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You are here: Home » Flower Farming Blog » Buying plugs

Buying plugs

publication date: Jan 15, 2008
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I gasped when I saw the price of lisianthus plugs this year: $76 for 210-cell flats of the 'Mariachi' series and $51 for 'Echo'. That seemed a lot higher than I remembered, so I checked my records and, guess what? It's the same price as 2007 and not much higher than 2005. So it's not the plug producers who are raising my input costs every year. Bless their hearts! They know we're all in this together. There's not much they can do about the cost of shipping the plugs, though, and I know that cost does keep going up every year.

Even so, I am not tempted in the least to grow my own lisianthus plugs. To do so, I would have been forced to heat my greenhouse beginning in December because lisianthus is a very slow-growing plant. I can guarantee that would have cost a lot more, like maybe three or four times more, than the price I will pay to Gro 'n Sell and FedEx combined.

On the other hand, I would not buy plugs for the flowers that don't need to be started until March, when the weather has warmed enough that I need to heat the greenhouse only a little at night. I would much rather plant my own seeds of fast growers– rudbeckia, celosia, ammi, salvia, basil, grasses, and all the other summer annuals. It's much more fun than unpacking boxes!

(At left: Lisianthus 'Mariachi Orchid')

Comments

Janet Majure
This is another test comment.
Judith Lessler (Pittsboro)
Buying plugs is a problem for organic growers. My certifying agency will not certify non-organic "transplants" even if they are grown organically entirely after the plugs arrive.
Anonymous
I've not grown lisianthus before and have read it is a picky plant. I have 280 plugs in my high tunnel and don't want to lose any. Any tips for successful growing?
Anonymous
HI:I am a newbie using high tunnels and would like advice as to what flowers will give me the best return on my money. My tunnel is only 20x48, and since I have clay soil, we have built 2 enclosed raised beds inside. I live about 70 miles south of KC, to give you an idea of my climate. I've been selling perennials and am trying to venture into the cutting flower side of the business. What are the best ones to start out with? Thanks for any help.
Anonymous
I have grown lisianthus myself, and it's true that they take their time and are very picky. They like to be warm while getting started, but after that, too much sun or humidity will strangle their pretty lil' necks. They sometimes get leggy once planted in the ground, and the blossoms that aren't fully open will often stay shut and get icky. Good luck.
~Lola in Maryland
 

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