions of the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and northern South America, are a luxury item that requires expert care and attention. It is no wonder they have, over the years, gained immense popularity. Yet, Aucnet has been influential in introducing the exquisite Eustoma and sharing its exceptional beauty with the world.
Origins of Eustoma and Its Spread in Japan
Eustoma originated in North America and was introduced to Japan in the 1930s. It gained widespread popularity in the 1970s when breeding led to the creation of varieties including the pink ones.
In many other countries, Eustoma flowers were lost during World War II. But in Japan, they survived the onslaught and continued to be produced ever since. The flower has, accordingly, been bred extensively and has developed to the present day by creating a variety of seedlings suited to the country's different regions' characteristics. Japan is, now, home to between 200-500 varieties of this flower. And new ones are developed every year.
Eustoma comes in a wide range of variations based on flowering styles, color, and flower size. The additional cultivar characteristics make the number of varieties even more varied. About ten seed companies and some private breeders produce the new varieties and sell the seedlings.
Noteworthy is that with a history of about sixty years, Eustoma breeding is still relatively young compared to other flowers like roses, which have been crossed for four thousand years. The process of breeding the Eustoma is meticulous, with only about four varieties born every year after trying 900 different crosses.
Aucnet’s Role in Delivering Japan’s Eustoma to International Markets
A leading distributor, Aucnet plays a crucial role in delivering Eustoma to the international market, buoyed by its extensive network and expertise. These qualities are boosted by the company’s guarantee of quality control, traceability mechanisms, and a Good Practice Auction certificate from MPS — the international certification system for the flower industry. Aucnet sources high-quality Eustoma from Japan's top breeders and growers for this international market.
Eustoma's Beauty and Qualities: Perfect Characteristics of the Flower
Eustoma is renowned for its delicate, ruffled petals and vibrant colors. The flower's unique shape and size make it a popular choice for floral arrangements and bouquets. With its ability to bloom in a range of colors, from pastel shades to bold hues, it, definitely, adds elegance and style to any setting. Be it in wedding bouquets, funeral arrangements, or for home use, this flower is in high demand for all occasions. Plus, its visual appeal, long vase life, and relative drought tolerance when growing in a garden, are a bonus.
More than that, Eustoma is highly valued as an export cut flower and seedlings overseas. And most of the varieties currently in circulation are Japanese. Generally, the flower’s increasing admiration mainly stems from its wide range of flowering style variations, colors, and flower sizes.
Varieties for Cultivation
Eustoma Rosita 3 Pure White, a variety developed and marketed by Sakata Seed Corporation for overseas cultivation, is one example. This variety was awarded the Gold Medal at Floriade 2022. Rosita 3 Pure White is an ideal variety for year-round cultivation in the Netherlands, with a planting-to-harvest cycle of two to three months.
It grows to a sufficient length with hardy stems, has high-quality flower characteristics, and is very well suited to planned cultivation. It is, also, a well-balanced variety with the appearance and quality of a gorgeous rose-like flower and production characteristics that offer attractive advantages for production, distribution, and consumption.
Sakata Seed is engaged in seed breeding in Japan. Its seedlings are produced mainly by Dutch cut flower growers. Its cut flowers are sold mainly in Europe. Sakata Seed Corporation of Yokohama, which celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2023, is a leader in seed production, with approximately 70% of the world market share of lisianthus seeds.
Nakasone Lisianthus Inc., a private Eustoma breeder, also has several varieties including NF Moca, and NF Marble Blue, from its NF series. N denotes Nakasone and F is for Fringe. These flowers are characterized by voluminous fringed blossoms and a unique variation of colors. The Corsage series is also produced by Nakasone Lisianthus Inc. and the flowers are rich in expression, with antique colors, striped bi-colors, and shades of pink.
Production and Cultivation in Japan
Lisianthus is produced in 19 of the 47 prefectures in Japan, with Nagano, Kumamoto, and Fukuoka prefectures accounting for a third of all shipments. The total production in Japan in 2022 was 84,500,000 pcs.
In fact, in Kumamoto Prefecture, there are flat and semi-cool areas within the same prefecture, and by relaying the timing of shipments, it is the country's second-largest main production area in annual shipments. Shizuoka, and Kochi, among other prefectures, are also key producers of Eustoma flower — between November and June — mainly due to their warm climate.
Notably, the flower blooms in the summer when the weather is warmer and the days are longer. However, cultivation techniques have, lately, advanced so it can be shipped in winter as well, making it available throughout the year.
For its cultivation in Japan, slow-growing varieties with a growing season of three to four months are the most widely cultivated. Their production areas vary according to the time of year, the length of the growing season, and cultivation methods. For instance, multiple bud-killing during the growing season concentrates nutrients on a single stem resulting in larger flowers.
Some regions grow medium-sized flowers without bud-brushing. In these areas, the warm climate is leveraged and the plants are grown twice. This method involves harvesting twice from the same seedling.
Seed companies therefore develop and breed seedlings suited to each grower's production methods, so that growers in each region can choose the right seedlings for their production style.
Header image by @nakasonelisianthus. Unless otherwise indicated all images are courtesy of Aucnet.
