Lisianthus Grandiflorum Alissa II Champagne

Lisianthus Grandiflorum Alissa II Champagne Seeds

(F1 Lisianthus — Group 2 Champagne-Ivory, Lightly Fringed Double)

The Alissa series from Sakata Ornamentals is an eye-catcher. The beautiful lisianthus series Alissa has large, double flowers abundantly filled with lightly fringed petals. Delicate colors and sturdy stems form an irresistible combination of strength and beauty.
Lisianthus Alissa Champagne has romantic champagne-colored petals that make it an absolute eye-catcher. The big buds seem to explode from pure joy, just like opening a bottle of champagne.

The champagne color of Alissa II Champagne occupies a unique and highly commercial position in the lisianthus color spectrum. Where white is clean and bright, and cream is soft and traditional, champagne adds depth and warmth — a luminous, warm ivory with subtle golden and honey undertones that catches light beautifully and photographs exceptionally well. This quality makes champagne-toned lisianthus one of the most sought-after colors in wedding and luxury event floristry, where it complements almost every other flower color and suits every style from rustic-romantic to modern-elegant.

The lightly fringed petals of the Alissa series are a distinguishing feature — more delicately textured than a smooth-petalled variety like Arena, but less dramatically ruffled than Corelli Sugoi. This intermediate fringing level creates a soft, romantic, feminine quality that is perfectly suited to the delicate champagne-ivory color, giving the blooms a gentle, luminous presence rather than a bold architectural impact.

As a Group 2 variety, Alissa II Champagne flowers earlier than Group 3 varieties — approximately two weeks before Arena, Corelli Sugoi, Croma, and other Group 3 series when sown at the same time. This makes it an excellent companion for succession-planting programs alongside Group 3 varieties, and ideal for Gulf cool-season early production from March onwards.

Variety Details

• Variety: Alissa II Champagne
• Series: Alissa
• Breeder: Sakata Ornamentals
• Species: Eustoma grandiflorum
• Common names: Lisianthus, Prairie Gentian, Texas Bluebell
• Family: Gentianaceae
• Hybrid type: F1
• Flower color: Champagne — warm ivory with golden-honey undertones
• Flower form: Double, abundantly filled with lightly fringed petals
• Flower diameter: 6–8 cm
• Lisianthus group: Group 2 (early main season)
• Height: 65–75 cm (approximately 70 cm)
• Germination: 10–15 days at 20–22°C with light

Key Features

• Alissa series from Sakata — globally respected premium lisianthus breeding.
• Large double flowers abundantly filled with lightly fringed petals — sumptuous, romantic form.
• Champagne-ivory color — warm, luminous, universally flattering; top choice for wedding floristry.
• Group 2 early main season — flowers before Group 3 varieties for succession advantage.
• Sturdy stems ~70 cm — reliable cut flower performance.
• Exceptional vase life — a hallmark of Sakata Alissa breeding.
• Outstanding pairing flexibility — champagne complements virtually every flower color.
• Pelleted seeds for easier handling and sowing.

Plant Information

• Habit: Upright, well-branched, sturdy
• Flower form: Double, lightly fringed petals, abundantly filled
• Sun: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, high in organic matter, pH 6.0–6.8
• Water: Consistent moisture — do not allow to dry out; avoid waterlogging
• Spacing: 10–15 cm for cut flower

Seed Germination — Read Carefully

• Seed form: Fine pelleted seeds — handle carefully; do not crush pellet
• Seed depth: Surface sow or very light vermiculite dusting — light required for germination
• Germination time: 10–15 days at 20–22°C
• Germination temperature: 20–22°C — do not exceed 25°C
• Pre-cooling option: After wetting pellets, cover trays at 100% humidity and place in cold storage at 4–8°C for 4 weeks without
• light, then move to greenhouse to initiate germination. Pre-cooling helps prevent rosetting.
• Sow pelleted seeds into deep 288-cell trays in fine, sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix at pH 6.0–6.8.
• Press pellets lightly onto surface or cover with very fine vermiculite dusting. Water gently until pellet material has broken down.
• Maintain 100% humidity.
• Keep consistently moist throughout — pellets must not dry out.
• Germination takes 10–15 days.

Growing Tips

• Maintain consistent temperatures of 20–22°C throughout germination and early seedling development. Do not exceed 25°C — high temperatures promote rosetting, the most common cause of production failure. Inconsistent moisture and low light are secondary risk factors for rosetting and bud blasting.
• Since lisianthus is a long-day response plant, extending the day gradually over 8 weeks from 15–20 hours with lighting, beginning at the 6th true leaf stage during short days will reduce flowering time.
• Maintain at least 13°C soil temperature during lighting.
• Transplant 12–13 weeks after sowing at 10–15 cm spacing in well-drained, organic-rich medium at pH 6.0–6.8.
• Apply a biological fungicide at planting (Rootshield or equivalent).
• Transplant at the correct stage: 4 true leaves (2 nodes).
• Feed with calcium nitrate-based fertilizer to build strong stems and reduce soft growth.
• For cut flower harvest, cut stems when one or more flowers are open and fully colored. After cutting, place in tepid water at around 20°C and store in a refrigerator at 4°C.
• Alissa’s exceptional vase life makes it suitable for markets where long shelf life is critical.

Alissa vs Other Lisianthus Series — Positioning

• Alissa II Champagne sits within the broader lisianthus collection as the warm, luminous champagne-tone double variety from Sakata. Compared to Arena III (smooth double, clear colors, Group 3), Corelli Sugoi III (heavily fringed double, Group 3), Croma III (mid-sized extra-double, thick petals, Group 3), and Mariachi II (quadruple camellia-like, Group 2), Alissa II offers: Sakata breeding heritage, a lightly fringed double form that is softer than Corelli Sugoi but more textured than Arena, and the exceptionally sought-after champagne color.

Gulf Planting Season

• Best sowing time in the Gulf: August (indoors, protected environment)
• Transplanting: 12–13 weeks after sowing — January–February
• Expected flowering: March–April (Group 2 — approximately 2 weeks earlier than Group 3 varieties sown at the same time)

Cut Flower Harvesting Guide

• Harvest stage: When one or more flowers on the stem are open and fully colored
• Conditioning: Place in tepid water at 20°C; store at 4°C; re-cut before arranging
• Vase life: 14–21 days — exceptional longevity
• Note: Remove first bud to encourage lateral buds to flower together for a fuller, more generous stem

Garden and Floral Uses

• Professional cut flower production — protected indoor/greenhouse growing
• Wedding and bridal floristry — champagne is universally flattering and commercially in top demand
• Luxury bouquets and arrangements — warm ivory complements every color palette
• Specialty high-end cut flower markets
• Succession planting alongside Group 3 varieties
• Long-lasting luxury table and event arrangements