Cortez® Burgundy, Red Diamond, Freedom® Orange, Monreale® Deep Pink, Monreale® Peach, Monreale® Deep Pink, Jester® Jingle Bells, Jester® Pink, Primero Red, Pepride White, are new varieties available from Lazzeri for 2003. The Jester® series, including Red, provide growers with a decided advantage that 20%-30% more plants can be grown per m2. The erect pointed bracts grow slightly upright to resemble large tulip flowers. This novel characteristic makes sleeving easier and also reduces mechanical damage to bracts in handling. 'Jingle Bells' has red and pink bracts. Particularly recommended by Lazzeri are: Freedom® Red, Monreale® Red, Monreale® Fire, Monreale® Early Red, Dumbo® (bright red with rounded bracts), Prestige® Red, Pepride Red and Primero Red. The Monreale® series and Dumbo® are Lazzeri selections. These Lazzeri selections have dark foliage, medium growth and dwarfing requirements and flower in week 48. The exceptions are: 'Deep Pink' (a little earlier to flower), 'Peach' (stronger growth and therefore dwarfing requirement and an ordinary green leaf colour) and 'Early Red' which flowers in week 46. Monreale® Fire produces red-orange bracts. Dumbo® requires only very little dwarfing. Prestige® Red is strong growing but requires only little dwarfing and flowers in week 47. It adapts well to high density planting. Primero® Red is a strong robust variety like Angelica with strong vertical branching but requires little growth regulator. It is tolerant to heat and produces large horizontal bracts. Grows well at 14-16°C. All of the above mentioned varieties have demonstrated a good strong shelf-life, slightly reduced in the case of Monreale® Peach. Note that Open Days will be held 20-22 June 2003 in Nurseries of members of A.I.Gi.P members (Italian Association of Young Plant Producers). For further information: (A.I.Gi.P tel 0422 431879) Fax 0473 246666 E-mail: lazzeri@lazzeri.com www.lazzeri.com