What if planting younger lisianthus seedlings could lead to faster finishing times, healthier plants, and less transplant shock? That’s exactly what Lindsay from Green Profit explored in a recent trial using Raker Roberta’s lisianthus plugs, grown to finish at Forget Me Not Farms in Michigan. The trial was a collaborative effort between Bob Croft (Sakata Seeds) and Matt Miller (Jiffy Growing Solutions).
The concept: Start with smaller plugs and get better outcomes.
The challenge: Keep those tiny seedlings intact during transplant.
The solution: Jiffy Preforma.
Rethinking Lisianthus Plug Production
Traditionally, lisianthus plugs are transplanted at around 60 days old. This trial tested transplanting seedlings at just 30 days old — and the results were impressive:
- Faster establishment
- Minimal transplant shock
- Better preservation of the taproot
- Up to six weeks shorter production time
- Larger, healthier plants
Transplanting earlier appears to reduce stress on the plant and encourages more vigorous growth.
Why Jiffy Preforma Made It Possible
At 30 days old, lisianthus seedlings are extremely fragile — and standard peat-based plugs often can’t hold together during transplant. That’s where Jiffy Preforma proves its value.
The team used Jiffy Preforma plug trays prefilled with BL30 substrate, a 25% cocopeat / 75% sphagnum peat mix designed to provide structural support and optimal rooting.
Key benefits include:
- Strong plug integrity without binders
- Clean handling at transplant
- Incorporated starter fertilizer
- pH stability with dolomitic lime
“Conventional peat plug mix would not hold the root mass together. This would potentially damage the taproot and defeat the purpose of planting a younger plug. This is where Jiffy’s Preforma plugs come in.” — Lindsay, Green Profit
The Preforma plugs were sown on February 18, germinated by March 18, and transplanted at 45 days old. They were grown side-by-side with 12-week-old plugs from Raker Roberta’s, allowing for a clear comparison.
What’s Next?
As lisianthus has a long crop cycle, Forget Me Not Farms is continuing to finish out the crop. Lindsay will report back later this season, but early signs point to a more efficient and resilient plug production method — one that could reshape how growers approach lisianthus propagation.
Want to trial Preforma in your greenhouse?
We’re offering samples to qualified growers who want to see the difference Preforma can make.
Click here to request a sample: https://jiffygroup.com/contact-us/
Read the full Green Profit article: https://www.greenprofit.com/Newsletters/View/?article=4903
Learn more about Jiffy Preforma’s structure, substrate options, and proven performance in plug production: https://jiffygroup.com/products/jiffy-preforma/
Let’s work together
Jiffy is a leading global supplier of premium growing media and solution thinking. We aim to serve you, our customers in plant propagation and cultivation, to achieve better results with fewer worries. We do this by continually improving, innovating, and working toward our common goals, based on scientific research, teamwork, and decades of experience. Let’s develop sustainable plant growing solutions together: Let’s start today!
