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| All-year-round Poinsettias? | |
| The Poinsettia market in North America and Europe is almost exclusively aimed at the Christmas market, in fact growers have major difficulty in selling any remaining stock after Christmas. It is a classic flowering plant for Christmas, hence the name ‘Stella di Natale’ (Christmas Star). Various organizations are looking closely at the potential for extending Poinsettia sales before and after Christmas. The HDA (Horticultural Development Council) in the UK has commissioned a study on this subject, including research on general consumer preference in terms of plant shape and compactness, bract width and leaf uniformity. In warmer countries there is potential to increase the use of Poinsettia plants in outdoor bedding shemes. It also appears that Suntory is keenly looking at extending the sales period of Poinsettias with their recent introduction of the Princettia® ‘Euphorbia’ series (not yet specifying the species but there appears to be no major difference between this and the ordinary Poinsettia). The name itself might also help sell the idea of all-year-round production. The series won a silver award at the Begian exhibition Florall in March 2009. www.suntory.com However, little or no comparative information is yet available to back-up general claims, with special interest in their response to daylength. This should be available from young plant distributors; Moerheim, Lazzeri, Beekenkamp, Florensis, Keintzler Jungflanzen. General communications indicate that Princettia® plants grow in a compact form with an even structure. An improved branching is claimed and the braches are said to be stronger and less subject to breaking. Greater branching means more ‘flower-power’; a potentially more widespread covering of the plants with colourful bracts and flowers. The bracts tend to be smaller and narrower. It appears that Princettia® plants will be ideal for production in 12cm pots. So far, 4 colours have been introduced: Soft-Pink, Pink, Hot Pink and Dark Pink. The latter two are striking colours. Of equal importance it is claimed that Princettia® varieties can be grown at lower temperatures without plant growth regulators, have a short production time and promise a longer production season. No doubt many breeders will be following the same objective. For more information contact: Moerheim New Plants BV, Fax 0031 172506675, email: egberts@moerheim.com www.moerheim.com or other distributor as indicated above. |
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